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Letters
to the Editor
Feb 2, 2007
Editor,
In my opinion, last week’s forum was a successful beginning. The government said they would check on the invasion of green areas around the Charco del Ingenio and the Parque Landeta. They also said that they would check the water in the creek next to the sewage treatment plant. It was reported that the creek had 80% more water than usual and that it was untreated sewage. The government said they would address these two concerns immediately. A public promise. Now, we as citizens have to participate and make sure they follow up and invite us along.
Can you believe that our garbage is going to be 100% recycled? And at a profit for the city! The medieval slaughterhouse is going to be moved off the river, away from the bus station out into country. How about that simultaneous translation? How about Gerardo Arteaga standing up for the foreign community when one lady said that everything was in dollars. He said that the foreigners have put their money where their mouth is on many projects with the Mexicans. Thank you.
Okay, so the presentations of how the ecology department bureaucracies for Querétaro and León were incredibly boring and time-consuming, but I went up to Ecology and talked to Don Patterson. He took full responsibility for using up so much time. He said that he wanted the heads of all the city departments together to hear about the organization of other cities. We agreed that that was probably better for a city meeting and not a community meeting. Hey, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has worked to make this forum happen. Only four years ago, I went to ask about the sewage treatment plant and wrote an article about it for Atención. A member of the city government told me to be careful because there was talk of having me deported for being political. Yeah—Housewife Party. Now, four years later, we are friends and work together. The ecology program designed here in SMA includes education for first through sixth grades (PEASMA) and includes SAPASMA, FAI–Save the Children, Mexico, Ecología de SMA, CASA, Charco del Ingenio, Audubon and Save the Laja. If this program works out, making the children the guardians of nature, it will be adopted by the state of Guanajuato and the country as a model.
It’s like Ghandi said, “We have to find out what we have in common.” I would like to add that we each have to do our part. It isn’t just the responsibility of the government or the church. We are participating in the beginning of a democracy.
Alexa Fullerton de Canales
Editor,
In her Atención commentary in the January 5 issue, Alice Sperling is very critical of the restaurant scene in San Miguel. She finds the local restaurants “disappointing, mediocre and lacking in innovation and creativity.”
She reminds me of the stereotypical American overseas traveler who complains when everything is not just like at home in the USA.
For me her most shocking comment was: “why no better Chinese (restaurant)?”
I have traveled in many parts of four continents. I make a point of testing Chinese restaurants wherever I travel. Imagine my surprise when I found the best Chinese restaurant in the world right here in San Miguel.
The China Palace restaurant at the corner of Mesones and Reloj is as good as it gets. While visiting here my friends and I try to patronize The China Palace as frequently as possible. The freshness and quality of the food is outstanding. We have never experienced an unsatisfactory dish there.
I would like Sperling to find me any better Chinese restaurant anywhere in the world.
Gilbert Levine
Editor,
Thank you for bringing to light during the holiday season the needs of our children and the joys they bring to others.
We rely solely on community support to feed, house, clothe, transport and educate our nearly 100 children, and we are grateful for all who get to know us and join us in our work to ensure a better future.
Madre Delfina, Directora, Santuario Hogar Guadalupano, A.C.
Madre Maria de Guadalupe, Director, Casa Hogar Don Bosco, A.C.
Madre Maria de Jesus, Directora, Casa Hogar Santa Julia Don Bosco, A.C.
Editor,
I was greatly disturbed and moved by Kenneth Murphy’s admirable letter regarding the deplorable conditions existing at the city pound right next to the slaughterhouse. Unfortunately, I was not at all surprised to read his description because I had once visited the city pound at a prior location (on the Caracol) and it was a nightmare. I did in fact succeed in rescuing a gorgeous purebred bearded collie on that occasion (he was to have been put down within the hour!) and quickly found a wonderful home for him with an American family who had raised and shown this breed in the US before moving here.
Mr. Murphy and others who have been very upset and distraught at the contents of his letter will, I hope, be heartened to learn that I have heard that Amigos de Animales are currently negotiating with Ecología to take over the running of the pound, which would really be the best possible solution to this disgraceful situation.
Needless to say, this responsibility being undertaken by Amigos will come at a heavy financial cost to that organization. I would therefore suggest that all who feel they would be willing to contribute both financially (however modestly) and with volunteer time to help at the pound itself contact Amigos to let them know they will have support in the animal-loving community.
Hopefully, there is light at the end of the tunnel. God bless all who worry about and help the vulnerable animals.
Anne Rusling
Editor,
I feel like I’ve been had. I went to the San Miguel Chili Cook-Off on Sunday in good faith and expectation that my 50-peso entrance fee would at least provide a taste or two or three of chili.
I arrived a bit before 2pm for a gala extravaganza advertised to last from noon to 6pm.
When I arrived, I was told there was no more chili but to help myself to overpriced hot dogs, beer or margaritas at my cost. Their circular also advertised wonderful raffles and door prizes, but it turns out those cost extra too, once you get there.
I complained to a number of people with badges, who were all pointing their fingers to unknowns in deep space. NOBODY offered even a weak apology, or even a mild offer to elevate my concerns to the “authorities.”
That stinks. I think this is a mega rip-off. They say they are sponsoring the Centro de Crecimiento for kids with mental and physical challenges. I think that’s cool, and I encourage people to make direct contributions.
But I’m certainly not going to support this bogus cook-off fundraiser. I’m suspecting that my money would be just as useful if I put it in the middle of my patio and set fire to it.
George Sickler
Editor,
Over 500 people enjoyed the warm sunshine, cold beer and margaritas and chilis of varying temperatures at Sunday's Chili Cook-off to benefit Centro de Crecimiento.
Over a dozen cooks vied for fame with their own special recipes, which ranged from less than one to more that “five alarms.” A panel of expert judges finally announced that
the grand prize went to Dick and Emi Weber. Their beautifully decorated tent was an appropriate setting for their complex and delicious recipe. The Webers also walked off
with the prize for best margaritas—no surprise for anyone who has ever eaten at one of Dick’s two former restaurants.
The People’s Choice chili award went to Romano’s restaurant. Owners David and Patrice promise to add it to their regular menu.
Thanks to the generosity of many local restaurants and businesses, the event was enlivened by drawings and auctions. Ticket holders had a chance to walk off with meals at great local restaurants, a balloon ride, fine wines, a day at a spa, a local author’s new book or one of many other prizes.
The planning committee wishes to send a special “Thank you” to Atención for pre-event publicity, which attracted twice as many people as the committee had estimated. As a result, the Chili Cook-off netted over 25,000 pesos to benefit Centro de Crecimiento. The committee promises to have twice as many cooks and three times the amount of chili next year!
Gordon Jett
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