Letters to the Editor

Editor,

We are so blessed to live in a lovely town with lots of kind and generous people that give tons of money to our various charities. Natural areas and parks do not have the priority of hungry and damaged children but also deserve our attention and donations.

Don Patterson, Director of Ecology, has started a fund for donations to city parks and recreational areas such as Parque Juarez. The fund is appropriately titled “Fondo Verde” and donations can be made easily at BanNorte on San Francisco, Cuenta (account number) 0530457691.

Our beautiful nature reserve and botanical garden El Charco costs about US$220,000 annually to operate and is currently straining to pay legal defense costs related to pressure from developers on the buffer zone. Donations for El Charco can be made at Border Crossing, San Miguel Educational Foundation, or left with me at Correo 59.

Robert Haas

Editor,


Two weeks ago I attended a performance at the Teatro Santa Ana. I enjoyed the concert but something made me uncomfortable, sad and, finally, angry. Both presentations of the artist and of the songs were only in English...Que pasa al TEATRO SANTA ANA! I believe the biblioteca, as a cultural institution, has a responsibility to address the public in spanish. 

Que pasa a la BIBLIOTECA PUBLICA! I also remember that in 1985, ''ATTENCION'' (sic) was bilingual. I used to think that ''cohabitation" in San Miguel de Allende was possible. In 2007, I have doubts. Are we forgetting that San Miguel is a Mexican community, that our hosts speak Spanish and that it would be a sign of respect to, at least, try and speak Spanish. This letter is written in English (rather than Spanish) so as to reach as many people as possible from the English speaking, cultural minority.

Claire Trudeau

Editor,

I lost my Canadian passport and my tourist card which was in the passport. I told a few people and they all had a sympathetic ear. My friends from Canada offered to help but they’re unable to speak Spanish. The few Spanish lessons I’m taking from the Instituto helped a bit but not enough. However two San Miguel residents came to my rescue and both volunteered their time, even though they are both very busy people.

Jaime Olalde of Tours Mexico Colonial took me in his car to the Immigration Office here in town and spoke on my behalf.

Miguel Kegel, the Manager of the Bibliotheca Publico, gave me the name of a lawyer to notarize my papers and came to the office to act as my translator.

It is because of people like that that we, Canadians keep coming back, and want to give back to the community. This is my second season in San Miguel and it won’t be my last.

I thank my Canadian friends also Fleurette and Bob Lynch who came to the notary’s office to serve as witnesses on short notice.



Helena Clifford.