Letters to the Editor

Editor,

One of the many reasons for moving to San Miguel is to leave the stress, crowding, and noise behind, whether you’ve come from a city in Mexico, the US, Canada, Europe or South America. As we continue to grow, the expectation for noise will only continue to grow. Amazingly, one of the most annoying and absurd noise makers are those 4-inch tail pipes (or a lack of tailpipe) that have been banned in many US cities, oftentimes worthy of a citation...but is generally never quite upheld. The decibel level is deafening and takes its toll on all of our eardrums. The manufacturers of these “add-ons” for motorcycles and cars alike have added exponentially to the noise pollution all over the world and San Miguel, unfortunately has not been left out. However, since we live in a city that is top to bottom, side to side stone, brick and concrete...the reverberation of such noise makers is compounded, rattling windows and nerves, day and night. I’m no politician or law enforcement official, only a citizen who as the years t
ick by, is more and more annoyed by the increase in noise and I wonder how or when we can curb this incessant racket. I’ve stood on the side of the road and had to stop my conversation mid-stream with someone standing no more than 18 inches away from me, when a “hog” fitted out with these non-baffle tailpipes roars up or down Hospicio. When the morning rush hour begins and the steady stream of workmen roar up the hills, I run to close the windows only to experience a rattling and shaking that reminds me of a jet breaking the sound barrier. When is enough, enough?

Tim Johnson

Editor,

I am dismayed that the second annual Best of Burros Festival being sponsored by Forgotten Child has forgotten to consider people not able to spend 395 pesos on this event but who very much would like to attend. While the cost includes transportation, the opportunity to buy chocolate at a wonderful but costly (for some) company on the return bus trip, and a village comida, it is beyond the means for a number of San Miguel full and part time residents. I think it would be nice for this event to be more inclusive and considerate of seniors and others living in San Miguel whom I have heard express alarm at the large jump (from last year) in the cost of attending, who have friends willing to take them by car, and who have no interest in purchasing chocolate.

Additionally, the article’s authors (one of whom founded the organization), never state that Forgotten Child International/Foundación Internatiónal de Niños Olivdados, AC, is Christian faith-based, (sponsoring Bible programs, summer Bible camps, providing “Jesus Loves Me” T-shirts to Jalpa’s schoolchildren). It is under the umbrella of Global Development Services, a Christian ministry whose Mission Statement includes the following: 

Enhance the establishment of the Christian community within a specific country through Christian leadership development in six core areas of need and influence.

Six areas of influence: Christian Discipleship Education, Career Development, Health Care, Economic Development, Children’s Ministries

All ministries selected by GDS must impact at least one of these areas and most will affect several. By partnering with many such missions in one country, we believe that significant impact can be achieved for that Country's Christian community.

Atención article cites Forgotten Child’s Leading with English Program, identifying it as “being designed to inspire leadership” relative to continuing their education, etc… and one volunteer states that, “We are trying to show the kids different options in life.” But given the mission, what exactly is being taught, espoused to these children in a village steeped not only in Catholicism, but in historical, indigenous roots? I believe that readers of Atención and supporters of Best of Burros and other Forgotten Child endeavors deserve to be made aware of the organization’s background and true mission. Full disclosure is due.

Virginia Naumann




Editor,

Your excellent reporter Jesus Ibarra jointly with Gabriela Blanco wrote an interesting article on the buses in San Miguel in the Feb. 15 edition. An interview with head of the Transit Department unfortunately revealed a somewhat strange attitude to the use of the buses. Whereas many citizens of San Miguel would like the large, heavy and uncomfortable buses to be exchanged for bus-vans like the ones which operate in Querétaro and Morelia (type VW or Nissan), Mr. Samuel Mercadillo only argued that the vans are just one meter shorter than the maximum for new buses in SMA and that the pavements of SMA are better coped with by the larger and stronger buses. That Mr. Mercadillo is supported by bus owners is not a surprise.

I would like to argue very strongly for the smaller vans to replace the buses. They are easy to get into and out of (not 3-4 steps up as is necessary to board a bus), the seats are more comfortable, and they will much better contribute to the visions of the future traffic situation of SMA. Technically the bus-vans have several advantages over the larger buses. Their exhaust is polluting less. They also contribute much less to road wear. Passing any point on the streets, one bus harms the pavement as much as 8,000 cars! This means that maintenance of the streets will require less money if buses are exchanged for vans. If taxis can cope with the streets of SMA, so can bus-vans. It is true, that bus-vans will need to be replaced slightly more often than buses, but that will generally mean that citizens will enjoy newer vehicles rather than pretty worn buses. Outside peak hours many buses have only very few passengers and thus are excessively expensive to operate. That more bus-vans will be needed during rush hour is true, but more bus-vans would also mean better service.

Here we touch in my opinion at the center of the issue: Service to the citizens. Why is there in the interview no mention of service to the citizens, but only arguments related to cutting 1-2 meters of the length of the buses? Excellent service and good environment are what citizens want in order to change from cars to public transport. Bus-vans connecting the historical center to large parking areas at the three entrance roads to SMA is a vision to look at. Information at bus stops as to what buses pass, where they go to (their route) how often they pass during different time of the day as well as when the first and last bus will appear would also provide much needed facts to make use of the buses easier and more appealing.

Excellent and environmentally friendly public transport is a vision for very many cities around the world. Why not for San Miguel Allende?

Ivar Schacke

Editor,

Many of your readers have supported the efforts of Computadoras Pro Jovenes to rehabilitate donated used computers, furnish them with Spanish software and keyboards and donate them to Mexican schools.

We think your readers will enjoy this letter recently received from a local kinder garden teacher, as received:

“I am very grateful with you, for all your attentions to our school, we began to show all the things we can find and do in the computer, when I show the encyclopedia the want to see everything, all my kids want to use it, and this days they arrive very early in the mornings because they want to learn how to use and use it, you can’t believe it when we’re in the computer they’re so quiet and you know this is so hard and all the attencion is with the programs, we playes de puzzles and they are telling me where to put the parts, when they listen the Himno National Mexicano, they start to sing, and when they finished to sing, some kids told me that when they were listening it they want to cry because they felt very nice in there hearts.

This are only some of the expressions and they’re so happy and interested in the computer, you know, now they have the technology and the world is their hands, the donations it’s going to change and open their mind and their vision to the future, now they’re have more options in their lives.

I’m so grateful with you and Sr Dennis, de verdad, it’s a great present, because you can see the community it’s very poor and their options and opportunities are not much, but now it’s different. Any time you want to visit the school you’re very welcome.

Discuple mi Ingles pero estoy muy emotionada por que vi en mis alumnus esa alegria

y ganas de conocer el mundo.

Mil gracias por todo !!!!!
Con cariño y respeto
Elia

For more information about our work please log on to www.cpjmex.org. 

Bill Curra

Editor,

Please accept my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all the people that attended and participated in The Dazzling Black & White Affair that was held on behalf of the children of the Centro de Crecimiento. The evening’s financial success is contributed to the numerous individuals, artists and shop owners that generously donated to the raffle and auctions. In addition, significant financial contributions by sponsors Casa del Silbador, Stanita Foundation and Sam & Nadya Chapra, venue underwriter the Hotel Real de Minas, Continental Airlines and local restaurants that donated the hors d’oeuvres and drinks that all contributed to the success.

We always want things to run according to schedule but times things do not work out as planned. For those who came to dance I owe you an apology. The priority of the event was to raise money for these children and the art auction took precedence over dancing. A special thanks to all the people who stayed, purchased the art and enjoyed the dancing.

The financial tally for the profits of the event will be announced when all of the art has been distributed and receipts tallied.

To my volunteers, I would have not done it without you! A special thanks to Rhonda Roberts for the advertising, invitations and catalogs. Thank you to Barbara Porter of the Barbarita Boutique for advertising the event and dressing my volunteers with such exquisite clothing. For it truly was a Dazzling Black & White Affair!

Mary F. Jones