Cont. from front page,
The first public university was opened in the city, and for the first time, the local government performed an exhaustive evaluation of the regions and ecological areas within the municipality. Atención presents its annual summary of the year that was 2007 in San Miguel.
January
The year began with apprehension on the parts of vendors who traditionally sell toys in local shops and the all-night market on January 5, the night before Three Kings Day, when children traditionally receive their gifts. The recently opened Comercial Mexicana (Mega), with its alternative choices and competitive pricing, helped fuel fears of low toy sales.
The citizen’s action group named Basta ya hosted a conference titled “Strategy to Defend the Cultural and Natural Heritage of San Miguel de Allende” on January 4. Among the presenters, Alberto Székely spoke on the importance of citizen participation to protect local natural and cultural resources.
On January 16, the presentation of the municipal development plan by local authorities and guest specialists was not well received by the crowd of more than 200, who criticized the inadequate size of the venue, lack of a publicly announced agenda and the absence of space for dialog.
Also in January, Atención reported on cajas populares, similar to US credit unions, which offer investment, savings and lending programs for Mexicans and foreigners.
February
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More than half the total municipal population of 139,297 is dispersed among more than 534 rural communities with varying levels of basic services. |
The Department of Social and Human Development tries to provide basic services (electricity, water and roads) to rural communities as well as poor urban colonias.
Heavy rains and the new location in El Cardo parking lot (which, according to authorities, would be temporary) affected sales of plants and flowers during San Miguel’s Candelaria festival.
A multistory parking lot on Calle Insurgentes came under scrutiny after construction work caused structural damage to walls of the neighboring General Hospital. Neighbors expressed their concern over the height of the parking lot and the noise level.
The city councilors spoke with Atención on the topics that have generated the most heated responses from the public—salary increases for councilors and public servants, housing development decision-making processes and the municipal government plan.
March
| More than 100 dancers dressed in pre-Hispanic costumes filled the Jardín on March 2 to honor El Señor de la Conquista (Our Lord of the Conquest). The New General Hospital Felipe G. Dobarganes moved on March 4 from its previous structure on Reloj to its new location on Calle 1 de Mayo #7, Fraccionamiento Ignacio Ramírez. |
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Ejido de Tirado, a poor neighborhood on the outskirts of town has been growing uncontrollably for 20 years and accounts for more than 20 percent of the city’s population of 65,000. It is one example of new colonias appearing without municipal authorization.
Alberto Székely, international legal expert on development and the environment, introduced and discussed a 27-point strategy that offers guidance on: enhancing cooperation between citizens, city hall and the state congress; protecting the environment and San Miguel’s cultural heritage; regulating urban development; and increasing transparency and accountability in local government.
Holy Week festivities began in San Miguel with the arrival of Nuestro Señor de la Columna (Our Lord of the Column). The impressive figure of the beaten and bloodied Christ, housed at the Shrine of Atotonilco, is borne to San Miguel during the week preceding Holy Week.
Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations in San Miguel officially began with two contrasting events: Viernes de Dolores (Friday of Our Lady of Sorrows) on Friday and Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) on Sunday.
April
The most solemn and longest procession of Holy Week is the Holy Burial on Good Friday, which departs from the Oratorio. An estimated 2,000 sanmiguelenses—uniformed Roman soldiers, young girls dressed in white as angels, women with black lace mantillas and black-suited pallbearers—accompanied carved statues of archangels, an eighteenth-century life-sized figure of the Virgin of Solitude and the figure of Jesus of Nazareth.
The growth of the city in recent years has created concern about the city’s long-term water supply. However, local authorities and SAPASMA are optimistic about the future of water in San Miguel. Arturo Morales Tirado, a member of the group Basta ya, said that the aquifers of San Miguel have not been recharged in at least 50 years.
The area now known as San Miguel de Allende is located at a crossroad traversed since pre-Hispanic times. The site of the original habitation, known as San Miguel el Viejo, is believed by archeologists to have been the most important religious center along the Río Laja basin.
For Mexicans in San Miguel de Allende, speaking English has become an important tool in daily life. However, not all native Spanish speakers in town are convinced of the importance of English as a second language.
President Felipe Calderón visited San Miguel for the opening of the Dr. Felipe G. Dobarganes General Hospital. “For my government, health is first,” said President Calderón during the formal opening on April 26.
May
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The public transportation that nearly 50,000 sanmiguelenses rely on every day is one of the main sources of traffic congestion and air pollution in San Miguel. Local authorities are trying to address these problems by insisting that the owners of the pubic transport companies replace the older 10-meter-long behemoths with newer models no more than 8.5 meters long. |
Complaints mounted against the local branch of the national power company, Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE). “The CFE is a monopoly and is taking advantage of this by abusing its customers,” said Manuel Huerta, who has tried to help some 340 residents deal with big increases in their electric bills since the beginning of 2007.
The neighborhood of Valle del Maíz held its annual Santa Cruz (Holy Cross) celebration, rich with a mix of Indian and Spanish cultures.
June
The civil association El Charco del Ingenio A.C. expressed concern about the potential threat to protected land posed by housing developments in areas adjacent to the park.
The San Miguel City Council cancelled the 34th annual Sanmiguelada (running of the bulls) because of concerns over security and the possible impact on the city’s bid to be named a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Daniel Trujillo, the new head of Public Security, explained the changes and restructuring his department has undergone since he took office in October 2006.
The parade of Los Locos (the crazy people) is the most cheerful and one of the most anticipated spectacles in San Miguel.
For many of the enterprising artisans in rural communities, establishing a small business is daunting because of a lack of economic resources and a surfeit of experience and information. The local government—through the Tourism and Economic Development Department—has worked to promote these San Miguel artisans.
A group of young people between the ages of 6 and 17 known as Grupo VIVO (Vigilante Voluntario) have pledged to report crime in their communities under the guidance of the Public Security Department.
July
| Water from wells that supply the communities west of the city near Presa Allende and along the Río Laja basin contains fluoride, which is toxic at high levels. Communities north of the city, on the road to Rodríguez, are suffering a lack of water. | |
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The internationally recognized short film festival Expresión en corto celebrated its tenth anniversary with the United States in the spotlight as guest country.
Approximately 200 people demonstrated in the Jardín on July 23 calling for the reinstatement of the Sanmiguelada, which was cancelled by the city council in June.
Heavy rains in late July, though beneficial to crops in the San Miguel countryside, flooded some rural communities in the northern area of the municipality.
August
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The Festival of Sexual Diversity was held in San Miguel from August 9–11. The main event of the festival was screening the documentary Muxes: Authentic, Intrepid Seekers of Danger by Mexican filmmaker Alejandra Islas. |
Ángel Gastélum, head of the Urban Development Department, announced that 26 million pesos had been allocated for the Pueblos Mágicos (Magic Towns) program in 2007, including restoration of: the façade of the Oratorio church; Santa Escuela next to the Parroquia and its tower; and the Atotonilco shrine and the spiritual exercises house. The funds also will be used for illumination of the Santa Ana and San Juan de Dios churches and to bury the cables on Ancha de San Antonio, Tenerías, Codo and Calle del Cardo.
The municipality of San Miguel has an illiteracy rate of 17.4 percent, almost three times the national rate of 6 percent, according to 2005 state census data. Local head of education Jesús Ledesma said that 36,000 adults in the municipality have not completed elementary school.
The Cultural Center Ignacio Ramírez, commonly known as Bellas Artes, celebrates its 45th anniversary during August with a variety of cultural events.
Tourism, San Miguel’s most important economic activity, has been decreasing, with the summer of 2007 bringing the lowest numbers in the last two years.
September
| On September 4, a new public university opened in San Miguel de Allende, offering three degrees: a technical degree in tourism, technical degree in gastronomy and a degree in historical building restoration—all of which are in accordance with the city’s profile for employment. | |
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September, the Mes de la Patria, celebrates the fight for Mexican independence from Spanish rule that began on September 16, 1810.
UNESCO officials were in town to evaluate whether San Miguel de Allende should be included on the organization’s list of World Heritage sites, under the criteria of integrity and authenticity. The final decision will be made in July 2008 in Quebec, Canada.
Over 100 women and children blocked the main entrance to Atotonilco on Thursday, September 20, refusing to be removed from the vendors’ esplanade in front the shrine and relocated in the community’s park and soccer court, 300 meters away.
On Monday, September 24, Jesús Correa presented his first annual report on the state of the local government. As his major achievements thus far as mayor, he cited improving the public image of the police force, opening a public university in San Miguel, examining and evaluating most of the regions and ecological areas in the municipality and forging an agreement with UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico) to establish an online educational center in the city’s public library.
October
The young and the elderly are two of the most vulnerable groups of citizens. One government agency charged with allaying the suffering of the disenfranchised of San Miguel is the Family Services Department (DIF).
The Río Laja basin has been severely compromised by population growth, depleting underground water reserves, clearing forests for agricultural use, water pollution and quarrying sand and gravel in the basin, leading to erosion along the banks of the Laja. All of these factors have adversely affected the communities and ecosystems in this area.
From October 10 to 14, San Miguel hosted representatives from about 40 Mexican and American cities during the international convention of the US Mexico Sister Cities Association, dedicated to enhancing bonds between the two countries.
On October 10, UNAM, the local government through its Foreign Relations, Tourism and Economic Development Department and the Biblioteca Pública signed an agreement to establish a research and postgraduate online studies center at the Biblioteca.
November
Mexicans dedicate November 2—Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead—to remembering their loved ones who have passed on. Thousands of people gather in cemeteries around the graves of those they have lost but who nonetheless live on in the memories of their families.
On this Day of the Dead, Atención remembers some of San Miguel de Allende’s prominent residents who passed away: Manuel Zavala PPKBZON, Col. Philip Maher, Stirling Dickinson, Dr.Felipe G. Dobarganes, Susan Roettinger, Carmen Masip and Kendal Butler.
In November Atención also shone a spotlight on the volunteer firefighters of San Miguel risk their life to save others.
Tabasco remains under water, and the desperate situation was expected to continue for two to three months. The staff of the San Miguel Red Cross and Civil Protection left for Tabasco on November 10 with supplies collected during the past week.
Local gallery owner and artist Carmen Gutiérrez and the Biblioteca Pública held an art auction on November 18 to benefit Tabasco. On December 4, Gutiérrez, Biblioteca Pública President Ali Zerriffi and General Manager Miguel Kegel handed over a check for 257,384 pesos raised at the Art for Tabasco benefit to Banamex manager Alejandro Pérez Rocha and assistant manager Rafael Martínez.
We reported on Casa Esperanza, or the DIM program (Integrated Development for Children), which is run by the Department of Family Integration (DIF) and has the difficult mission of trying to steer street children back to school.
Through its Ecology Department, the municipal government has created a program called Verde y Sustentable (Green and Sustainable), which is to protect, recover and properly use natural resources and promote sustainable social and economic development of people in rural communities.
December
A new project is now underway to open a library in Cruz del Palmar, a rural community of Otomí origin in which a new videobachillerato was recently opened.
Two proposals for the former Presidencia (city hall) building were presented to the public on December 7. Archeologist Gabriela Zepeda and her team proposed converting the building into an archeology, ethnography and art and culture city museum. Television and radio producer Lucy Zavala presented a proposal for a museum of history and local traditions. After reviewing the two final proposals, the council determined that the former proposal was more appropriate and feasible.
Lack of time and space, the growth of the city and the introduction of foreign traditions such as the Christmas tree are some factors that have led to the diminution of the Christmas tradition of nacimientos (nativity scenes) set up around town.
The best of Atención for 2007
There’s just never enough space in print, so for the complete selection of the Atención staff’s favorites from this year, go to www.atencionsanmiguel.org.
Forum on renewable energy, Ben-Zion Ptashnik (Jan 12)
The Ex-Vermont state senator explores the current climate crisis and what can be done to curb our impact on global warming.
North Looking South, John Barham (Jan 19)
Columnist John Barham reflects on the impact the execution of Saddam Hussein had on the ongoing conflict in Iraq.
The Bridges of London, Bill Gallacher (Feb 23)
Regular contributor Bill Gallacher takes readers on a long stroll across the great bridges.
A behind-the-scenes look at some of the biggest stories of our time, Alexis White (Mar 9)
NPR reporter John Burnett gave us the story behind the stories in his newest book.
Alicia’s cookin’ at Bee Natural… text & photos by Deborah Whitehouse (Mar 30)
Local chef Alicia Rivero brings her special touch to the kitchens of Bee Natural. Local contributor Deborah Whitehouse sits down with Alicia to talk about the new offerings.
Hospice San Miguel brings comfort and care to the terminally ill, Françoise Lemieux (Mar 30)
After months of planning, fundraising and building, Hospice San Miguel opened its doors to patients.
History gets the short shift in beauty pageant, Atención staff (May 4)
A witty, irreverent look at this year’s Miss Universe pageant held in the Mexico City.
On My Mind…The “gimme” spirituality of The Secret, Joseph Dispenza (May 11)
Columnist Joseph Dispenza looks at some secrets behind the bestselling movie and book The Secret.
Cross cultural bloopers (May 25)
“Please leave your values at the front desk,” as posted in a Paris elevator. Atención printed dozens for this article.
An expat’s thoughts on Independence Day, Georgeann Johnson (June 29)
Georgeann Johnson ponders the meaning of Independence Day for an American living outside of her home country.
Sicko reviewed, Cliff DuRand (July 27)
Center for Global Justice co-founder Cliff DuRand reviews Michael Moore’s controversial new film, Sicko.
On Photography, Always and never, Robert de Gast (Aug 3)
Columnist Robert de Gast reviews the highs and lows of using your personal camera.
A modern revolutionary calendar, Kennedy Poyser (Sept 14)
Notorious revolutionary dilettante Kennedy Poyser explores various revolutions around the world, both successful and unsuccessful, for the Mexican Independence Day edition.
Capital Comments, Mexico City—the post-apocalyptic city, Jim Johnston (Sept 28)
Columnist Jim Johnston explores the post-apocalyptic cityscape of Mexico City.
Story of a nomination, Francisco Vidargas (Sept 28)
Former director of Bellas Artes in San Miguel, Francisco Vidargas reviews the city’s nomination process to become a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Cuban torcedora tours Mexico, Kennedy Poyser (Oct 26)
Cigar aficionado Kennedy Poyser caught up with expert Cuban cigar roller Judith Rivero Delgado de Oramas during her visit to San Miguel.
The San Miguel UNAM Project, Ali Zerriffi (Nov 9)
Biblioteca Pública president Ali Zerriffi outlines the joint project between the Biblioteca Pública, the city of San Miguel and UNAM to launch the San Miguel Community Project, housed at the Biblioteca Pública.
From Cuba to San Miguel: Francisco Mela to headline the Jazz and Blues Festival, Glenda Robinson (Nov 9)
Glenda Robinson, co-producer of this year’s Jazz and Blues Festival, catches up with enigmatic Cuban drummer Francisco Mela.
Following La Carrera Panamericana, Art Bone (Nov 16)
Our Motorsports correspondent covers The Pan-American road race in Oaxaca from one of his many steeds.
Mexico decriminalizes defamation;
Imprisonment still on the books in 29 states
By Alexis White
The following article first appeared in Atención, May 11, 2007.
“Que nos quiten las demás libertades con tal de que nos dejen la libertad de prensa, pues con ella reconquistaremos en breve todas las demás.”
“Let them take all the other freedoms away, provided they leave freedom of the press, because that will soon enable us to recover all the others.”
In a speech which he opened with this quote from the mid-19th century publication El Monitor Republicano, President Felipe de Jesús Calderón Hinojosa marked his signing of a decree that repealed 15 articles of the Código Penal Federal (Federal Penal Code). No longer will slander, libel and defamation (calumnia, injuria e difamación) be criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment.
These historic words, he said, serve as a reminder that freedom of expression is one of Mexico’s historical achievements and that a free press is essential to the consolidation of the democracy it is striving to achieve. He added, however, that freedom of expression does not mean that journalism is synonymous with impunity, since people’s privacy, honor and reputation will and must be guaranteed.
The signing of this decree removes slander, libel and defamation from the penal code and places them within the jurisdiction of the Código Civil Federal (Federal Civil Code).
Journalists and communicators, who civil court judges determine have acted outside of the law when disseminating information or opinion, now will only be subject to fines and the issuance of public retractions that give equal broadcast time or print space to the offended party. Offended parties also can be awarded damages. The law further states that in no case will negative opinions of literary, artistic, historical, scientific or professional critics be considered as “attacks on the honor” of a person or institution as long as there is “no intention to offend.”
“Decriminalizing slander, libel and defamation is benchmark legislation, and it will stand as a beacon in the history of Mexico’s emergence as a world-class democracy,” said Leonarda Reyes, director of CEPET (El Centro de Periodismo y Ética—The Center for Journalism and Public Ethics). “Now, it is essential that state congresses follow suit and enact the same legislation,” she added, “because these offenses remain criminal acts, punishable by imprisonment, in the vast majority of Mexico’s states, whose laws supersede those of the federal government.”
To date, only Baja California, Jalisco and the Federal District have amended their laws to decriminalize defamation, thus leaving reporters and communicators in 29 states subject to prison terms. One example is that of Lydia Cacho, whom the Washington Post calls “one of Mexico’s most celebrated and imperiled journalists.” She faces up to two years’ imprisonment for an exposé involving a wealthy Mexican businessman.
According to Reporters Sans Frontiers, criminal sentencing for defamation is as follows, with maximum terms shown:
· Guanajuato and Morelos: one year
· Campeche, Chihuahua, Hidalgo, Nayarit, Querétaro, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Yucatán and Zacatecas: two years
· Aguascalientes, Coahuila, Colima, Durango, Guerrero (except for a state official in the exercise of his duties), México, Michoacán, Nuevo León and Tabasco: three years
· Baja California Sur, Puebla and Veracruz: four years
· Oaxaca: five years
· Chiapas: nine years in prison and the equivalent of nine times the minimum wage in fines.
Journalism and human rights organizations, including those associated with the United Nations, the Organization of American States and the Council of Europe, to name a few, play a significant role in bringing public awareness to the plight of journalists around the world, who have suffered imprisonment, exorbitant fines, intimidation, violence and death. It is through their efforts, including serving as watchdogs, that governments can become motivated to change.
In President Calderón’s speech, he stated that decriminalization was a demand of all journalists as well as a requirement to consolidate Mexico’s democracy. He also noted that a number of challenges have yet to be met, since one of the greatest threats journalists still face is intimidation and violence.
“I would like to repeat,” President Calderón said, “the fact that I have a personal commitment to the work of the news media. I believe in freedom and responsibility, and
the government I lead is not only committed to respecting the freedom of the press but also to defending the free, safe performance of their profession. That is a priority, and we will spare no effort to bring about the solving of crimes committed against journalists.”
The revised law was approved by the Cámara de Diputados (Chamber of Deputies) in April of 2006 and passed by the Senado (Senate) this past March. President Calderón signed the bill in a ceremony at Los Pinos that was attended by national and international media executives. The bill became official on April 12, 2007 with its publication in El Diario Oficial de la Federación (the Official Gazette).
Alexis White is a member of the CEPET International Advisory Group, which presents lectures by journalists and other special programs to the San Miguel de Allende community. CEPET is a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote independent investigative and public interest journalism that will contribute to a more informed society in Mexico. For further information about CEPET, please contact Leonarda Reyes at leonare@cepet.org, or by phone at 154-8898.
December 28 Breaking News
By Gabriela Blanco & Jesús Ibarra
Sanborns in San Miguel de Allende
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The city council announced that the museum project which had been selected for the former Presidencia building in Plaza Principal, has been dropped, since the Sanborns chain of stores and restaurants has bought the historical building. The new Sanborns will open in mid-2008 and will replicate the tile-style of the famous Sanborns in Mexico City. |
Remodeling will start in January. “It is undeniable that sanmiguelenses want modernity in our magic town, and there is nothing more important and modern than a Sanborns,” said a city spokesperson. Atención surveyed the public and found 90 percent of the people agree and are happy to have a store such as Sanborns where they can buy perfumes, CDs, toys, candy, magazines and many other things.
Atención San Miguel in Spanish
Due to low newspaper revenue and the absence of ads, the editorial council has decided to change the profile of Atención and to publish it only in Spanish. We will publish only the most relevant news in the city such as crimes, assaults and all kinds of police reports. This is the last English edition, so from January 4, Atención says goodbye to its English-language readers and thanks to all their volunteer proofreaders. ¡Thanks!
Mexico City tips for San Miguel
The Mexico City mayor has convinced the San Miguel mayor that the only way to attract tourism to San Miguel is to do what he has done in Mexico City. At the beginning of the year, the program “Winter in San Miguel” will begin with a series of activities and events. The local government intends to promote ice skating by establishing an ice rink in the Jardín. “An ice-skating rink is going to be built in the Jardín,” said the city secretary. “We already have the funds to build it, but the only problem is that we do not know what to do with the kiosk.”
The city secretary also announced that since this winter is not so cold, an artificial beach will be set up in the natural reservoir of El Charco del Ingenio, using the water of the Presa de las Colonias for a sea.
George Bush in San Miguel de Allende
| In an exclusive interview for Atención, US President George Bush announced his next visit to San Miguel. He also promised there will be no more wars and during his last year in office, he will help underdeveloped countries to achieve economic and technological growth, and he will do this from his own pocket. | |
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During his visit to San Miguel he will meet with representatives of rural communities and poor neighborhoods to distribute green cards and to invite everyone to move to the United States to work. Dick Cheney will trail along behind to offer high wages at Halliburton to tempt the undecided.
The Day of the Innocents (Dia de Los Santos Incocentes) is celebrated on December 28 to commemorate an old Christian legend: the killing of children born in Bethlehem less than two years old, ordered by King Herod to kill the Baby Jesus, too. In several Latin American countries it is celebrated by doing jokes and telling lies to others. Some newspapers publish false news.
This year, Atencion staff wanted to celebrate the day by publishing the false and funny news you have just read. If some of the news upset you, we apologize; our intention was only to make you smile.
Mexico Round-up
Compiled by Gabriela Blanco
To keep San Miguel readers informed of recent developments across Mexico, we’ve compiled an overview of lead stories from national newspapers over the last two weeks.
PEMEX denies commercial agreement with Shell
La Jornada: Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) confirmed a 2004 collaboration agreement with Royal Dutch Shell for “non-commercial” scientific and technological research. PEMEX said such arrangements also have been formalized with Norwegian Statoil and Brazil’s Petrobras.
La Jornada reported that a division of the Anglo-Dutch multinational reached a confidential agreement to explore the Chicontepec oil field. The Mexican company reported that there is no confidential agreement with Shell or any company that would allow them to explore or exploit any oil field in the country.
Grijalva River flows free again
El Universal reported on December 19 that the Grijalva River is moving 50 cubic meters per second, although the goal is channel capacity of 900 cubic meters per second. The slow movement allows engineers to assess danger of landslides from the hills. The operation transfers water through an 800-meter channel and risks further landslides and floods in Chiapas and Tabasco. The eight-hour operation is controlled from two dams, Malpaso and Peñitas. Before starting, 8,000 people were evacuated to safe areas in the state of Tabasco, and 3,500 more in Chiapas.
La Jornada: The Grijalva, the country’s largest river, returned to normal on Tuesday morning after the workers of the National Water Commission (Conagua) and the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) opened the obstruction formed by a Chiapas mudslide on November 4. The water will take 23 hours to get to the rivers of Tabasco.
Lower prices on 300 products next year, but gasoline will rise 5 percent
Exclusive to La Jornada: The Ministry of Economy and ANTAD discounted 300 consumer products to protect the economy of Mexican families in the first four months of next year, announced secretary Eduardo Sojo. He described it as a zero tax on imports of wheat and other products related to the food chain. He guaranteed that even if next year prices of grains like corn stay high, the excessive increases of 2007 will not be repeated because the supply is assured.
It seems like racial crime
Exclusive to El Universal: The murder of four Mexican immigrants at Timber Ridge apartments in Sharonville, Ohio, has unleashed a strong wave of condemnation by the Hispanic community in the United States, who want immediate clarification of the facts and the arrest of the murderers. Sharonville police continue investigating to clarify the facts and identities of the four victims. A long list of organizations have condemned a crime perpetrated in the middle of an anti-immigrant climate and have called on political authorities. Hamilton County police may offer immunity to witnesses who could offer clues leading to the arrest of the murderers.