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Section of the Chapala-Jocotepec highway at Nextipac, where neighbors say ficus trees are slated for removal. Photo: Héctor Ruiz.

Héctor Ruiz Mejía (Jocotepec).- At least seven trees are in danger of being cut down, according to residents of the community of Nextipac, in Jocotepec.

Large trees of the species ficus carica, or fig tree, have been marked for removal by presumed workers of the Secretariat of Infrastructure and Public Works (SIOP) as part of the construction of the bicycle path connecting the municipality of Jocotepec with Chapala. According to the neighbors, such an action «would be a great loss because they [the trees] have been here for years and are important for all the neighbors.» 

The residents also said that proposals have been presented to prevent the seven trees, each about 8 meters tall and 15 years old, from being removed, but no dialogue between the community and the alleged SIOP workers has yet occurred.

«We do not agree that these trees should be cut down; birds and animals inhabit them, and in addition they provide shade…we do not know what we are going to do if they are removed,» commented the opposing parties.

However, officials from SIOP assured residents  that this was not the final  project design. During the  community meetings  on that section,  at the intersection of Libertad and 16 de Septiembre streets, by the soccer field, SIOP personnel had said that the trees would not be cut down.  

Nevertheless, a little more than a week ago, the same SIOP personnel marked with a white line (which was erased after the rains) the route where part of the bicycle path should run and where the trees were ordered to be cut down.

Also, the neighbors stated that they have asked for help from the Directorate of Ecology and Environmental Protection of Jocotepec; however, according to Daniel Alejandro Garabito Espinoza, director of the agency, little can be done.

The official explained that this is a state-level issue and the only way to solve this matter is to reach a direct agreement between the neighbors and SIOP. «It is up to them to decide whether or not they want the trees to be cut down.»

The community complainants stated that they will not allow the trees to be uprooted «under any circumstances,» and they hope that a dialogue between the state and the citizens can be opened.

Bridge near the cemetery being cleaned by hand by delegation personnel. Photo: Sofia Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).-The cleaning and clearing of bridges and streams in Ajijic is about to be finished, said Maximiano Macías Arceo, in charge of the office. 

The bridges in the western zone of the delegation are already cleared, and the excavating machines are only giving the «final touches,» he commented.

The bridges that still need to be cleaned  include one  located between Rio Zula and Tio Domingo, which Macias Arceo defined as critical due to the obstruction it presents. It passes between several houses and runs into a wall at the hotel «La Joya del Lago» which cuts its course. It has already been reported and will be reviewed by the Urban Development Department.

Bridge between Rio Zula and Tio Domingo, which is still obstructed by debris from the mudslides. Photo: Sofia Medeles.

The second is located in the area known as «three bridges,» which only needs the usual drainage since it was not affected by the landslides of last October 2021.

«Most of them have already been cleared, there is still a bit of work to be done, but they are free now, they are ready for the rainy season and will not have any problems,» concluded Maximiano Macias. 

However, as of Sunday, 22 May,Laguna observed large boulders and rocks in the underpass at Sendero Christina, which serves several farms and ranches. The area was surrounded by security tape and large piles of debris  had been cleared to one side of the road..

The patrol car was transferred on May 19. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- A patrol unit was given on loan to the Government of Chapala by the residents of La Floresta. They were responsible for acquiring the vehicle for the use and care of the subdivision and nearby areas.

The car is labeled with the logos of the municipal police and the subdivision. The neighborhood association president, Fernando Plata, said that the car cost more than 400 thousand pesos (about US$20,000). The car was paid for by residents of La Floresta.

The moment when the neighborhood association president, Fernando Plata, handed the key to the municipal president, Alejandro Aguirre. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Plata also pointed out that the municipal government provides the officers who will carry out the patrol work in the area and the surrounding streets. In case of emergencies, the car can be used in other parts of the municipality.

During the meeting held on May 19, Fernando Plata spoke with the municipal president, Alejandro Aguirre Curiel, about upcoming projects to improve the flow of traffic on the highway and pedestrian circulation in the area.

The formal handover ceremony, which took place at the La Floresta sculpture on the Chapala-Jocotepec highway, was also attended by  acting Ajijic delegate Maximiano Macias Arceo,  Sergio Conzuelo Ramirez, commander of the municipal police, and members of the board of directors of the subdivision.

Transformer that has not been repaired after a fire. It is located near the intersection of Ocampo and Francisco Villa. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- A transformer in Ajijic has been out of order for more than a month, and repairs have not been performed by the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), despite multiple reports made by the town, neighbors, and the Chapala Directorate of Ecology.

On April 11, a fire in an electrical transformer located near the intersection of Francisco Villa and Ocampo streets was reported by nearby residents. The fire was extinguished; however, at the time of this writing, the transformer is still leaking oil.

More than 40 days later, those reports have not been addressed and the damage is still evident. Witnesses have commented that despite complaints, CFE does not provide any information other than the transformer will soon be attended to.

Since the incident, oil has been leaking and leaving a stain under the transformer. Photo: Sofia Medeles.

Ajijic acting delegate Maximiano Macias Arceo commented that he considers the oil spill to be a risk since he asserted that the oil is toxic and could cause burns if it comes into contact with the skin of passers-by.

«We have made countless reports and they have not attended [to repairs], we have even sent photos to the director of Ecology, and they have not attended the report either; we have not found the agency  responsive to the danger and the need to get the transformer fixed,» Arceo pointed out.

Some of the neighbors interviewed in that area state that the device has stopped leaking oil, but even so, they have not reported it. «We have only been without internet, but never electricity, this failure has not affected us in that aspect,» said Andrés.

«It’s not that it doesn’t pump oil, but that it pumps very little. That scares some of us, because if it runs out of oil and overheats, it could cause a serious incident. Let’s see if they hurry before the worst happens, and God forbid, there are fatal accidents,» said Gloria.

Translated by MaryAnne Marble

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).-  In the last few weeks the doors of the Ajijic municipal cemetery have been closing before 10:00 p.m. due to the illicit activities that take place after nightfall.

Acting Ajijic delegateMaximiano Macias Arceo commented that this is an initiative that has been carried out throughout the municipality in an effort to prevent crime in these spaces. In this case to prevent garbage dumping and other misdeeds.

All kinds of garbage and debris in the creek that crosses the cemetery. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

«It is because of littering, and other acts like the vandalization of tombs, the theft of articles from the tombs and other inappropriate activities. All this used to happen at night, that is why this decision was made,» said Macías Arceo.

Macías Arceo said he was aware of customs in Ajijic, so if a family needs permission to start digging a grave during the night or to dig a grave, they can contact him to talk to the caretaker at 331-537-9134.

He also said that even though he has been contacted by people who are upset by this new decision, he believes it is the best way to reduce the dumping of waste in the creek that crosses the cemetery since, he pointed out, garbage has been dumped through the side entrances.

Finally, he made a call to the conscience of Ajijic residents to improve their habits regarding waste. 

«We are not children; we do not need to be herded and told to do things. We need to have a culture of cleanliness, both in the cemetery and in Ajijic. This is a very present problem,» he concluded. 

Translated by Sydney Metrick

Bernabé Robledo, currently in charge of CETAC Ajijic. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- For almost 30 years, Professor Bernabé Robledo has not only been in charge of educating young people in the classroom but also teaching them to be empathetic citizens,  while being an activist for the land he lives on.

Bernabé was born in Ajijic. He is the son of farmers and attended basic education in the delegation, until high school, when he studied at the Center for Technological Studies in Continental Waters (CETAC 01) in Jocotepec. Later, he studied food engineering at the Mazatlán Technology, Sinaloa. He also earned a master’s degree from Ocotlán and a doctorate in Education.

After working in an industrial food production company, in 1996 he decided to become a teacher; his first position as a professor was at the Center for Technological Studies of the Sea (CETMAR) in Mazatlán. 

In 1996 he joined the CETAC Jocotepec, then he became one of the first members of the Mario Molina Institute which studies sustainability,  as well as having been a professor at the National College of Technical Professional Education (CONALEP)  in Chapala.

 One of his achievements which he speaks of as a father would speak of his prodigal child, is the CETAC Ajijic, an extension of the Jocotepec campus, which Robledo managed. He went to great lengths to acquire the property and to request donations to repair the school that was abandoned for at least 15 years, and has been working since 2019, and in his words, has been “shaped to meet the needs of the people of Ajijic.”

Bernabé presenting a request for help to Governor Enrique Alfaro Ramírez. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

«There are many private schools in Ajijic, but none that are public that meet the vocational needs of the region. Ajijic is a town that has approximately 12,000  citizens, and has a tourist economy, which  is why we thought training in businesses related to  the settlement of foreigners and tourists is a perfect fit,» commented the professor.

In addition to continuing with the improvement of the campus, which he said could have the potential to be one of the most beautiful schools in Lakeside, one of his most important goals is to secure the campus in the campus where it is located, which was loaned to it  by the 2018-2021 administration. He also spoke of the exponential growth that has taken place since the beginning, with 115 students and its first generation about to graduate.

Bernabé Robledo commented that his taste for teaching at the high school level arose for several reasons, one of them being how his life  has been coupled to the needs that young people have at this age and that makes it easier for him to communicate with them, and to the nobility he finds in this age range.

«At this age, you are finishing shaping the citizens about to be sent to society. I have found satisfaction, especially in their nobility. For example, when we were fixing up the CETAC playground, one of the laziest youngsters helped and put all his effort into handling the concrete mixing  equipment. He gave and gave, until when he finished, he fell exhausted to the ground. He was a 16 or 17 year old kid who decided to help, and thanks to him, as well as to the other youngsters, CETAC has made progress,” he said.

Professor Berna, as he is also known, not only says he is committed to education, but also to activism, which he has engaged in on multiple occasions with his students. 

«I am a great admirer of Paulo Freire, educator of America, and I agree with his philosophy that the teacher by himself is already a social transformer. I don’t find any conflict between activism and teaching, I can’t conceive of one without the other. I get tired, but I don’t get angry, I don’t work for a salary, but for an ideal. If you don’t feel that way, it may not be your vocation,» he said firmly.

On the other hand, he has always advised his students to pursue cultural activities, since, his vision is that he seeks young people to realize culture and empathy, that they feel proud and love these teachings, adding that «we are rich in culture, we do not have to envy any other culture.»

Finally, he dedicated a few words to the future teachers: in this profession they are not going to get rich so it is something they must love, since it is a social work owed to the community.

Translated by Christalle Dalsted

Tilapia hatchlings in a plastic bag before being released. Photo: Archive.

Editor.– As part of the commitment of the Tizapán Aquaculture Center to donate 500 thousand fish hatchlings to reactivate fishing activity in Lake Chapala, the first delivery was made by the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) Jalisco, and this first batch delivered was 150 thousand tilapia hatchlings in Jamay.

This donation of fish hatchlings benefits the 61 fishing organizations on the Chapala shore, made up of 1,661 people. Jamay and Poncitlán are the municipalities with the most fishing organizations, with 15 each. Chapala and Ocotlán have eight cooperatives, Tizapán six, Tuxcueca five and Jocotepec has four fishermen’s groups.

Translated by Paul Weeks

First International Theater Festival of Jocotepec 2022

Day: April 27 to May 31

Information at Casa de Cultura «José Vaca Flores»

Location: Hidalgo Sur #38, Jocotepec, downtown 

Information at 387-763-1621

Course «Literature of Mexican Women Writers»

Day: April 28, May 5, 12, 19 and 26

Virtual literary course, taught by Charlotte Carranza

Place: Virtual course 

Schedule: 6-8pm

Cost: Information at 331-273-1110

Mr Q

Day: Thursday June 2

Classic Rock Concert

Place: 4to Sentido, Carretera Chapala – Ajijic 89, Top Floor, Plaza Paradise Center, San Antonio

Schedule: 5pm 

Cost: $250 pesos in advance and $250 pesos on site

16th Anniversary Son de Mexico International invites to the Gala Function

Day: May 21

Children’s Folkloric Ballet

Venue: Atrium of the old temple El Hospitalito, San Juan Cosalá, Centro Histórico

Time: 8pm 

Limited seating

Xapawiyemeta

Day: Saturday May 21

Offering and traditional wake

Place: Isla de los Alacranes, Chapala

Schedule: 8pm 

Information and registration at 331-286-7352

Huichol Art Festival

Day: Saturday May 21

Art, culture and traditional medicine

Place: Pablola Gallery, 16 de Septiembre #1 Ajijic, Downtown

Hours: 11am – 5pm

Translated by Christalle Dalsted

Citizens denounce the lack of maintenance of public lighting by the CFE. Photo: Courtesy.

Héctor Ruiz Mejía (Jocotepec).- The rainy season has started and with it the power blackouts throughout the municipality of Jocotepec. On May 15, through a communiqué shared on official networks, the Jocotepec City Hall alerted citizens about the season of power outages due to weather conditions.

Since the rainy season officially began, the government announced that the season of “las caídas de cuchillas” [«blades dropping»] is coming, which is when fuses are set to protect the transformer from power surges.

Therefore, the community was urged to remain alert about drinking water pumping equipment in the houses and to close faucets, especially at night. This measure will avoid the waste of water that has been observed in the last few days when the electric power goes off.

However, drinking water has not been the only problem for some residents of the community. Since the winds began, neighbors in the neighborhood of La Purísima, north of town and Nextipac, have already reported problems.

«The first few days we had between 15 and 20 blackouts in an hour and since yesterday, with any wind, it goes out and it takes longer and longer to return,» said one of the neighbors.

Although this situation has been blamed on weather   and the neighbors consider this to be a possible cause for the blackouts, the fact that «any little breeze» deprives them of service and denotes a lack of maintenance on the part of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE).

They also added that they have never seen CFE provide adequate maintenance to the light poles and are concerned since «we are just starting the rainy season and we are already struggling like this.»

Translated by MaryAnne Marble

This is how the new speed bumps look that are installed on El Molino Road. Photo: JocoPiolin Official.

Héctor Ruiz Mejía (Jocotepec).-  Accidents on the El Molino Road stretch have decreased after the installation of speed bumps.

On February 13, a heavy vehicle overturned on this stretch, spilling 300 liters of ethanol and causing the road closure for more than 24 hours. As of May 19, no more accidents have been recorded.

A little more than a month after the last accident, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SCT) installed a series of speed bumps on the stretch known as “La Engorda” on the Guadalajara-Morelia highway.

According to María Dolores “Lolis” López Jara, the local deputy for district 17 who managed the project to prevent traffic accidents, these bumps are only a “temporary measure” while a long-term one is being developed.

Lopez Jara said they are still working to install some kind of signage or indicators, “because they can take you by surprise and reduce your speed all of a sudden.”

Although the congresswoman said there has been no record of another accident, largely due to the temporary solution, some drivers have been taken by surprise.

Rodrigo, who regularly travels this stretch of road, said the new speed bumps surprised him. “They are a bit dangerous and you can’t see them. I hadn’t been this way for a while and I was caught by surprise,” he commented.

The measure was undertaken by the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (SCT) after the high accident rates on this stretch of road. In a period of less than one year, more than 89 accidents were registered in which 19 people lost their lives.

Translated by Mary Woods