CETAC 01, Jocotepec campus, on technical strike due to disputes about working conditions for teaching staff. Photo: Héctor Ruiz.
Héctor Ruiz Mejía (Jocotepec).- The teaching staff of the Center for Technological Studies in Continental Waters (CETAC 01), in Jocotepec, is on technical strike (not a classic strike, but working with modified conditions like shorter hours by mutual agreement) over a labor dispute.
The dispute began on May 12 and, as of May 23, despite attempts at dialogue, there is still no resolution.
After a series of accusations of labor inconsistencies by the educational personnel of CETAC 01, with the support of the National Union of Education Workers (SNTE), Section 16, they are requesting an immediate resolution to the alleged infractions.
They are demanding a solution to problems including salary, overtime, seniority incentives and retirement bonuses, as well as immediate compensation to managers unpaid for eight months.
On Facebook, the user Eriika Naye posted that her husband “has not received his salary as a manager since last August, a little more than eight months». and the family is struggling.
In addition to the salary demands, the teachers and administrative personnel are also demanding a solution to the admission process for qualified personnel, and filling positions vacant due to retirement and death.
The disagreement between the teaching staff and the academic institution began a little more than five months after Norma Angelica Huerta García was sworn in as the new director of the campus. She was not available to issue a statement on the matter, except to assure that «they are working on the dialogues to find a solution».
Translated by Paul Weeks
The drainage pipe was renovated in a section of Galeana Street. Photo: Alma Serrano
Alma Serrano (San Juan Cosalá).- On May 16, the Jocotepec City Hall started renovation work of the water and sewer networks on Galeana Street in San Juan Cosalá.
The work will be carried out in two phases. First, the replacement of the drainage pipes, which is currently being worked on between Zaragoza and 5 de Mayo streets. Then later, the renovation of the water infrastructure.
Residents of Galeana Street said the pipe was laid by Father Adalberto Macías Llamas’ workers more than 30 years ago. It has exceeded its useful life, causing sewage spills.
Samuel Tolentino, former manager and operator of the drinking water system, said the Zaragoza water well pump has been pumping sand and was thought to be a water management problem. However, it was due to the large amount of sand contained in the pipe which impeded its flow and pressure. In addition, there are holes caused by deterioration over the years.
Carlos Vázquez Reyes, the delegate of San Juan Cosalá, collected signatures to obtain approval from the Government of Jocotepec to change all the pipes in the street.
The first phase to repair the drainage pipe has been authorized. The second phase for the repair of the rest of the water infrastructure is awaiting approval.
Juan Ibarra, the person in charge of the work, said that a pipe larger than three inches is required for optimal functioning. The current pipe measures only two inches.
For the neighbors who live on this street, this work is urgent due to the deficient water service they receive due to the poor infrastructure conditions. They were grateful for the intervention of the authorities.
“It is a good thing that they are taking action on the matter so that we don’t have to struggle so much. The water is used every day and in great quantity,” said Mrs. Mary, 63 years old.
Translated by Mary Woods
Citizens of San Antonio Tlayacapan cut the wires that were blocking access. Credit: Armando Esquivel.
Armando Esquivel (San Antonio Tlayacapan).- Residents of San Antonio Tlayacapan removed poles and barbed wire from the shore of Lake Chapala because they considered it a clear invasion of the federal zone and because the sharp fencing is a risk to local people.
During the action on May 20th, the activists were met with insults, shouts, and even threats. The activists gathered on the San Antonio Tlayacapan boardwalk. They were inspired by similar activists in Ajijic who work tirelessly to protect the free and public access to the Ajijic boardwalk. Little by little more people arrived, including women, men and senior citizens, all willing to defend public land.
The first action was to remove black plastic covering the construction of a completed fence. The plastic covering had closure seals from the Government of Chapala. As they removed the plastic someone came out to videotape the protesters. They decided to walk east, where they found several posts with wires on the shores of the lake.
There they found posts with barbed wires impeding the passage of people along the beach. Given their placement, some of the fences will be underwater as the lake level rises during the rainy season. Submerged barbed wire fences are a major hazard for anyone trying to access the lake. They’re also very difficult to remove once they’re underwater. The activists said they are bothered by these fences since there is a real risk of someone entering the lake, and getting stuck in the wires. This is not speculation on their part, people have been killed and injured by submerged fences in the lake.
In one of the nearby properties, two men leaned out from their terrace to shout at the citizens who were removing the posts. They yelled things like, «Stop what you’re doing! What didn’t you hear? This is a crime. We are going to call the police.» They took pictures of the activists and waited for them to leave rather than confronting them directly.
About 15 posts were removed, and barbed wire on the posts was cut. Cutting the fences restored access to the shore of the lake for all citizens. The activists of San Antonio Tlayacapan said that they will continue protecting access to the lake and that they will fight against the invasions of the federal zone.
Translated by Amy Esperanto
(From left to right) Araceli Kopiloff, Katja Kohl, creators of Negocios Mágicos Ajijic, and Maximiliano Macías Arceo, the person in charge of the project. Photo: Max Macías Arceo.
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- Two designers and residents of Ajijic, decided to start a project to support small businesses in Ajijic to improve their image and enhance the image of Ajijic, the Pueblo Mágico.
Acting Delegado Maximiliano Macías Arceo said that the creators of the initiative «Negocios Mágicos Ajijic», Araceli Kopiloff and Katja Kohl, pitched him on the project, which he gladly accepted , since it will support small businesses on Ajijic.
This project consists of renovating the image of the businesses by giving them a more colorful and eye-catching look at the minimum possible cost. The taqueria «El Paisa» on the highway in West Ajijic will be the project’s first “makeover”. The remodeling will begin on June 1st and will reopen on June 3rd in the evening.
Katja Kohl said that they are looking to show locals that great design is within everyone’s reach, and that one of their main objectives is that Ajijic has striking visual characteristics, through its businesses.
Araceli said that her goal would be to improve at least 10 businesses per year, and that she is grateful for Max’s support, and hopes that the initiative will reach the president of Chapala, so that the municipal government will support it.
Both commented that they will soon open another call for applicants, so that businesses can apply for their support. Updates will be available through the Facebook page «Negocios Mágicos Ajijic».
Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan
Residents of San Nicolás de Ibarra presented their complaints and recommendations to the president of Chapala. Photo: Jazmín Stengel
Jazmín Stengel (Chapala).- After a break of six weeks, the regular Wednesday citizen meeting “Miércoles Contigo” was held again in San Nicolás de Ibarra with Municipal President Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel and about 100 neighbors in attendance. They denounced the lack of security in the town and the lack of services at the ‘Francisco Villa’ Telesecundaria school, as well as a process to elect a delegate.
On the issue of security, neighbors reported several assaults in the community due to less frequent police patrols. They demanded special attention be paid to this problem. After hearing the petition, President Aguirre Curiel and Commissioner Sergio Conzuelo Ramírez promised to take action.
Other attendees advocated for the needs of local adolescents. At Telesecundaria ‘Francisco Villa’ the students lack basic services such as drinking water, of utmost importance to maintain hygiene. They noted the countless infrastructure repairs needed, lack of school furniture and required maintenance.
The current water administrator of the delegation, Juan Antonio Vázquez Ayala, presented a project to the president of Chapala, Alejandro Aguirre, to pump drinking water to the educational institution’s facilities. This is still in the evaluation stage.
The third complaint by the residents of San Nicolás de Ibarra was again the replacement of the current head of the office, Salvador Delgadillo Márquez, because he has been accused of mismanagement or being inadequate for the position. For this reason, the residents continue to question the election of delegates promised during the campaign which to date the City Council has continued to postpone.
Translated by Mary Woods
Work began a couple of months ago. Photo: Jazmín Stengel.
Jazmín Stengel (Chapala).- The lobby of Chapala’s City Hall has been under restoration for two months, and the work is expected to be finished in another week, according to the Department of Social Communication.
To carry out the restoration and maintenance project, the masonry was demolished, repaired, and repainted. The windows and ironwork were replaced with new and safer ones and the central chandelier was cleaned.
The cost of the restoration and maintenance of the City Hall building since October 2021 under this administration is not known.
Translated by Nita Rudy
First International Theater Festival of Jocotepec 2022
When: April 27 to May 31
Information: Casa de Cultura «José Vaca Flores»
Location: Hidalgo Sur #38, Jocotepec, Centro
Information: 387 763-1621
“Where there is music there can be no bad thing” Book presentation
When: Saturday, May 28 7:00pm
Place: Restaurant Beer Garden, private Francisco I. Madero 200A, Chapala Centro
Benefit for Jonathan Márquez
When: Saturday, May 28 7:00pm
Sale of Mexican snacks, drinks, raffles, brincolin and more. Pozole to go from 1:30pm
Place: Flores Magón #31, La Ladrillera, Ajijic
Rezzonante
When: Sunday, May 29 12:30pm
Voice, piano and saxophone concert
Place: González Gallo Cultural Center, Av. González Gallo 1500, Chapala.
Admission: Free
Diploma in massage techniques
When: Thursday, June 2 3:00pm to 7:00pm
Classroom course taught by Idalia Venegas. It will include massage theory, basic techniques, hot stone massage, modeling massage, and spa wraps, among other techniques.
Cost: Per class $499, registration $1,350
Location: Hotel Sol y Luna, Rio Bravo #10A, Ajijic
Information: 333 952-5562 / 331 723-9678
Musical presentation, Mr. Q
When: Thursday, June 2, 5:00pm
Classic Rock Concert.
Place: 4to Sentido, Carretera Chapala – Ajijic 89, top floor, Plaza Paradise Center, San Antonio
From the Roots: La Tierra
When: Saturday, June 4, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Art exhibition with cocktails and live music
Place: Sol y Luna Gallery, Rio Bravo #10A, Ajijic
Meeting of harps, psalteries and more
Day: Wednesday, June 8, 1:00pm
Nematatlin musical group
Place: González Gallo Cultural Center, Av. González Gallo 1500, Chapala
Stone Soup
When: Tuesday, June 14, 8:30pm
Fusion rock event
Place: San Antonio Tlayacapan Square
Translated by Paul Weeks
Pedestrian walkway on Colón street, in downtown Ajijic, invaded by cars. Photo: Sofía Medeles.
Sofía Medeles (Ajijc).- Although authorities have ot been policing the pedestrian walkway on Colon and removing parked cards, signs and other illegal obstructions, they plan to continue setting it up every weekend, according to Acting Delegado Maximilano Macías Arceo.
itis common to see vehicles invading the road, as well as advertisements and even bicycle racks outside businesses in the pedestrian walkway created by traffic cones on Colón Street, from Parroquia Street to the Malecón.
Macías Arceo commented that he is still waiting for orders from the municipal government of Chapala to improve the pedestrian walkway project, which is still being developed and will be presented to residents for their input before being carried out. However, in the meantime traffic officers are usually on the lookout for vehicles that are parked to report them, he said.
«The transit officers are usually doing their rounds and reporting parked cars. Although they are doing their job, people sometimes disrespect or ignore them,» he said
Maximiliano added that there is no explanation as to why they park on the walkway, since, in addition to the fact that the tourist flow is decreasing due to the season, the east side of the pier was recently opened for parking.
We interviewed some tourists of the Pueblo Mágico over the weekend and, although in comparison with the last survey carried out in February where several visitors assured that they did not know what the walkway was for, this time, most of them did know, although they doubted its functionality.
«Apparently it is for people to walk on it, but there are always cars parked. It gives the impression that they are charging to park. It would be a better choice to completely close this avenue to be a walkway,» said Julissa, who visited Ajijic from the city of Guadalajara.
Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan
Presentation of one of the plays
Lakeside Little Theater will present its first Mark Boyer 10 Minute Play Festival, postponed for 2 years because of Covid. Eight plays by local playwrights will be presented August 4, 5, 6 & 7, 2022, in a judged competition. Each play will be performed each day and judged by a panel of judges with a focus on playwriting. Audiences will vote on their favorite for the Peoples’ Choice Award. Auditions will be held at Lakeside Little Theater in San Antonio Tlayacapan. There are 10 roles for men and 10 for women and actors can appear in two plays. No prior acting experience is necessary.
The individual time slots for the different plays are:
June 2
10:00 – 11:00 The Pitch
11:00 – 12:00 I Wish
12:00 – 1:00 To Err is Human
1:00 – 2:00 Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead!
June 3
10:00 – 11:00 Borderline
11:00 – 12:00 Estoy Enfermo
12:00 – 1:00 New on the Streets
1:00 – 2:00 Short Cuts
For details on each play go to the Lakeside Little Theater Facebook page. For scripts email 10minuteplays@lakesidelittletheatre.com.
Preventive tape was placed at the site, which was removed. Photo: Armando Esquivel.
Armando Esquivel (San Antonio Tlayacapan).- The case of the land next to the San Antonio Tlayacapan seawall, where a private individual seeks to build a private reserve, has reached the Congress of Jalisco, approving a letter to the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) and the Government of Chapala. The land in question is now free of the owner’s alleged illegal trailer, but has been taped off by the Jalisco Prosecutor’s Office, with a sign warning that the land was under judicial process.
Deputy Erika Lizbeth Ramírez Peréz, of Green Ecologist Party of México (PVEM), introduced the bill to generate a letter to both the federal agency and the municipality to inform them about the situation of the land located at the end of Colón Street in San Antonio Tlayacapan. The legislation was approved by 37 votes in favor, with no abstentions or refusals, on May 12. Residents of San Antonio Tlayacapan approached the legislator to ask for her intervention in the face of what they considered a federal invasion, according to her statement.
Meanwhile, on the afternoon of May 20, residents of San Antonio Tlayacapan arrived at the end of Colón street, on the shores of the lake to remove a trailer that served as an office for the builders, but to their surprise, the unit had already been removed, In addition, the place was surrounded by preventive tape and a tarp with logos of the Jalisco Prosecutor’s Office, warning that the place was under judicial process, under the file 155/2022, with a late model truck inside the property.
“Take it away so you can cover your chickens”, said one man to another who was removing the warning tarp, while another removed the preventive tape. According to vendors on the boardwalk, the trailer was removed in the early hours of the morning and the tape and tarp were not placed by the Jalisco Attorney General’s Office, but by personnel from the construction company seeking to privatize the area and build on an area of 5,104 square meters in front of the lake.
In January, the authorities knocked down a stone wall and closed the area, but the work continued in a clandestine manner, so in April, the citizens took over the land. The former PAN congressional candidate, José de Jesús Arambul Solorio, claims to be the owner, however, a copy of the deed shown to Launa showed that the deed was made by a notary who is not authorized to act in the area and who was also suspended from his duties at the time the document was made, which makes it null and void, a situation that was confirmed a month ago by Jaime Natera López, President of the College of Notaries of Jalisco.
Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan
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