municipio

Last birthday of doña Caritina Ríos Gómez. Photo: Facebook

Alma Serrano (San Juan Cosalá).- Caritina Ríos Gómez de Santiago, the best known seamstress of San Juan Cosalá, passed away on May 21 at the age of 91. 

Doña Cari was born in the neighboring municipality of Chapala, where she lived until she was 12 years old. It was in 1942 when she moved to the delegation of San Juan Cosalá where she remained until her death. 

Ríos Gómez was the only woman in a small family; she had only two brothers, Jorge and Enrique, who also rested in peace. Caritina married David de Santiago Sánchez in 1952, with whom she had six children: Hortensia, Julio, Jorge, David, Mario and Simón; and she remained married to him until the day of his death. 

Her two great passions in life were sewing, an activity she carried out since she was 15 years old, and singing, for which she always shared her voice at parties and family birthdays. 

Her only daughter, Hortensia de Santiago, 70 years old, affirmed that her mother had fulfilled her goals and dreams during her life because Doña Cari was a very happy woman, dedicated to her family and to the tasks she set for herself. 

Until her last days, Caritina Ríos was remembered as a «very good and strong» woman, by neighbors and relatives, even though she no longer remembered many people and things and, of course, she did not have the same physical condition to move around.

On May 9, 2022, she had surgery, which worsened some health problems. 

She was cared for by relatives after the operation, as she no longer ate, drank or got out of bed. They remained that way until Saturday, May 21, at two o’clock in the morning, the moment of her natural death. 

She was buried in a grave for nine people, next to her husband, one of her children and her parents, as she had wished. 

Doña Cari was a religious, kind, faithful, altruistic and beloved person in the town to which she gave more than 75 years of her life. Most people knew her, not only for being the best-known seamstress in San Juan Cosalá, but also for her infallible and characteristic personality that will remain in memory. 

Translated by Kerry Watson

Los hechos violentos se registraron el pasado tres de junio en la colonia San Gabriel de Tizapán el Alto. Foto: Cortesía. 

Redacción.- La Fiscalía del Estado de Jalisco (FE), a través de la Fiscalía Regional, abrió una carpeta de investigación en torno a la muerte de una menor de 3 años de edad, además de las lesiones por proyectil de arma de fuego que sufrió su padre, en el municipio de Tizapán El Alto.

El pasado tres de junio, a las 22:50 horas aproximadamente, la policía recibió un reporte que sobre la calle Lauro Caloca, en el cruce de Francisco Dávalos, de la colonia San Gabriel, una menor y un masculino habían sido lesionados por arma de fuego.

Aunque las personas lesionadas fueron trasladadas al Hospital de Tizapán El Alto para su atención médica, momentos después se reportó el deceso de la menor. 

El presunto responsable fue identificado como Jaime “N”, un hombre de 82 años de edad. Foto: Cortesía.

Tras los hechos, elementos de la Policía del Estado que fungieron como primeros respondientes acudieron al lugar y procedieron a la detención del posible agresor asegurándole el arma.

De las primeras indagatorias se informó que el presunto agresor, un hombre de 82 años de edad identificado como Jaime “N”, salió de su domicilio con un arma de fuego la cual detonó  en contra de las víctimas, padre e hija, lo anterior porque causaban ruido afuera de su casa, además en los disparos también resultó lesionado el atacante.

El probable responsable de estos hechos quedó a disposición del agente del Ministerio Público, quien resolverá su situación jurídica en el término constitucional.  

El cuerpo de la niña fue trasladado al anfiteatro para la necropsia de ley.

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.

Banner placed over the entrance of the educational institution, detailing the demands. Photo: Héctor Ruiz.

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.

The rest of the pipeline on Galeana Street is awaiting approval . Photo: Alma Serrano.

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.

People of various ages gathered against encroachment into Lake Chapala. Credit: Armando Esquivel.

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.

Several meters of wire were removed Credit: Armando Esquivel.

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

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

El alcalde de Chapala, Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel, tomó protesta a los nuevos integrantes en las direcciones de Cultura, Turismo y Derechos Humanos. 

Redacción.- Desde la renuncia del tres veces director de Cultura, Sergio Arturo Unzueta Flores y su equipo de trabajo, al Ayuntamiento le ha tomado cuatro semanas determinar un nuevo director de esta dirección así como la dirección de Turismo.

Durante una conferencia de prensa efectuada el 26 de mayo, el alcalde de Chapala, Alejandro de Jesús Aguirre Curiel, presentó los nuevos perfiles y cargos para dirigir ambas direcciones que por un mes se mantuvieron acéfalas.

La licenciada en Turismo, Griselda Alcántar, es la nueva titular de la Dirección de Turismo.

El alcalde de Chapala, antes de la presentación de los nuevos directores, señaló que, “la única bandera que nos une es la de Chapala y es la bandera que vamos a llevar en alto todos los integrantes del Gobierno Municipal para resolver las necesidades”.

 A través de las redes sociales del Ayuntamiento el 25 de mayo, se dio a conocer el primero de los cargos; como nuevo director de Cultura se designó a Jesús Escamilla. El contador público ya ha sido funcionario y ha participado en comisiones de cultura.

Escamilla externó que buscaría conformar equipo y que ya cuenta con un extenso plan de trabajo y proyectos por consolidarse, gracias a la gestión de su antecesor Sergio Unzueta quien seguirá apoyando, aunque no de manera directa, aclaró Jesús. 

Jesús Escamilla suplirá a Sergio Unzueta, el tres veces director de Cultura continuará colaborando, aunque no de manera directa. (De izq a der Sergio Unzueta, El alcalde de Chapala, Jesús Escamilla y Jorge Calva).

Para darle otra cara a los atractivos del municipio, el alcalde dio la bienvenida a Griselda Alcántar Espinoza, la primera Licenciada en Turismo en ocupar la dirección desde su creación en la administración 2007-2009. Griselda ha participado con el Gobierno del Estado en diferentes actividades culturales y turísticas; la nueva titular sustituirá a Paola de Waterlot quien se ocupa actualmente en la dependencia de Atención Ciudadana.  

Griselda se dijo orgullosa de aceptar la invitación, para compartir con su tierra lo que su experiencia ha dado a nivel estatal, nacional e internacional. A la vez que, se dijo con la energía de hacer sinergia para “hacer cosas increíbles” por el municipio.

Además, el regidor suplente, Jesús Ernesto (Chuni) Medeles Córdova, es el nuevo titular de Enlace, Gestión y Promotor de Cultura y Turismo. Chuni estuvo al frente de Atención Ciudadana al inicio de la presente administración, luego se ocupó en la secretaría particular, pero en la administración 2015- 2018 fungió como director del Centro Cultural Ajijic y más tarde como delegado. 

Al frente de la Dirección de Derechos Humanos se designó a Carlos Miguel Real Navarro.

Chuni adelantó que buscaría a los talentos y prestadores de servicios para crear sinergia y proyectos para ambas direcciones municipales. 

Finalmente, en la dirección de Derechos Humanos se nombró a Carlos Miguel Real Navarro, abogado de profesión quien cuenta con maestrías y ha participado en comisiones que tienen que ver con la materia. Miguel comentó que, le ha gustado estar al pendiente de su comunidad y apoyaría a la ciudadanía en caso de que un funcionario no brinde un servicio adecuado.

En las últimas semanas también se dio a conocer a Norma Ruiz como la nueva directora de Mercados, en sustitución de Arturo Rivera Mexicano.

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.

Not only vehicles, but also advertising obstructs pedestrian space. Photo: Sofía Medeles.

«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.     

A tarp with Fiscalía logos, apparently apocryphal, was left on the controversial land. Photo: Armando Esquivel.

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