written by David Flores, of the Gringo Gazette, April 24, 2000

The East Cape is a cluster of mostly Gringo houses scattered along the Sea of Cortez just north of San Jose. After reading in the last issue of the Gringo Gazette that three Gringos. were accused of reigning terror in the community, immigration officials drove out to investigate. Juventino Hernandez, the man in charge of immigration in Los Cabos, told this reporter they are now on the case and would persue it to it's end, while Immigration legal coordinator Victor Manriquez told this reporter, "I promise you David, I will personally deport this guy (Gene Crane) when I find him." Crane has admitted setting fire to a house that was under construction by a competitor. A night watchman inside the structure escaped uninjured.

Hemandez located Crane's house, but Crane was not home, and a neighbour told the immigration official that he had fled the country. Whether this is true or he is just in hiding. the immigration department has no way of knowing, as they don't have the resources to search more thoroughly for him. A summons was left at Crane's house, instructing him to turn himself in to the immigration office on Monday, April 17th, at 11:30. This reporter was present at the appointed hour, as were officials of various government agencies who have taken an interest in the case. Crane did not appear.

Since the saga on the East Cape first appeared in the last issue of the Gringo Gazette, local Mexican newspapers have picked up the story and have had a field day with accusations of mistreatment of Mexicans at the hands of Crane, Peter McGonagal, and Dr. Lynn Kramer. This makes the foreign community look very bad, but it was necessary to get a ground swell of Mexican public opinion going in order to move the local authorities to investigate the charges. And this is where the problem lies. Charges. The police are the investigative arm of the government and it is their duty to sort out the threats and intimidation on the East Cape. If the police find that a foreigner is involved in an illegal activity, they are supposed to call the immigration department which investigates the foreigner's legal status in the country. If the police turn the suspect loose, immigration then evaluates the person for deportation. Hernandez tells us that because Crane admitted he torched the house, he doesn't even get a trial, he is immediately, permanently deported from Mexico. So if anyone sees Crane again, it won't be for long. His time in Mexico is over.

McGonagal and Kramer are another matter. Although McGonagal admitted to the police that he was present at the arson, he told them he only drove Crane to the site, and handed the fuel to him. This is not enough to deport him. Immigration officials would like to deport him, and they are currently searching their department's records for a work permit issued to McGonagal. If McGonagal has no permit, Hernandez told this reporter that he will personally deport him. Dr. Lynn Kramer is retired, so he can't be expelled for working. Unfortunately, bad manners are not punishable by deportation. Dr. Kramer has intimidated Mexicans from using the beach near his house, claiming that beach is only for Gringos. This reporter has talked to the Mexicans who have been harassed by Dr. Kramer, but they are afraid to go to the police, believing that the Gringos can pay more than they can for the services of the police. Sigh. Meanwhile, every Mexican who reads the local papers sees that Gringos can get away with harassing Mexicans. Bigger sigh.

What we need is more brave people to come forward and complain. Since first reporting this story two weeks ago, dozens of people have congratulated us, saying it had to be done, and that it was good to see the issue out in the open. Only one person called to criticize the article, and would not give us his name. Interestingly, none of the principles we named called to deny any of our charges. If you have personal knowledge of any illegal activity by anyone on the East Cape, and in particular, in Zacatitos, call the police. OK, that's pretty scary. And asking a foreignere to call Immigration is also expecting a lot. So call the Gringo Gazette. Immigration official Hernandez suggested that the foreign community email, fax, or phone our office with any allegations of misconduct on The East Cape. You may do this. anonymously. We will write up your report and submit it to immigration for you, again. anonymously. They can then drive back out to the East Cape and serve a summons to people named in the report. Those persons must appear at the immigration office and defend themselves. This is not a court of law, there does not have. to be a, trial. so if there are enough accusations, immigration will put a surveillance on those accused and if they don't have enough evidence to deport them, at least the surveillance should be enough to stop the harassment.

Now for the good news. The McGonagal brothes were still driving by the torched house two to three times a day, staring at the construction workers, trying to scare them off. But the day the Gringo Gazette came out with the article on this harassment, they disappeared like cockroaches scurrying behind the fridge. They haven't been seen since. No one is suggesting they have left the country, they are probably just laying low until they think the heat dies down. Well. here's a news flash for you, Peter, This heat isn't going to go away, We are not going to let up because we know that you will then retaliate against those poor folks out there who are just trying to build their home with a contractor of their choice.

There is probably nothing we can do about Dr. Kramer being a miserable human being who picks on Mexicans, but you, sir, are history. Your reign of terror is over. This is not going to go away, and this newspaper is here to see to that. If everyone out there is too afraid to contact us or immigration, you will still be deported for working without an FM3. If you have an FM3 now, it will not be renewed. In any case, you are history So sellout and get out.

Written by David Flores, representing the Gringo Gazette, April 24, 2000

The Gringo Gazette is published bi-weekly in Los Angeles, CA. and distributed in Mexico, Canada, & The United States by Perioidico Americano, S.A. de C.V. In Mexico: 114 3 08 65 Office in Cabo Maritime Center. In the U.S: Red Eye Printing P.O.Box 41009 St Long Beach; CA. 90803 Ph. (562) 856 8914. Fax (562) 856 8914. Subscriptions available. see page 15 or 16, maybe 17, sometimes 9. Publisher: Carrie Duncan, carrie@gringogazette.com Editor: David Flores. david@gringogazette.com Sales: David Flores. Maria Luisa Abaunza. Graphic Design Chipper Dreese