February 6th 2008 Community information meeting summary:

A second community information meeting was held on Wednesday February 6th , 4-5 p.m. at the 'recycling parking lot' (across from Zacatitos main gate, near Punta Gorda). Representatives of local organizations as well as individuals acting on behalf of the community presented the latest information on what is happening with regards to the municipal dump, recycling programs, and related issues of a community interest.

The following is a short summary of presentation topics and discussions at the meeting, listed in chronological order of presenters.

Gene Crain led off the presentations by citing problems in coordination of information amongst community representatives and specifically noted the Municipal Dump manager Perez's visit to Los Zacatitos and government upset at published and radio remarks made by representatives of Los Zacatitos community. A discussion clearing up the misconceptions of Perez and colleagues ensued. Crain also presented information on internet links concerning landfill treatment and recycling and urged people to investigate alternatives to the present models which are not working.

Patricia de la Borbolla, spokesperson for Los Zacatitos on Cabo Mil radio programs, outlined her previous radio interview presentations and cited that her comments were both factual, researched and combined a number of group and individual inputs. She pointed out that the government officials had misunderstood her comments. A translation to English will be made available at a later date.

Peter McGonagle summarized the actions he had taken to assist the dump crews in putting out the fires, and to protect their health by providing cannister gas masks, and provided details about the illegal February 3rd dump burn as proof that there both a management and security crisis continuing at the municipal dump. He described in graphic detail the ongoing environmental risks from leaking black water tankers showing up at the dump and spreading this unsanitary waste around, affecting groundwater (and wells) in the area, the ongoing risk from rubber tires catching fire (a long term fire), and the fact that dump workers had been getting sick from working on the fire (hence their immediate needs for gas masks). If there is any doubt that this is a crisis, he suggested that the Mayor and his advisors visit the dump, along with Los Zacatitos residents, next week. He pointed out that the municipal authorities, by their own admission, were behind schedule and not relying on the previously announced (see earlier stories) Ecofenix installations. These promised installations have not been built, nor are they (apparently) in the process of being built to satisfy the previously announced "March deadline" (announced to Los Zacatitos residents in a in-person meeting on January 18th, 2008 at City Hall) of a new in-place recycling and refuse system for Los Cabos. A lively question and answer period ensued.

Sabrina Lear, the editor of Destino, made a number of points concerning the need to publicize this ecological problem widely. She offered to publish a community letter on the subject of the dump and Los Zacatitos proposed community solutions in the upcoming Destino issue, as well as provide future space for regular news from Zacatitos on ecological issues. She also discussed the integration of the upcoming Los Zacatitos eco association with simiar groups in Cabo and San Jose del Cabo, and nearby communities.

Josh and Pauline Child discussed the present activities of the website loscaboscontaminacion.com and CCFAIR integration with the upcoming Los Zacatitos eco association. They said in spite of early start up problems the web site and related activities would continue to grow, identifying their mandate as speaking for "all of Cabo" and not limited to Los Zacatitos.

Tim Mullen, Gloria Guttierez and Anne Popperwell presented the latest information on the new recycling program and garbage pick up and urged greater participation in these new programs. They handed out a new recycling poster that contains the Saturday hours and instructions on bringing recycled material. A discussion ensued on 'where the recycling' is going and Mullen indicated that a La Paz plastic recycling depot had been identified as the future plastics destination.

Brenda McGonagle spoke of the upcoming Los Zacatitos eco organization and urged people to join and contribute in administrative and legal foundations for the new org (as yet unnamed). She said that the first task of the ecological organization will be to form an association that deals with the municipal authorities and is involved with other Los Cabos ecological organizations. People wishing to join and participate in this new organization are asked to contact Brenda by e-mail at: mcgonagle@loscaboscontaminacion.com.

Peter McGonagle made it clear that "Ecofenix is not happening. "It is a myth at this time.", he said. He pointed out, by citing examples, that dump management, security and organization are still lacking and the 'emergency' of dump burns remains a ongoing concern to him and others involved in the dump problem. A lively discussion ensued with regards false government promises, Ecofenix promises, and either the need to hold government to such promises or to propose workable and timely alternatives from experts in the field (who reside right here in Los Cabos).

Eric Werbalowsky (ewerb@ewerb.com) introduced himself to the meeting as a outside ecological consultant with a lot of experience in creating organizations, working with government to create recycling programs in Los Angeles and Ventura, California. He stated his declared interest in working with the Los Zacatitos community along similar lines of creating organizational effectiveness towards environmental improvement. He suggested ways the community could immediately integrate with other Los Cabos eco organizations towards achieving timely, concrete and lasting programs that address the urgent environmental issues facing Los Cabos in the various (and overpopulated) communities that have sprung up in the last few years. He commended the Los Zacatitos community members for their actions and will be working with us in the future.

A number of informal discussions ensued as the meeting was called to an end. The community letter to Destino was organized and future meetings indicated. (see Eco News Article released on February 8, 2008) This community meeting, in its entirety, proved very informative, positive and showed how group community ('grass roots') efforts can arise, make a difference, and lead to social and environmental improvements that benefit all residents of Mexico, regardless of where they live. Acting on principle, with research and information, produces leadership by example, and beneficial results for all.

Summary by Al Razutis.
www.loszacatitos.net