Discussions held with national and international companies

By: Guadalupe Cabrera

Information taken from: Join us newspaper

Although during these trying times, particularly in the area of the economy, it is not really feasible to implement direct commercial flights to Puerto Peñasco, there are still airlines interested in venturing into this area, reports Alonso Dominguez Ruiz, administrator of the Sea of Cortez International Airport.

Dominguez Ruiz indicated they have met with both national and international companies including Sky West, US Airways, Aeromexico, and Aereo Calafia, among others.

He noted that even as of the November inauguration of the new terminal, there was interest in venturing into this region as a new stop along flight routes.

He indicated the Sea of Cortez airport had only been in operation for about two months and has awoken tremendous interest given the importance Puerto Peñasco now has a tourist destination.

Dominguez Ruiz indicated they will remain in contact with the various airlines who have demonstrated interest in Puerto Peñasco, and will seek out others, as the objective of the Sea of Cortez airport is to create an influx of aerial tourism within the mid-term.

He indicated it is not possible to forecast how long it will take to begin receiving commercial flights from either national or international airlines, yet they will do whatever is necessary to assure this can be done within the shortest amount of time possible.

Domínguez Ruiz noted that for now, the Sea of Cortez airport has begun operations nationally.

However, he added, they have the ability to operate new routes to and from various cities abroad as the desire is for Peñasco to one day receive numerous tourists from across the globe, in addition to those from the U.S.

It is worth noting the new Sea of Cortez airport, into which 450 million pesos were invested and that is conditioned to receive Boeing 737-700 planes, began operations at the end of October and was formally inaugurated by Mexican President Felipe Calderón on November 5, 2009.

Authorization given for creation of Cultural Institute

 By:  Guadalupe Cabrera

Information taken by: Join us newspaper

Authorization of the 2009-2012 Municipal Development Plan and the creation of the Puerto Peñasco Municipal Institute of Culture and Art, among other agreements, were addressed during the fifth ordinary full session of the City Council.

 A press release reported the local City Council unanimously approved the Municipal Development Plan, which includes priority projects and actions to be taken to benefit the entire community of Puerto Peñasco.

 During the ordinary session, held on January 7th, and led by Mayor Alejandro Zepeda Munro, the Director of Planning and Economic Development, Víctor Mazón Muñoz, presented the plan which is to be published in the Official Journal of the State, publication costs which will be discounted from the municipal contribution.

 In the meeting, members from the governing body issued approval for the creation of a Municipal Institute of Culture and Art for Puerto Peñasco, which will substitute what, is currently known as the Department of Civic Action and Culture.

This agreement, as reported in the release, will provide greater faculties to draw in more programs and resources for the intensive promotion of culture throughout the city.

 Among other points reached, City Council members also gave authorization for a private company to carry out a study to see if there have been improper charges by the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) to City Hall and, as appropriate, recover any amounts there may be.

 Furthermore, representatives voted in favor of the implementation of a Comprehensive Vacation Program for city employees to go into effect during periods at the end of the year and in the summer, in order to create a standard vacation period without hindering the work of the City or community services. Similarly, the City Council authorized the proposal presented by Mrs. Francisca Nidia Pino Montoya, with respect to naming one of the city’s streets after her deceased father, Abelardo  Pino Ruiz  “El Quemal”, in recognition of his contributions as one of the pioneers and founders of Peñasco. Under this point it was also agreed to change the name of 68th Ave. to Guadalupe Baca Cervantes.

 Finally, through a majority, representatives gave approval that the Office for the Comprehensive Management of Municipal Sanitation Services (OOMISLIM) implement charges for trash collection from officials from the first and second tiers of the Municipal Administration.

Typed by: Guadalupe Cabrera

Information taken from: Join us newspaper

24 million pesos to be invested 

The contribution of six hectares of land on behalf of the San Rafael ejido (communal land) will allow for the construction and operation of a new independent campus for the Technological University of Hermosillo (UTH), Peñasco branch, in which an initial investment topping 24 million pesos is to be applied.

Mayor Alejandro Zepeda Munro reported through a press release the construction of the new university facilities, which will broaden options in the area of higher education for young students in this municipality and region, is set to begin in March.

He stated they believe the construction will wrap up in a timely manner in order to begin holding classes at the new campus by next September.

Degrees that will initially be offered at the UTH, Peñasco branch, will include: University Technicians in Gastronomy, University Technicians in Marketing, as well as University Paramedic Technicians.

The Mayor furthered the agreement to have another institution of higher education was established after meeting with University director, Miguel Angel Salazar Candia.
He acknowledged they received collaboration from the San Rafael ejido in order to carry out the project. He noted that after negotiations, the ejido decided to participate in the endeavor, providing 6 hectares of land necessary for construction of the campus.
Mayor Zepeda and Miguel Angel Salazar both expressed their gratitude to José de Jesús Mercado Celaya, Ejido President, as thanks to the openness demonstrated it will be possible to begin classes by September.

The UTH Director and the City Leader revealed that 18 million pesos would be invested in the construction of the building, as well as an additional 6,381,000 pesos for equipment. The project will create approximately 200 jobs.

Zepeda Munro emphasized the importance of a new institution of higher education in Puerto Peñasco, adding students will be greatly benefitted by having a University that charges a fixed fee every four months of approximately 500 pesos.

Salazar Candia stated they will begin promotion in May for those interested in being part of the institution. Registration requirements will include a high-school degree, birth certificate, CURP ID, and 6 child-sized photographs.

It is worth noting the UTH has been operating out of the Technological Institute of Puerto Peñasco (ITSPP) since September, 2007, as part of the tourism academic corridor which also includes Conalep and the CESUES.

Typed by: Guadalupe Cabrera L

Information taken from: Join us newspaper

15 million pesos to be invested in homes

As part of what represents the beginning of the reactivation of the construction industry in this city, it was recently announced a new housing project is set to launch. The project will include an approximate investment of 15 million pesos.

After meeting with Mayor Alejandro Zepeda Munro, Arturo Taddei, general director of the Mediterráneo Residencial group, remarked the first phase of the residential complex includes the construction of 45 homes.

He stated the cost of each residential home will fluctuate around 275,000 pesos, and joins other projects that at the end of last year once again began work in Puerto Peñasco, allowing for the creation of new jobs.

The General Director of Mediterráneo Residencial explained the project foresees an approximate investment of 15 million pesos and construction of the first phase will begin within approximately one month, which should also create at least 100 direct jobs.
Similarly, Mayor Zepeda Munro stressed that signs of economic recovery in Puerto Peñasco can be seen with the beginning of new projects such as this and is confident that 2010 will be a good year for those living in this municipality.

The Mayor emphasized the construction of a new residential zone reflects encouraging signs for the local economy.

“It is very positive that we are beginning with this type of news, such as the construction of a new residential zone, which gives us more confidence that we will have a better year in Peñasco,” he underscored.

Alejandro Zepeda reiterated the Municipal Administration would be accommodating for all investors who wish to carry out their projects in Puerto Peñasco.

Written by:  Guadalupe Cabrera

                                                                                                                       Taken by: Join us newspaper

Mayor anticipates improvements in economy this year

In 2010, people, in all aspects, are the number one priority for the current administration. This has been stated time and again from the onset of the current 20th local city administration, affirmed Mayor Alejandro Zepeda Munro.

After indicating they are anticipating improvements within the Puerto Peñasco economy this year, the Mayor indicated the actions and programs of his administration are and will always be focused on improving the quality of life for the residents of this municipality.
Therefore, he stated, they will further promote areas of public safety as a fundamental part of progress, by equipping more patrol cars and acquiring other devices necessary to strengthen the operations of the Municipal Police.

He stressed during 2010 they will work arduously to bring in new projects, as employment is a need that is sought broadly throughout different parts of the city.

The Mayor indicated that, in terms of the economy, apparently the most difficult stage has been surpassed for Puerto Peñasco. He anticipates things will shortly fall into place and get back on track, with much better results for 2010.

Zepeda Munro stated the Municipal Administration and society have the same responsibility and the same goal, calling on the community to continue advancing and achieving the best for Peñasco.

No changes

In another area, the Mayor stressed there are no grounds or plans to make changes within the current municipal cabinet, noting the positions will remain the same and without changes for the time being.

The Mayor indicated there had been rumors circulating towards the end of last year with respect to changes of municipal officials, yet noted they were just that, rumors. Furthermore, he remarked that during 2010 there will be minimum staff cuts within the local governmental structure.

He stated he is not afraid of making decisions concerning changes with respect to collaborators, which will be done if it is shown they are not adequately operating their departments or if a budgetary adjustment is required.

There is no reason to be concerned about this, he stressed, as up to now all directors have been fulfilling their roles through hard work and he hopes things will continue as so in order to close out his administration with the same group of collaborators.

With respect to adjustments among City personnel, Zepeda Munro indicated there will not be any massive cuts and they will do minor adjustments in areas where this is deemed necessary by rotating staff in offices in order to do more with less.

Written by: Guadalupe Cabrera

Taken from: Join us newspaper

Work planned to begin towards end of January

The public tendering process is now underway for projects within the first phase of the program to improve the urban image of the city. Mayor Alejandro Zepeda Munro reports 50 million pesos are set to be channeled into the project.

The Mayor recently indicated that, according to the established programs, they believe this process will wrap up just before the end of January, allowing the launching of work for the beginning of February of this year.

He remarked, according to project plans, they will begin with infrastructure projects aimed at laying underground electric lines, among other objectives, in order to reduce the use of aerial cables and posts in the port. 

The City Leader indicated there has been important progress in this first phase of the program to improve the overall urban image. He explained he would be speaking with people from the Old Port neighborhood to assure the work causes the least amount of nuisance possible.
Zepeda Munro reiterated the work to be done in the area of the Old Port will be slow and may cause annoyance, yet involves important work that needs to be done. With this in mind, he also called for the general patience of the public once work begins.

It is worth noting a comprehensive project for the improvement of urban image had been initially drawn up during the previous administration for nearly 100 million pesos.

The project will include road paving and new infrastructure, new building façades and the removal of aerial wires throughout the Old Port area, along 13th Street and in the entry areas to the city.

While we’ve all been promoting our opinions on what should and should not be done to make Rocky Point a better place for everyone (by which some of us mean what would be better mainly for us gringos), the city’s government has been working hard at doing just that. Both the previous mayoral administration and the current one have set their sights on improving the infrastructure of Rocky Point for its citizens, and though it isn’t sexy news like doom and destruction or beautification projects, it’s pretty important stuff.

Here are just a couple of things his administration accomplished during his term in office. We’ll start with the all-important matter of water. Under his watch the city completed two parts of a three-part comprehensive potable water supply program, representing an investment of nearly $200 million pesos and guaranteeing supply to the community for at least four or five years.

 The project included 78.5 kilometers of pipes for potable water laid in various neighborhoods of the city, at a price of $23 million pesos, principally in the regions of Nuevo Peñasco and San Rafael.

 Prior to this project only about 200 liters per second of water flowed into the city; now that amount is between 400 to 500, with capacity able to accommodate 700 liters per second. The completion of the third and final phase, which is already well advanced, is left to the new administration under Mayor Alejandro Zepeda Munro.

This includes the sectoring of the pipe network with 30-inch pipes across the city and the construction of a 6,000 cubic meter storage tank. The storage tank, made with cutting edge materials and technology, is considered a prototype on a national level.

Also well advanced in the pipeline is a desalination plant for the city, a project much favored by Mayor Zepeda Munro. At an estimated cost of $120 million USD, sources of investment for that come from the local, State and Federal governments, as well as from the U.S. government. I haven’t seen a timeline for that project, but it is definitely on the front burner.

Another area of importance to the health of city residents has been the paving of city streets. There is a certain rustic charm in the sandy streets of Penasco, probably more enjoyed by tourists and expats than by the Mexicans who live there, but besides being hard on vehicles and making it difficult for first responders to arrive at a scene in a timely manner, all that sand blowing around is bad for the respiratory health of the residents. 

Under Mayor Renteria Sanchez 48 streets were paved, representing an area of 381,000 square meters (or 75 linear miles) of pavement in nearly all of the city’s neighborhoods. The initial goal was for about 200,000 square meters, but they were able to exceed that goal substantially. Approximately $75.5 million pesos were channeled into the project, with assistance coming from the State and Federal governments.

The fourth stage of the paving project is left for the new Mayor to complete, with up to $50 million pesos allotted to pave more streets.

With both tourism and real estate development basically in the toilet at this point, the flow of money into the city’s coffers has definitely been curtailed. Naturally this is having an effect on the government’s ability to invest further in infrastructure plans, but they plow ahead regardless.

It’s possible that the current bust may turn out to be a good thing, allowing the city to take a breather and make more careful decisions about future projects in the region. At any rate, the city fathers are to be commended for their efforts to make Puerto Penasco a better and healthier place to live!

 (AUTHORITIES VISIST PEÑASCO)

Strengthening ties of friendship in order to work on an exchange of projects in the future was the objective of a working tour that recently made its way to Puerto Peñasco and which included the mayor of San Luis Arizona, Juan Carlos Escamilla, along with authorities from the cities of Somerton and Yuma, Arizona.

Mayor Alejandro Zepeda Munro received the visit of the US authorities at city Hall, where discussions focused on concerns of promoting a tourism corridor for the area.

The City Leader appeared satisfied with the meeting, as this could bring benefits for residents of the border communities.

He stated the invitation was not only for residents of San Luis, Yuma and Somerton to come to Peñasco, being able to now enjoy the advantages of the coastal highway, but rather also so that the people of Peñasco travel to these neighboring communities through an exchange program of tourism, as well as athletic and cultural activities held on both sides of the border.

During the meeting, the importance of working jointly on projects that represents benefits for all of the communities was discussed, such as the creation of a tourism corridor for the area.

(PROPOSAL SENT TO STATE CONGRESS.)

The plan that Puerto peñasco be the “brightest” city in the state has taken one more step towards this goal after the city council, meeting in full session, unanimously approved an ambitious comprehensive project for public lighting in order to save electricity, whit the intent of lighting more that 90% of the city.

The proposal, once presented and approved by member of the city body, will be sent to the state congress for corresponding review and approval, as appropriate.

During the third ordinary session of the city council, headed up by Mayor Alejandro Zepeda Munro, the council member authorized the project presented by the director of planning and economic development, of 7,000 lights on an energy saving system.

If this is authorized by the local legislators, the next step will be to begin the tendering process in order to select the best company, with financing negotiations through Banobras.

Mason Muñoz explained the objective in general is to obtain an energy savings of around 60%, which will be reflected in billing, as, according to studies presented, lamps with magnetic induction that they intend to place around  the city consume much less electricity than those  currently in place.

In addition, he furthered, they will double the number of city lights, replacing the 3,792 that exist and acquiring an additional 3,308 lamps, which will cover more than 90% of the urban zone and benefit all sectors of the city.

He explained the project will be self-sufficient, as the current collection for the right of public lighting, which tops 900,000 pesos monthly, would pay 266,000 pesos for the consumption of electricity for the 7,000 new lamps, eliminating the cost of maintenance while begin able to cover outstanding credit debts with Banobras with monthly payments of 578,000 pesos.