Chacala Community Meeting with Nayarit Tourism Board

A community meeting with the Nayarit Tourism board, concerning recent developments on the beach, was held at Mar de Jade on November 29^th at 10:00 am.

People interested in Chacala and its growth were invited, although prior notice was brief and many people did not know about the meeting. However, about 50 people did attend the meeting and everyone had a chance to speak. A promise was made that the next meeting will be widely publicized to all with lots of advance notice.

The Nayarit Tourism Board is composed of 40 members, teachers, engineers, a lawyer, people from Las Varas, Zacualpan , Tepic, and Compostella. The purpose of the board is to represent the Nayarit people and their rights to the federal government.

Summary of the meeting:

1. A history of land development since the 1970’s was presented. It seems the federal government’s power supersedes any municipalities. The issues of Ejido land, federal land, and Foreign and Mexican national investors have led to the creation of developments that do not respect the environment nor the rights of the local population. The Mexican government believes and promotes that all North Americans are looking for high rises, hotels, private beaches, golf courses, and lots of shopping. The government wants to make the Nayarit Riviera another Cancun! We of Chacala think differently. It was expressed that many North Americans are interested in nature trails, tranquil beaches, and interaction with the Mexican people. Foreign visitors and residents seek out the peace and tranquility of the Nayarit coast. There will always be the Puerta Vallartas of the world. There is only one Nayarit coast.

2. The different government speakers acknowledged that there is much corruption in the government but emphasized, with persistence and pressure by the people, change can be made. According to committee members, good will from the government can occur when pressure from the local people is applied. We must not let up on the pressure. It is a long road but necessary and necessary to follow the rules of protest. The committee acknowledged that many laws have already been broken by the developers who were identified as the Padillas’, one of the original developers of Chacalilla. One of the major laws broken was the closure of the beach road. Alas, the law says it is too late to rectify quickly.

3. The President of the Municipal Committee says regulations pertaining to development will be honored. He cited some of the regulations pertain to (1) access to beach (2) 15% of land will be given to community and (3)no to the marina.

CONCLUSION

Many locals at the meeting remain skeptical. They have pledged to continue the fight and ask that ALL interested, Foreigners and Mexicans, join them in this journey to protect Chacala and regularize growth. Citizens can demand transparency. The local, state and national protection agencies will set up a meeting with the county, state and federal government agencies. It is the goal of this meeting that all concerned will have the opportunity to convince the government agencies that it is not be in anyone’s best interest to build 1960 type resorts along the pristine Nayarit coast. Stay posted for more details.

IT IS NECESSARY TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT AND KEEP APPLYING PRESSURE ON OFFICIALS AT EVERY LEVEL.