Dear Sir,
Despite the fact that I’m sure your readers are fed up with reading about squabbles in the expatriate community, I feel I must respond to Werner Zuercher’s recent letter concerning Chula Vista. I could dispute and clarify each of the issues he raises; however, most of these issues boil down to interpretations of By-laws, regulations, Robert’s Rules of Order and Jalisco Civil Law and quite frankly, most people don’t care. The bottom line is that Janet Peace and her group have unnecessarily created a crisis. They could have followed the rules. They could have waited for the legally mandated AGM. Instead, they chose to put their personal concerns ahead of the interests of the community they launched their coup against the Board which had been legally elected at the 2009 AGM.This group, comprised mainly of expatriates, for their own political reasons decided upon and took a course of action the direct result of which has negatively affected both the Mexican and expatriate residents of Chula Vista, but more seriously has caused harm to Chula Vista’s Mexican employees.
Five days after their November 28th special meeting, they were able to have their minutes notarized and registered in Chapala. They then used these notarized minutes to have the association’s bank accounts frozen on December 23, seriously compromising the Association’s ability to pay its employees as well as its ongoing expenses. (Note: fortunately, up until now the employees have been paid from funds generously lent to the Association by one of the members of the legally-elected 2009 Board).
No responsible group of people would do such a thing. This action demonstrates that the goals of Peace’s group, whatever they may be, are more important to them than their legal responsibility to their Mexican employees and to the residents of the Association. No concern that this group has is serious enough to warrant such disruption and conflict nor its resultant anxiety.
The indisputable fact remains that we expatriates are guests in this country. The Mexican community not only welcomes us but treats us with respect and a degree of friendliness that I’m sad to say has been grossly abused. Grievances and differences need to be resolved in a constructive and respectful manner in the interests of the entire community. Otherwise, we risk alienating our good Mexican neighbors, many of whom are disgusted by this conflict to the point they they could with some justification finally say: Bastante. Adios a todos.
Douglas Oke, Audrey Ellis, residents of Chula Vista
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