Governor Bours reiterates that no one can hold Peñasco back
Support totaling $2,117,000 pesos, with an average individual amount of just over 3,000 pesos, was recently distributed to 644 workers within the local tourism realm in order to help alleviate the negative impact the sector has felt due to the crisis following economic deceleration, concerns of public safety, and the flu alert.
After underscoring that no one can hold Peñasco back, as it will recover from this crisis and continue growing, State Governor Eduardo Bours Castelo symbolically presented 10 checks to representatives from the hotel and restaurant industries in this city. Read more…

Recognition for nearly 30 years of educational projects
The Intercultural Center for Desert and Ocean Studies (CEDO) was recently selected as winner of the 2009 Ecology Merit Award in the category of informal environmental education, in recognition for all of its educational programs during its nearly 30 years.
Since 1993, the Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) has granted the Ecology Merit award to persons, institutions and organizations that have carried out actions concerning the environment, contributing to the sustainable development of the country.
Mexico President, Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, presented the Ecology Merit award to CEDO Director, Peggy Turk Boyer, and the coordinator of environmental education, Paloma Valdivia, during a ceremony held June 5th in commemoration of Word Environmental Day. Read more…

As another example that Peñasco continues to be an excellent place to invest, on June 26th “Brothers Pizza” successfully opened up its doors to the community. The new restaurant is located on No Reelección (the principal road leading to the developments) at the corner of Constitution (in the former location of Churros and Burros), offering yet another excellent option to delight the palate. Read more…

The team “New Explorers” from the Nuevos Caminos kindergarten was awarded first place in the 2009 CEDO environmental contest, entitled “Flying until the end,” geared at promoting the conservation of migratory birds in the region.
This information was made known during the award ceremony held at Shrimp Plaza, where similarly the “Vanilla boys” from the O’odham Institute were awarded second place and “Los Superiores” from CetMar took third.
Paloma Alejandra Valdivia Jiménez, coordinator of environmental education at the Intercultural Center of Desert and Ocean Studies (CEDO), remarked the objectives of the contest were met through the participation of 150 young students and children. Read more…

The new international “Mar de Cortez” airport, built near the Mayan Palace complex to the east of the city, is ready to begin operations and is set to be inaugurated in July, reports Sonora Governor Eduardo Bours Castelo.
In an interview following a tour through the city, Bours Castelo indicated there are only minimum details remaining in order to put the facility into operation that, given its characteristics, will be one of the best in the country.
He noted they are awaiting certain authorization, basically from the federal government, in order to begin initial flights out of this new airport infrastructure. Read more…

Intent to obtain more responsibility for municipality
Making sport fishing an additional means of support for the fishing sector is one of the actions currently being promoted by the Municipal Administration, affirmed Carlos Pino Montoya, local director of Municipal Coordination for Fishing Affairs.
Pino Montoya indicated they are currently going through a series of steps in order to assure the granting of more powers to the municipality concerning fishery management. Read more…

Looking to control capture of the resource
Establishing control over capture, while boosting sustainable fishing, is the essence of the Regulatory Committee for the Chinese Snail recently formed in this port, at the request of the producers themselves, stated César Alejandro Villaescusa Fontes, head of the Office of Fishing in Puerto Peñasco.
Villaescusa Fontes pointed out that three coop eratives and one official agent are united in this new organization, which holds the 36 permits authorized in the region for the exploitation of this resource.
He said that other participants of the Regulatory Committee of the Snail include government agencies such as SAGARPA, the Naval Sector, CONAPESCA, Port Headquarters and the local government, working in a combined effort to realize a rational and controlled exploitation of this significant source. Read more…

Projects to improve distribution and demand stay on course
Along with the increasing temperatures, the demand for water tends to go up throughout the city during this time. Nevertheless, during the summer no problems are anticipated as the water supply is guaranteed to meet the needs of the entire population, assured Arturo Félix Gastélum, director of the Municipal Operating Body of Potable Water, Sewage and Sanitation (Oomapas).
Félix Gastélum indicated that along with having sufficient water supply for the entire Peñasco community, work is continuing on projects to improve distribution while meeting demands. Read more…

Though results not yet available
Trained staff from the Superior Technological Institute of Puerto Peñasco (ITSPP) has begun operating monitoring equipment measuring total suspended particles in order to uncover the level of air contamination in the city, reported ITSPP Director Enrique Carrión Contreras.
Carrión Contreras noted each week samples are being collected from the local environment, which are then sent on to Hermosillo for analysis in order to clearly diagnosis the situation in Peñasco.
He stressed to date they have not received any results or recommendation derived from results of the monitoring being conducted in the city.
When appropriate, he stated, as results and particular recommendations for the people of Puerto Peñasco become available, these will immediately be made known. Read more…

Investment to come from Project Sonora Plan
Despite the severe economic crisis, the municipal government has not detained investment plans or public works. Proof of this may be seen in the construction of a new sanitary landfill, which will be made possible through resources from the Project Sonora Plan, reported Mayor Heriberto Rentería Sánchez.
The Mayor stated during the initial phase they plan to invest nearly 20 million pesos in the construction of a first cell for the waste deposit fill, which in all will encompass 20 hectares and final estimate of which represents an investment of nearly 160 million pesos.
The city leader indicated this work will make it possible to further the protection of ecology and the environment, which are concerns of the three levels of government and one that has been a pressing need for nearly two years. Read more…

Maintaining the tradition of Marine Day
A tribute to men who have fallen at sea in carrying out their livelihood was held on June 1st during festivals marking the 67th anniversary of Marine Day, which included the presentation of floral wreaths and respective honors.
Mayor Heriberto Rentería Sánchez, accompanied by civil, naval, and military authorities, led the acts to mark this tradition in Puerto Peñasco and share with the entire community the joy of such an important date.
The festivities of June 1st began early at the Founders’ Malecón Boardwalk with the raising of the National Flag and the placement of a floral wreath at Fishermen’s Monument. This was done by the Mayor and the Admiral Víctor Manuel Gamboa Carballo from the Military Naval Sector, accompanied by officials and other members from the naval base. Read more…

Investment tops between 10 and 12 million pesos
After nearly two years of work and efforts, the facilities of the Municipal DIF Children’s Shelter were inaugurated on June 26th. This represents a tremendous step in the improvement of care for disadvantaged children, reported Minerva Ramírez de Rentería, President of the system for Integral Family Development (DIF).
She stated that the work that has been completed, which required a total final investment of between 10 and 12 million pesos, was well above the 5 million pesos that had initially been anticipated.
Samuel Ortega Castro, Director of the Municipal DIF, explained the inauguration solely implies the conclusion of the actual property of the home that will house children who have been abandoned or mistreated. Read more…

Recognizing the history of fire department members
A truly emotional ceremony, highlighting the vision of the department’s founders and remembering those absent while recognizing the contributions of the current fire department members, set the framework for the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Puerto Peñasco Fire Brigade.
On June 12th, the municipal auditorium set the stage where, before some of the founders of the institution, stress was placed on the courage, devotion and consistency that have characterized the Puerto Peñasco fire department.
Within this framework, a heartfelt homage was paid to volunteers who have fallen in their line of service and the victims of the tragic fire at the ABC nursery school in Hermosillo; this was followed by a minute of silence and applause remembering each of them. Read more…

Investment of nearly half a million pesos
With an investment of nearly half a million pesos, and within the framework of the 35th anniversary of the local Fire Department, new back-up equipment for the force was recently put into operation.
During a brief ceremony held before various firemen from different departments from Sonora and Baja California, Mayor Heriberto Rentería Sánchez presented Héctor Acosta Félix, president of the Fire Department Board, with four vehicles, three for land and one for service on the water.
The equipment, including two new fire trucks and a patrol unit, as well as a boat for nautical rescue, has already been put into service for the residents and visitors of Puerto Peñasco.
Mayor Rentería acknowledged the work the firemen carry out daily, which is why the community of Puerto Peñasco is very proud of them. Read more…

Confidence in obtaining permission for commercial fishing
As was expected, the exploitation of the geoduck clam, or siphon, has resulted in total success in its developmental phase. Therefore, there is confidence that federal authorities will give authorization for the commercial fishing of this resource, revealed Lázaro Espinosa Mendívil, president of the Regional Association of Concessionaires and Fishing Cooperatives.
Espinosa Mendívil said that after almost two years of testing, with the help of the Intercultural Center of Desert and Ocean Studies, A.C. (CEDO), the potential of this clam has been proven and significant steps have been taken to strengthen a new fishing alternative for this region. Read more…

Children’s City Council recently formedChildren’s City Council recently formedDania Lizbeth Escalante Vega, from the elementary school Jaime Nunó, was recently sworn in as children’s mayor during a ceremony marking the formalization of the incoming children’s city council.
On the central patio of City Hall, (adult) Municipal Secretary Fausto Murrieta Ochoa, swore in the 2009-2010 children’s city council, headed up by young Escalante Vega, who achieved first place in a speech contest held in advance.
With municipal officials, parents, and teachers on hand, the incoming children’s mayor offered her award winning speech, highlighting the values in society and the rights of children; the speech was greeted with raucous applause from the audience. Read more…

17 attorneys participate in new professional organization
Totaling 17 active members and six more on their way to becoming members, the creation of the Association of Attorneys at Law of Puerto Peñasco, Civil Association was recently officially made known to the public.
During a press conference, prior to a lecture presented by Attorney Elizabeth Rosas Robles, the President of the new professional organization, Aarón Armando Pérez Núñez, remarked the constitutive assembly for this group of attorneys was held just over a month ago. Read more…

Students from local secondary schools, concerned with Puerto Peñasco’s environment, met with municipal authorities on June 5th to present a work proposal focusing on the area of ecology.
On behalf of Mayor Heriberto Rentería Sánchez, Héctor Israel García Rojas, director of the Operating Body for the Comprehensive Management of Municipal Sanitation Services (Oomislim), accompanied by representative Kenia Castañeda Nevarez, received the proposal from the students. The students had put together the proposal under the supervision of their geography teacher Pedro Martínez. Read more…

Increasing the number of “healthy homes” and training those responsible for them is the objective of staff from the Secretary of Health who are working to strengthen the program of prevention and promotion in Puerto Peñasco.
Socorro Carmen Otón Gómez, the state coordinator of nursing, pointed out that with these actions, they are looking to bring health services closer to the population, in order to provide free services with the direct collaboration of the community.
She explained that the health clinics program, a program very much accepted in this city, is looking to minimize the problems that put people’s lives at risk, such as diarrhea, respiratory infections, diabetes, hypertension, and others. Read more…

Call for community cooperation
Authorities from the three levels of government have united efforts to combat an apparent mosquito plague that is indeed affecting some parts of the city, particularly in the eastern section, reported José Julio Chávez León, head of the local medical office for the Secretary of Health.
Chávez León acknowledged that complaints from various city neighborhoods are valid, particularly in the areas of Nuevo Peñasco and San Rafael, given that mosquitoes, in addition to being quite bothersome, may represent serious risks.
He stated that although Puerto Peñasco is not a rainy area, it is mosquito season and therefore they are structuring a campaign to combat this insect and prevent it from becoming a serious public health problem.
Chávez León remarked they have coordinated with the municipal administration in carrying out tasks of cleaning up patios, use of insecticide to combat mosquitoes, fumigation and other work that will greatly benefit the efforts with the support of the community. Read more…

Marco Carrillo chosen as replacement president
Unexpectedly, in the late afternoon of Wednesday, May 27th, Arturo Rodríguez Rico presented his resignation as president of the local office of the Chamber of Commerce (CANACO) in a special council session that took place in the facilities of said organization.
After a relatively heated session, the directors of the CANACO of Puerto Peñasco accepted the resignation of the now ex-leader, unanimously chosing Marco Carrillo Suástegui as the replacement president.
Carrillo Suástegui will lead the local business owners for what is left of the existing period in the Chamber of Commerce, through March of 2010. Read more…

Better late than never, and that’s how it went with the belated festival to celebration Children’s Day put on by the 20 de noviembre Civil Association for local community children. During the celebration, confirmation was also given that construction for the Children’s Center for Multiple Uses is set to begin soon.
For the ninth consecutive year, the group was able to gather hundreds of children to joyfully celebrate with candy, cake, refreshments and gifts, as well as an entertainment program replete with local artists.
For the special occasion, the 20 de noviembre Association presented 3,200 gifts, 18 cakes, 15 bicycles, 35 boxes of groceries, and 200 trees, which were shared among the nearly 1,000 people in attendance. Read more…

Five registration applications for candidacy for the City Presidency of Puerto Peñasco have been authorized by the State Board of Elections, stated Juan Ramón Germán Celaya, board president.
Germán Celaya asserted that in a first resolution issued, registration of candidates from the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), an alliance of the Green Party and the PANAL, the Convergence Party, the National Action Party (PAN), and the Revolutionary Democratic Party (PRD) were all approved. Read more…