strong> Events announced to renew annual tradition

2010 will see the renewal of the annual Puerto Peñasco Carnival for the enjoyment of locals and tourists. In addition to once again renewing this tradition, which had been cancelled just over seven years ago, the event is expected to help promote economic activity, announced Mayor Alejandro Zepeda Munro.
During a press conference held at Hotel Peñasco del Sol, esplanade of which will serve as the main setting for the carnival festivities (also considered to be a “final indulging” before the start of Lent). The Mayor affirmed a series of events will be held from February 12 to 16 aimed at bringing back a very important tradition for Puerto Peñasco.
He stated that, due to time concerns the plan may seem a bit precipitated to carry off carnival this year, the reality is that since his administration began they had the clear intent to once again take up traditions of this port community.
“Un Mar de Sueños y Fantasías” (A Sea of Dreams and Fantasies) is the motto of the 2010 Peñasco Carnival, stated Zepeda. He hopes the event will help boost the local economy through an estimated participation of 30,000 people, including residents and visitors. Read more…

An Epilogue to Join Us’ Four Part Series

A strange thing has happened in the wake of our series on Las Conchas and the new Tessoro resort. Over the New Years holiday and through MLK weekend, scores of Rocky Point owners, visitors and renters reportedly have been arriving in Tessoro’s lobby asking for “tours.” While this is not unusual (in fact it is what developers hope for), it seems many of these visitors showed up ready for a tourist attraction.
It is worth noting that there is no Ferris Wheel or carnival on the Las Conchas Peninsula. Tessoro is no more than a residential resort (however nice the architecture). But the location above the Morua Estuary at the perfect mid-point of Puerto Peñasco between Cholla Bay and the Mayan Resort does make Tessoro the ultimate mirador.
These reports of tourists heading to Tessoro for a “show” reminded Join Us of the bird’s-eye nature tours that have been offered from Tessoro’s roof-top observation deck. On a few special occasions, experts from CEDO took groups of 20-30 guests up Tessoro’s elevators to a roof-top area high above the Las Conchas Peninsula for a unique look at the geography, geology and ecology of Rocky Point. As an Epilogue to the Las Conchas series, we would like to share a summary of one of those interesting tours given by Alexis Rife, CEDO’s Field Education Intern. Read more…

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. Read more…

Discussions held with national and international companies

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 Domínguez Ruiz, administrator of the Sea of Cortez International Airport.
Domínguez 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.
Domínguez 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. Read more…

Negotiations with individuals for 20 hectares

Well advanced conversations are underway seeking to achieve the goal of extending the city’s territory and in this way meet current demands for urban plots for housing, reported Noé Bañaga Farías, City Trustee.
The Municipal Trustee indicated the area currently under negotiation includes approximately 20 hectares located in the area north of the San Rafael ejido (communal land).
At the same time, he remarked, they are also working with the San Rafael ejido itself in order to increase the city’s legal area. The intent is to provide adequate attention to the pressing demand for urban land.
Bañaga Farías acknowledged the depletion of territorial land is a problem that Puerto Peñasco has been confronting in recent years, yet now has become a priority that needs to be resolved as quickly as possible.
The City Trustee stressed that fortunately there exists a very good relationship with the coordinator of the communal lands surrounding the urban center, and they are confident their steps will shed positive results through agreements that are on their way to being fulfilled. Read more…

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. Read more…

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. Read more…

Influx drops by nearly half a million visitors

With a reduction of nearly half a million visitors when compared to the previous year, and a 23% drop in hotel occupancy rates, 2009 may be catalogued as the worst year in a decade in the area of tourism for Puerto Peñasco, affirmed Oscar Palacio Soto, President of the Convention and Visitors Bureau (OCV).
During a press conference, the OCV President indicated that statistics confirm what had already been foreseen since the beginning of the year, principally a notable reduction in tourism and with it a drop in economic benefits.
He detailed with respect to hotel occupancy, 2009 closed out with an average of 32.6%, which is less than the 40.6% registered in 2008 and much less than 55.2% from 2007.
With respect to the influx of tourists, he remarked, 2009 rounded out with 1.52 million tourists making their way to the area, representing a notable difference from the 1.992 million registered in 2008 and the 2.163 million from 2007.
In addition, he noted, the average daily expenditures among tourists also dropped from approximately $58 US to an average of $50 US per person. This has had a tremendous impact on tourism and the entire economy with a sort of domino effect that cannot be stopped. Read more…

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. Read more…

37 women receive instruction in areas of cosmetology as well as cheese and gelatin preparation

Training workshops held at the Municipal office on Integral Family Development (DIF) recently acknowledged the successful course completion by 37 women who took part in instruction focused on cosmetology, as well as cheese and gelatin preparation.
The courses, which included the participation of 16 women in the cosmetology course and 21 who learned aspects of cheese and gelatin preparation under the supervision of instructors Jessica Abril Monreal and Flora Munguía de Encisco, came to a close with a ceremony held on the patio of the local DIF offices.
Socorro Cortez Estrada was the first of the 37 graduates who proudly received the document accrediting her knowledge, which will assist her in either working on her own or in obtaining a job.
DIF President Marcela Albelais de Zepeda urged the women to continue striving to meet their goals.
After stressing that some of these women had taken time from doing things at home in order to participate in the training courses, she called on the participants to maintain their self-esteem high as a way to provide more and better care for their families.
Accompanied by Municipal Secretary José Ramón Campos Santos, the DIF President congratulated the enthusiastic women for their interest in personal growth. Read more…

Confirmation there will be no pay increases for bureaucrats

Following a significant reduction in funds for city offices, including City Hall and the Municipal DIF, as well as no salary increases for municipal bureaucrats, the 2010 expense budget for the municipality of Puerto Peñasco was given unanimous approval.
Mayor Alejandro Zepeda Munro reported that members of City Council authorized expenditures for 2010 for the amount of 288,712,446 pesos.
The City Leader stated he was pleased with the way approval was passed down, underscoring they had made adjustments in order to assure more efficient use of resources.
He emphasized as a sign of the responsibility with which the funds in 2010 will be administered, his office implemented a reduction of 47% when compared to the budget for 2009.
Zepeda Munro mentioned another area where reductions were seen was the local office for Integral Family Development (DIF), with a nearly 27% decrease when compared to that of 2009. Read more…

Seeking to improve service conditions

In order to improve the infrastructure and services of the local fire department, new dorms and restrooms were formally presented to the department in December following an approximate investment of 280,000 pesos.
In a ceremony held at the facilities of the Fire Department, Mayor Alejandro Zepeda Munro presented the project, begun on July 23rd of last year, which will benefit the members of the service organization, by meeting the objective of helping provide dignified spaces for the corporation.
Accompanied by the director of the Municipal Board for Consensus of Public Works, Manuel Ayala Barrón, and the director of the Municipal Civil Protection Unit, Rubén Salido, as well as other city officials and representatives, the Mayor stated his desire that this project help improve the working conditions of the fire fighters.
The Mayor acknowledged the invaluable work of the fire department in constantly risking their lives to save others, and stated the need to provide them with well deserved equipment and better facilities. Read more…

Fifth local institution to receive certification

The Melquíades Palacio kindergarten has become another local certified safe and healthy school after having met guidelines established to such effect, becoming the fifth local institution to achieve this certification.
In a joyous and colorful ceremony, which included theater, singing, and tremendous participation from the student community, the white flag was hoisted over the school, denoting it to be an institute that guarantees the safety and health of the school population.
In becoming part of the “Healthy Kids Club,” kindergarten students from Melquíades Palacio took on the commitment to continue working to promote healthy development, an oath they swore to before those in attendance at the ceremony held on the athletic court of the school. Read more…

Funds benefit seven altruistic institutions

With nearly $1,000 US in cash for each, once again seven altruistic and service organizations from Sonoyta and Puerto Peñasco were recently benefited with collections from the 2009 Rocky Point Rally.
Donations granted by the Convention and Visitors Bureau (OCV), principal promoter of the motorcycle event, in all totaled $6,768 US to go to seven beneficiary institutions, thanks to funds collected from the November Puerto Peñasco Bike Rally.
In a brief ceremony held at the end of December at City Hall, Municipal Secretary José Ramón Campos Santos, accompanied by the director of the OCV, Rafael González Valenzuela, presented individual checks for $968.90 US to each institution.
Representatives from the fire Department, the Montaña school, the José Dávalos home for the elderly, the Red Cross, the George Papanicolaou group, as well as the Peñasco and Sonoyta DIF offices (Integral Family Development) each received the funds that will be used for activities within their organizations to benefit the community.
González Valenzuela stated the donations were a product from the registry of bikers and the sale of souvenirs from the 9th Biker Rally, in addition to various activities held at the same event. This past November the Puerto Peñasco Rally brought together more than 3,000 bikers and tourists from different parts of the U.S. and Mexico. Read more…

27 municipal agents recognized for their work

With a promise to increase salaries, and recognition of 27 agents for their performance, as well as a gathering replete with food and gift raffles, January 6th marked the celebration of Police Officers Day.
At the official ceremony, held in the municipal auditorium, acknowledgements and economic incentives ranging from 500 to 2,500 pesos were presented both in the form of vouchers and cash to 20 police agents completing 5, 10 and 15 years of work on the force; six additional officers were recognized for their outstanding performance and one for his ongoing participation in the DARE program.
Agent José Juan Luna Arellanes, on behalf of his fellow police officers, reflected on the troubles, risks and ingratitude one encounters in being a police officer. Read more…

Authorization given for creation of Cultural Institute

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. Read more…