The current weather in Culebra

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Culebra needs progress

Author: Elvin (66.50.246.---) Date:   08-20-08 10:48 Many people in culebra complain about the problems that are occurring in the island of culebra regarding the crime that has been going on during the part four years. Culebra is an island were no crime was reported before, sorry my mistake under the same mayor that is in power right now 2 other crimes or deaths occurred when he one the first time as a mayor. Before this many mayors served the island and these crimes never occurred if it did very rear, so it is up to you if you want the same mayor in culebra that does not care about the crimes that are occurring or that dose not care how to help the economy in culebra.

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Re: Culebra needs progress

Author: Jeannie G3 (---.asm.bellsouth.net) Date:   08-20-08 14:44 Hola! Yes Elvin, Culebra needs progress and so does the rest of Puerto Rico, the United States and the World for that matter. Times are changing. When I first visited Culebra over 10 years ago, it was over New Years Eve weekend. Culebra was virtually deserted, everyone ferried over to the mainland to visit family and everything closed in Culebra, there was no one in the streets. Everyone celebrated quietly in their homes. It turned into a ghost town. What we did like was that no one locked their doors, cars had the keys in them, you could borrow a bike and knew it was coming back, you could leave your belongings on your towel on the beach while you took a swim and they would be there when you came back. The beach was wonderful and everyone was nice, this still has not changed. Culebra is to be admired because in spite of what little or no help they get from the government (local and Federal), the community has come together to make the progress they deserve. Read the Culebra Calendar and you can see how the Culebrense have come together to help open the Elementary School, establish educational programs, rehabilitate young people, take care of marine life, organize emergency and evacuation contingency plans, protest against injustices, etc. We have to learn not to depend on the government when you have two hands, two legs and a brain and can work your way with others to solve your dilemma. It is a true inspiration how the people of Culebra have worked together as a community for the benefit and the best interest of the community. I'm not defending any politician, none of them serve the people, they only serve themselves with a big spoon, "con la cucharara grande" True, we are dependent on the government for the big things: construction and placement of sewer lines, waste/potable water plants, new ferries, construction of new schools, funding for medical programs, etc.but, that doesn't mean you're going to do nothing in the meantime. Get to work and VOLUNTEER, this is what the community of Culebra is all about. You are entitled to your opinion but it is my observation that it's been a long time since PR has had a mayor, governor, resident commissioner that has truly served the people of Puerto Rico. Happy travels! J supergarcia3

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Re: Culebra needs progress

Author: Mort (---.asm.bellsouth.net) Date:   08-21-08 00:10 Two crimes don't make a trend. If you don't like the mayor, fine, but if you want to convince others, it's best to use arguments that sound at least somewhat logical.

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Re: Culebra needs progress

Author: Elvin (66.50.244.---) Date:   08-21-08 07:24 Hello Jeannie, I know that the rest of Puerto Rico needs progress, but my biggest concern is Culebra I have been a resident of Culebra for the past 35 years and I remember the good days when you could leave your doors open and your belongings in the car, if you do that today they will steal the belonging, it is sad that this is happening. I do admire the people in culebra because every one is very polite and helpful, and like you say “Jeannie” the community has come together to make the progress they deserve as explained, but the community can only do so much before these criminals start harming businesses and innocent people like you and me for trying to keep Culebra peace full and clean so people can visit. I do blame the present mayor of Culebra for letting things get out of control; I blame him for the 3 deaths that have occurred during this year “Mort”, The mayor is the one to blame for creating this crisis not anyone else now he dose not no how to stop this crisis that’s happening in this community. He only blames the past administration for doing things wrong, but he doesn’t realize the crisis that he has created for the island. The funny thing about this is that I voted for him because he promised that he would help the community but the funny thing is that he has done the opposite. So my recommendation is go vote don’t stay home.

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Re: Culebra needs progress

Author: Elvin (66.50.244.---) Date:   08-21-08 07:59 hello "Mort" in this administration there has been a total of 6 deaths during the past 8 years he has been mayor in culebra ( 1996-2000)(2004-2008) not 2 deaths, so do you think that this is right. He has not done anything to change this, he promised sports for the kids, he promised that he would work with tourism to help attract people to come to culebra, like everyone knows we depend of the tourism, he has not ones yet during the past 4 years done anything regarding this. So now most of the kids that were 14 when he won in 2004 are now 18 and are the criminals that you see at happy landing or at the bakery. So do you want this leadership I don’t its to risky

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Re: Culebra needs progress

Author: Mort (---.asm.bellsouth.net) Date:   08-21-08 12:24 That's better! You gave more specifics in your follow-up post. I'm not close enough to the scene to comment one way or another, but I think that you have presented your case a little more thoroughly now. Whoever becomes the next mayor, I hope that they maintain the things about Culebra that I love so much. But I realize that I'm heavily biased because I don't really want much progress at all. I like that Culebra is a throwback to an earlier, simpler time. As far as violence and crime is concerned, it's a worldwide problem. There are less and less places where you can get away from it. If Culebra wants more revenues, that means more tourists, bigger ferries, more commercialization, more developers, etc. And with all that comes more crime. It's an unfortunate fact of life in modern times.

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Re: Culebra needs progress

Author: Angelina (---.cpe.metrocast.net) Date:   08-21-08 23:11 Woah! Want a conversation. First, always vote, it is one of your greatest freedoms in a Democracy. The issue it seems is crime, not progress. Crime could be linked to youth who need an outlet for their energy, an education, a job, a volunteer position, and most importantly strong adult role models and accountability. Progress is another animal, although related. With "progress" more jobs may come and so may more tourists. What it sounds like you don't want is "development", a lot of big fancy hotels, and the like that will ruin the environment, cause run-off and that will ruin the reefs, which will eventually mean the tourists will stop coming because the natural beauty of the island will be ruined. So, then the question to ask yourself and fellow voters is this... Which candidate for mayor will address the problems of the youth, crime, and the unemployed without bringing "developers" who will ruin the island? I am sure there is a way to have carefully planned progress, so as to provide the necessary infrastructure (water pipe lines, schools, etc) and jobs, without destroying the environment and beauty of Culebra. Never lose that which makes your place special and unique! Instead build on your strengths; peace, beauty, the coral reefs, diving, snorkeling, good local food, local handicrafts, and art, history, etc. Otherwise if you "develop" more hotels, fancy restaurants, chains, malls, etc. You have lost what makes you unique and just become like every other Caribbean island. Then you have more competition and nothing that makes you special, nothing that makes Culebra stand out in the crowd when a tourist is looking for a place to visit. How about your mayor offers incentives to attract a biological research school to study the reefs to locate on the island. And/or a eco-tourism "resort" that educates people on how to protect the oceans and ecosystems, while also bringing in tourists. And/or a cooking school based on your local seafood and the diverse ethnic heritage of the island could be reflected in the food. In that way you bring in "developers" and their money, jobs, and tourist but you have careful planning of what can be built and how to minimize it's impact on the natural surroundings. I would call it "carefully planned, and controlled sustainable development". If no canidate offers you that or offers you a solution to get actively involved in mentoring your youth, then get a group of citizens and bring it about yourself, if the mayor has good sense he/she will see the worthiness of your plan and support it. As for mentoring the youth, work with your local churches. Not that you asked me :)

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Re: Culebra needs progress

Author: Elvin (66.50.244.---) Date:   08-22-08 03:14 Angelina I do not know what to say because you couldn’t say it any better, if most of the community thought the way you think, and even considered your recommendations, much of the problems that are occurring in the island of Culebra would not have been occurring the way it is. That is the difference between a leader and followers in this case the mayor is the follower with the position of a leader that dose not know to take recommendations and that dose not know how to consider peoples opinions.

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Re: Culebra needs progress

Author: Vanesa (66.50.244.---) Date:   08-22-08 10:30 The present mayor is a very good mayor he has helped all the businesses and the communities in the island, he has made the streets safe, he is giving free land to people to build there homes. The community and the businesses should be very grateful of this mayor, because he is helping the growth of the island. He has the best leaders working in the municipality making sure every thing is running right in the municipality, for example; we have the best tourism director, she is always happy and willing to help people learn about the island, she explains to people were to eat, like dingy dock. We have the best sports director “Rosalinda “she is always creating sports for the kids, she dose not mind letting kids use the basketball courts, gym, baseball field and the batting cage. See the mayor is working hard for the community and he has the best teams running the island, that’s why every one should be happy with this mayor. .

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Re: Culebra needs progress

Author: Angelina (---.cpe.metrocast.net) Date:   08-22-08 15:36 Clearly an election year! May the fun and debates rage on! One more suggestion. Elvin, It is great to debate and disagree and speak your mind and opinion and by all means vote your conscience. But, just in case things don't go the way you want, either the old mayor doesn't change or the new major still doesn't do anything about the problems you see... Then YOU take action, positive, peaceable, action. Speak to other members of the community, start a revolution, if you will. Start a committee, name it, give the members a voice, give them a positive outlet to do something about the issues they face. And if as Vanesa says your tourism and Recreation director are so wonderful and approachable, then approach them. Things get done when people work together and put effort into bringing about positive change. I'm going to go out on limb here...I am guessing that a lot of your neighbors are Catholic or Christian, as am I. So, pray. Ask God to give you the courage, and gifts of the Spirit that you will need to do His will. And then listen to Him. He always uses human instruments to do His will, look at the apostles and saints. I am confident that violence and theft are not His will, so pray confidently. Ask Him, to send you a leader, and ask Him to use You! It all starts with one person taking a positive action. Look at Ghandi, or Martin Luther King Jr. You may not be the leader, but you may be the one to get people talking, debating, and moving ! You never know until you try. Just don't give up!

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Re: Culebra needs progress

Author: Michael (---.nyc.res.rr.com) Date:   08-22-08 19:51 Angelina, very clearly an election year! I ask everyone to keep the discussions on topic and to be polite :) Enjoy Culebra! Michael

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Re: Culebra needs progress

Author: Jeannie G3 (---.asm.bellsouth.net) Date:   08-23-08 13:28 Hola! See Elvin, again and again, the same advice is given. Culebra's progress depends on not just what government officials can or can not do but, also what the community is willing to give. Time is more valuable than money, the older and wiser teach the young and inexperienced. There are many community volunteers and groups in Culebra. They reach out to everyone and help in all kinds of different scenarios. It is easy to sit back and critic or say it should be done better or in a better way, then if you think it should be better, make a difference. Help those who have taken the time to create organizations in Culebra to bring progress and education. Help out and volunteer. Just to name a few groups, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Defensa Civil, DNR Vigilantes. CORALations, Marine Environmental Society, the schools, churches, the clinic, the Culebra Rises (Culebra Se Levanta) Organization, and I'm sure there are many more community organizations established that you could pitch in and contribute to. If it bothers you so much that the young folk are hanging out at Happy Landings or other places doing things they shouldn't, then volunteer and group them together to do something that is fun or interesting. Sometimes all they want is to talk to someone and be heard. Sports and art are the best medicine and entertainment for these kids.You can make a difference because you are already in Culebra, we on the mainland do whatever we can to promote, educate and get the word out about Puerto Rico. We have to do all that is in our power to save the beauty of Puerto Rico. Happy travels! J supergarcia3

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Re: Culebra needs progress

Author: Elvin (66.50.244.---) Date:   08-23-08 22:05 Hola! Jeannie you are right culebra’s progress depends on not just what government official’s can or can not do, but, also what the community is willing to give. The community can only give so much, I do not know when was the last time you came to culebra, but the only organization that has been helping out a 100% is CORALations, teaching these young adults about the environment. And so you know Jeannie the municipality of culebra hates Marian of “Coralations” and I have heard it from the officials of the municipality and from DNR, she is the only one that has the guts to say something when it is wrong. And another thing is, you elect the officials of the municipality so they can make a difference and so they can help the communities create organizations, but we have a government that dose not even let you use the facilities because the director of sports doesn’t fell like it. I have tried to create events for the kids of the island, but I have been refused by the director of sports “Rosalinda”, and her response was that the island is in a crisis and she was ordered by the mayor to close the facilities by 6:00pm. If you could only imagine how many people have gone to the mayor asking for help, and the help is not asking for money, to create activities and his response is talk to “Dolly” she is the coordinator of activities. Many people have talked to different representatives in the mayor’s office and what’s being done nothing. I know Sports and art are the best medicine and entertainment for these kids. We can make a difference because we are in Culebra, but we need the help of the municipality to make this happen.

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Re: Culebra needs progress

Author: Angelina (---.cpe.metrocast.net) Date:   08-23-08 22:27 Elvin, Sounds like you are totally on the right track! Just don't lose hope. Keep trying. And get others to submit these requests with you. It's harder to say "No" to a big group of citizens than to just one or two people. Then take your big group to town council meetings, and politely but firmly make your voices and needs know. Remember the "squeaky wheel gets oiled". So, squeak often, bring friends, and be so super nice and polite that they feel like jerks saying No. My Mom always taught me "You catch more flies with honey than vinegar". I'm not saying you aren't being polite, but if at town meetings people get upset and rant, it is easier for the powers that be to not listen to them. I used to manage a small store as a teenager, and I would occasionally get an irate customer making a scene, I would be so calm and polite that eventually they would get embarrassed at their behavior, Mom's advice really worked! The point is, if you (better still a group of like minded citizens all sitting with you, signed petition's in hand) approach the mayor at a public town meeting and politely demand the use of the Rec Centers for supervised activities, maybe just maybe, she/he will feel compelled to finally listen. Just another idea. Also, use the power of the press! If you don't have a newspaper, start one! It isn't hard with a computer and a printer to put out a bulletin. If it is a paper about civic events, the local churches might even let you pass it out with the bulletins, just so long as it is not political. Good Luck, you have a very worthy cause!

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Re: Culebra needs progress

Author: Jeannie G3 (---.asm.bellsouth.net) Date:   08-23-08 23:58 Hola! Elvin, I still don't understand some things. You talk as if there was absolutely nothing going about within the community of Culebra except CORALations. Just in July 2008 edition of The Culebra Calendar, I read about these community events: Culebra Community Library sponsors a summer library camp for children in July ; the Municipality of Culebra and its' mayor, Abraham Pena together with the Office for the Aging gave out 50 vouchers to buy produce at the Culebra Farmers Market in August; students from the Antonio R. Barcelo School of Culebra were able to make a trip to NASA with the help of donations and various businesses and others from the community; during the first week in July, the National Guard Youth Challenge worked at the sea water treatment plant, planted trees, painted schools, and performed general community work, the Education Association celebrated an activity "Como Papi nadie cocina" June 7; a new High School director has been named, Pedro Luis Rodriguez Febu, call him; Campamento La Amistad held in June by Dominical Sisters of the Holy Cross together with Banco Popular and VOLUNTEERS FROM CULEBRA had a camp for 45 children, June 2-13; and that's just the activities posted in the July 2008 edition of The Culebra Calendar. David Cortes of Culebrarecently inaugurated his own radio station on the internet. Call him up to get your word out that you need help. FYI Angelina, Culebra does have a wonderful newsletter "The Culebra Calendar", in which one of the participants of this Forum is a collaborator . It is very informative and in my opinion, complete, what a shame that Elvin chooses not to even take a glance at it and enlighten himself with a healthy dose of facts. You can even read it for free, it's online. Why don't you run for Mayor, Elvin.? Happy travels! J supergarcia3

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Re: Culebra needs progress

Author: JPxbay (---.proxy.aol.com) Date:   09-05-08 13:00 According to you Elvin the deaths in Culebra are solely the fault of our Mayor, which is ridiculous you are clearly politically motivated by the Red party. You should look at the lack of response by the local law enforcement (Police) and a corrupt court system, if you had any logic at all Elvin. My question to you Sir Elvin: At what town meeting where you present at speaking your grievances? Or is it just too comfortable sitting behind your key pad because I have never heard of an Elvin at any of the town meetings or never the less seen one. When was the last time you stood in harms way. I would like to see you in happy landing making noise about the drug dealers and traffic. It seems to its just easy for you to point the entire fault in one direction Sir Elvin. To all those that have something to say about Culebra itself, should mind their own business, and look at their own town, cities, and states. Last I check Culebra is still a great little island for tourist and residents.

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