In contrast with the heated encounter with villagers in Santa Cruz de la Soledad experienced last week, Chapala Mayor Javier Degollado and key staffers received a warmer welcome and no fire-works at the public audience held Wednesday, April 13 at the Ajijic Plaza.
Pulled together with very little advance notice to the public, the event attracted barely more than two dozen citizens who showed up to air their concerns on government services and listen to the mayor’s plans for town improvements.
Several of those in attendance requested prompt attention to clearing debris and weeds from creek beds that run through the town to prevent flooding problems during this year’s rainy season. Among those speaking up was parish priest Javier García Orozco who pled for corrective actions for the diverted arroyo that runs into La Floresta in order to prevent a repeat of last summer’s devastating flash flood that damaged the San José chapel and several neighboring homes.
Urban Development director José Barajas replied that he has been meeting with homeowner associations in the vicinity to come up with solutions that assure public safety from the angles of crime prevention and natural disaster.
Other issues that were addressed included problems caused by free-roaming dogs, littering, deficient garbage pick-up service, poorly maintained streets and sidewalks, increased rates for building permits and the proliferation of informal street commerce.
Degollado revealed plans for an upstart town clean-up campaign, the impending purchase of new garbage trucks — including one to be assigned exclusively to Ajijic — and major repairs for central streets and sidewalks.
He also talked about completing the remodeling of the town plaza, promising to present visual renderings of the project for public consultation. He delved into greater detail on what is in store for the extensive area of municipal property located on the east side of town bordering La Floresta.
With the municipal government recovering administration of various spaces, the mayor said his administration is lining up funding to convert the dilapidated Artesanias school into high school classrooms, upgrade the Lienzo Charro bullring, develop a multi-use sports complex on the grounds of the lower soccer field, and add a public funeral vigil salon and other facilities to the DIF family development center.
After covering topics of public concern, Degollado and his department chiefs stepped across the street to the Delegación office where they received various citizens who wanted personal matters resolved.
The Mayor’s next town meeting will reportedly take place in San Antonio Tlayacapan next week, although the date had not yet been set at press time. Interested parties should keep an ear out for roving sound car announcements or enquire at the Delegación office at the plaza.