In this monthly series, we republish a few of the headlines from our February editions 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 years ago.
1967
Amsoc buys land
The American Society of Jalisco purchased 2,000 square meters of land at the Rancho Contento development, some six miles from the Minerva glorieta on the highway to Nogales. The lot is contiguous to a large recreation area with a tiled pool and terrace and a barbecue pit that will accommodate meat for 300 plus people. the cost of the land was 60,000 pesos.
Legion takes flicks to villages
Bob Paddock, chairman of the American Legion Post Three public relations committee, is bringing movies to surrounding pueblos of Guadalajara, where no regular theaters exist. Residents of Zacualco, Tlajomulco and Tequila have recently enjoyed cultural, sports and educational films thanks to a sound projector made available to the Legion by Jack Williams, of the U.S. Information Service.
Easter services in English
Mantillas and Easter Bonnets will kneel side by side at a multitude of church services throughout Guadalajara during Easter week. English-speaking churches where Easter services are held include The United Church of Guadalajara where the Temple Baptist Choral will present a group of anthems is under the direction of minister Paul Hunter; Christ Episcopal church in Colonia Seattle will hold two Easter communion services by Father James Dannelley; Reverend Robert Conerly holds forth at St. Paul Methodist Church during Easter services and Reverend Nathan Booth will conduct a service at the Gethsemane Baptist Church.
1977
Lake problems discussed
After a decade of studies costing more than 40 million pesos, the mayors of eight Lake Chapala towns met this week to prepare a a list of action priorities designed to solve the Lake’s most serious problems. These were discussed with the Civic Committee for the Defense of Lake Chapala, headed by Margarita Lopez Portillo, sister of the current president. Accompanying the mayors on an inspection of the area were representatives of the University of Guadalajara, the Civic Committee and members of the department of Agriculture and Water resources.
Den mothers wanted
Wanted by 40 American boys (ages 8-11): several mobile quick-witted adults. Some experience in cookie baking, refereeing, applying Band-Aids helpful, but not essential. Must enjoy crafts, camping, hiking, etc. No salary; short work week; rewards unlimited. Apply Cub Scouts.
“Our situation is desperate,” said Helen Karam, publicity chairperson of the Guadalajara based Cub Scouts. “In the past, the Cub Scout program in Guadalajara has relied on volunteer medical students, but come June, they’ll thin out and unless some new ones step forward, I don’t know what we’re going to do.”
Begun in 1975, the Cub Scouts are generally children who’s fathers work at Burroughs, Kodak, Motorola or are medical students. Each den meeting centers around a prepared theme forwarded from Boy Scout headquarters in the United States. The club in Boston has the same project as the one in Mexico.
1987
U.S. con artist strikes
A U.S. couple reported that they were conned out of nearly 20,000 dollars of cash and valuables by Doctor Frank Everett Jacobson, an American confidence man. The man met them in Zacatecas as they were on their way to settle in Guadalajara and offered to buy their auto. He continued with them to Guadalajara, helping them to rent an apartment and gained their confidence during a month living in the same complex. He offered to put their jewelry in a safe he had in his apartment and skipped town the next day. After a week they realized they had been bilked and went to the U.S. Consulate, where they were told of reports that the same man, not bothering to change his name, had swindled various people in Barra de Navidad, Morelia, Michoacan, Chihuahua, Sonora, Toluca, Mexico City and the Yucatan.
Tourist bus holdup
A unique hold-up attempt took place on a tourist bus with 25 mostly Canadian and U.S. citizens aboard as it traveled from Puerto Vallarta. Three armed men stopped the bus en route and boarded, demanding the passengers give them their valuables. Before they could get away, coastal police fought a gun battle with the criminals, apprehending one of them.
US Consulate boosts security
In the wake of terrorist threats and attacks, both President Ronald Reagan and the U.S. Congress have ordered diplomatic missions to strengthen security world wide. In Guadalajara more police patrols around the consulate, more security guards and metal detectors are just some of the visible changes made over the last few years. In coming months a six-man Marine Security Guard detachment will be stationed at the consulate. While no specific event or situation has caused the Marines to be stationed here, it is merely an upgrade in security now taking place at many U.S. consulates and embassies.
1997
Soldiers raid downtown hotel
Some 200 uniformed Mexican Army soldiers without search or arrest warrants stormed the five-star downtown Carlton Hotel March 6, apparently hot on the trail of notorious Mexican drug traffickers. With scarcely a greeting to employees, commanders ordered their rank-and-file to comb every nook and cranny of the hotel including maid’s quarters, storage rooms, the lobby, restaurant, gift shop and swimming pool area.
“It was like the filming of a war movie,” said night manager Jose Luis Rodriguez, “with soldiers running from one side of the hotel to the other, armed with high-powered rifles.”
Jalisco Hotel and Motel Association President Gabriel Higareda was quick to call the raid “an isolated incident,” adding that tourists and guests have no reason to fear for their safety at local hotels and motels. “It was very likely that someone called in a false alarm,” he said.
Carlton Hotel public relations director Veronica Sanchez said that of the 295 people registered in 170 rooms during the raid, that not one had made a complaint. The hotel registry shows that the majority of guests were employees of Banco Bital or Japanese executives playing in a local golf tournament.
Governor Alberto Cardenas complained that not a single state official was informed of the operation before it happened. The head of the federal Attorney General’s office learned of the raid in that night’s television newscast.
2007
Hitachi lays off 4,500
The announcement that Hitachi will close its El Salto plant, laying off 4,500 workers, sent a cold shiver through Jalisco’s normally buoyant electronics sector. Hitachi will move the plant to the Philippines.
San Antonio unites
Residents of San Antonio Tlayacapan are calling on local officials to put a check on irresponsible developers who they say wreck havoc on natural landscapes by altering the natural path of creek beds in the hills above the town which can increase flooding in the village below. Residents believe the builders are guilty of invading a hydrological system that is protected under federal law.