Workmen are going gang busters to finish repaving Ajijic’s Calle Revolución after Chapala’s Public Works Department chief Elia Ibarra resolved a minor dust-up with town administrator Hector España over the project blueprint.
When España arrived at the work site early Monday, he was dismayed to find the crew in the process of installing two parallel rows of stone pavers rather than the single center strip of adoquín that had been envisioned to facilitate safe pedestrian access to the market stalls. Arriving on his heels, Ibarra quickly came up with an alternative that closely jives with the original concept, but won’t require the acquisition of additional materials or cause delay.
She explained that the plan for putting in a double track of pavers derives from specifications laid out in the city’s application for a federal funding grant which is designated to improve thoroughfares used for vehicular traffic. Nonetheless, she gave a go-ahead to modify the design, allowing for a solid 1.8-meter center band of adoquín in lieu of the two lanes of tire tracks.
However, she asked España to spearhead a campaign to draw up a petition and collect signatures from the vendors and townspeople to be kept on file as safeguard in case federal inspectors eventually show up and question the city government’s decision to change the approved plan.
España and his community liaison Harry Bublin are appealing to all residents, nationals and foreigners, to back the petition. At press time about 225 people had already headed the call.
Interested parties may express their support by signing the printed copy held at the Delegación office opposite the plaza, or follow a simple procedure to add their names to the online English language version posted at www.change.org/petitions/residents-and-visitors-of-ajijic-mexico-please-help-refocus-the-tianguis-project-to-the-benefit-of-the-village.
Barring any emerging storm damage problems, Ibarra is confident that the project will be completed in time for the tianguis merchants to return to their usual spots on Revolución next Wednesday.