In this monthly series, we republish a few of the headlines from our September editions 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 years ago.
1970
State urges coastal investment
With a 300-kilometer highway between Barra de Navidad and Puerto Vallarta soon to be completed, Juan Delgado Navarro, Jalisco’s economy secretary, has released a report that encourages development in that area. Principal opportunities for investment are fruit and vegetable packing plants in Talpa de Allende, Cihuatlan, La Huerta, Purificacion and Cuautitlan; a sugar cane pulp mill in Talpa de Allende; a milk pasteurization plant in Puerto Vallarta; livestock feed mixes in Casimiro Castillo, La Huerta and Mascota; wood furniture and packing box plants in San Sebastian, Cihuatlan, Mascota, Cuautitlan and Purificacion and boat building and repair in Puerto Vallarta and La Huerta. Other business wanted by the state include sawmills, refrigerated meat packing plants, and fish freezing and dehydration plants.
1980
Artisans suffering
Unfair competition from imported contraband goods is putting some 80,000 Mexican artisans on the brink of bankruptcy, according to Juan Hernandez Sanchez, leader of the Union of Artisans of the Republic. Unfortunately, the public now prefers contraband articles sold by fayuqueros, even when they are of poorer quality than domestic products, he said.
1990
Ajijic resident gives home to LCS
Neill James, a 40-year resident of Ajijic, has generously donated her home by clear and legal title to the Lake Chapala Society (LCS). Her residence, in which she will enjoy the right of lifetime tenancy, is also the site of the society’s English-language library and biblioteca (Spanish-language library).
Founded in 1955, the LCS was established as a non-profit, non-sectarian association dedicated to the ideals of community service and good fellowship.
A board of trustees established to oversee the James home and grounds intends to raise funds for the construction of a new building to house the library’s ever-expanding number of works.
“It is our desire to create a building and garden that will be a credit to the society and the community, one that will fulfill the desires of Neill James in a way that she can be proud,” said LCS President Arthur Malby.
2000
English-language library reopens
The English-language Benjamin Franklin lending library reopened in its new location September 11. The 8,000-volume library now forms part of the facilities of the Centro Universitario de Ciencias Economicas Administrativas in the Belenes campus of the University of Guadalajara (UdG).
The library was founded in 1949 by the U.S. government, but donated to the UdG in 1995 as part of drastic budget-cutting measures. Legions of Mexican citizens remember the library as a place where, as aspiring students, they first had access to reference books in a quiet and friendly atmosphere.
2010
Tourists flock to Mexican resorts
Despite a surge in drug-related violence in recent months, tourists are still pouring into Mexico. The Mexico Tourism Board reported that 818,278 tourists of different nationalities visited Mexico in June of this year, compared with 605,435 in June of 2009.
Canadian tourists to Mexico increased 107.4 percent that month over 2009, with 41,184 visiting Mexico.
The frequency of cruise liners stopping off at Mexican coastal destinations is also on the rise, with passengers visiting Mexico up six percent over 2009.
Drug-related violence has largely bypassed Mexico’s coastal resorts, which are by far the most popular tourist destinations.