After three months on the go as Mayor Javier Degollado’s designated liaison with Chapala’s expatriate community, Gloria Perales found time this week to come up for air long enough to introduce herself to readers of the Guadalajara Reporter.
Since October 1, Perales has been a boots-on-the ground official, putting out feelers and building bonds with homeowner associations, the American Legion, other established expat-run organizations and ad hoc social groups.
By the end of this month she expects to settle down in a permanent office dedicated to public relations and personal assistance to the municipality’s foreign inhabitants. Her assigned work space will be located on the ground floor of Chapala City Hall, right off the central lobby. She will also do outreach at the Ajijic Delegación office on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Her regular hours at both locations are set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., dependent upon other outside commitments. Advance appointments are recommended by email messages to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone calls channeled through the city hall switchboard at 765-8000.
A Chapala native, the 50-year-old Perales briefly studied law at the Autonomous University of Guadalajara before settling down to marry and raise two daughters and a son. She became fluent in English by spending summers in California during her children’s summer vacation. All three of her grown offspring and five grandchildren now reside in the United States.
Blessed with strong communication skills and an energetic personality, Perales defines her role as the mayor’s first contact with expats as that of facilitator in addressing issues of public safety, social and medical services, government bureaucracy, and common problems. She maintains constant contact with the U.S. and Canadian consulates in Guadalajara. And she is actively involved in planning public meetings to provide orientation on diverse government matters.
Pointing to an example of the kind of duties she performs, Perales recently represented Degollado at a meeting with foreign and native residents of Ajijic airing complaints about public disturbances generated in the village by rowdy musical and sporting events, excessive firework explosions, and noisy domestic animals. She was able to quell some of the grievances by explaining pertinent regulations, deep-rooted culture customs and what sort of intervention is within the local government’s purview.
Perales is clearly a devoted disciple of Chapala’s chief executive, labeling him as “a very intelligent and humble man who loves his people and is working long hours in their benefit.”
In the interview, she stressed Degollado’s strong interest in encouraging the assimilation of cultures to build a united and inclusive community and “make sure foreign residents don’t feel abandoned.” She mentioned that he is particularly keen on roping expats into Chapala’s upcoming Carnaval festivities and the host of other mass events planned for future months.
Perales meanwhile is collaborating closely with three foreign-born residents serving in honorary posts with the current administration. Sandra Loridans is acting as her advisory assistant on public security and joint representative at the Ajijic Delegation. Harry Bublin is a spokesman appointed to the Municipal Civil Protection Council. And Sheila Paull serves as president of the Patronato (board of trustees) on health care.