Bob Filner, a U. S. California congressman visited Tijuana Baja California and met with state government representatives last February the 20th, 2009.
He criticized the fact that his government issued a travel alert to U. S. citizens to do not visit the Mexican border region:
“I am here and I feel safe” said Filner, addressing that the U. S. citizens do not have a real perception of what is happening in the area regarding arms trafficking. He said that this problem belongs to the U. S. government.
“Economic resources used to stop illegal immigrants in the mountains should be used to stop arms trafficking” said Filner.
Present at the meeting were Baja California State Congressman Carlos Torres, Baja California Secretary of Tourism Oscar Escobedo and Baja California Secretary of Public Relations, Juan Tintos.
Mr. Filner has served the people of southern California in Congress since 1992, representing the 51st Congressional District, one of the most diverse areas in the nation, encompassing the southern half of the City of San Diego, the South Bay cities of Chula Vista and National City, and all of Imperial County. He compiled an impressive record of achievement in the U. S. Congress.
miércoles, 25 de febrero de 2009
It's safe, so come on down
Community essay Baja California
By Anne Hines
I am a Canadian expatriate and have lived in Baja California for the past 10 years. My husband, Patrick, and I bought a home on the ocean halfway between Tijuana and Rosarito – now situated in the middle of the Drug Corridor.
Our gated community of approximately 800 homes, composed of Americans and Mexican nationals, endures the usual crimes such as theft – no more or no less than one would expect in any community north of the border. After the 2007 elections in Mexico, newly elected Rosarito Mayor Hugo Torres, together with other municipal, state and federal officials, cracked down hard on the drug trade, resulting in the arrest of high-ranking drug lords operating out of the Tijuana area. These arrests left the Arellano Félix cartel without leaders and a violent power struggle took place. Coupled with the ongoing fight between the Arellano Félix and Sinaloa cartels, the death tolls rose and sensational headlines resulted.
Mayor Torres has been straightforward and diligent in keeping the expatriates and nationals informed. Security has been raised in Rosarito with 50 state police officers arriving to assist the 150-officer Police Department, and the army elements are highly visible in their continued patrolling of the streets and outlying areas of Rosarito.
All of this drama, however, has had very little effect on our daily lives in Baja. The community in general, including expatriates and visitors, has not been targeted.
We travel back and forth across the border as always, we shop in Rosarito and Tijuana without incident, and drive down the coast to Ensenada on a regular basis.
Because of the media coverage, defending Baja against unfavorable and unfair press has become routine. Our biggest challenge living south of the border is to persuade our family and friends that it is safe to visit. We ask that they not allow the sensational headlines and biased reporting to frighten them, thus preventing them from enjoying this wonderful and affordable tourist locale.
Rosarito has about 140,000 residents, 14,000 of which are foreigners. With its many new reasonably priced condos and homes for sale along the coast, it is an ideal location for retirees. Although the expats live miles apart, from Playas de Tijuana down the coast to Ensenada, there is a real sense of community in the area. The groups and activities to join are many, such as a large expatriate group called the United Society of Baja California, the Baja Bridge Club and the Rosarito Theatre Guild, to name a few.
There are luxurious spas to pamper your every need. Two wonderful golf courses are within easy traveling distance. Shopping is plentiful with high-quality furniture, wrought iron pieces, blown glass, wood carvings and fine art from all corners of Mexico. Rosarito also boasts some very fine gourmet restaurants for those with discriminating tastes, and taco stands abound along Benito Juarez Boulevard.
We also have numerous charitable nonprofit groups to join including Cruz Roja (Red Cross); the Flying Samaritans, which operates medical clinics for the needy; Friends of the Library; and Baja Animal Sanctuary. There are several English-language churches of the Protestant denomination in the area and weekly English-language Roman Catholic services are held in downtown Rosarito.
Perhaps we, who make Mexico our home, are a unique breed? It certainly is not a life everyone would choose but for those of us who do, there are no regrets.
There have been no visible signs of expatriate residents leaving Rosarito because of the increased violence between the drug cartels. We get used to seeing the army driving around in their Hummers, masked and armed with machine guns; somehow it makes us feel safe. We willingly stop at the various checkpoints and are usually sent on our way without delay.
Someday Mexico will win the battle with the drug cartels but in the meantime, Patrick and I, together with our friends, will continue to enjoy our life here in Baja California.
Anne Hines is president of the United Society of Baja California, an expatriate group that conducts social events and supports various local charities. visit www.rosaritotowncrier.com
Essay from www.signonsandiego.com
By Anne Hines
I am a Canadian expatriate and have lived in Baja California for the past 10 years. My husband, Patrick, and I bought a home on the ocean halfway between Tijuana and Rosarito – now situated in the middle of the Drug Corridor.
Our gated community of approximately 800 homes, composed of Americans and Mexican nationals, endures the usual crimes such as theft – no more or no less than one would expect in any community north of the border. After the 2007 elections in Mexico, newly elected Rosarito Mayor Hugo Torres, together with other municipal, state and federal officials, cracked down hard on the drug trade, resulting in the arrest of high-ranking drug lords operating out of the Tijuana area. These arrests left the Arellano Félix cartel without leaders and a violent power struggle took place. Coupled with the ongoing fight between the Arellano Félix and Sinaloa cartels, the death tolls rose and sensational headlines resulted.
Mayor Torres has been straightforward and diligent in keeping the expatriates and nationals informed. Security has been raised in Rosarito with 50 state police officers arriving to assist the 150-officer Police Department, and the army elements are highly visible in their continued patrolling of the streets and outlying areas of Rosarito.
All of this drama, however, has had very little effect on our daily lives in Baja. The community in general, including expatriates and visitors, has not been targeted.
We travel back and forth across the border as always, we shop in Rosarito and Tijuana without incident, and drive down the coast to Ensenada on a regular basis.
Because of the media coverage, defending Baja against unfavorable and unfair press has become routine. Our biggest challenge living south of the border is to persuade our family and friends that it is safe to visit. We ask that they not allow the sensational headlines and biased reporting to frighten them, thus preventing them from enjoying this wonderful and affordable tourist locale.
Rosarito has about 140,000 residents, 14,000 of which are foreigners. With its many new reasonably priced condos and homes for sale along the coast, it is an ideal location for retirees. Although the expats live miles apart, from Playas de Tijuana down the coast to Ensenada, there is a real sense of community in the area. The groups and activities to join are many, such as a large expatriate group called the United Society of Baja California, the Baja Bridge Club and the Rosarito Theatre Guild, to name a few.
There are luxurious spas to pamper your every need. Two wonderful golf courses are within easy traveling distance. Shopping is plentiful with high-quality furniture, wrought iron pieces, blown glass, wood carvings and fine art from all corners of Mexico. Rosarito also boasts some very fine gourmet restaurants for those with discriminating tastes, and taco stands abound along Benito Juarez Boulevard.
We also have numerous charitable nonprofit groups to join including Cruz Roja (Red Cross); the Flying Samaritans, which operates medical clinics for the needy; Friends of the Library; and Baja Animal Sanctuary. There are several English-language churches of the Protestant denomination in the area and weekly English-language Roman Catholic services are held in downtown Rosarito.
Perhaps we, who make Mexico our home, are a unique breed? It certainly is not a life everyone would choose but for those of us who do, there are no regrets.
There have been no visible signs of expatriate residents leaving Rosarito because of the increased violence between the drug cartels. We get used to seeing the army driving around in their Hummers, masked and armed with machine guns; somehow it makes us feel safe. We willingly stop at the various checkpoints and are usually sent on our way without delay.
Someday Mexico will win the battle with the drug cartels but in the meantime, Patrick and I, together with our friends, will continue to enjoy our life here in Baja California.
Anne Hines is president of the United Society of Baja California, an expatriate group that conducts social events and supports various local charities. visit www.rosaritotowncrier.com
Essay from www.signonsandiego.com
miércoles, 18 de febrero de 2009
Rosarito Beach Pro Added to WQS Schedule
Rosarito Beach Pro
ASP 1-Star WQS Men's EventRosarito Pier, Rosarito Baja Mexico3 - 5 April 2009
Rosarito Beach Pro added to WQS schedule
18 February, 2009 : - - The City of Rosarito Beach, Baja California and FDt Marketing are proud to announce they have reached a formal agreement for a new WQS event to be held April 3rd- 5th, 2009 in Rosarito, at the Rosarito Pier.
The event, which has been in development for nearly 4 months, will be a Men’s WQS 1-STAR event, and be held just after the Vans Pier Classic in Huntington Beach."We are very excited to have all the competitors here in our beautiful beaches and look forward to the event in April. Rosarito has always been recognized as a very attractive spot for surfers and this event will bring many positive things to our city." Laura Wong president of the Rosarito Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau.
FDt Marketing, the management company behind the Rosarito Beach Pro, feels they are bringing this contest to Rosarito at the perfect time of year, seeing huge potential for this year and beyond.“We wanted to give this surf contest a different feel, a different atmosphere if you will. Come April 3rd Rosarito will still be in Spring Break mode, so we wanted to surround the contest with a young, beach minded, college party atmosphere. We felt that with the spring breakers still in town it would help draw a large crowd during the contest, plus we are planning a concert on the Saturday night April 4th.”
Jeff Stoner, President of FDt Marketing: The event will be webcasted with live scoring on Saturday and Sunday, April 4th and 5th, and can be seen on rosarito.org/surf or by clicking on the Rosarito event logo on the ASP website. For more information on the event, travel arrangements, or the City of Rosarito, please visit the Rosarito website rosarito.org
CONTACT INFORMATION:
info@fdtmarketing.com or 858.200.7619 gilberto@rosarito.org
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