Don't forget! 5:30 Wednesday morning!

I know some of you reading this won't be on island, but I know you'll want to be supportive regardless. For those of you on island: Wednesday morning at 5:30 a.m. all people who want to exercise their civil rights and express their feelings about what is happening on Culebra will gather at the ferry dock. Prepare to be there awhile - umbrellas for shade, snacks, chairs, water etc as needed. Many of you already know this info, but I was asked to send it out to everyone on my own little list so...I am! If it helps even a little bit, I'm glad to be repetitive.

Sunrise over Culebra from the ferry (remember that?)

For those of us who are off island, we can email and call CNN and other major news outlets about this gathering and tell about the ongoing governmental ignoring of the transportation crisis on Culebra.

Thanks to all who are working to solve these critical issues. Wish I was home, but I'm with you all in spirit and heart and if there is anything else I can do, let me know!

p.s. I'll be traveling most of the day tomorrow to California and am not sure when I'll be able to get online, so if you don't hear from me for a few days...assume I'm hiking around somewhere with my son and having an amazing time in the redwoods and points Pacific.

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This just came in my email; Diane Simard (of Holistica Aimee, the health food store) writes about her take from the meeting Sunday at El Batey. The next piece is from the Culebra Calendar online.The photo is by Amy Jo Ellis and there are links to more on facebook if you want to check them out.

"Hi, The Sunday meeting for the business owners was a strong group and again many people showed up and spoke up. I have a feeling that with every  meeting we are getting more organized and something very positive is happening. Thank You.

 What I left with at the meeting on Sunday was:

Everyone who can could meet at the ferry dock on Wednesday (15 Sept.'10) 5:30 a.m.. We would like to bring our grievance to the Governor directly by showing up in San Juan. Unfortunately we can't all fit on the ferry....  what will they do with all of us.....Vieques is also doing a strike on the same Wednesday so it all coincide and the attention will get to the press.
We are contacting the press and writing a press release both in english and spanish. A meeting is planned with the press on Tuesday evening.
The greater number of resident that show up on Wednesday morning the better. Businesses are planning to close.
Of course if there is any change that I hear I will let Pam know.
We are a beautiful, powerful, and organized island. Peace is the theme for this Wednesday....... Culebra in Peace.

The ferry only holds 150 people, the issues will be that we have our rights to get off the island to exercise our rights."

From: The Culebra Calendar <theculebracalendar@yahoo.com>

Date: Mon, Sep 13, 2010 at 10:23 AM
Subject: Meeting El Batey Sept 12

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  Culebra Forum
  

  Approximately 75-85 people met at El Batey Sunday September 12th to discuss the lack of adequate Ferry Service. The meeting was called by Tomas Ayala President of the Committee for Better Ferry Service
  (COMITÉ PRO MEJOR SERVICIO DE TRANSPORTACIÓN MARÍTIMA PARA CULEBRA ) Tomas Ayala and Vice President Ivan Solís presided with help from Committee officers Joan Colondres and Cindy Villanueva. The meeting was very well managed and bilingual thanks to Carmen Rosa Sabater.
  
  Discussed were the effects of the lack of Ferry service to local businesses and it was estimated business revenues may be down by as much as 85% in some businesses and approximately 150 people have lost their jobs or have been severely cut back.
  
  Because of heavy payrolls, Neil Romero said he may be forced to shutdown the Dinghy Dock and Carmen Rosa Sabater reported that Jose Mayoral of Bahia Marina says the revenue loss was so devastating and considering his payroll, if this keeps up for more than a week he may be forced to shutdown as well.
  
  Several options were discussed and it was proposed and voted on that the businesses would strike on Wednesday the 15th and use the time to make contacts, write letters etc. A contingency of people will also go to the Big Island and seek help from the Government.

  16 minutes ago ·  ·  1 person · 
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  Culebra Forum Photos by Amy Jo Ellis, Gracias Amy!!
  
  
  
  More photos and Spanish later today at the forum:
  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Culebra-Forum/42892999274?ref=mf