Saturday, March 3, 2012

Culebra, Get Your Dancing Shoes On!

I have to believe Don Monchin is smiling on us today
There is a big something to celebrate today, at least from my perspective, along with many others. And the ones who aren't celebrating? The ones gnashing their bank books and grinding their lawyers? Maybe one day you too will celebrate that you failed in your attempt to destroy one of the most special islands in the Caribbean. Because the truth is, visitors and locals do NOT want huge here. They want what is normal for Culebra, smaller, less flash, simple. If they want more (densely built properties such as whatever they are calling the once again bankrupt project ruining the view of Ensenada Honda), they can go to a million other places to play and live. It is what ISN'T here that is a huge part of Culebra's attraction, plus our amazing beaches, welcoming locals, the handful of great places to eat and drink, the handful of other shops to purchase tangible memories of Culebra. Yes!! The news is out! No Villa Mi Terruno, they have lost their appeals and permits! I'll wait while you go do a happy dance.

Dubon's plan for destroying Culebra's beauty. Why indeed?

"We won in appeals court with great thanks to young and determined lawyers from the environmental law clinic, ANDA and all the support from local community. " 

"Now he has no permits and [has] to start from step one with ACDEC [ed. note: ACDEC, at present, is comprised of our interim mayor]. He will go to PR supreme court, so we have to keep vigilant."  Mary Ann Luckng


The area of Culebra that will stay beautiful (yes, it would have been that big).
(Rumor has it there was mention in the transcripts of a local blogger posting what was referred to as an 'unappealing' photo of one of the M. Dubon's - and apparently the response of the  court was to 'crack up' with laughter. That's only rumor, but certainly an appropriate response if true. Even if it isn't true, it made me laugh.) 


To all who worked and marched and went to endlessly dreary meetings, who fought against this, stay vigilant yes, but for now, give yourselves and your neighbors a big pat on the back; job well done! And to Mary Ann, who worked tirelessly over the last years the drudge work of shepherding papers and lawyers, our large thanks.


Yesterday was all about bread for me. I was talking with someone about the horses and defending the table, mentioning I'd not seen them for a few weeks on bread day, when there they were, running up the road. But old habits can die fast, they ran right by me into the yard next door and then mosey'd on down the road without even a glance my way. 


Thankfully, bread people sampled a good bit of the Rosemary Garlic bread,
because I was ready to eat more than my fair share.

The photo below has nothing to do with anything except that it is my favorite rock in my yard. Without my glasses or contacts, it looks very much like a bear. So if you see a bear wandering around Culebra, please send it home to me.


Have a stand up and cheer Saturday!! Do something (s)celebratory!

7 comments:

  1. Thanks for the happy news on Villa El Terror (did I spell that wrong?). That's indeed something to celebrate!

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  2. George Hayduke would agree with M.A. about remaining vigilant, but given that our fragile world depends on stringing together these even more fragile legal ramparts and the occasional billboard chainsaw, I say we raise a toast to M.A., Don Monchin, and all the eco-warriors on my favorite spit of land hereabouts. The Wikis set tonight is dedicated to them and the time that this effort bought for our adopted home!

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  3. Dave, you spelled it precisely right!

    Doug, hear! hear! salud!

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  4. Oh yeah, and the rock? I be likin' the lichen!

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  5. Celebrating from afar regarding Villa Mi Terrible! Don Monchin is smiling down upon la isla bonita and MaryAnn frickin' ROCKS!

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