Guestbook

Debbie Blue (Tuesday, 20 March 2012 19:13)

It would be a tragedy to lose such a unique and beautiful place. I've written the officials and the cruise lines. I'm so grateful you folks are organizing!

Mary Kwart (Sunday, 01 January 2012 19:35)

I have been visiting Barra for about 8 years. I cannot imagine it looking like Ixtapa--what a travesty! I come here specifically to get away from Zihua and Ixtapa to a more rural area. I will keep my eye on the proposed development.

Daniela (Saturday, 31 December 2011 12:53)

keep up you work, save world, everyone must do something to save it

Anna Wise (Thursday, 08 September 2011 13:05)

It would be a miracle if a place like Barra could be saved, not destroyed. One would be able to renew faith in the ability of governments to make the right decisions! Ya Vamos!

ali zerriffi (Wednesday, 07 September 2011 12:14)

Great news and it seems that the movement is gaining momentum . Bravo to all of you directly involved and bravo to all of the people reaching out to their governments , professional associations and unions to help fight this horrible ,short sighted project.

Cecilia McGowan (Tuesday, 19 July 2011 14:38)

Save Barra del Potosi!

Please make a declaration that you will not participate in the ruination of an important ecosystem and economic system, by refusing to use the proposed pier at Barra de Potosi, Mexico. Thank you for being a responsible business.

Hercilio Castro (Friday, 08 July 2011 10:41)

Zihuatanejo, July 2. The organization Canadian Union of Public Employees and Canadian Union of Public Employees supported the United Peoples Movement against the Privatization of the Bay of Zihuatanejo and Barra de Potosi.

In a letter, Louise Leclair, representative of the group, talks about the problems of Zihuatanejo and Barra de Potosi, the current opposition from the fishing community to the concession granted by the Ministry of Communications and Transport to the Port Operator Fonatur Company Inc. .

Describe the geographic location of the port and is located 100 kilometers north of Acapulco, Ixtapa and close to the economy and ensure that tourism is in the U.S. and Canada, which return to the binomial tourism for 30 years or more occasions.

He claims that the agency responsible for the federal zone, Comuniciones Secretariat (SCT), "has decided to privatize delivering Zihuatanejo Bay, including Lake Las Salinas and Barra de Potosi, like Miami Corporation, based in a Port Authority (IPA). "

Criticises the fishermen and traders who have owned for years and have the income from tourism economy, with the API will be charged to be in their premises and highlights the company Fonatur Inc. decide which users can be.

Is the amount of the grant was only 2 million pesos, equivalent to about $ 20,000, for a period of 25 years in which Fonatur able to control and conduct business without including the locals.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees is soliciting letters to the Mexican government, the SCT and the Directorate General of Ports, to stop the privatization of the port and stresses that "we are living the results of the massive privatization and the cost of public services, This is where all the help it can be frustrating. "

Jeffrey Willius (Sunday, 05 June 2011 13:51)

I've just sent emails to all the government officials you have listed, as well as to all the cruise lines. If anyone could use help in crafting their cruise line message, I offer the following, for what it's worth:

SUBJ: La Barra de Potosí - ¡No pasar la responsibilidad!

Dear People -- I'm asking you, as a cruise line company known to care about its impact on your ports of call and the natural environment that makes so many of them attractive, to reject the Mexican government's plan to build a cruise ship docking facility in La Barra de Potosí, Guerrero, Mexico, some15 miles south of Zihuatanejo.

The proposed development is grossly out of scale with the sleepy village character of this quiet fishing village with its few small-scale tourist lodgings. What's more, it threatens to overwhelm, if not immediately wipe out, one of the most bio-diverse and sensitive locales in all of Mexico.

The people of La Barra have demonstrated their opposition to the commandeering of their village, but local, state and federal officials are demonstrating that they clearly care more about their own corporate -- and in some cases personal -- interests than they do about either the environment or the people of La Barra.

Please give your thoughtful consideration to these factors, and understand your considerable influence on determining the outcome of this tragedy in the making.
Please do not dock at La Barra de Potosí!

Sincerely yours,

Trish Suess (Sunday, 05 June 2011)

Barra de Potosi as it has stood for so many years is exactly the kind of destination that "baby boomers" long for. The future of Mexican tourism lies in marketing the places that are the "real" Mexico and not another megadevelopment that will sit empty for the majority of the year. We return for 6 months in October - until then keep up the fight and we hope we can help you - your site makes it easy...we just need to do it! Gracias amigos.

Jeffrey Willius (Sunday, 05 June 2011 00:18)

La Barra and her people are getting it stuck to them from both ends now. It's one thing if development's done with even a half-assed pretense of benefiting a community. It's another when the greed and croneyism are so utterly blatant.
Stick it back to those behind this sham! Boycott their businesses, block their work, tell the world about their dirty tricks. I'll help spread the word in my own small ways.

Wendy Marshall (Saturday, 04 June 2011 00:42)

We see wisdom prevailing , and we see the wants and desires of the local people respected. Let us claim a victory that is to take place. The voices heard here and on the ground will have the power to exert influence in this challenge from the blind and the non thinkers caught up in this unfortunate "plan". Picture peace and protection around this special area. As we think on this, it will become. More energy into claiming victory than in anger and despair. Loud but confident and peaceful words do wonders. Amen.

Kathy Sulkes (Saturday, 21 May 2011 10:39)

KEEP UP THE FIGHT! Am sending letters out pronto!
Never roll over...our planet and jewels like Barra de Potosi cannot disappear!!!

Katherina Audley (Monday, 16 May 2011 13:20)

Barra de Potosi is my favorite little village in all of Mexico. It really is a place outside of time. I have been going back there for over 14 years now and always leave happier, calmer and with a restored faith in humanity after spending time in this very special village and next to such a healthy sea. It would be devastating to see it go for no other reason than greed.

Dan J (Saturday, 14 May 2011 13:12)

Please save the unique beauty of Barra! We visit three times yearly and enjoy it. There are already places developed for the purpose you want.

Abigail (Saturday, 14 May 2011 11:04)

We already have Ixtapa for Mega tourism, Zihuatanejo for the small-town-San Miquel-by-the-sea experience of Mexican art and fabulous cuisine and shopping, I don't understand how any one would not think that with eco-tourism putting Costa Rica on the map as a huge tourist draw, why the powers-that-be wouldn't think that an ecologically pristine Barra de Potosi wouldn't be the "natural" link on route to the ruins of Xiuacan, La Chole or Soliedad De Maciel. This must have more to do with the construction dollars to be drawn off of developing this spot than sound thinking about how to expand the draw for tourism in this area.

Kimberly María Newton - Instituto Conexiones (Monday, 09 May 2011 22:40)

Hola!

Have you seen Baja All-Exclusive video about very similar topic? May be useful to you - Go to: www.BajaAllExclusive.com and there is a link to the trailer and the 10 minute English short. (It is actually a 50min. doc in Spanish, which we are trying to finish subtitling).

This is a production out of La Paz, Mexico by 7Filos Producciones and Carmina Valiente. Hope you all can connect to synergize! I made an intro to Carmina to Jim...or just contact us through the website above.

En comunidad,

Kimberly

Tim J. (Thursday, 05 May 2011 07:48)

It seems a shame that the govt. and FONATUR don't have the foresight to realize what a gem they have in Barra already. Can't see what they find in upsetting the entire environ that they can't find elsewhere to support cruise ship traffic/tourism...especially a pier! At least in other communities they anchor offshore and ferry visitors in. Will spread the word.

margaret failoni (Tuesday, 03 May 2011 19:23)

What a pity greed outweighs nature and its beauty, because that's really what its all about. Mexico has had a good record on conservation of its natural resources and nature. Why spoil it now by destroying something so wonderful as Barra de Potosi's coastline and mangroves. Mexico needs another cruise ship pier like a hole in the head.Shouldn't the people that live there have a say in the matter?

Jeff W. (Thursday, 28 April 2011 21:27)

Very nice, well-written site!
With me and my wife, you're preacin' to the choir. We love La Barra as a place to visit and, we hope, leave no trace of that visit other than whatever support we can give to the local economy and a way of life that's walking that fine line between wanting tourism and preserving the beauty and natural diversity that those tourists have sought in the first place.

Jimi 'Jazz' Prescott (Wednesday, 27 April 2011 14:49)

Please accept my apologies for writing in English, but I just wanted to express my support for the people of Barra de Potosi in their fight against a cruise ship terminal. My wife and I were just there recently and really enjoyed this beautiful unique place and we were saddened to learn of the plan for this large development.

While we understand the need for growth, we are truly hoping that all of the parties involved can reach a compromise that preserves the sweet humble style of the village, and especially allows the environment to remain unspoiled for future generations. The bay provided breath-taking views, including sightings of rare birds, whales and even rays riding the surf. All of this and more would be spoiled in the process of accommodating these huge ships.

Recent changes in tourism here in the US puts a lot of emphasis on travelers understanding the environmental and social impact of their vacations, and I understand these changes are underway all over the world. I feel Barra de Potosi is an ideal place to emphasize this "low impact" travel trend, and to tap into a more sustainable approach to tourism that celebrates the natural state of the people and places we visit. Building a cruise ship terminal will go against this current trend and disrupt a special place that is becoming more rare and more desirable to tourists.

We had a great time on our trip, and hope to return soon, but the specter of development may lead us to search further for our next vacation, as getting away from commercialism and development is an important part of our travel plans.

Thank you for understanding.

Sincerely,
James H. Prescott

Mariana de la Rosa (Monday, 25 April 2011 09:07)

Seria una perdida incalculable desarrollar barra de Potosí de esa manera y sobre todo sin los conocimientos de impacto ambiental que se necesitan. Es un lugar maravilloso, como pocos! Pero sobre todo por la diversidad de especies que allí viven. Ojalá se logre hacer algo para detener ese proyecto.
*It would be an incalculable loss Potosi develop the barra this way and above all without the knowledge of environmental impact that is needed. It is a wonderful place, there are so few! But most of all the diversity of species that live there. Hopefully it does something for
stop this project.

ali zerriffi (Friday, 22 April 2011 08:20)

Today is Earth Day , a day to reflect on the beauty of our planet and the many abuses we inflict upon it. Today is also the day to look around us and see what we can do to preserve and protect our environment . Here, at Barra De Potosi we are fighting the threatening hordes of cruise ships tourons(def.on demand ).We may be able to keep mass tourism at bay but we need your support to support a sustainable and ecological model for our Barra. Mexico happens to have very explicit laws in place and watchdogs organizations to protect its wonderful natural sites , and its incredible biodiversity .Our challenge is to ensure that the national laws are respected and to intervene before private interest put us in front of a fait accompli.There are also laws under the NAFTA agreement , through the Commission For Environmental Cooperation, that provide recourse but we want to stop them before they start tearing at the mangroves, dredging the ocean floor and pushing away the local inhabitants and the wildlife.

Christopher H. L. Owen, Architect (Tuesday, 19 April 2011 13:31)

I frequently express to my children "visit the unspoiled world first". London, Paris, New York, and almost all world known historic sites will be there to see for hundreds of years to come, whereas such places as Barra de Potosi may not. I recall Zihuatenejo 30 and more years ago. I recall Acapulco almost 50 years ago. Are these the places we want our children and grandchildren to grow up with as they are now? Total artificiality. Worldwide there's more than enough, in fact to much of this. As for Barra de Potosi's potential future for the current population and all the wildlife it would be nothing less than a total disaster! Just visit Cancun and see for yourself. In The United States, for all its faults we had a vision and that was the creation of National Parks to save the beauty of unspoiled nature for all future generations. Let Barra de Potosi be the next protected National Park! It would rank amongst the best.

Chris P (Tuesday, 19 April 2011 11:08)

Message: Mexico has it's share of tourist areas, like Cancun. It does not
need to add to the inventory of all inclusives or luxury hotels at the cost
of the unique beauty and biodiversity of Barra de Potosi.

In addition to the negative environmental impact, I would not return to the
area should this development occur.

I have brought my family there for the wonderful scenery, laid back lifestyle
and wonderful people and hope to continue to do so.

Developing FONOTUR's plan will simply bleed tourists from other developed
sites while destroying a national treasure for Mexico and her people.

Por favor, salva Barra de Potosi.

Bardo (Tuesday, 19 April 2011 10:59)

Salva la Barra! Yes! This area is worth protecting and keeping nature as a major part of the experience. Where else can you go for such an easy access to the beautiful lagoon and beach that is so close to overcrowded towns and yet a world away.

Barra de Potosi (Tuesday, 19 April 2011 10:56)

Yes to Save Barra! Where else so close to Zih and Ixtapa can you enjoy nature so easily?

Harriet (Sunday, 17 April 2011 09:50)

He;p save our lovely little town and amazing lagoon from the barrage of cruisers.