President’s Update

I just got back from a one week visit to the USA.

I like to believe leaving CR allows me to step back from it all and evaluate things more objectively. Here are some modestly philosophical thoughts I had. With these questions in mind I travel the roads I have chosen.

When does non aggressive behavior make me prey? When does ambition make me a predator? How long is long-term thinking? When is short-term thinking counterproductive? And finally, in light of all the turmoil and change that is going on around us what changes human behavior?

On my return to Costa Rica, I found that it was indeed the rainy season, with roads and hillsides being washed away and the floods creating hardships. Many folks, as well as the newspapers, are asking if better planning could have averted some of the destruction. Is it negligence to allow building on flood plains and on unstable hillsides? How about building next to rivers that periodically overflow their banks? With all the water falling all over the place is your drinking water supply still safe and available?

Since 2002 Fuentes Verdes has been asking these questions. Our purpose is not–and never has been–to blame some individual or some group. It has been about raising consciousness in the community regarding the problems that may be encountered with poor planning or inadequate studies. The hope is this will bring about meaningful discussion among the people and the government agencies.

Growth, development, progress, jobs, and health are all part of the dance that societies need to perform. At Fuentes Verdes we will continue to encourage environmental activism and push for transparency on everyone’s part.

Recently, I have received several calls regarding work being done and ground being moved. I went to the municipality and asked them to investigate. They found nothing illegal. Of course, we have all heard that story before. We will continue to follow up.

With regards to the Maleku Condominium project at the northern end of Lake Arenal, papers are being shuffled here and there. Procedures and legal matters are being looked at. It is not over, but the wheels of justice turn very very slowly.

I will leave you with a suggestion: Nudge, a book on “choice architecture” a theory about how human behavior changes–that is, according to these folks anyway.  http://books.google.com/books/about/Nudge.html?id=dSJQn8egXvUC

Pura Vida and Good Health

Edward Yurica, President