| Citizen activism
has put the brakes on the imposing new US-style, multi-store gas station
at the Canas highway's entrance to Tilaran, putting it out of business
before gas ever filled its underground tanks but not before approximately
$900,000 had been invested by Tilaran businessman Carlos Adrian "Cayenne"
Vargas. Tico residents of the neighborhood atop the hill behind the
gas station objected to the location of the station and found that
permits had not been obtained for the construction. Since the construction
had been going on for months in this prominent location, we wonder
why the municipal authorities did not act on their own to check the
permitting.
Gringo residents continue to
question the permitting and practices of Lake Arenal developers
and also have had some success. According to William Ramirez of
MINAE (Ministry of Energy and Environment), a number of unpermitted
"improvements" at Buena Vista 6 - at over 100 lots the
largest of Lake Arenal's gated developments - has caused suspension
of work there. The case has been passed from SETENA (the National
Environmental Technical Secretary of Costa Rica) to the Corte Ambiental
(Environmental Court). Buena Vista 6 is located several miles east
of Tronadora on the lake road to Rio Chiquito.
Additionally, Kendall Sanborn
of Atlanta, GA,
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the developer of
Turtle Cove Lake Club, a gated community on the north side of the
lake, is awaiting sentencing after having been found guilty in criminal
court for work he has done without the proper permits.
Long-time residents James and
Tanya Hayward returned to Tronadora from Colorado at the end of
January to complete sale of their house and its contents. The Haywards
moved back to the States to give their two sons, home-schooled here
for several years, the typical American high school experience.
Meanwhile, the Arenal Country
Club, where the Haywards used to play tennis, is reportedly on the
block again and may have found a buyer. Remaining tennis players
hope the courts - and perhaps the swimming pool and fitness room
- will again be open before long.
The Hotel Tilawa's biggest
art show yet is just five days away. On Valentine's Day, Feb. 14,
local artists will be joined by artists from San Jose in exhibiting
- and selling - their paintings, ceramics, sculptures, and jewelry.
The show opens at 2 pm. Meanwhile, the hotel's tennis court, swimming
pool, spa, and bar will be open to residents as usual on Wednesdays.
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