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update on Costa Maya relief- long post - 9/5/2007 9:54:18 PM
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Admin
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I just got back from Playa and a meeting with the head of the Red Cross chapter there. Great news. Seems the red tape has been cut, I believe because of a new status for the Costa Maya as a disaster area. Keep in mind, La Costa Maya is a marketing name and the actual municipality name is Othon P. Blanco, which includes several modest pueblos to the west which also got hit hard by hurricane Dean. At least three (maybe more) of these pueblos have 700~800+ families and they very much need aid. The relief personnel recognize the importance of Mahahual as the cash generator for tourism. Plus, what you must consider, is the old expression "Give me food and I eat today. Give me the tools to make my own food and I eat forever." Both are in the plan of the Red Cross. Anyway, we had a great meeting and these Red Cross folks are super, just the kind of dedicated people you would expect. They have been powerless until now because of protocol (and lack of goods and money) but they are poised to mobilize as soon as they set the logistics, who goes where, with what, and downsize the stuff in some 18 tractor trailers of goods, to hand-out portions, all now ready to descend on Othon P. Blanco. They and their counter parts in Chetumal have the green light. The Playa chief (I expect Chetumal as well) is going to a meeting tomorrow. I think it was said in Cancun, which will set the strategy for distribution. There has been a survey done and digested by the decision makers, and this is a big part of why the area is now an official disaster area. From the survey they set the where and what, load the truck with hand-out packages, then go. The Red Cross and government volunteers have to individually package the bulk goods, and purchase more at recognized government wholesale prices, with allocated funds, and the required paper trail of accountability must be maintained for goods and money to buy goods. Sorry, I'm rambling, but I'll get to our fund info now.
Kay and I need to go to the US on Saturday. That's been set for a while. I need to do the right thing with you donation money. I don't have time to do more runs and need accountability for 100% of your donations as promised. My meeting with the RC in Playa was to explore the possibility of donating to them our donation amounts. I feel very confident that the money will be used for the Othon P. Blanco municiaplity because the director said it would and can write a document detailing same. He modestly mentioned that there was a pueblo, the poorest in the municipality, that might be included. I said that is fine. Our donors want to make a better life for those less fortunate. By the way, the director said he'd been with the Red Cross for 25 years, had worked on several major catastrophes in that time (also, the international Red Cross that he is wired into is involved right now in disaster relief in the Peru, a Pacific hurricane [sorry, can't remember the name] and more. It's a complicated divvy up for the international Red Cross) so you have to have a little faith in the international Red Cross. Disaster is their business. They are the experts. This is why I want to give you donation money to them. they are going to address the immediate and long range effects of hurricane Dean. I intend to pledge our hurricane relief fund balance of, at the moment, +/- $5000 US to them. I was promised a letter on their stationary detailing the types of goods that will be brought to the affected areas, all in Othon P. Blanco municipality, and this I will post on line, along with the promised letter from the Governor of Q. Roo for the 10k.
BTW- I have already heard, from some of the on site relief people, that the local press we received in the newspaper "Novedades" for the check we delivered to the Governor, buffered the allegations that the "gringos" who are working their hearts out to help relief (that includes the Luna Blue effort, and I firmly believe they are doing great work) are being respected more because of what we did. Here is a weird twist and shows how emotion clouds the real objective and perception of what is actually happening. The other gringos helping are working their butts off. My understanding is, they haul goods down, being the Luna Blue group, and Kevin at Costa Maya Inn www.costamayaliving.com stashes them for a bodega of sorts to then run them out to those who need them. They get accused of hording the goods by some native locals, and only despensing them to gringos. This is what emotions do in a crisis. It is just not fair and leads to back biting that is totally counter productive. The reality is they dispence to the locals and pretty much nothing to the gringos. Bravo! Of course the gringos got slammed too and need help. It's complicated. Everyone deeply involved in these efforts is under tremendous stress. Accusations of mis-appropriation are one of the first volleys in the battle and one of the most hurtful. This is why I requested no more negative comments. We all tend to defend our own turf, and Kay and I deeply appreciate that, but we must try to stay focused on the objective. If we can stay focused on the objective and ignore critique we will show everyone what we are made of. This is yet another reason I want to turn to agencies that specialize in disaster relief and who are familiar with the emotional fallout that occurs in a crisis. They know what happens, have the checks and balances (for the most part to limit mis-appropriation, and can be very effective in the long term.
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Zorro
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RE: update on Costa Maya relief- long post - 9/5/2007 10:22:00 PM
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Iguana Mama
Posts: 33021
Joined: 10/1/2004
From: St. Charles, MO
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I trust in your decision to give the money to the Red Cross. Not onoy will they be able to get the goods to the areas that need it the most, they are probably able to get more for the money than a regular "civilian" can. No offense meant, of course. But you know what I mean. Also, you & Kay need to get back to the business of running your business--which has been difficult enough post-hurricane, with trying to keep up with property status, and having to make other arrrangements for travellers in many cases. It's amazing that you were able to make those runs down there with everything else going on. Ans let's not forget the own clean-up you had to do at home! It's the purpose of the Red Cross to deal with disasters, and I'm so glad to hear that they are finally there!! Thanks for letting us know what's going on--and thank you so much for allowing all of us to be a part of this!
_____________________________
May you be in Heaven two hours before the Devil knows you're dead.
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RE: update on Costa Maya relief- long post - 9/5/2007 10:39:57 PM
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Whitney
Posts: 4023
Joined: 2/6/2005
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Gary that is the best news.
I had been hearing things from all directions that things were getting too big for the private sector to handle.
the best news, was hearing this afternoon that at LAST THE RED CROSS was coming in.
Thank you so much for your update.
Its a lot ofo work to do that much work and then WRITE about it, and it is much appreciated.
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It's not what you know, it's who you are.
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RE: update on Costa Maya relief- long post - 9/6/2007 9:20:45 AM
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mndr
Posts: 310
Joined: 8/9/2004
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Ditto what everyone else said - you guys are the best and we love you
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RE: update on Costa Maya relief- long post - 9/6/2007 9:53:05 AM
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LaLuz
Posts: 2044
Joined: 10/26/2005
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Gary, Kay, Scott..et.al.
Thank you for all of your time an efforts for the
people and places affected by Dean. To often, it
is the private sector that must come to the forefront
on the immediate and early basis.......There does
come a time ....when these efforts need to be handed
off to those who have the organizational structure and
the means to facilitate things on a larger basis when
opportunity becomes available. Glad to see that is
happening now.
Good Work!!!......Good Job.....!!!.....I'm proud of all of
your efforts on behalf of your LG Family.....and glad
to have had the opportunity to be a small part of your
efforts through a donation. The LG Family gave because
they cared....and we trust your judgement.
It's as simple as that!
La Luz
< Message edited by LaLuz -- 9/6/2007 10:31:01 AM >
_____________________________
It wouldn't take much for me to up and run....
To another life.............somewhere in the sun.
K. Chesney
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RE: update on Costa Maya relief- long post - 9/6/2007 10:56:58 AM
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srodrigues
Posts: 1318
Joined: 10/21/2005
From: San Francisco
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I think you've made a terrific decision, and support it wholeheartedly. Thanks for leading the efforts and making it possible for those of us not able to physically be there to help make a difference.
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SBR
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RE: update on Costa Maya relief- long post - 9/6/2007 12:25:21 PM
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bjmpac
Posts: 78
Joined: 9/5/2004
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Thank you Gary and Kay...you have my support on the decision to give the remaining to the Red Cross.
_____________________________
Barbara
SW FL
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RE: update on Costa Maya relief- long post - 9/7/2007 5:16:17 AM
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peachcrek
Posts: 2
Joined: 8/24/2007
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here in the states as a traveler, and costa maya one of my new favorite places to visit we to want to thank you!!! NICE JOB!!
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RE: update on Costa Maya relief- long post - 9/8/2007 11:27:39 AM
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julylee
Posts: 3
Joined: 8/24/2007
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Sounds like a good move for all involved. Great Job to LG's and all involved. Have a safe trip to US. See ya'll soon, I think we are at 84 days on the count down!
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Very well stated and hopefully you and Kay have a rest in the US. Gracias to both of you!
