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Letters from Readers
The people's voice is an important part of strengthening our democracy and contributing to the public debate on important matters. A.M. Costa Rica encourages readers to send letters to the editor and comment on relevant topics of the day.
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Thoughts about Costa Rica promoting tourism in North America
Dear A.M. Costa Rica readers:
I applaud efforts to get more people down here to see the beauty of Costa Rica. It's a country worth visiting for so many reasons.
I think one thing the government needs to do, however, is to provide more reasons for people to come. One glaring omission is public hike and bike paths. It would be pretty easy to create coastline paths in the Maritime zone because the government already owns that land.
Ultimately, it would be cool to be able to hike from Nicaragua to Panama through gorgeous scenery. As a full-time resident here, I frequently have people ask, "Where can we hike?"
On the other hand, sometimes the government seems to be contradicting itself. One case in point: When the traffic police show up to ticket people for illegal parking in rural towns, they often remove license plates.
a) There is usually no indication that one can't park there. b) Removing license plates is DRASTIC!
When I have talked to Transito police, they answer that it is every person's obligation to know the laws. Okay, fair enough, but that's just not going to happen. Who, when renting a car, reads all the laws about where they may and may not park?
Recently in front of our office in Dominical, some tourists lost their license plates. They were renting the car, so they couldn't go get the plates; the agency had to do it as owners of the car. The agency said it could take a couple of weeks, and the renters had to pay for the car that whole time even though they were only going to be here a couple more days because the car couldn't be rented to anyone else while it didn't have plates. It was going to cost them an extra $1,000.
Those tourists were hopping mad. They said the first thing they were going to do was to get on social media and tell everyone they knew to give Costa Rica a miss. I don't blame them, but that's the kind of publicity the country needs.
So write a ticket as a friendly reminder, but don't take the plates!
I think the ministry should start right here at home getting groups of expats together to talk about what would enhance tourists' experiences here, and what leads to bad experiences. After all, you really don't want to promise paradise and produce hell.
Anyway... my two cents' worth, because I love this country.
Ron Snell,
Dominical/Uvita/Ojochal area
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My thought on strikes
Dear A.M. Costa Rica readers:
I strongly believe that there should be a law that regulates strikes in this country. In 2018, students were out of school for more than 3 months. It appears that teachers are all for an "encore" performance this year.
They are striking because they are not happy about a bill that is being considered by the Assembly. Striking as a method of blackmailing the government out of doing its job is a totally insane reason to deprive Costa Rican children of an education.
It seems to me that teachers believe that education is not an essential service, leaving them free to stop working whenever they feel like it, going on vacation for months at a time and still getting paid.
I have visited many countries in my lifetime, and none of these countries are afflicted with such delusional government employees, who are selfish, rigid and greedy. They prefer the entire population suffers rather than accept laws that benefit the entire country.
They want benefits and salaries that are not available to the majority and will go on strike in order to maintain these unjust advantages. Last year and this year, employees of health services went on strike as well, which, I am sure, caused tremendous suffering and maybe deaths as well.
Government employees have far too many perks and advantages and should not be allowed to keep the entire population hostage to their every whim. Of course, education is an essential service. Ask a native of the Amazonian jungle who comes out for the first time into the "civilized world" and tries to make a decent living without an education. Education is a necessity nowadays, and without it, one might be condemned to a life with very few choices.
The Costa Rican Assembly needs to rush its consideration of the bill regulating strikes and approve it before kids lose another semester of learning. It is becoming an emergency.
Maxine de Villefranche,
Perez Zeledon, San José.
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The New Orotina International Airport
Dear A.M. Costa Rica readers:
Lots of timely action. The cauldron continues to boil regarding the proposed New Orotina International Airport.
The general consensus is that the new airport is necessary for the future of Costa Rica. It now becomes a matter of "when", not "if". Recently, there have been many more countries here in Central America competing to attract international visitors by investing millions of dollars in their infrastructure. They know that there are tens of thousands of future jobs, direct and indirect, that will materialize with the building of the new airport facilities.
However, there is bureaucratic red tape. If tourism is not considered an important enough factor by itself, then consider the positive impact of Costa Rica's ability to quickly export foodstuffs, flowers, ferns, etc. This is, perhaps, an even more pressing factor. The impact of a country's export industry historically dwarfs the impact of tourists and their spending of many millions of dollars/colones. These two factors alone make for a convincing argument for the immediate commencement of this project.
Much disagreement still, but at least it is not a dead issue. . . far from it, actually. As in most cases, an argument can be made for both pro and con. But further study reflects the fact that in order to keep a competitive edge in a great number of industries, the airport must take flight.
The people who live in this region have a lot to gain as well. With that said, this is not just a local issue affecting only the people of San Mateo, Orotina and other immediate communities. This project has a lasting impact on the entire country. Thousands and thousands of jobs will be created. long-lasting, quality jobs for so many Costa Ricans. Do we languish in a proverbial prop wash or take the lead in Central America as a state-of-the-art provider of air services, and the resulting amenities, for now, and for the foreseeable future?
It is of national importance and an issue that affects every man, woman, and child, now and for generations to come and an issue the current administration has, to date, kept private from the public.
The Vice-mayor of Orotina has discussed the fact that the government is not truthful and forthcoming regarding the need for more studies. He also advises that millions of dollars were spent during the past ten years to make certain that even considering a new airport in this region was beneficial to the entire country. Patriots like him and his fellow advocates will no doubt continue to put increasing pressure on the government to abandon the politics and game-playing and simply do the right thing.
We also have heard from the ex-director of Civil Aviation in Costa Rica. He agreed with and totally substantiated the thoughts, words, and claims of the Vice-mayor of Orotina. . . that his team was ready to begin development of the new airport as soon as possible. He also added that there is no reason whatsoever for additional studies.
We are hopeful that cool heads prevail and common sense regarding the future of Costa Rica comes to fruition very soon.
Costa Rica needs to rise to its potential and it is required we stay as not only "The Happiest Country on the Planet", but that we move into position to welcome our future tourists, new business, and the creation of jobs for all involved. These factors make for a very strong Costa Rica in the coming years.
We certainly don’t want the “happiest country on the planet” to become the "loneliest country on the planet".
William "Skip" Licht,
Hollywood, Florida and San Jose.
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Letter from Sheldon Haseltine
Dear A.M. Costa Rica readers:
I have been aware of this case for 10 years or so and cannot believe it is still immersed in the judicial system. It tells us a lot about how it does not work.
Whatever the outcome, that Mr. Haseltine has been denied a hearing which I believe was brought against him in 2002, is an outrage.
Thank you for publishing his letter and I am aware that you were one of the very few news organizations that reported on this case.
Please keep on doing so.
George Solomon,
NYC and Guanacaste
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My opinion on Sheldon Haseltine letter
Dear A.M. Costa Rica readers:
That this case is still dragging itself out is a disgrace and makes a mockery of justice. This looks suspiciously as if there are roadblocks being placed to block this case being heard.
Indeed it is rumored that the plaintiffs have bragged that they control the court.
Thank you for being bold enough to publish this letter as I know that many of the other news organizations would not so.
Complements to you in the defense of all the news that is fit to print.
Pamela Massaro,
Palm Beach, Fla.
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Writers should include their full name and address. We do not allow vulgarities to appear in letters. No defamatory pieces will be accepted. We reserve the right to publish. Send your opinion to: news@amcostarica.com. The views or opinions expressed by the authors are the sole and exclusive responsibility of the senders and do not necessarily represent the opinion of A.M. Costa Rica. Therefore, the newspaper does not accept liability for the reader's opinion letter content.
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