First, I love the top foto of Lola and Lupita!

And I am truly saddened by both your and Carol's accounts of the current business scene in Zih (and I am no kind of business person of any sort), which can only serve to accelerate your lovely city's decline.

Why do the powers that be not care? Because they can easily find ways to line their pockets by way of state and federal programs and grants. (Why this is possible is a story so old and still in the making.)

Why do the citizens not care? I believe that those who know what's happening do care. Their concerns and votes are overwhelmed by so many more votes bought from among the inhabitants of the illegal "colonias" that have sprung up like weeds over the 70+ meter line and in other places.

It's a horrible mess and a NOB gringo like me can only hope a change will come and continue to visit, spending my pesos in places that support the local economies.

¡Saludos y abrazos!

I remain optimistic. The good and decent citizens managed to have the recently (and secretly) modified Plan Director de Desarrollo Urbano (PDDU) revoked that would have raped Zihuatanejo of over 400 hectares and served to foment even more land invasions. Earlier this year they also managed to reopen the City Hall after it had been "symbolically" closed down by a teachers' union for over 8 months while "responsible authorities" did NOTHING to reopen it, apparently enjoying a prolonged vacation with pay during the period.

Zihuatanejo remains a beautiful place with warm friendly people, spectacular natural beauty, and some truly incredible vacation lodgings. While the current municipal government may have set Zihuatanejo back 50 years, I'm confident we will recover because just as water seeks its own level, conditions are right for a rebound. The peso is low against the dollar and Mexico is a bargain for vacationers and investors seeking the most value for their money.

¡Qué hermoso eres, Zihuatanejo!

And I am truly saddened by both your and Carol's accounts of the current business scene in Zih (and I am no kind of business person of any sort), which can only serve to accelerate your lovely city's decline.

Why do the powers that be not care? Because they can easily find ways to line their pockets by way of state and federal programs and grants. (Why this is possible is a story so old and still in the making.)

Why do the citizens not care? I believe that those who know what's happening do care. Their concerns and votes are overwhelmed by so many more votes bought from among the inhabitants of the illegal "colonias" that have sprung up like weeds over the 70+ meter line and in other places.

It's a horrible mess and a NOB gringo like me can only hope a change will come and continue to visit, spending my pesos in places that support the local economies.

¡Saludos y abrazos!

Two of the older businesses on Cuauhtemoc have closed this summer. I have shopped at both stores for over 30 years. Sad to see this happening to Zihuatanejo. Both sold quality clothing and gifts but could no longer compete. One space is now rented to a pizza place and opening soon another taco joint. The only worse thing would have been another ice cream place or bar.

Does the city officials not care what is happening here?

Apparently they don't. The mayor-elect has not uttered one word in public or TO the public since winning the election. He hasn't even met with the regidores of his own party, much less named any appointments. It seems his administration is also going to concentrate on their own personal wealth as long as there appears to be absolute impunity for every outgoing corrupt official. The only utterance he has made via the press was to recently promise 6 million pesos a year to the OCVIZ, the same promise every presidente municipal in recent history has made and reneged on.

According to the Capitanía de Puerto, no pier reconstruction is currently on the books of any government agency at any level. That REALLY sucks, especially after Eric announced it as a done deal in his last Informe Anual before renouncing his job to seek election as a Diputado Federal, which he thankfully lost.

Yes, Élfega and Fede had to close down as well as her brother Luis across the street. In a few weeks we'll see how much the incoming administration cares.

Does the city officials not care what is happening here?

During our morning walk we couldn't help but be shocked by all the closed and failed businesses as well as by the complete abandon of our town by the municipal government. We haven't even had city water for over 2 weeks now. #PobrePueblo

Here's a link to a full 360° hi-def panorama I made on the beach this morning (Dermandar finally fixed a glitch in their software that caused full panoramas to cut off before reaching 360°).
http://pnr.ma/brnwQb

Some other photos of today's morning stroll. Looks almost like a ghost town.