Moving Ahead
On Wednesday the 30th January Totoco was called to attend another court hearing in relation to the blockage of the La Palmera Road. Having had 6 weeks of unobstructed access, we did not know what to expect. Miraculously, we achieved the best outcome that could have been hoped for with the 3 representatives of the blocking party agreeing to sign a legal declaration (witnessed by both their representing lawyer and the Public Prosecutor) that commits them to;
* Respecting our 8.8 land purchase from the Alfonso Valle Castillo
Cooperative and Totoco’s position as the new legal owners of the
property and
* Allowing us to travel along the public La Palmera Road with unhindered
access.
The Blockers made it clear in the hearing that they did not wish to cause any more problems for Totoco. We do not know if our decision to employ some of the children from the blocking families helped seal this new change of heart or if they simply came to the clear understanding that Totoco has no influence over the Cooperative and as such have been unfairly targeted in this whole affair. Whatever the reason, we are delighted with the result.
Meanwhile, the Alfonso Valle Castillo Cooperative Case did not go so well with the Municipal Judge decreeing that he was incompetent to rule on the case and, as such, has elevated it to a higher court. Looking at all potential outcomes, we need to recognise the possibility that a higher court may rule in favour of the squatters and in doing so may readmit these people into the Cooperative or demand that the Cooperative split their remaining 101 manzanas with the unlawfully evicted members. However, even if this were to arise, it is not expected to have any effect on Totoco and our land purchase due to the depth and thoroughness of the sale. Totoco is now indisputably recognised as the legal owners of the 8.8 manzanas.
On other things, construction continues at a good pace. On average we are completing 7 meters of road a day and to date we have completed approximately 55% of the total 700 meters. The Compost Toilet is approximately 1 week away from completion and the Storage Shed is in the process of having tiles placed on top of its zinc roof.
The dry season seems to have set in now and as such the rains have reduced to an infrequent trickle. Dry season means we have to prepare the farm to withstand drought conditions for the next 5 months. Thankfully, 2007 included an impressive wet season and as such it is hoped the Domestic Water system will not be as much under pressure as compared to previous years.
* Respecting our 8.8 land purchase from the Alfonso Valle Castillo
Cooperative and Totoco’s position as the new legal owners of the
property and
* Allowing us to travel along the public La Palmera Road with unhindered
access.
The Blockers made it clear in the hearing that they did not wish to cause any more problems for Totoco. We do not know if our decision to employ some of the children from the blocking families helped seal this new change of heart or if they simply came to the clear understanding that Totoco has no influence over the Cooperative and as such have been unfairly targeted in this whole affair. Whatever the reason, we are delighted with the result.
Meanwhile, the Alfonso Valle Castillo Cooperative Case did not go so well with the Municipal Judge decreeing that he was incompetent to rule on the case and, as such, has elevated it to a higher court. Looking at all potential outcomes, we need to recognise the possibility that a higher court may rule in favour of the squatters and in doing so may readmit these people into the Cooperative or demand that the Cooperative split their remaining 101 manzanas with the unlawfully evicted members. However, even if this were to arise, it is not expected to have any effect on Totoco and our land purchase due to the depth and thoroughness of the sale. Totoco is now indisputably recognised as the legal owners of the 8.8 manzanas.
On other things, construction continues at a good pace. On average we are completing 7 meters of road a day and to date we have completed approximately 55% of the total 700 meters. The Compost Toilet is approximately 1 week away from completion and the Storage Shed is in the process of having tiles placed on top of its zinc roof.
The dry season seems to have set in now and as such the rains have reduced to an infrequent trickle. Dry season means we have to prepare the farm to withstand drought conditions for the next 5 months. Thankfully, 2007 included an impressive wet season and as such it is hoped the Domestic Water system will not be as much under pressure as compared to previous years.
posted by Totoco Management at 10:11 AM
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