There are those on VIeques who strongly support a 7 mile bridge from Ceiba to Vieques, but a larger majority do not want this.
Generally speaking Vieques residents ‘do NOT want a bridge' as it is a non practical, exorbitantly expensive solution to a relative simply prolem. A prolblem that is not being addressed intelligently at this time.
The Committee for the Short Ceiba Route is demanding to be included in a proposed referendum that will ask Vieques residents if they want a bridge to be built between the main island and Vieques.
Committee President Yashei Rosario complained that House Bill 2066, which would enable a referendum vote in Vieques in August, only asks residents if they want a bridge, failing to include the alternative of a short ferry route between Ceiba and Vieques.
The ferry currently leaves from Fajardo. Ceiba is only 10 minutes from Fajardo by land but, by sea, Half the distance to Vieques.
"This referendum shouldn't be 'bridge, yes or no.' But it should be 'bridge or short route.' We were totally ignored," Rosario said. "Most residents don't want a bridge. They want a short route." Rosario also took issue with Gov. Luis Fortuño's remarks to the effect that he wants to privatize the ferry system.
THE MAYOR OF FAJARDO, HON. ANIBAL MELENDEZ SAID ..... THAT HE IS IN FAVOR OF THE RELOCATION OF THE PORT TO CEIBA AS PRESIDENT OF THE SHORT ROUTE COMMITTEE, I REQUESTED HIS ASSISTANCE TO HELP US WITH THE SHORT ROUTE AND HE AGREED…
THE CEIBA MAYOR GAVE US THE GREAT NEWS THEY WILL HAVE TROLLYS TO FROM CEIBA TO FAJARDO AND ALSO THAT WE WILL HAVE AVAILABLE THE VETERANS CLINIC FOR ALL THE CITIES IN THIS AREA INCLUDING VIEQUES AND CULEBRA..
PLEASE WRITE TO HON ANIBAL MELENDEZ THANKING HIM FOR HELPING US WITH THE SHORT ROUTE, AND GET AT LIST OF 10 OR MORE SIGNATURES AT BARRIO WHERE YOU LIVE… AND CALL ME PLEASE, I NEED YOUR HELP NOW.
YASHEI ROSARIO
(787) 451-8222
Elenas' comments:
Nothing could be more harmful to the culture of Vieques than a bridge. A bridge would certainly increase the economy of Vieques, but in a very negative way. Eco tourists, wealthy tourists, sophisticated tourists are willing to come to Vieques by ferry or plane. A bridge would bring masses of daytrippers with their garbage and noise , litter the pristine beaches and leave little money behind. All property would immediately be bought up as second homes and that would be the end of the way Vieques is now.
Nothing could be more helpful to the people of Vieques than a 'short route' from Vieques to Ceiba IF and when it is done intelligently. IE. Fast catamarans that leave Isabel II every hour.. Cargo leaves from Rompeolas. Anyone going on the cargo has a vehicle so all this silly transportation for the masses is irrelevant.... A LARGE passenger ferry leaves at 6:30 AM and returns at 8 PM.. during the day, all day, the fast catamarans ( holding about 250 people come and go from town).
This solves a lot of problems for everyone. Since the mayor of Ceiba has promised trolleys from the dock in Ceiba to Fajardo.. where are the problems with the short route. ??
Elena < elenasvieques@hotmail.com >
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January 12, 2012
Legislator demands resignation of the director of the Maritime Transp. Authority.
Shipping crisis in Vieques and Culebra ... For Inter News Service
The representative Johnny Mendez today demanded the resignation of executive director of the Maritime Transportation Authority (MTA), Ferdinand Cedeño, on the grounds that he has failed to solve the transportation crisis for the residents of Vieques and Culebra.
"It's not justifiable to maintain a fleet of vessels not in operation and keep the residents of Vieques and Culebra suffering by the inability, incompetence or simply do not want to do anything to stop to resolve this crisis that is steeped in Maritime Transport Authority, "Mendez responded in a radio interview (WAPA Radio).
The legislator considered that Cedeño (the executive director of ATM) has been given sufficient time and support, including additional allocations to the 38 million that had already been approved outside the operating budget of the agency,and has had no improvements. ( In fact it is a lot worse).
Previously, Mendez had publicly asked the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Public Works Gregorat Ruben Hernandez to dismiss Cedeno.
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Senate to question ferry service
January 15, 2012 by The Daily Sun staff
The Senate is slated to bring the Transportation Secretary and the Office of Management and Budget director to a committee of the whole session to answer questions about the state of the transportation service to Vieques and Culebra.
The announcement was made by Senate Majority Leader Larry Seilhamer regarding a resolution introduce by New Progressive Party Carolina Senators Roger Iglesias and Lornna Soto.
Seilhamer noted that despite Senate efforts to solve problems with the ferry system to the two small islands by earmarking $15 million for new ferries and $2.5 million for a pier, problems persist.
The resolution, filed Wednesday, calls for DTOP Secretary Rubén Hernández Gregorat and OMB Director Juan Carlos Pavia to meet with a committee of the whole to answer questions as to what are they doing to improve the ferry service.
For years, residents in the two islands have complained about the breakup of ferries that is preventing the smooth flow of travelers between the islands. The Legislature is currently evaluating a measure aimed at calling for a referendum in Vieques in which residents will decide if they want a bridge or not.
The senators contend that the poor state of the vessels leaves residents as castaways. “This alters the quality of life and the economic, social and tourism rights,” the document reads.
Some residents raised concerns recently because the ferries are using a “kind of triangle route,” taking people first to Vieques and then to Culebra instead of having direct routes to each of the two small islands.
Other residents have said they want a short route to the two islands, departing from Ceiba, which is the city closest to Vieques and Culebra. |