BIRDS of PARADISE NEWSLETTER # 1 - 2007

January 21, 2007

BOP email:            birds_ofparadise@hotmail.com

BOP phone:           011 52 376 766 1308

My email:               fleming_pm@yahoo.com

At this time of the year, Birds is at full occupancy, and residents are well settled into the winter lifestyle here in Ajijic.  

The weather is sunny and warm, the area is very busy, and Birds of Paradise has a very active social calendar.

Since the last newsletter in September, several issues have arisen of which owners should be made aware.  

So this newsletter is intended to bring everyone up to speed on the events over the intervening period.

El Dorado Development

The El Dorado development has proceeded to the point where the infill for the houses is almost complete. 

The result is that the now elevated ground levels and the houses to be built will partially or totally block the west facing views of the 200 block units.

Gigi has vigorously pursued the municipal officials to ensure that adequate clearances be provided between BOP and the new development. 

Progress however has been limited.  Now that there is a new government in place, all the officials with whom Gigi had been in contact, are now gone. 

The process must start over, and contacts are being made with the new officials.

 There is little that can be done about the height of the new houses.  The first house, west of the 300 block, is 2 stories high. 

Future homes may well be of a similar height.

The original understanding was that there would be a 3 meter clearance between our west fence and the new construction. 

This has not been observed in this first house, which has been built tight to the fence.  Gigi will make every effort to try and ensure that this

clearance is maintained on future construction.

The board met with the site foreman.  He promised to provide weekly cleanups of the 200 block patio areas, which are being inundated

with concrete splatter from the adjacent construction.

  

Sewage System

 

Our sewage system, like most in Mexico, is not very tolerant of non degradable products being flushed down the toilet. 

Recently there have been blockages caused by such products, resulting in major works, and expense, required to unblock the sewer system. 

Owners may be billed for the expenses incurred in clearing sewage blockages.

Indeed, we are very fortunate, in Mexico, to be able to flush toilet tissue. 

TO BE CLEAR,  HUMAN WASTE and BIO-DEGRADABLE TOILET TISSUE. This is the limit of materials that can be flushed down your toilet.

Nothing else.

“Why?”, you ask.  There are three main reasons!

One, because the sewage disposal system at Birds of Paradise uses a septic tank and field system rather than a municipal sewage

disposal system to process it’s sewage. A septic system uses bacteria in the septic tank to break down the waste products;

Substances which are difficult for the bacteria to break down (e.g., non-bio-degradable paper and cloth and rubber products) reduce the

efficiency of the system and eventually fill up the septic tank.

The second reason is that some items which are often flushed down a municipal sewerage system are poisonous to the bacteria

(e.g., certain cleaning products and oils). If the bacteria are killed, then there is no sewerage breakdown and raw sewerage is then

returned to the eco-system.

And, the third reason is because some items which have been recently been flushed down the toilet at Birds absorb water and expand

in volume, eventually plugging up the plumbing under your unit. That causes you problems and then Antonio and Pacho have to

rip up the floor of your unit to clear the blockage. I think we all would like to avoid that. So, please no feminine hygiene products, cloth wipes,

flossing string, other cloth products and kitty litter in the toilet. Use the “basura” container to dispose of these items through the “dry” garbage

disposal system. 

Mexicans are well aware of these reasons. They even put used toilet tissue in the dry garbage to save their sewerage systems.

Maybe, while in Mexico, we should follow, “Mexican rules”.

So next time, just before you flush, ask yourself, “Am I going to upset the good bacteria in the septic tank or am I going upset Antonio and Paco

because they have to work in my sewerage”.  If the answer is “yes”, don’t flush. Put the “stuff” in the basura.

The good bacteria and  Antonio and Paco will thank you.

And the Board Member for Maintenance also thanks you.

Site Security

On Jan 10, an intruder was discovered trying to open windows in the 300 block.  On being approached, he leapt over the west fence, 

back to the El Dorado construction site from whence he apparently came.

Construction workers are now on site 24/7, as they use the unfinished homes as a place for sleeping.  With the higher ground elevations, 

our west fence now does not present a significant barrier to intruders.

There is little that can be done to upgrade the existing fence itself.  Patrols will however be increased, and other options are under consideration.

Owners however must be aware of this threat, and initiate their own security measures.  Last year, a large number of owners had bars 

installed on their screens, to permit the windows to be open at night, while maintaining a secure opening.  Patio/window keys should not be 

left in the locks.

Social Activities

After the tragic and untimely death of our Chairperson, Fraser Thompson on December 12 last year, Fraser’s wife, Ruth Thompson,

and Clarice Cook stepped up to the plate to co-chair the committee.  We all realize that Fraser’s were big shoes to fill but we are doing

our best to support our new chairpersons.

Recently, Linda Smith, President of the Birds of Paradise Condominium Association, called a joint meeting of a core group of Social Committee

members, the President and the Social Director, Lynne Leatherdale.

One of the issues discussed was the Role of the Social Committee.  We agreed that it is twofold:

1. To plan and implement social events for the residents of the Birds of Paradise Condominium Association; and
2. To generate revenue to provide improvements (non permanent structures) for the Birds of Paradise Condominium Association.

Because the Condominium Association is a non profit organization and for tax reasons cannot generate revenue, it was agreed at the

meeting that the Board of Directors should remain at arms length from the Social Committee.  It was agreed that minutes of the Social Committee

will be submitted to the Social Director and will be available to the residents of Birds of Paradise at any time. 

The treasurer of the Social Committee will publish a Treasurer’s Report from time to time.

The Social Committee looks forward to open 2-way communication with the Board of Directors regarding the scheduling of events

and in relation to purchases planned by the Social Committee.  We believe this arms length financial relationship is workable provided

that good communication is maintained between the Board and the Social Committee.

Your committee has a full schedule of events planned for the remaining winter and early spring months.  Maxine Kannick has volunteered

to coordinate summer activities.

The committee is always looking for volunteers. so if you would like to offer your services please contact Clarice Cook at Unit 126 or

Ruth Thompson at Unit 225.

If you have suggestions for future events or any other Social Committee Activities, please contact either Ruth or Clarice or drop your suggestion

in the Suggestion Box in the library. 

On January 3, a celebration of Fraser’s life was held at the Casa Club, with a large attendance of his friends from Birds and around town.

Social activities held recently included a Welcome Back dinner/dance, the Christmas Day potluck dinner, and the New Year's Eve 

potluck dinner and dance were well-attended.  There are Pool Parties and Dinner/Dances coming up in January, February, and March.

A Greek night is scheduled for the end of January, and the Staff Appreciation Party will be held on Feb. 10th, 2007.

Prepared by P.M. Fleming

Communications Director