2 hours ago, MarieElaine said:

Thank you Keith but this address does not work.  I was hoping to get hold of someone in Alto Boquete Radio Chiriqui.

MarieElaine,

You might wish to try again using the corrected email address as shown here: radiochiriqui@radiochiriqui.com.

Note that I corrected the error in Keith's posting, which was not his fault, but rather an error on the radio station website (www.radiochiriqui.com) itself.

Also, their website shows other contact information under the "contact us" tab.

On 1/12/2017 at 5:59 PM, Admin_01 said:

Admin comment: The "wet foot/dry foot" policy of the USA does have an impact on Panama in general, and specifically Chiriqui Province. The nexus is that many Cuban immigrants (as well as other nationalities as they mimic the Cubans) have traveled to South America and then through Panama on their way to try to get to the USA, only to get blocked at the border with Costa Rica, resulting in numerous health, sanitation, and security problems in Panama, specifically including Chiriqui.

It is management's assessment that this posting complies with website policy and forum guidelines.

As an addendum to our earlier post, in part because of the possibility of misunderstanding or implying too much: Note that, although related, there is a difference between immigration and migration. This topic is about migration, which in simple terms is the movement of people (and animals and birds) from one region to another. Immigration is about the movement to a country, and generally includes complying with the receiving country's immigration laws.

Migrant trafficking became more common as a result of the US policy. Several migrants have died in Panama as a result of disease or accident (e.g., while forging a river). The sad story goes on and on.

For more information about the direct impact of the migration crisis on Panama, see: http://www.chiriqui.life/topic/2147-migration-crisis-in-panama-continues.

We seriously considered merging this topic with the above referenced topic, but decided against doing so for two reasons: (a) this policy change gives hope of changing an underlying problem, and (b) this policy change would get lost in the maze of misery documented in the other topic.

Be advised that many of the restrictions discussed above were removed on January 12, 2017, based on a reconfiguration requested by CL's members. For additional information, please read http://www.chiriqui.life/announcement/69-reconfiguration-of-classified-ads-here-on-cl/.

Admin comment: The "wet foot/dry foot" policy of the USA does have an impact on Panama in general, and specifically Chiriqui Province. The nexus is that many Cuban immigrants (as well as other nationalities as they mimic the Cubans) have traveled to South America and then through Panama on their way to try to get to the USA, only to get blocked at the border with Costa Rica, resulting in numerous health, sanitation, and security problems in Panama, specifically including Chiriqui.

It is management's assessment that this posting complies with website policy and forum guidelines.

You call SINAPROC, of course.

http://www.prensa.com/in_english/Investigan-satelite-comunidad-Bocas-Toro_21_4663993563.html

http://www.prensa.com/in_english/recompensa-informacion-Gilberto-Ventura-Ceballos_21_4660243936.html

http://www.prensa.com/in_english/Soho-Mall-licencia-accesar-estadounidense_21_4660243937.html

The above postings related to the Odebrecht corruption and fraud investigation and prosecution now warrant a separate topic of their own. These postings were split out from the "miscellaneous fraud and corruption" topic and placed in this topic that is specific to Odebrecht.

As of today, CL now has three topics related to corruption and fraud:

• related to former President Martinelli, his family and close friends [at http://www.chiriqui.life/topic/843-whats-next-for-martinelli-his-familiy-and-associates]
• related to Odebrecht [at http://www.chiriqui.life/topic/4568-odebrecht-corruption-and-fraud-investigations-prosecutions]
• related to all other investigations and prosecutions, labelled "miscellaneous" [at http://www.chiriqui.life/topic/3097-miscellaneous-corruption-and-fraud-investigations-prosecutions]

Note that the BJBF has this dedicated forum on CL for postings related to its activities. The Panama Jazz Festival properly belongs outside of this dedicated forum.

These above postings were split out of a separate topic here on CL just now. The original topic was about the Panama Jazz Festival, which is not the same event as the BJBF. That topic was properly posted in a separate forum. But then all of these above postings got intermingled. It was a confusing mix of activities.

Nobody did anything wrong; this was just a natural outcome based on not being aware of a dedicated forum for the BJBF.

26 minutes ago, Dottie Atwater said:

The link above does not give me a pdf document. It goes to https://mail.yandex.com/?retpath=https%3A%2F%2Fmail.yandex.com%2Fre.jsx%3Fh%3Da%2C44SbB_IWfZIhJmfvxBRjTw%26l%3DaHR0cDovL3d3dy5jaGlyaXF1aS5saWZlL3RvcGljLzQzNTktYWx0by1hbC1jcmltZW4tbWVkaWNhbC1kaXNjb3VudC1wbGFuLWFubm91bmNlbWVudC8_ZG89ZmluZENvbW1lbnQmY29tbWVudD0xMjMwOQ

Dottie,

The issue was that Bob had posted the wrong information in the URL. Your browser went to exactly where he said it should go. Not sure where he got that link information, but it was not correct.

I have repaired his link. You can either go back now and click on that link (in his above posting) to go to the correct place, or simply click here for a fast link to the posting with the presentation materials:

Sorry for your inconvenience.

1 hour ago, Sherrymari said:

I started a FaceBook group to help lost & found dogs get returned to their owners in the Greater Boquete area. I took the liberty of posting Gordi's info from above there. These sites can be very effective at using the community to return pets! I can't post the link here, but search for "Lost and Found Pets of Greater Boquete" on FB.

Not sure why you say that you "...can't post the link here...". This website imposes no such prohibition. If you need help, just ask.

This is the tenth in a series of audio podcasts by Michael Schwartz -- Chiriqui Life Stories. This new podcast is a conversation with Nyeneweh (Nina) Kieh and Baris Ger. Nina and Baris truly are an international couple. They have lived in New York, Puerto Rico, Liberia, and Istanbul before settling in Boquete. Nina began legal training as an attorney, but became disenchanted with the "system". She then turned to teaching English as a second language. Baris was a fashion designer in New York and his native Turkey. Baris is also an artist and a musician. Nina recently learned how to make baklava, which has led to other culinary pursuits.

To listen to the Nina and Baris podcast, click below on the white, right-pointing triangle (arrow) on top of an orange circular background. If you see two options below, we recommend using the "Listen in browser" option as opposed to the "Play on SoundCloud" option.

This podcast is 47m54s in duration.

If you would like to provide feedback to Mike about this podcast, or discuss other matters related to this podcast series, please either reply to this posting, or send Mike a private message (@OldMikeNY is his display name here on CL), or email to mikeseeemail@gmail.com.

If you would like to share this podcast with family and friends, simply provide them the following URL, but remember that CL membership is required to view this content:
        http://www.chiriqui.life/topic/4456-chiriquilife-stories-10-nina-kieh-and-baris-ger/

An interesting typo in the title of the article.

Quote

Foreign investment in Panama up near !8%

Posted on December 19, 2016 in Panama, Panama

Post Views: 140

FOREIGN direct investment (FDI) in Panama reached $4.1 billion in the first nine months of the year  an increase of 17.8% compared to the same period of 2015 reports  the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

“This figure shows the evident and continuous confidence of investors in the development of the country, stimulated by the macroeconomic policies, programs and projects carried out by the government” said the ministry.

An analysis of the figures shows that 64.5 percent of foreign investment this year is reinvested earnings, “which demonstrates the confidence foreign investors have about the positive future prospects of our economy,” said the report

Foreign direct investment in the third quarter totaled $1.5 billion, an increase of 54.3 percent compared to the $986.2 million invested in the same period of 2015.

http://www.newsroompanama.com/business/panama-4/foreign-investment-panama-near-8

Quote

400 false notary statements annually

Posted on December 19, 2016 in Panama

Arriajan sales in doubt

Post Views: 207

POLITICAL cronyism and insider rewards, have led to an increase in fraud cases aided by notaries, leading to calls for better controls.

La Prensa reports a high number of fraud cases currently pending involving documents in the Public Registry.

The situation came to prominence last year when fraudulent documents were found at the center of a fraud case in Arraiján, where land valued at $7 million was allegedly sold to several different people despite already having an owner.

Ricardo Valencia, the original owner of the property, presented a complaint over the fraudulent sales to the Public Ministry.

The subsequent investigation found that a notary had allegedly falsified documents that allowed the land to be sold without the knowledge of the owner.

Data from the Public Prosecutor’s Office indicate that more than 400 cases are being processed each year relating to the falsification of notarized documents.

Annette Planells, a member of the Independent Movement (MOVIN) said that to avoid such crimes, notaries’ regulations should be improved.

“The appointment of notaries have been questioned through the years,” she said, noting that these have become political appointments

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/400-cases-year-false-notary-statements

Quote

OPINION: CSS in crisis needs new boss

Posted on December 17, 2016 in Panama

Estivnson Giron, CSS Director

Post Views: 157

La Prensa Dec, 17

THE SOCIAL Security Fund (CSS) faces a systemic crisis and is  bureaucratic, inefficient and hostile to the. user population of the health services,

Further, basic medicines and supplies are missing, the maintenance of hospital facilities is deficient and the intermittent presence of nosocomial bacteria is part of the everyday landscape.

As if this were not enough, the Disability, Old Age and Death program maintains an actuarial deficit of approximately $ 11 billion, and CSS management seems unconcerned.

Against this fact. scandals continue to flourish in the purchasing process and and amid the black comedies of world congresses and changes of logos, the entity drowns in trivialities and refuses to face its great challenges.

The peculiar board of directors of CSS has abdicated its supervisory and supervisory functions, so we only have citizens to  demand the obvious: the immediate departure of the current CEO. We must save the

Social Security Fund and the change to a leadership capable of running the institution cannot be postponed further

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/opinion-css-crisis-needs-new-boss

On 12/15/2016 at 7:00 AM, NewsLady said:

If anyone would like a copy of the PowerPoint slides from the presentation on Tuesday, please send an email request to rhgusn@yandex.com, and one will be sent to you. This is a bit cumbersome, but I don't yet have the PowerPoint file posted on a web site.

Bob,

Send a copy of the PowerPoint to support@chiriqui.life and I will get it posted here for you.

Glad to hear that TwoSailors got their slow response issue resolved.

And thanks to TwinWolf for providing really good background about and recommendations for ways to move forward.

Everyone has won here, thanks to TwoSailors for asking, and TwinWolf for his excellent help.