Motivating the Mayor

Michelle writes:

     As we walked further up the hill, we passed Romolo’s home. Stopping to visit, Kathy asked if Romolo would be willing to take us into the jungle on horseback. He occasionally takes Kathy and others on these adventures. We plan to go next week, as the calendar is filling with activities with the weavers and jewelers. Romolo and his wife, Sirila, have hibiscus and other beautiful flowers in their yard, along with a few coconut trees. Romolo took a plank of wood and knocked on a coconut  hanging high on the tree until it came crashing down, first one, then two. He cut off the tip with the machete, and Kathy and I each had fresh coconut milk to quench our thirst in the heat. After the milk was gone, he split the coconuts open and gave us a pocketknife to help scrape the moist coconut meat.

     Onward we went to Francisca’s. She had been anxiously waiting our arrival. After warm greetings, she offered each of us a cold Gatorade. We are well cared for by these generous people. Francisca brought out her back strap loom to show us the scarf she was weaving and to demonstrate their technique to me. We also looked at the scarves and table runners that were ready for sale in the United States.

     Francisca had prepared a special meal for us: local fish, which is a tasty delight, as chicken is the usual meat. Roasted and then boiled, it was excellent accompanied with a tomato and onion salsa and tortillas. Her husband, Juan, also joined us. 

     Juan had returned from carrying a long, 6” diameter log on a thirty-minute walk to the low spot on the road currently being improved. Seventy-five men were asked to bring a log for drainage. Community is very strong here; everyone works together for the common good. The road crew consists of the operator of a Caterpillar and men with machetes. The three men clear the brush and trees in preparation for widening. 

     The story behind the road needs to be told. The current mayor of the Ixcan region had this road improvement as part of his campaign platform. Three years into his term, with still nothing done, the community decided to take matters into their own hands. They had numerous community meetings with the leaders and people of the surrounding area villages. Their plan emerged. They first confiscated the keys from the operator of the municipal Caterpillar that was enroute to a neighboring village as a way to pressure the mayor to come to Santiago Ixcan and talk with the people about his yet-unfilled campaign promise.  

     Once the mayor got here, they had a general forum on the steps of the Catholic church under the blaring brutal heat of the sun. The mayor hedged and gave excuses as to why the road had not been improved as promised. After much discussion by both men and women--not only from Santiago Ixcan, but also from other communities--it was decided to hold the mayor  hostage until he agreed to uphold his campaign promise and improve the road!

     After all that, he finally agreed to improve the road! How’s that for getting a politician's attention?!