Irony. 

Today is a local anniversary for us here in Los Zacatitos.  It was 2 years ago to the date 25 April 2008 that our community experienced our last noted landfill burn from the local municipality landfill for all of San Jose del Cabo.  Our community gathered together and worked apart...going about it in our own individual ways...but all for the same goal .......to put out the continual fires coming from the landfill, which were creating creating toxic smoke which was exposed to  our elders, ourselves and children..... documented since December 2000.  The goal  1. Put out the fire.  2.  Stop future burning  3. Introduce recycling to the San Jose area to reduce garbage, either toxic or yard trash going to the already over saturated Palo Escopeta Landfill.  For archives see www.loscaboscontamination.com   and/or   www.loszacatitos.net

We strongly encourage to preserve the native plants, working around what mother nature has provided.  Why not transplant.  Why not compost yard waste?  It makes good soil, it's simple. 

"Understanding how to make and use compost is in the public interest problem of waste disposal climbs toward a crisis level.  Landfills are brimming, and new sites are not easily found.  For this reason there is an interest in conserving existing landfill space and in developing methods of dealing with waste."  article from Compost guide 2/19/2006  see  www.compostguide.com

No doubt when Fort Ellie and I saw the smoke today, "here we go again"  these munchkins are on it, after all...this has been an issue for them their entire lives.  It is well documented that "Children can be at much greater risk.  Because of their body size, they inhale more air per pound of body mass than do adults, and can absorb a proportionately larger "dose" of toxins."  As a mother, no doubt I have taken this subject to heart, perhaps I should apologies to anyone I may have offended along the way for speaking out with such verve, but hey....these children are worth fighting for...even if it is for air that is clean and healthy to breathe!  So be it.

The above photos are of a local burning yard waste.  He has been coming and going since 1988, 15 years before my arrival.  It is always a humbling experience to speak my mind...but I feel that being honest, truthful and upfront with an individual is the best way to go about a confrontation.  I want to thank this person for their respect and response...perhaps their is another way, but until we find easier solutions...burning is not a option of choice.

By no means are any of us perfect, I am definitely not...just looking out for what I think is best for my family and myself...I have much to learn and feel humbled daily.

This post is dedicated to my Great Grandmother Willie Terry.  This woman...undoubetly in my lifetime put the letter V in the word verve....thank you for that lesson at a youthful age....., Gracias A Dios!  translation...Thank You God. !