Chapala Mayor Joaquin Huerta earned kudos this week for assuming the role of a hands-on warrior in the latest episode of an on-going public crusade against the proliferation of unsightly cellular phone towers in lakeside area neighborhood.
He is being hailed as a brave protagonist by outraged residents of housing developments located along the Ajijic-Chapala by-pass who had witnessed the rise of a giant metal structure that sullied their panoramic view of Lake Chapala.
In early September, homeowners in the Cielo Vista subdivision first noticed signs that the construction the steel lattice base station tower (BTS) was underway. Investigating the matter at city hall, they learned that the tower was being built on private land without the local government’s authorization. They were assured that local authorities would act energetically on their behalf.
However, despite shut-down orders issued by inspectors from the municipality’s regulations office on at least three occasions, workmen repeatedly appeared at the site under cover of darkness to continue their labors.
Alerted by residents and subdivision security guards as the clandestine work proceeded, Chapala police frequently showed up in the middle of the night to run off the crew. But with insufficient police manpower to maintain round-the-clock surveillance at the scene, the mayor appealed to neighbors to lend a hand.
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