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I have been hearing stories from all directions on how Nogales can be a great border town. Unfortunately, it's not. Sure there are many citizens who try and make Nogales a better place to visit and live, but not everyone strives to do so. In writing this opinion I mean no disrespect to the citizens of Nogales (being from Nogales myself), but feel it's about time people start to speak up and voice their opinions.
I'm going to start off my examples with employees not knowing how to speak English. I think it's wonderful to be Hispanic (and bilingual- which I myself am) but we are in the United States and all employees should know how to at least speak the English language to help the out-of-town folks. Next is the issue of management in many companies. What is up with management not making sure stores/restaurants/offices are clean (definitely including bathrooms), having favortism, allowing stealing to occur, etc.? All of these little things show bigger corporations and out-of-town mom n' pop shops that Nogales would not be a good place to expand. Think about it, more companies coming in equals more job opportunities for Nogales. You have officials saying to shop local, buy in Nogales...from where? Along the border there is a strip of stores that frankly sell the same thing, and are messy (to put nicely). There are maybe two stores I would buy from (for clothes). So what happens, everyone travels out of town to shop. I personally think that strip should be made up of bigger companies (coffee shops, cafe's, maybe a spa, etc.). Seriously, can you tell the difference when you cross from Mexico back into the U.S. in the stores (with the exception of a couple of stores)?
Next is the issue of the cleanliness, or lack there of, in Nogales. Question: where is the money going? The streets of Nogales, wait a minute, what streets? The sidewalks? Street signs with no road names? But I see city and county getting fabulous new gadgets of all shapes and sizes. What about a law for homeowners to keep their front yards clean? Meaning, no weeds as tall as their windows, no disabled vehicles parked in the front yard... My question is why haven't these been addressed, and the consequences followed through? How about Nogales 'going Green'? Those who can and are fortunate, I believe, should donate a tree, a plant, or flowers for Nogales. Donate trash cans, help recycle, save energy... It doesn't have to cost a town money to get things better. For instance, why don't those on probation be required to clean Nogales? And I'm not talking about cleaning close to the probation offices so it's easier for the officers to keep track of them. Oh, and sadly when I pass by one of the fire stations it seems as though they never do yard work! How about planting a couple of trees and that station being weed-free? It's embarrassing... Again, where's the money for Nogales going? Where's the lottery money going? Shouldn't it be used for street improvements, and not new gadgets for the cops How about the police men/women try to use real bicycles, or walk the streets as big city cops do?
Also, support the activities trying to be held in Nogales. Support the children in letting them play in community sport programs. But, respect the gyms and fields being used for those activities. Teach our children how to respect the community and property of Nogales, while having fun at the same time.
Nogales can be such a cute and inviting town, but it's not. "Old ways" and not liking change has gone on long enough. Citizens also need to start taking responsibility and helping out more. So many people say, "Oh yeah, Nogales is a town I passed through". Never have I heard someone say they love Nogales, AZ and can't wait to go back. I think many need to stop thinking of old ways and stop saying "that's how it's always been", and end the stigma of "it's who you know in Nogales". I think Nogales should have new traditions started, enforce new rules/laws/regulations, to make Nogales a better place to visit, and live. How many people do you think would like to see more trees, parks, clean neighborhoods, sidewalks to use, clean stores and restaurants to spend money in? I know I would. But I'm just one person trying to make a difference and open up some eye and ears. Maybe this will get some attention and be of help for future changes.
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Comments
Daniel W. wrote on Apr 15, 2009 7:03 PM:
El Justiciero wrote on Apr 13, 2009 11:01 PM:
A bit pedantic of you to challenge my word use, don't you think? Especially given that my grammar and structure is more than adequate for the forum. I grant that I considered using "commentator" instead of "commenter", but the former seemed to connote a person who comments regularly or for profit. (It also conveys one who comments with some level of competence, which is altogether inappropriate here.) I went with the latter alternative because it could be interpreted along the narrower lines of "one who comments on a comment board", which was my intended meaning. Furthermore, the word "commenter" (with variant endings -or and -our) has been in use since the 14th century and is recognized by the Oxford English Dictionary.
How's that for pedantry? Why don't you leave the correction pencil to those who can properly wield it. "
El Scoops wrote on Apr 12, 2009 2:03 AM:
Why? Because there's no better place on earth than NOGI. What rich history, beautiful weather, scenic panoramas. It's God's Country! "
El Justiciero wrote on Apr 11, 2009 7:05 PM:
Who does this guy think he is? A commenter?
That NI professionalism for you. "
Accentuate the Positive wrote on Apr 9, 2009 4:22 PM:
Teacher wrote on Apr 7, 2009 6:37 PM:
John Doe wrote on Apr 6, 2009 9:53 PM:
Esteban Dabdoub Hernandez wrote on Apr 6, 2009 11:17 AM:
Cheated wrote on Apr 3, 2009 8:45 AM:
Ron Sanders wrote on Apr 1, 2009 9:12 PM:
college student wrote on Apr 1, 2009 1:14 AM:
Wilma wrote on Mar 31, 2009 4:55 PM:
I am grateful for our new renovation, like
some new parks in town, but we forget that we still have old parks that need some TLC. One in particular is "Madison Park"( in front of the Memorial Park), broken benches,dry grass, no playground. "
Rio Rico Resident wrote on Mar 31, 2009 1:37 PM:
I have been to numerous stories (Walmart, Kmart, JC Pennies, Safeway, Big Lots, Jack in the Box, etc) where it has been difficult if not impossible to find someone who speaks English.
Customer service in Nogales may be high from a Mexican point of view, as I have been told by friends and neighbors who are long time residents, but from a US expected norm, it is way below average.
Driving and walking in the downtown area, the place just feels grubby, regardless of how clean it may or may not be. "
Daniel W. wrote on Mar 31, 2009 1:19 PM:
I love it when people go live in big exotic cities like Tucson and come back to tell us how much we suck because we have never been north of Rio Rico. (Why would we? then we'd have to learn English and,plus, we can get welfare benefits in Nogales, how Great is that?!!?!?!)
Seriously though, as for the cheap clothes downtown, there is a market for it. We have faithful shoppers from across the line who regularly come over and buy the clothes they can afford. It's not cheap or crappy to them and it helps our local economy. It's supply and demand and doesn't cater to people such as yourself who probably shop at fancy name brand places, like Wal-mart. "
John Wansor wrote on Mar 30, 2009 11:31 PM:
john Wansor "
Hugo wrote on Mar 30, 2009 4:57 PM:
HER wrote on Mar 30, 2009 11:03 AM:
El Scoops wrote on Mar 29, 2009 10:34 PM:
You are just as anonymous as this blogger. Hello!!
At least Coppola signs his name to his "dribble" and you know where you can find him.
The NI never publishes anonymous letters or opinions in the print version. Those are relegated to on-line comments for gutless blowhards like you and me. "
Hugo wrote on Mar 28, 2009 9:28 AM:
bcastro wrote on Mar 28, 2009 7:22 AM:
show me wrote on Mar 27, 2009 11:53 AM: