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Community and Valuesby Jay West - www.caborealty.com, www.theeastcape.comThe changes are becoming obvious. Not the growth of Los Cabos as one of the hemispheres most upscale resort markets. I am not referring to our dramatic growth itself. Clearly, we are booming. I am referring to the symptoms. I am talking about what the family therapist might refer to as the elephant in the living room. Everyone notices, but no one feels comfortable talking about it or acting in way which will cause a disturbance to the order of things. It will not go away by itself. It is necessary to recognize that action may be required before the house fills up with dung. Healthy communities with a strong sense of social values address the problems which result as change happens and growth occurs. Realtor members of the Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals (AMPI) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR), defend the private ownership of property, and the protection of individual property rights. To quote from the Preamble of the NAR Code of Ethics: "Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization. REALTORS should recognize that the interests of the nation and its citizens require the highest and best use of the land and the widest distribution of land ownership. They require the creation of adequate housing, the building of functioning cities, the development of productive industries and farms, and the preservation of a healthful environment. Such interests impose obligations beyond those of ordinary commerce. They impose grave social responsibility and a patriotic duty to which REALTORS should dedicate themselves, and for which they should be diligent in preparing themselves. REALTORS, therefore, are zealous to maintain and improve the standards of their calling and share with their fellow REALTORS a common responsibility for its integrity and honor." In other words, as Realtors we must talk about the elephants, and try to act before our houses and our communities, become spoiled. A drive through the neighborhoods of Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo will show evidence of a population demanding to be noticed. My friends know that I live in the neighborhood of Cabo north of Centro. My quiet unpaved street has become a main arterial into the Cabo marina area. Now paved, many of the homes, walls, and buildings, have been tagged with dark and ugly graffiti. These are the faceless names and signature statements of young people screaming to be recognized. Some are just vandals. They live here. They are mostly the children of our workforce. The children of the builders of our resort paradise. The children of the providers of comfort for our growing tourist population. The children of your favorite waiter and your smiling shopkeeper. The person working in your home has kids too. Perhaps they are hers or his. Think about it. Walk along the marina of Cabo San Lucas or the streets of San Jose on any evening. You will have access to the dark underside of paradise. The purveyors of the sex and drugs take lost kids and entice them with easy money and excitement. Your beautiful home becomes, not a safe refuge, but a target. Your car becomes an easy hit with a broken window. The border is moving south. Our growth is bringing the U.S. with it. We are not insolated from San Diegos problems. Or Seattles, or Houstons, or Wichitas, or for that matter, Calgarys. Where can our people and their families go to enjoy Paradise? To the beach? To the mountains? To Disneyland? And, more important, who are our people anyway? We have some tough questions to address here in Paradise, or Paradise will be lost. This is my home. I am a Mexican Realtor. I care about our community. And I also know that I am not alone. We need to start talking about the elephants. I welcome your responses and comments at: West@CaboRealty.com Articles by Jay West: |
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