On Monday October 15th in the newspaper El Mexicano of Tijuana, a full page insertion appeared directed to Mr. José Galicot Behar, President of "Tijuana Innovadora, the Smart Border 2012."
Through an open letter businessman Arturo Gonzalez Cruz, who is also the President of the Board for Sports and Social Club Campestre of Tijuana, BC, severely criticizes the words that Mr. Galicot expressed to the President of Mexico Felipe Calderon and hundreds of guests who attended the gala dinner at the Country Club on Thursday October 11, 2012 in Tijuana.
In his letter, the businessman explained the source of his discomfort: "That upon the presence of the President of Mexico, and all the people who shape our city, you gave a speech that as a Tijuanense it is impossible to accept, as you highlighted the role of prostitution, abortion, divorce express business, bars, and expressed that because of all of this, it's what has made this city and part of its development, also qualifying the maquiladora industry as slave factories".
In his letter he mentions to Mr. Galicot: "I recognize that the maquiladora industry has been established here, has provided opportunities for dignified work, and has been well accepted by thousands of Tijuana's citizens, who now constitute a manufacturing plant of national and international pride, that the citizens receive with open arms and even collaborate actively as main sponsors of the project Tijuana Innovadora".
Video : Interview with Arturo González Cruz
Because of the spotlights that focus on the President of Tijuana Innovadora, a has close to no critics, the letter caused resonance in local media and was the talk of many citizens. San Diego Red interviewed the businessman who elaborated on the reasons that motivated him to publish the insertion.
In the interview with Mr. Gonzalez Cruz, who is also part of one of the founding families of the city explained: "What bothered me was that they only spoke of the evils, forgot that there have been people here, men and women who have made an effort to develop this land, who have been good people who have worked honestly, and that have forged their families with family values and morals. By omitting all of that in his speech, Mr. Galicot made an offense towards Tijuana, but fortunately today he corrected the matter and offered an apology. An apology because he feels that the speech was misinterpreted and I think that it was a situation that he did not know how to deal with, and where he failed to show the goodness of Tijuana. "
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For Mr. Gonzalez Cruz, the statements made by Mr. Galicot at the gala dinner in his speech, were inappropriate and misleading, but as far as the event he commented, "Tijuana Innovadora, I think it was a positive action to improve Tijuana's image, but we must take care how its presented, that's why the speech was upsetting and offensive as the opening speech at the dinner of Tijuana Innovadora, and if you ask me, if I agree with this project?, but of course, its supported by all of Tijuana, and it makes us proud that the good things Tijuana has to offer are known, So let's keep on doing that".
After a pause he added, "Tijuana lives off trade and manufacturing" We have one of the largest manufacturing industries in the country , a tremendous productive plant that creates economic flow and causes the commerce to be very dynamic in this city. The two main activities of the city are commerce and industry. Tourism right now has suffered from border crossing situations and the problems that have arisen in Mexico regarding public safety, and other factors have ranked the importance of tourism from third to fourth place. Of course we want to reach the levels of tourism we had previously when the Race track and the Jai Alai were in full operation, when this was a duty free trade zone where people from the United States and other parts of Mexico came to Tijuana to shop".
González Cruz, after speaking with passion of the love he has for the city, said in the last question: "What do we live from?" and after taking a breath he replied: "from trade, industry and certainly honest labor from the people".
Editorial@sandiegored.com
