Former home of Dr. Rafael Zervigón Castellanos (Fillo), on Gras Street, October 2002. Photo by Elodia Basaco, Whittier, California

Interior of Gethsemane Presbyterian Church, on Gras Street, October 2002. Photo by Elodia Basaco, Whittier, California

Neighbors of San Nicolás de Bari
Show Their Apathy for Elections

By José Izquierdo, Grupo Decoro (Decorum Group)

Havana, December 18, 2002 (www.cubanet.org) - Dozens of neighbors of rural town El Mamey located in San Nicolás de Bari, Havana Province, showed their negative attitude to vote in next Government's elections to be held on January 10, 2003. The decision is due to the fact that about 2 thousand residents in this area are cut off from Güines, because since August 2002, the bridge connecting the two localities came down and the Government's authorities have done nothing to repair this important communication thoroughfare.

Leonel Pineda, 65 years old, who resides in El Mamey since 1945, stated: “They can not count on me. I have, on four occassions, told them about the bridge’s situation and nothing has been done. In reality all of the so called ‘leaders’ are the same, simple decorative figures.”

The young Amparo Díaz, a cooperativist 21 years old, indignantly affirmed:“I will not vote. They do not solve anything to the people and I couldn’t care less about any reprisals they may take against me.”

Amparo has to travel on foot three kilometers (1.8 miles) on a daily basis and cross a mud hole formed in the area of the collapsed bridge to reach the cooperative where she works.

On the other hand, it could be ascertained that bus service in this area has been interrupted since the before mentioned bridge’s collapse, a situation that affects a population of around 2 thousand persons.

Internal dissident circles within San Nicolás de Bari stated that steps taken by local organs of the Popular Power, are insufficient, due to the high amount of complaints and criticisms made by voters and the authorities' inefficiency in solving problems.