Milanes investor group
agrees dilemma is real

Dear A.M. Costa Rica:

Thank you for your article in Friday's A.M. Costa Rica regarding the possible discrepancy of property evaluation assessment (estimated) and the actual selling value of real estate. This is particularly true when related to the Louis Milanes/Savings Unlimited case and the dilemma facing the investors who have filed claims.

How much money can be realized from the sales of the properties offered and how much time will it take? Sounds like a plea by Milanes and his lawyers to postpone the actual closure of this case. Pay up or go to trial. He is asking the investors to accept a settlement based on assumptions (assessed value) and not actuality (Who will pay that price?) We all know that property is only worth what someone will pay for it. The preliminary hearing in March will be most interesting and perhaps set a precedent for acceptable collateral in future fraud cases.

Another case to consider is the Villalobos Brothers court awards. The settlement reached was 38.47% of the invested amounts/court awards. The first payment of 27.59 percent was received in early March of 2010. The investors are still waiting for the second installment of 10.88 percent.

I understand that the delay is attributed to the sale of properties confiscated by the courts which were to be sold and the moneys distributed to the investors. Is the second payment 10.88 percent based on the court's assessed appraisal value or the actual selling value? Have the properties been sold? If so, when is the second payment to be distributed?

If properties are accepted as part of a package cash deal then they should be sold first and the resulting sales money added to the pot. Otherwise it is just speculation and it is anybody's guess as to the real value of the properties, and probably more important will take years to complete the "deal."

It is a real dilemma for the investors: Take what is proffered and be thankful or to call his bluff and hope that justice will be served. What to do?

We must be good stewards
but also smart about it

Dear A.M. Costa Rica

Re: Paul E. Hargraves' letter

When I first read Paul’s letter, I almost skipped it. Great! Another partisan viewpoint! He quickly dismissed and insulted all those with whom he disagreed.

I guess I was bored, so I kept reading. He is obviously the smartest person in the room. I followed with interest his logic and science of the earth warming and the consequences that may follow. He certainly was convincing with his moot argument. No one is arguing that the earth’s climate is not in constant change! I’ll venture to say that no one actually believes that man is not leaving his footprint. But how big is that footprint? Enough with the anecdotal convictions — let’s quantify it!

Once we quantify man’s footprint (agriculture, building structures, manufacturing, burning fossil fuels) vs. nature’s footprint – we can logically decide if we need a global (i.e. *all* countries) political solution to affect the warming trend. But let’s assume man’s footprint is proven to be the problem, I’m onboard to help fix it! What to do? So far, current or suggested solutions involve redistributing wealth (carbon bonds, cap & trade). They do nothing to reduce CO2 gases. Do you have a better plan? Is it economically viable?

My problem is that I feel scientists, along with journalists and educators have been hijacked by this partisan train. Because Paul and others comes across as partisans, I suspect their data and facts were cherry picked to support their respective arguments. Climategate?

Also by blaming everything on global warming (and we do), we don’t look locally for the real culprit or solution. We (as individuals) cannot dismiss our responsibility as good stewards of this planet, but let’s be smart about it.

Fire drill will be on boat


Firemen are going to hold a drill Tuesday on a boat docked in Puerto Limón.

This will be the first simulation to involve a ship, although the Cuerpo de Bomberos conducts drills like these every month. The cargo ship that will be involved in the drill will be at the Alemán dock. It is owned by the Medinter company, said firemen.

The drill also will involve the fire protection unit on the boat, which has 24 crew members. Other agencies also will participate.