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Letter from the Editors
Celebrating Ten Years of Connecting Communities, and More to Come

 

For ten years now, the Voice of Nosara has been serving Nosara and the surrounding communities with the goal of connecting and uniting people—not just people in different towns but people of different backgrounds, nationalities and languages.

At first, the newspaper was more of a newsletter, printed on letter-size paper and stapled together.  But even that simple newsletter served an important purpose: dispelling rumors and providing correct information (well, as correct as possible) so that people in Nosara and nearby communities could be well informed about everything from local happenings to major controversies. 

 
VON's team from left: Emiliana Garcia, Bianca Moya, Marta Bower wife of Marvin Castillo), Marvin Castillo, Wilberth Villalobos, Ethyl Araya, Arianna McKinney, Maria Zamora, Fran Renick, Oliver Perez. Not pictured: John S. Johnson, Michele Colomer, Mary Serphos, Freddy Zuñiga. Photo Giordano Campini


Since those early years, the Voice of Nosara has developed into a full-scale bilingual monthly newspaper, reaching out to communities around the entire Nicoya canton—incorporating news from the districts of Samara and Nicoya as well. In an era when newspapers are feeling the crunch of changing times and economic stress, when even a journalistic giant like the Tico Times recently stopped publishing their print edition in favor of their online presence, the Voice of Nosara’s print edition is going strong, with the support of many local businesses and advertisers.

But we know times are changing.That’s why we’re also working hard to improve our online edition, regularly posting the latest news (so you don’t have to wait a full month to read about what’s going on). We’re currently working on a new design for the website, to debut shortly, which will provide ever-expanding coverage of the news most pertinent to those of us who live in and love Guanacaste.
 
In addition, we have a strong presence on the popular Facebook network, where you can comment on news postings, let us know what you like, ask questions to clarify details about news items or participate in a stimulating conversation with other VON readers. Not yet following us online? We invite you to do so and let us hear your voices. 

All of these different tools share one crucial goal: promoting good communication.
 
Good communication is the bedrock of any strong relationship, of the success of any group or organization. The current staff of VON is committed to being a part of that growth, promoting Nosara, Samara and Nicoya as they develop into ever-more thriving communities. We’re working hard to investigate and report the information you most need to keep up on what’s happening and thus make informed decisions—such as changes in national laws, municipal projects and your truly local news, along with upcoming events and activities in which you might want to participate. While we love to report happy community news, neither do we shy away from the difficult, delicate or controversial. Our goal always, unlike some media, is to present information as fairly and honestly as possible, without sensationalizing or inventing. We do our best to make sure our sources are reliable and to verify facts so that you can trust what you read in VON. 
    
While none of the original members of the VON staff remain, those of us now on the team are honored to have inherited the privilege and responsibility of serving you, our readers.  Although there may be days when people aren’t so pleased with something that we report, overall it is a fun and fulfilling job, getting out there and interacting with people in the local communities and giving voice to your concerns. 

Many readers have commented that having a quality local newspaper is one of the things that makes this a great place to live, and we are committed to providing that service to the community for many years to come.

To achieve this, we need your help through what is now known as “citizen journalism.”  Find out what that means in an article by New York Times Deputy Editor Mary Ann Giordano. We also invite you to attend one of our free upcoming two-hour classes so that you can better understand the job of a journalist. And please, don’t be shy.  Share with us your ideas, concerns, opinions, photos and writing.  Lend us your voices so that we can continue serving as the Voice of the local communities.   

 

More Regional News

Generous Tips Restricted By Credit Cards

A curious case emerged this past October when a server at Guiones' Gilded Iguana was tipped large by a generous customer. The finale take for the server, however, was only a fraction due to a little-known policy by credit card companies to restrict tip pay-outs.

Tourism in Costa Rica Still Suffering…but Not So Much.

Complaints from Costa Rican tourism businesses have been constant since the crisis of 2008-2009, but now a survey shows that business is not so bad.

Municipality and Government Met with Those Affected by Earthquake

The Municipality of Nicoya and the Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements(MIVAH—Ministerio de Vivienda y Asentamientos Humanos) met with those who have suffered damage to their homes from the earthquake of September 5th and the subsequent aftershocks.

Foreigners Must Be Legal Residents To Drive in Costa Rica

Rick and Lorraine have been coming to Costa Rica for the last ten years. Like good tourists they fueled the country’s top industry, tourism. And like many Canadian tourists, they fell in love with paradise.

New Home Costs, Taxes, to Climb

If you’re contemplating building a new home next year, prepare yourself to pay higher taxes than before, reports the national newspaper La Nacion.

Women of Costa Rica over burdened with responsibilities

Costa Rican women not only devote to household chores more than double the time men do, but also allocate more time to their professional training, according to local media.

Operating Rooms Will Reopen at the End of November

The long wait for surgical services at La Anexion Hospital in Nicoya will soon end.  The two operating rooms will be ready on November 26th, when they have approval from the Ministry of Healthy. 

Vigil Held To Protest Health Cuts At Nicoya Hospital

About a dozen protesters sat themselves upon the grounds of Nicoya's Annexation Hospital at night on Thursday November 16th in an effort to highlight the hospital’s budget cuts.

There are Now 16 Real Estate Frauds in Nosara

Currently a criminal band is stealing or buying the properties they hire someone else to steal, pretending to be the legitimate owners. Only this year, by the end of the month of October, we learned of 10 cases, which give us an average of one per month.

Public Force and OIJ Deal a Blow to the Stolen Goods Market in Nicoya

The Public Force and the Organism of Judicial Investigation (OIJ) performed a joint operation throughout the day on Friday, November 9 in Nicoya, during which they decommissioned stolen articles equivalent to several million colones (thousands of dollars).

Presidency Published Gag Law Against Journalists and the Media

The Presidency of the Republic on Tuesday, November 6th published in La Gaceta the law that will punish journalists and citizens with up to 10 years in prison if they disseminate “secret political information.”

CONAVI Temporarily Stepped In Over Río Montaña Bridge

Last Friday November 2nd the Concejo Nacional de Vialidad (National Highway Council- CONAVI) repaired damages to the bridge over Río Montaña.

New rules for vehicle technical inspection (RTV) in January

A police officer from the Fuerza Publica, driving while intoxicated, crossed into oncoming traffic and caused a head on collision with another vehicle, killing its driver.

Drunken Nicoya police officer kills driver in head-on collision

A police officer from the Fuerza Publica, driving while intoxicated, crossed into oncoming traffic and caused a head on collision with another vehicle, killing its driver.

Citizen Journalists (THAT MEANS YOU!) Are Shaping the Future of Reporting

“Citizen journalism” has become a standard part of the way we gather and report news. But that was not always so.

Interview with Liza Vogt, Voice of Nosara’s First Publisher

Why was the newspaper started? 
VON was started for two reasons: to dispel many of the rumors that were constantly flying around Nosara and also to inform residents and tourists of current situations and upcoming events.

Most Talked About Stories

Our editors reviewed every print edition of The Voice of Nosara from October 2002 until September 2012 and chose the most talked about stories based on letters to the editor, comments made to reporters or on Facebook and follow-up stories.

The Most Repeated Themes During Ten Year

Our editors reviewed every print edition of The Voice of Nosara from October 2002 until September 2012 and counted how many articles were printed on each subject.

“They want to kick us out when we’ve lived here all our lives,”
Oscar Chavarría, resident of Garza

“I’ve lived here for 30 years and now they tell us that they want to annul our property titles and kick us out of our homes,” commented Oscar Chavarria indignantly. He lives in Playa Garza with his wife and daughter.

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Copyright 2012© The Voice of Nosara