AJIJIC VILLAGE HOMES
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The position of delegado could be called
vice-mayor. The delegado has some autonomy but also answers to the
presidente (mayor) of Ajijic’s mayor, Ricardo Gonzalez, believes communication between the two communities is “very beautiful because each side respects the other.” Foreigners, he says, have improved the area’s education, environment and health, especially in the area of nutrition, and have led efforts to clean up the town. “We have lived here for many generations, so we don’t change too fast, but we are learning many useful things from them that improve our lives,” he says. According to the mayor, people don’t feel envy towards the foreigners’ relative wealth, because that money flows into the economy. “We have full employment, and our salaries are higher than elsewhere in Mexico,” he says. “The foreigners seem to like our Mexican traditions, and we appreciate that,” Gonzalez adds. For instance, even though the foreign presence is strong, the community still celebrates the Dia de los Muertos, he points out, rather than Halloween. “Both our groups are benefiting from living together and exchanging our cultural ways. So, yes, I think the foreigners are learning a lot from us as well.” (as quoted in Delta Sky Magazine... February 2006) For more information on the fascinating life of Ricardo Gonzalez turn to the interview by Lynn Adams published in The Chapala Review.
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Ricardo
González, the current delegado (vice-mayor) of Ajijic, wears a lot of
hats. After talking with him for most of a morning, it's obvious that the hat he
loves the best is that of Ajijic native son. He's traveled to many countries and
lived for several years in San Francisco, California, but home—where the heart
is—is right here at Lakeside. 
the municipio (township) of Chapala. Delegado is an elective
office with a three-year term. His term will expire in 2006. The delegado,
like most elected officials in Mexico—including the president of the country—is
not allowed a second term of office.
