HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-11-08-LWSCC-min.pdf
SISTER CITY MEETING 11/8/90
AGENDA
1 APSNICA working with us on sawmill project
2 Trip
3 Any last minute details on Chomsky lecture
APSNICA is Architects and Planners in Support of Nicaragua, a
California organization which has organized and supported
many projects in Nicaragua(see enclosed material ) They have
several sawmills in Nicaragua, including one on the Atlantic coast
in Pearl Lagoon Bonnie and Marshall visited this mill on one of
their trips
Both Ellen and Ken talked with Steve Kerpen, APSNICA's director
when we started working on the sawmill project I called them to
discuss what we were doing and because Martin suggested maybe they
could accompany Matt to Waspam
APSNICA has had six years of experience with mills in Nicaragua
Steve felt there were many possible problems and pitfalls that
should be ironed out for our mill to work smoothly on a longterm
basis
The major issues he outlined were
I1 How will trees be harvested and brought to mill? This was
difficult in Pearl Lagoon since the trees were way out in the bush
and difficult to bring in
2 How will the mill operate? Originally in Pearl Lagoon people
who brought in harvested wood received 65% and the mill got 35%
Now the mill buys wood from harvesting teams and sells it to be
used for development The mill is self sustaining, employing
about 40 local Pearl lagooners
3 How wilOspare parts, chain saws be obtained? One large
part of the ion in Pearl Lagoon is supplying and maintaining
chain saws necessary to harvest the wood
4 Who will do accounting, maintenance, security? Due to the v
worsening economic situation in Nicaragua APSNICA's mills have 24 p
hr /day security
APSNICA feels that in order for the mills to work they have to be
taken seriously as businesses This involves many skills which
people in Waspam may not initially have
In order to pave the way for the sawmill arriving APSNICA would be
Killing to make a four day visit to Waspam to ansiNer these
questions and prepare a complete report for us Enclosed is a
letter from Steve which outlines the f this visit
This would be for a cost of $1750 In addition, hey would be
Nilling to continue with the project This cowl include
1 Helping with the transport of the mill to Waspam from Managua
if CEPAD doesn't do it
2 Traveling with Matt to Waspam and helping with the set up and
training of the mill
3' i Overseeing of the project with periodic visits, help in
procuring materials, technical assistance, communications,
securing parts and maintenance
This would be at a cost of about $125/day per person, including
expenses
ILDVANTAGES TO US OF INVOLVING APSNICA
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Q APSNICA would be able to suggest a way for the mill to work
Which would be for the benefit of the people Although we want
this to happen, we are leaving it to chance at this point , since
We have nobody on the scene After hearing APSNICA's
�recomrnendations we could draw up some sort of contract , and
APSNICA could negotiate with the people in Waspam when they
returned with Matt in February
2 APSNICA would be able to help with the details and logisitics
of maintenance, fuel supply, flow of spare parts, troubleshooting
on an ongoing basis to that the mill will run smoothly on the long
term
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p APSNICA would be able to set up in advance for Matt 's trip, so
that it will be a success-ie have logs ready, have fuel ready, be
heady to negotiate the operation of the mill
I� Involvement with APSNICA would be to the long term advantage
of Waspam The mill , if operating successfully, could well be
the start of other economic development projects (See articles on
?earl LAgoon in APSNICA newsletters) and be a magnet for
'volunteers and additional general interest
5. We would have a regular way of communicating with Waspam and
(finding out what is happening with mill through APSNICA
DISADVANTAGES 1
1 Additional cost
2 We don't know the people in APSNICA very well
3 We are retaining some control over mill , not giving it P.
Waspam
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