Newsletter - Nosara Civic Association

Another year has gone by and it is again time for the renewal of NCA membership dues and community assessments. The NCA receives the vast majority of its income from membership dues, community service assessments and donations. NCA membership is $50 per year for one person and $85 per year for two. Your annual voluntary community service, environmental, and legal assessment is $125 for the first lot and $25 each additional lot. By being a member you are showing your support for our community. This money is used to fulfill our long-standing commitment to our community and our quality of life.

The mission of the Nosara Civic Association is to preserve the total environment of the Beaches of Nosara by protecting against improper use of its assets, careless pollution and irresponsible development. The NCA promotes an understanding of the environment and careful community development through advocacy, conflict resolution and dissemination of information.

This mission encompasses protection of the entire environment, as dictated by the by-laws of the association, against improper use of the area's assets through careless pollution and irresponsible development. We consider the flora and fauna major factors in our total quality of life, which is what has attracted the majority of us to the area. We also recognize the need to protect individual properties from squatters, noise and light pollution and development concerns as they affect neighbors and the natural resources, as well as protecting the 175 hectáreas of "Parklands". At times, this includes involvement in legal actions. We remain vigilant and realize we must be prepared for any future legal issues that may arise.

Lastly, the NCA cooperates in the maintenance of the airport, police assistance, assistance for the garbage dump, emergency road repair and provides humanitarian aid.

One does not need to be a property owner to become a member of the NCA, just someone who loves Nosara.

Don't forget the benefit of the discounted group rate for medical insurance that members receive.

Your prompt payment is appreciated, as is your support for Nosara.

Annual dues and assessment payments do not include payment of your municipal taxes. Nicoya does not send tax bills to owners. It is your responsibility to make sure that your taxes are current. Please contact us if you need help with this process.

Payment may be paid by check or transfer to Banco Nacional bank account #200-002-013-000835-1. Please put your lot # in "concepto".

The Annual General Assembly Meeting of the NCA will be held January 23, 2007 at 9:00 am at the NCA office, located in the Amigos' building being used by the NCA and the water company. Please mark your calendars and plan on attending. The main item on the agenda will be the election of a new Board of Directors of the NCA for a one year term. If you are unable to attend the meeting and will be in Nosara some time before this date, you can give your proxy to another member. Proxies are available at the office or from any current board member. If you are outside of Costa Rica, you must have a proxy notarized by a Costa Rican Consulate. Any member in good standing is more than welcome to run for the board, so don't forget to join now. It is a thankless job, but one that needs doing. New officers take over April 2007.

AGM JANUARY 23, 2007-9:00 am
Informational meeting January 16, 2007-9:00 am
Your participation is important

New features continue to be added periodically. The Nosara phonebook is there, white, yellow and blue pages. Please send corrections to the webmaster via the contacts page. We are in the process of adding a "discussion forum" and a "community calendar" as well as a way to manage your own telephone and member business contact information. Later we'll be adding advertising banners. Please send an email to nosaracivicassociation@yahoo.com so that you may be included when we send regular informational mailings to NCA owners.

Parklands Dispute - The legal actions initiated by Richmond Phipps for seven of the NCA Parklands and 38 private properties in 2004 are still in the courts. The next court date is June 2007.
The NCA is in the process of having all the Parklands surveyed to establish the boundaries and to investigate Parkland encroachments.
Michael Sandweg - For some strange reason the third appellate court ruled in favor of Michael Sandweg, determining that he was an "employee" of the NCA, even though we had a contract signed by Michael stating otherwise and after the two previous courts ruled in favor of the NCA. The NCA will end up paying more than $30,000 to his estate and the social security system and this does not include the attorney's fees.
Gas Station - The department of Humedales (wetlands) of MINAE has declared the area where the gas station has been built is a Humedal. The decision will be appealed, no doubt.
John Fraser - John has claimed that the Hotel Playas de Nosara was forced to cancel all reservations and close the hotel because the NCA removed his directional signs from NCA Parklands. John is suing for the destruction of his signs.

A well (with water) has been dug in Section EE. It should be operational shortly. There are plans for another well and tank in EE to service only Section K, the area most affected by water outages and another well in Section A, just to be on top of things to come. Please participate in your water company. Become a member today.

"What rainy season?" is what this was going to say, but October made up for the lack of rain in prior months. We had over 45", 13" in one day! Fortunately, there was no major flooding, like last year. Unfortunately, the ground couldn't absorb all of it and replenish the aquifer. Most of it just washed away. We are going to be in trouble in March, so start conserving now for the dry season.

For over 20 years the NCA has fought -- and thought it had won -- the case against the Marbella Corporation, which wishes to build a 250-unit hotel on Playa Guiones. Recently, the Municipality of Nicoya, in an illegal extraordinary meeting, granted Marbella nine years and six days to pursue its concession within the refuge. Fortunately, the Environmental Prosecutor of Costa Rica is fighting this decision with the support of the NCA.

Unfortunately, crime is up again. There have been numerous house robberies and car break-ins. If you are a victim of a crime, please report it to the police. In order for us to receive the government help we need, we must be able to "prove" we are victims. Be smart with your valuables. Take note of suspicious people, note license plate numbers. Discussions with private security companies have started. The police have nothing further to report about the Carl Brainard murder in July.

Having all the Parklands surveyed to determine the boundaries and to prevent possible encroachment
Drawing up plans for foot paths within the Parklands.
Working with Coca Cola, MINAE, the local schools and businesses to present educational programs about recycling. "Every litter bit hurts."
Working with MINAE to implement the regulatory plan for the Refuge.
Working with the Municipality of Nicoya and INVU (the governmental zoning institution) to implement a regulatory plan for Nosara. (Hopefully, this would establish regulations in various areas, such as; height restrictions, density, usable areas, sewage, tree cutting, filling, excavation, road "taking", property encroachment etc.).
Working with business owners to standardize road signage and eliminate the current "sign pollution".
Contributing for major repairs in hazardous areas on the roads.
Assisting local schools with their computer centers and various other projects.
Coordinating with foreign volunteers.

The Board of Directors wishes to thank the over 300 members of the NCA for their support for our association and our community. A special thanks to our current business members for their support (their locations and contact information is on the website, check the map page).

Café de ParÍs
Casa Tortuga
Casita RomÁntica
Coconut Harry's Surf Shop
Conch Tico Realty
Gecko Architecture
Giardino Tropicale
Gilded Iguana
Gunter's Quads
Harbor Reef Lodge
Hotel Las Plumerias
Imos Guiones (Casa Tucan)
Kelco Global - Corky's Surf School
Lagarta Lodge
Let's Go Nosara
Nosara Beach Villas
Nosara Home Rentals
Nosara Real Estate
Nosara Surf Shop
Nosara Travel
Nosara Yoga Institute
Pacific Legal
Patos Club
Playas de Nosara Community School
Rancho Suizo
Soul Arch Photography
Villa Mango B&B
Vista del Mar Lodge
Wanderlust Realty