From the Publisher's Desk
Imitation is the Sincerest form of Flattery
(Charles Caleb Colton 1780-1832)
Last month, some of our readers and advertisers stopped by my office with smiles on their faces and showed me a copy of a local tourist paper which, as you will see below, is headlined “The Pacific Pearl” in a font remarkably similar to our own paper. They asked if we had, maybe, drastically changed our format.
Contrary to any rumors that might be circulating out there, I want to assure everyone that the Pearl has not been sending out its intrepid writers and photographers to the beach to take bikini shots of our admittedly lovely female population. So, to put the rumor to rest, no, we have not changed our format and I´d like to thank everyone for their very kind concern, and all the jokes.
 
On the same topic, we could not help but notice that another local tourist paper after 12 years as a tabloid HAS drastically changed its format, from tabloid size to the same size and format as our own Pearl, including imitating our new slick cover. We are flattered. On a more serious note, the Pearl would like to congratulate Friends of Mexico in surpassing the 600 member mark. We have watched and helped this group of expatriates grow from the humble beginnings of a group of 30 dedicated individuals determined to form an organized non-profit organization, to its present status as a dynamic force in helping educate local children and provide pertinent information to our residents.
 
An organized association of 600 Americans and Canadians represents a formidable lobbying presence in Mazatlán. It could use its voice to present serious concerns of the foreign community to government officials, government departments and legal authorities. This would take the burden from individuals who have fought alone to right wrongs.
 
Finally, we wish all our readers and advertisers a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. We look forward to continuing to provide you with trusted news of Mazatlán in 2007.
Michael J. Veselik
Publisher