| Archive for PasoVoice.Com Paso Fino, Trocha Pura, Trote Galope and Trocha Galope Horses |
| Rafael Arbelo |
Magazine Editorial, 6th Edition-The change of the Government in Puerto Rico and the office of Paso Fino-By Rafael Arbelo, Editor Paso Fino a Puerto Rican Breed Magazine www.pasofino-pr.com The change of government in Puerto Rico should bring good news to the Paso Fino community. However, in order for that to happen the new Secretary of Agriculture, which will be named by the new Governor elect Mr. Luis Fortuño, has to name a new Director for the office of Paso Fino that runs under the Department of Agriculture in Puerto Rico. A person with vision, passion and courage to improve the Paso Fino Breed as is mandated by the ruling of the law #169 that says: “to promote programs, activities and services conducive to development and strengthening of the Paso Fino industry, a breed original of Puerto Rico, and to establish stability and permanency to the breeders in their agricultural activities as well as the marketing in and outside of Puerto Rico”. That is part of the duties of the Director of the office of Paso Fino in Puerto Rico. I encourage the Paso Fino leaders in Puerto Rico to get together as one body and ask for a meeting with the new Secretary to ask for a Director that complies with the ruling of the law; “a person with proven capacity, good moral standards and with experience in the breeding and marketing of the Paso Fino breed of Puerto Rico”. In that meeting not only should they present the issues affecting the industry, but the possible solutions in the short and long terms. The decision to choose the Director should not be based in party lines but instead should be in line with section IV of the law that rules the Agro-Industry of the Paso Fino Breed of Puerto Rico. Choosing someone in any other manner, like a friendly political appointment, could be a major blow to the Paso Fino industry and what’s even worse, the breeders could suffer great losses and or potential revenue. To achieve some of the intended goals and to do a good job the Department of Agriculture should designate a respectable budget to work with. Not doing so would obstruct the efforts of whoever would be in charge and no matter what, without money all efforts will end in failure. |
| carolg |
Government OfficialsBravo, Rafael. Points well made!Carolg |
| BigJ |
Rafael could you provide some history about how the director's office was created and why? Where is it in the hierarchy of the Dept. of Ag and how far below the Secretary of Agriculture's office?
How many people work for the Director and what exactly does it do? Are there any laws, statues, rules that define the roles of the office? What is law #169? Is there a government link or document we could access? |
| caliber |
Congratulations on your 6 Edition! that is great! |
| Rafael Arbelo |
Candice,
The office of the Agro-Industry of Paso Fino in Puerto Rico was created about 10 to 12 yrs Ago. Our friend Cesar Alejandro Romero was the 2nd Director named in the office and perhaps the best we've seen so far in that position. The hirarchy is perhaps at the bottom in the Ag Dept and as of last year there was the director and a partime secretary working in that office, which BTW the Secretary position was lost at the end of the year. The roles of the office are clearly defined in a document I e-mailed you and to my surprise has a lot more power that I ever thought ... The problem with that office is that there is almost no budget to work with ... In other words they give the Director a lot things he/she can do, but they dont assign a real budget to do anything ... So, on paper looks GREAT, but in reality sucks ... The law 169 is too broad, but in essence is the action the Government took to define the Paso Fino in PR .. The importance thing here is the ruling and definitions of the document I sent you ... I am trying to influence the new Secretary of Agriculture to appoint somebody with experience, desire and passion for the Paso Fino and for the Dept to assign a real budget the new Director can work with ... |