Governors stinging rebuke to mayor over Casco Viejo error

PANAMA’S Governor came down hard on the Mayor of the capital city on the weekend, over a decision to hand over the administration of two city owned historic  properties, to local foundations.

Mayín Correa questioned in a January 23 letter, the decision of Mayor Roxana Mendez, yielding administration.

Correa said in the letter, which was copied to President, Ricardo Martinelli that Mendez "ignores the historical value and meaning of Casa Góngora to the Municipality.”
According to the governor, Mendez committed an "error"… “perhaps for lack of consultation or disinterest."

La Casa Góngora , built in 1760 , was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization ( Unesco) in 1997, and has now been assigned for administration to the Olga Sinclair Foundation.

According to the Official Gazette of January 22 in Agreement No. 97 of September 2012 the mayor was authorized to make a deal with the Olga Sinclair Foundation to take over Casa Góngora.

The Municipal House , also known as Arias – Feraud mansion, and built in the early twentieth century, was assigned for administration to the Danilo Perez Foundation, to establish a Panama Music Museum. This is stated in the Agreement No. 96 September 2012 signed by Mendez, and was published in the Official Gazette on January 22.
Correa concluded her letter asking: “What if every mayor decides to dump historical legacies ? … "Next assign the ruins of Panama la Vieja and the Arco Chato?"
La Prensa tried to discover the position of the Mendez, who is running for re-election , but the mayor’s office said they are unaware of the content of the letter.
Mayin Correa and Roxana Mendez are both in the inner circles of the CD Party and close to Martinelli.