The Vote For The Big Dig
Oct 22nd, 2006 by Don Ray
The vote is today for the expansion of the Canal. Voting in Panama is a very serious thing both for referendums such as today’s and for governmental offices. All sides fiercely try to get their vote out. It is interesting that they shut down all alcohol sales midnight before the voting offices open. No alcohol will be sold all day.
My expectation is for the “Yes” vote to carry. I think expanding the Canal is something that should happen, but I am not sure that all costs are accurately forecast or all ecological effects are understood. My gut tells me that it will take longer to build than forecast and cost more than is forecast and there will be more ecological effect than forecast.
None the less this is an historic day in Panama. 6:00 PM will be an anxious time for many today.
UPDATE: The vote was a landslide. 79% yes to 20% no. I drove by a voting location in David, but there wasn’t many people there. I have since read that the turnout was low.
I think it will be awesome for History to repeat again…the eight wonder of the world… deja vu all over again. But this time a whole lot less Deaths involved.
Well lets hope they do a good job in cost management and that there is minimal environmental effect.
Who are the contractors for the project or have they gotten that far yet? I heard the Chinese are interested.
I don’t think the contractors have been identified. I think many in the international community will want to get a piece of the action, including the US.
The results do not surprise at all. Millions were spent promoting the YES. Lots of $interests$ involved. Have a sunny monday
Now the fun begins.
Hi Don Ray,
Good for Panama!! Maybe I’ll “retire” to Panama earlier to look for work there. I’d love to have “worked on the canal” on my work history. haha
I hope the vote being a “landslide” is NOT repeated in the actual project! Too much of that in the first dig.
Lets hope it is an efficient and well-run project. It will have a lot of visibility.
[...] #1: From Chiriqui Chatter: The Vote for the Big Dig The vote is today for the expansion of the Canal. Voting in Panama is a very serious thing both for referendums such as today’s and for governmental offices. All sides fiercely try to get their vote out. It is interesting that they shut down all alcohol sales midnight before the voting offices open. No alcohol will be sold all day. My expectation is for the “Yes” vote to carry. I think expanding the Canal is something that should happen, but I am not sure that all costs are accurately forecast or all ecological effects are understood.Continue reading… [...]
Side Question: Hey Don I have been doing Fly Overs with Google Earth around Panama, What is going on with the Old American Forts and Bases in and around PC? I counted like 4 of them? Are they being used and for what?
Can’t answer that. I have not spent very much time in PC. Maybe another reader will respond.