Michelle and I have been overwhelmed with the amount of love and concern from so many people. Unfortunately we have decided to sell our business. We are not sure at this point where we are going to go or what we are going to do. It could take a very long time to sell Ty’s Sports Grill. In the mean time Michelle and I are going to continue be involved and active with NHN group as well as any office/agency that cares. We also want to let people know that we do still need to pay our rent for June and therefore we want to reassure everyone kind enough to purchase Ty’s Bonds that you will be able to use them here. This is of course if people still feel ok that the funds come our way.

Because our business is for sale I also want people to have opportunity to use them starting sooner than the December starting date previously mentioned. Starting September 1st I would make the bonds redeemable and I would also ask because of the pending sale they be used by December 31st of this year. That allows 4 full months for people to have the opportunity to take advantage of them. Also, please know if someone were to walk in tomorrow and make an offer that we found acceptable I would make sure {in writing} the Ty Bonds are part of the purchase agreement and to be honored until Dec 31st of 2012.

I had no idea my letter was going to receive so much attention. I wrote it out of shear frustration and anger which was not meant to be directed towards any single police officer or any single official office. But rather I meant to address the overall problem in Panama with the criminal justice system. In fact the police and I here in El Valle have a very good relationship along with the justice of the peace called “Corregiduria”. His name is Gustavo Dember and he often comes to our restaurant. Many of the police told me they know the criminal system needs to be changed. A number of them explained to me they wish they could have done more on their own {and I believe them} and my letter only highlights the changes they would like to see. Yes there are a lot of not so good cops. But there are a lot that do care and just need the authority in order to be more effective while performing their duties.

The focus of Neighbors helping Neighbors will be on our group and not so much with the Panamanian government. But I also don’t want to exclude them if they want to take part {it will be a small part I’m sure} of what this group is all about.

I have been contacted by several people officials and press agents. I am also received a response from the Canadian Embassy here in Panama. The Embassy is now aware of our situation and the Ambassador did say she will “try to make the trip to El Valle in August upon her return to Panama from Canada. If she does come here that would be a good time to have as many concerned people and officials attend. Mr. Gustavo {Correfidura} would like to be involved and said he can bring other officials to the meeting. I believe he wants what we all want which is to try and make the necessary changes so Panama can a safer place for everyone including the local people here who have told me it is very much the same for them as it is for us.

What I don’t want to see is any anger directed towards any police officer or any of the officials. That will do absolutely no good and in fact have the exact opposite effect we as a group are looking for. Again I’m sure they will and should be a small part of what this group is all about.

I look forward to our first meeting and look forward to what could be the start of TRUE CHANGE in Panama.

Sincerely
Ty & Michelle