JohnF13

If you have the standard 20lb tank, change it out for a 25 lbs jobbie. Much cheaper.

I’ll second these folks. Been in several times and always good and friendly service

I know, BD, I’m just an old cynic.

And everywhere I have seen it introduced for that reason, it turned out to be a scam.

It’s not a matter of holding it in low regard, merely observations on the situation. Neither Hil nor I said Panama is a failed state but merely made observations that some things need to be adressed. There is always something that needs fixing.

While Panama is not a failed state yet, it is heading down that road. The corruption amongst the Courts, the lack of ability to hold anyone accountable (except minor players) and the way in which legislators and others pass laws protecting and justifying egregious behaviour are some of the early hallmarks.

That’s the one that closed Keith. There is still a big Scotiabank down near Box Shop, but it doesn’t seem to have the full service I need

Didn’t get any explanation why the one in David closed. Given that, I can’t speculate on the one in Alto. It seems to be a popular expat bank, let’s hope it has enough business to stay open.

Recently, Scotiabank in David closed and left no forwarding address. As I do most of my business etc in David these days (Sorry, Boquete..) I found myself in need of a full service bank in the City. Talked to my insurance agent (Gloria D) and she recommended Banco General. Good for me, as there is a branch in Terronal Mall and many others around town. So, off Jocie and I go to the bank, hoping for a quick transaction. Not so fast boyo! Firts visit the customer service rep. Explained what we needed (all in Spanish, no English there) and sent us off to get the required documents. First, a letter of referral from Scotiabank and proof of where our funds were coming from. Easy peasy....got that stuff and returned to the bank. The new customer service rep. Looked at the paperwork and said it wasn’t enough. We needed proof of where we lived and a personal reference (used Gloria D). Off we went again and returned the next day with the new info. We spoke to the first service rep who took all the info and then told us we needed to provide proof that our funds were being taxed in Canada. Left again. Out in the parking lot Jocie remembered she had emails on her phone from our Cdn accountant, along with our SIN numbers. Back into the bank, met with the rep again and showed her the info. She recorded the SIN numbers the reached into her desk and brought out the magic stamp. Stamped all our info and gave us Clave cards, telling us the account would be active next Wednesday. All in all, a not terribly difficult process “IF” we had been given all the requirements on the first visit. An adventure and a learning experience! To sum up, you need: Passeport/cedula proof of where your money is coming from. proof of residence (water bill etc) reference letter from your bank proof you pay taxes in your home country personal reference Other banks may be easier, our insurance agent recommended Banco General so we went with them.

Brandy, and EXACTLY where does the urine and poop (and the diaper) get to when they are just dumped down the ravine or abandoned at the side of the road? Single use diapers are one of the most polluting things around due to their volume.

You want to create less pollution, less garbage? BAN ONE USE DIAPERS. Cloth is just as easy to use and is environment friendly. I wonder how many plastic bags it takes to equal one diaper......And, just in case you think I don’t know what I am talking about, my daughter was raised on cloth diapers.....

Tough love needed. Every business owner needs to head down to the mayors office and tell him they are closing down on a particular date. The ONLY thing officials will understand is lack of taxes. Demand the holes are closed up, the roads are graded and paved, fire.the totally incompetent firm running this farce and start again with real engineers and workers at the end of high season. Anything else will just get you ignored and laughed at.

And thats the problem. They seem to think that piss poor customer service is acceptable because of the lack of options. I went with Planet. More expensive but I expect better service. Called them on a Monday afternoon, the new stuff was installed the next day.

Well, they have one less customer now. Two weeks of no internet, several days waiting in for a tech that never showed after many, many promises.......enough.

Bonnie, community policing is a catch phrase designed to make you feel good because pilice management, in the not so distant past, removed beat coppers from the streets to more efficiently respond to incidents using cars. When it was realised that there was no longer any interaction between the police and the public (who can talk to a police officer who is driving by at 50 mph?) the phrase was invented to make it seem like management was doing something. Arghhhh, I'm too old and have seen too much!

Mine has been off and on for the past couple of hours. Really causes problems with equipment. Seems to be bbac on and stable now.

I agree with your sentiments, Bonnie. But, medical care is the same as pensionado benefits - there to be used if you choose. That, I think, is the crux of the matter - choice. As for medications, if they are not available in Regional, you can always source them elsewhere, but I suspect that a shortage is a shortage is a shortage. Mae Lewis pharmacy has never impressed me, they don’t have even basic meds in at times. As a non- CSS person at Regional, you will pay for all drugs and prescriptions - but at a cheaper price than at a private hospital. Private insurance is another matter to be discussed in a different forum, but my one comment on it is that it seems to be structured to drive older folks off the plan using economic means. My old insurace company increased my premiums 51% in a three year period, the last time claiming 12% inflation costs along with 11% annual increases. Anyway, I’m done here, merely pointing out some options that are either missed or unfairly dismissed by authority figures.

I would disagree with your statement that a medical catastrophe would be financially ruinous. The public system is there and available for every qualified resident. Costs are reasonable and you do pay for some things yourself. I have spent some time at Regional helping out a friend. While it is not the most modern hospital, the staff there treated my friend with compassion and sympathy. I guess it depends on your expectations, some folks can never be pleased.

I believe I explained it in my post. Private for regular stuff like annuals, colds, coughs etc and only use the public system if you have a serious problem. Even though I have a private plan, the huge annual premium increases mean that in a couple of years I may have to choose between health insurance and eating. With my particular deductible, I would need to incur about $17,000 in costs before I can make a claim. That's every year. Makes me wonder if I had saved the annual premiums, how much ahead financially I would be.

Bonnie, I think your doom and gloom comment is a bit of a stretch. I know of an older person who has spent a considerable time in Regional hospital and reports that the care she received there was excellent. That included operations and chemo treatment. The previous warden for David was extremely negative towards the public system and he decamped, in part, for the U.S. after his insurance premiums went to over $1000 a month. Not too many people can afford that, especially those on a fixed income. Maybe people should look at a mid range alternative - private care for routine matters but with the option for a referral to the public system in case of an emergency.

John, those of us that were in the police milieu used such dark humour as a stress relief. Still happens. Lighten up.

Bonnie, it is in the big expansion of Chiriqui mall just down the road from PS. Go past PS then next left.

City mall has pretty much everything that PS has and usually a bit cheaper. But, of course, they don't have Kirkland dog food. Oh, and they have it "in stock". Weused ti go to PS for paper products, better choices available at City Mall.

The main point about the deterrence thing, as others have mentioned, is not to let anyone too close to your house without you knowing about it. After that, especially with some of our “aged” community, it is too late. Cameras, dogs, perimeter alarms, rooftop sirens all play a part, but you also need to advertise the fact that you have them. Thieves in every Country, unless you are the specific intended victim, are lazy and scared. If your home looks and is advertised as being well protected they will most likely head to another, less prepared place. It’s the old case of “I don’t have to be faster than the bear, I just have to be faster than you”. Yes, it would be far preferable if all thieves were apprehended prior to committing their deeds, but that is just not possible.

Unfortunately, we went in last week wanting their excellent fish. No longer on the menu. As we are not burger eaters, we left....