On his third visit to Puerto Peñasco after stepping into the role as Consul at the U.S. Consulate General in Nogales in August of 2011, Chad Cummins was in town last week for a Town Hall meeting with local members from the US community. Consul Cummins had first visited the area in January this year for a Town Hall, and again in February during the AZ-Sonora Commission meeting. 
His visit on this occasion coincided with the commemorative ceremonies of Día de la Marina (Marine Day) and Cummins, along with Nathaniel Rettenmayer from the Consulate’s office of US Citizen Services, and another member from their legal department, were seated among local dignitaries and officials to watch the event along the malecón. On Saturday, Cummins was also a welcome guest on the popular Rocky Point Ramblings radio show on 106.1 FM (Saturdays 12 – 2 p.m. with Russ & Rosie).
On Friday afternoon, June 1st, Consul Cummins and accompanying staff met with a fairly considerable group of US community members during a Town Hall meeting at the Peñasco del Sol hotel. There, the US Consulate General staff addressed a variety of questions from members of the US community residing in Puerto Peñasco, and spoke about both emergency and US citizen services provided by their offices (including voter registration and absentee ballots during this election year). Reiterating points made during his earlier Town Hall in Puerto Peñasco this year, Cummins stated though there is not a consulate office here in town, there is a “virtual consulate” the 1st Wednesday of each month at City Hall from about 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. where individuals may speak directly to consulate officials online.
When asked about the main goal of the Town Hall meeting, Consul Cummins explained “Our objective in hosting the town hall meetings is to develop a better understanding of the American community residing in Peñasco, as well as to hear what is on the minds of the attendees. As you have seen, we open the floor to all types of questions and we really encourage attendees to engage in frank dialogue with us. The town hall meetings are also a great way for the American community to get to know who we are and what type of assistance we can provide in the event of an emergency.”
We are always pleased to have Consul Cummins visit the area, and he reciprocated this feeling in stating, “The highlights of my visits to Peñasco always include meeting with the American community. I have very much appreciated the opportunity to understand both the concerns and challenges the community is facing, as well as hearing about success stories.” Cummins added the idea is to hold Town Hall meetings here in Puerto Peñasco at least three times a year, so we may look forward to another gathering with Consul Cummins and his staff perhaps this Fall.
In reflecting on his visits to Puerto Peñasco, Cummins commented, “The great weather and beautiful views certainly add to the experience.” We look forward to your next visit Consul!
To contact the U.S. Consulate in Nogales during regular office hours (8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Mon-Fri) from Peñasco you would dial 01-631-311-8150 and to speak with a person (bypassing the computer options) dial “0”.
24 hour emergency number (cell phone) of the American Citizen Services office: (dialing from Peñasco) 045-631-318-0723 or dialing from the US 011-52-631-318-0723
You can visit the Nogales Consulate site at: www.nogales.usconsulate.gov and for non-emergency situations, the Consul may be contacted at: NogalesACS@state.gov