|
The Cozumel News in English
 |
|
|
|
|
Each week we select articles from local newspapers that amuse or interest us and then translate them into English. We wish to stress that these translations are literal --English versions of exactly what was originally written in Spanish by reporters for Por Esto, Diario de Quintana Roo, Novedades and El Seminario. It should also be mentioned that we cannot always verify the facts in the stories we publish here. We leave that job to the newspaper that originally published the article. We appreciate hearing from our readers so please feel free to E-Mail US your questions, suggestions and comments. You may also wish to consider starting a discussion on any topic below that interests you by posting on the Living on Cozumel Forum.
Note: These articles are a great deal of work to find and translate. They are under copyright. But we all know what a temptation it is to want to share interesting info all over the internet. We don't mind you copying short snippets. But .....
Please GIVE CREDIT to "Cozumel News in English" at WWW.CozumelMyCozumel.Com. It's the right and fair thing to do. Don't you agree? |
The Cozumel News in English, Vol 34 |
August 8 - 14, 2005 |
We would like to give special thanks for the very kind assistance of Israel Sanchez, a professional translator who has volunteered to help us with the more difficult passages. (Thanks, Izzy!). The simpler stuff was translated by the editors.
COZUMEL PRAISED BY UN FOR HURRICANE RESPONSE |
A meeting was held recently in the Cozumel's Town Council Hall headed by the chief executive of a municipality, Gustavo Ortega Joaquín, in conjunction with the head of Civil Defense for the state, José Nemesio Medina Robledo; The state coordinator for Huracanes, Luis Carlos Rodríguez and the director for Telecommunications in Region C4, Mauricio Abarca Grajales, as well as the representatives of the military of the island. The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate the results of the works accomplished before, during and after Hurricane Emily.
At the meeting Medina Robledo, bestowed highest marks upon authorities and inhabitants of Cozumel, for the important work accomplished before, during and after the hurricane Emily . He emphasized that all the awareness and preparations in emergency measures during hurricanes, were the key factors in preventing any loss of life.
Cozumel mayor Gustavo Ortega Joaquín, highlighted that the most obvious proof of work well accomplished, was the international recognition status the island has received from the United Nations Organization for their expedient response to the emergency and the fine coordination efforts that were accomplished between the municipality and the government of the state headed by Félix González Canto.
For his part, the Civil Defense Director of the state, Captain José Nemesio Medina Robledo, informed that although Cozumel's actions before during and after the hurricane were exemplary, problems existed in other cities. But now the work was moving along in a timely and rapid manner.
Furthermore, he continued, more work would have to be done to reinforce and improve the mass evacuations efforts along the coastal Riviera Maya Hotel zone as well as in localities such as Puerto Morelos, Puerto Juárez and Chetumal, that are often key points where storms slam the coast of the state.
They concluded the meeting by bestowing a grade of excellent upon Cozumel, for the exemplary performance exhibited before, during and after the hurricane.
For his side César Viveros Cubillos, director of Civil Defense of Cozumel, reported that his department is continuing to accomplish an inventory of mistakes and procedures not accomplished so that they can do even better next time and on the alert for any continguency needed to protect the population as well as visiting tourists.
He added that is it of high importance to build a municipal emergency shelter since the schools and churches improvised for such role, lack some of the basic services.; He also pointed out that EDANES, the institution in charge of evaluating the damage after the hurricane, performed at below satisfactory levels.He asserted that this organization needed to improve their communication channels with the authorities to prevent more unnecessary evacuations of all the residents whenever a hurricane approaches.
TOURIST POLICE IGNORE JOKES AND GET ON WITH THEIR JOB |
The tourist police are always ready to render their services in the points of major tourist influx and in the surrounding areas of the island and they dismiss any ridicule of their new uniforms because they know that their commitment to duty transcends these rude comments.
In this connection the sub director of the tourist police, Lic. Gabriel López Vázquez indicated that at present he and the twenty elements working under him have under their care and vigilance the major zones where tourists gather including Benito Juárez park, the ferry pier, Punta Langosta, the beach Caletita, the international pier and Puerta Maya, the northern and southern hotel zone as well as the other island surroundings that are frequented by many tourists.
He commented that the park vehicles consist right now of two mopeds and an ecoesport that were recently delivered but they are currently waiting for what they hope will be two more mopeds so that they can most efficiently serve the thousands of tourists that come to Cozumel each day.
He emphasized that basically their work involves guiding the tourists and also helping them when a business or service provider tries to take advanage of them. They also intervene when tourists become involved in traffic accidents or are the victims or robbery or misplacement of belongings or people.
Questioned as to whether they have received negative comments or mockery for their new uniforms which have caused some opposing views in the community , he responded
"The elements are sufficiently qualified to ignore this type of jesting should it occur but as yet none have had a bad experience on this issue. But our commitment surpasses any bad comments our uniforms may receive and we have more important things to occupy ourselves with such as making the tourist feel secure and tranquil during his sojourn to Cozumel."
He added that on the contrary they have received good comments from the tourists about their new uniform look and most especially from the United States Concillor for Cozumel who sent her gratitude for the uniform changes mentioning that they were much less intimidating and created a feeling of friendliness and confidence that was not intimidating.
Finally , the officer emphasized that the tourist police are breaking away from the traditional methods that existed before and are now always thinking of ways to improve service. This renewal and rebirth of the system would improve service and make the elements be always conscious of avoiding shakedowns and other corrupt practices of the past.
Editor's Note: The new uniforms are cute. But they are different. Khaki shirts tucked into knee length khaki shorts. Plus little pith helmets.
PARK ROYAL CONSTRUCTION SITE PRACTICES ENDANGER ISLAND DRINKING WATER |
August 14, Guadalupe Alvarez Chulim, president of the environmental watchdog group, Sea, Earth & Sky (Citymar) once again led reporters to a construction site run by the Park Royal Hotel. There she denounced and exposed an enormous source of infection that has the potential to cause irreversible damage to the ecology of the island by contaminating the phreatic mantle, (ground water),cenotes and possibly even the absorption wells for the island's drinking water with untreated black water.
Her goal was to force the federal agency, Profepa, the Department of Ecology and the Public Works and CAPE, Cozumel's Water and Sewage Department to take strong and immediate action.
The contamination in question is taking place at a construction site area behind the Park Royal hotel. The construction involved is the renovation of the hotel. The site is in an area that borders a plaza of craftsmen located directly across from the International Cruiseship pier where close to a thousand workers have been defecating in outhouses that overflow with excrement.
However, the gravest offense to be observed was a 5" pipe carrying black water from the area towards a zone very near to cenotes and other ground water sources.
The fresh water of Cozumel is extracted from a zone of absorption located in the center of the island extending approximately 52 kilometers long by 14 kilometers wide. This absorption area is fed by countless cenotes and two subterranean rivers one of which passes within a short run of the pipe pouring out black water behind the Park Royal Hotel construction zone.
It is pertinent to remember that months back, the aforementioned company (Park Royal) was fined for the horrendous amount of trash that they were creating and not disposing of properly in the area. Apparently the fine that was applicable to them was of not very much use since now the conditions are even worse than previously reported.
The workers of the hotel in restoration interviewed at the place mentioned that they live on in total crowding, without hygiene, in inhuman conditions and with the restrooms overflowing with excrement. They mention that many times it is better to go back into the bush than to use the fetid bathrooms. And vast quantities of trash, food scraps, etc. add to the terribly contamination which can be verified with a glance and a sniff.
But the gravest danger is posed by the 5" black water pipe from the banos which pours out within 200 meters from one of the underwater channels that are characteristics of the island's geology. Black water that seeps into this channel can easily reach one of the CAPE (Drinkable Water and Sewage System) wells that island inhabitants utilize.
Editor's Note: One day after this news hit Por Esto and Novedades de Q. Roo it is reported that Federal, state and local inspectors have shown up for an inspection and to take water samplings. Although Park Royal still has their permits to continue renovation, the results of the inspection will be announced shortly. You GO, Guadalupe! You're the woman!
MAYOR SOLICITS RESIGNATION OF DEPUTY SECURITY CHIEF FOR INSUBORDINATION |
In the face of labor friction between the general of the office of Public Security Management, Ernesto Cruz Belmont and the operating assistant director Orlando Saucedo Pinta, the mayor Gustavo Ortega Joaquín affirmed that they have requested his resignation for insubordination.
Saucedo Pinta had held his position as operating subdirector for little more than a month, a position he took over from the former commander, Víctor Alvear Martínez, again leaving the police department leaderless when his resignation was solicited by the mayor.
The mayor expressed that the situation originated because Saucedo Pinta did not obey the instructions from the general Ernesto Cruz Belmont, the department's chief executive, in regard to wearing the uniform which is part of the DSPM's regulations.
He mentioned regretfully that Orlando Sauceda had shown excellent work since joining the department in terms of preventing crimes and offsetting acts of vandalism.
However, due to the differences with the director Cruz Belmont, as well as constant complaints from the citizenship about the patrols in his care using excessive speed and his refusal to wear the uniform, they finally had to request his resignation.
He added that Mariano Mancera, who is in charge of the internal affairs for the police department, tried for a reconciliation. But due to Saucedo Pinta resistance to the observance of certain of the security department's regulations, his resignation had, at last been requested.
UNITED ANNOUNCED NEW NONSTOPS DENVER TO CZM |
Starting December 15, 2005 United Airlines will increase their flights to eight beach destination and the Caribbean. In a recent communication, the company indicates they will offer new round trip service between Denver and Cozumel and between Chicago and Cabo St. Lucas.
.
The flight between Denver and Cozumel will be each Saturday. The company will continue its his daily service maintains Cancún.
On another subject Secretary for Tourism, Gabriela Rodríguez Gálvez's informed that the fact that prices on flights within Mexico were elevated much more than airfares on international flights would be analyzed and discussed during a Septiember 8 meeting of executives from Cintro, the state and local businesses in the tourist industry.
At this meeting they will discuss the needs and requests for the possible creation of a regional airline to serve the state, he said
NEW WORKS TO GET UNDERWAY |
Gustavo Ortega Joaquín, Cozumel's mayor, announced Thursday that work would begin next week on the construction of a semi-Olympic swimming pool at the Independencia Public Sports Park with with $3.5 million pesos allocated for the work. He also announced that another had $450,000 had been allocated to begin placing 850 traffic signs.
KARLA FOUND, DOLPHIN DISCOVERY SANCTIONED |
After recovering the only female sea lion specimen some days ago that escaped escaped after Hurricane Emily from Chankannab National Park, the custodians, Dolphin Discover presented a technical dictum in regard to the incident. The document was sent directly to The Federal Environmental Protection Agency, with headquarters in Cancún, by the representatives of Dolphin Discovery.
Sources at Cozumel Environmental Resouce department (Semarnat) indicated that in spite of this change of attitude by Dolphin Discovery, they would still have to pay an onerous fine for their negligence.
The economic sanction is because the company kept tight secrecy about the incident and tried to conceal the fact that witnesses had reported seeing the three sea lions loose from their cages and eating fish and other exotic fauna on the reefs of Cozumel near Chankanaab Park.
Two of these were captured within a few days of the breakout. While the third, a female known as Karla, was absent much longer, recovered some days ago at Tulum by staff from the Dolphin Discovery delfinario in Puerto Aventuras.
In any case biologist from the department will inspect the animals and their holding areas in the next two to three weeks to ascertain that their conditions are good and their areas being properly repaired and maintained.
All Rights to the Above Material are Reserved. If you feel you must copy and paste any portion of what you've read here, please give credit to Cozumel News in English at www.cozumelmycozumel.com. Thanks for your cooperation.
Other Links in the Living on Cozumel Section |
|
