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The Cozumel News in English
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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 .....
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The
Cozumel News in English, Vol 22
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Feb 26-March 5, 2005 |
Please note we have temporarily lost our expert local translator and in the interim, the editors are soldiering through with the help of some pricey translation software and the very kind assistance of Israel Sanchez, a professional translator who has volunteered to help us with the more difficult passages. (Thanks, Izzy!)
OVER 1000 PEOPLE DRESSED IN WHITE TAKE PART IN AN OCEAN-FRONT PARADE. They Will Collect 10,000 Signatures to Present to Congress with the Demand the "Window to the Sea" Remain Open |
The aforementioned long walk to protest the federally-sanctioned construction of a waterfront restaurant began at 5 PM at the Las Casitas public beach. Organized by the Downtown Business Association and other business and civic groups, the marchers were joined (as can be seen in the photo above) by Cozumel Mayor elect Gustavo Ortega Joaquín and runner-up mayorial candidate and famous local politician, Addy Joaquin Coldwell.
The march culminated across from Cozumel's post office on the waterfront next to the international dock. There, the woman president of the Downtown Business Association, Noemí (MiMi) Ruiz de Becerra, attacked the economic globalization that is causing the "tragic privatization of public spaces. "
"The monsters of concrete that are spreading out and taking possession of our downtown waterfront are out of control," she exhorted the crowd.
"They have taken our simple beauty and buried our collective memories beneath a ton of cement."
"One would have thought that a flat no would be enough to stop further construction in the downtown's federal zone," she continued
"But the global economy and the government only respect those that wish to invest their capital in this paradise. But we Cozumeleños also demand respect for our own customs-- customs and uses that unite all islander's souls with the sea and with her sunsets."
She added that a Window to the Sea campaign would be launched to collect ten thousand dissenting signatures r to present before the National Congress.
At the end of the event where children's presence was notable, young people, adults and old men threw crowns of flowers into the sea in a reverential manner.
BUSINESS AS USUAL OR "PARTY FAVORS" |
Even though Cozumel's Mayor and the Municipal Director of Social Participation claim that the massive influx of citizens into the mayor's office yesterday was strictly routine, the residents themselves say differently.
Some say they were offered discounts and promotional programs if they would pay up their property taxes and trash collection bills. Others report that they were promised deep discounts in those bills if they would pay them three years in advance.
However, municipal representative Milton Zavala Aradillas said that he has no idea if the present government has made some promises. He went on to say that as far as he knows, they couldn't collect any monies for services beyond the terms of their administration without congressional authorization.
As we have mentioned previously, requests for an audience with the outgoing mayor have been few and far between as of late, however, yesterday morning a group of PRI leaders arrived with numerous documents in hand, asking to be seen by the municipal president.
These individuals invaded the mayor's reception area and the hallway outside and a secretary was handing out numbers to let them know the order in which they would be seen. The current PRI administration began accepting documents last Thursday in order that the mayor's political party faithful could receive important benefits and discounts before he steps down and the new PAN mayor takes office.
When questioned about the presence of the multitude, the mayor said that he was overseeing normal procedures and holding "routine audiences".
HELIOPORTS IN HOLDING PATTERN: Two Failed, One Wasn't Completed, a Fourth Closes for Lack of Business |
The island of the swallows does not foresee having heliports again any time soon. Although several companies have invested in this type of business in the past, one installation was closed down by a municipal injunction before it could be completed and even the heliport next to Puerta Maya has cancelled services for lack of business.
.The director of urban development at the municipality, architect Jesús Cambranes Lozano, exposed that the only authorization from the town council that exists was that granted to Puerta Maya by the previous administration. But that helicopter company has ceased to function and, at present, no requests for other installations have been received by his office.
"In the case of the heliport that began construction on the seafront near the Villa Blanca hotel, the work was closed down by the city because its location, only a few meters from a heavily travelled road where hundreds of vechicles circulate daily, was deemed a risk to the community. Imagine the accidents that might be suffered in high winds or a downpour--not to mention the human factor!"
"The helioport company appealed this decision to the town council and, unfortunately, gained protection from the town council to continue construction" Cambranes Lozano continued. Adding "We all know how these things go."
However the investors later lost interest in developing the work when they realized it would not be productive at this destination. Now there are plans to convert the structure into part of a new public beach.
Cambranes Lozano specified that the municipality would have no problem authorizing the construction of other heliports in the future-- provided ecological and security studies were made and the proper permissions given.
The municipal official added that these restrictions don't seem to frighten off investors. But businessmen are concerned by the fact that no one so far has been able to make money at this kind of enterprise.
Before finishing, he stressed that everything indicates that the the island of the swallows will be free from heliports for a long time because companies that want to invest will have to create new strategies that not only allow them to compete successfully for tourist services but that must also conform to safety and ecological rules.
HUGE CEIBA TREE IS THE HERITAGE OF ALL COZUMELEñOS (NOT TO MENTION LEGENDARY HOME OF MISCHIEVEOUS AND EVIL SPIRITS |
The Ceiba tree that today gives shade to the IMSS parking lot. Do you know how old it is?
According to the Don Efrain "Payo" ('The Rustic') Flores that ceiba tree is over 150 years old.
"And it would be a heartache indeed if any person comes up with the idea of cutting it."
He said that many years ago, before the hospital was built in this zone there existed several other trees of this type as well as large-sized cedars. However, after the Independence Sports field was built, very few of them were left. "Payo" related that he originally owned 20 hectares of land on the island. However he donated over 15 hectáres to Cozumel because, he said, he has "always liked helping the community and giving them what they deserved. "
The land he donated which is now the sports field and the IMSS hospital were all originally part of his ranch, Maravilla. Here great quantity of trees including ceibas, cedars and many fruit trees could be observed and they grew green and "strong as fortresses" thanks to the "vital fluids" they took from a nearby cenote which still exists in the nursey on the corner of Calle 11 and Ave 45.
However, with the footstep of time the majority of them were cut down.
"Let me tell you about these trees," Payo conintued.
"Since tales about them are quite abundant. It is said that the Aluxes take refuge in them, or that at night the Ixtabay can be found there, or even that sightings of Llorona, the “Perennial Mourner” are quite common. It is certain that these trees are haunted and carry ill omens. Yet despite the abnormal events that surround them, not much has been said about them on the island.
Editor's Note: Aluxes are tiny mayan gnomes who help the country folk look after their crops. Even today, farmers leave out gifts, food and drink for the aluxes as a sing of gratitude for their help when the harvaest ir over. If they do not leave these offerings, they say they hear laughter, their tools disappear and their crop are stoned.
The Ixtabay referred to is also a Mayan legend. She was Qqueen of the Rain forest who was transformeded by her enemies into the hideous Ixtabay, a creature doomed to wander the forest frightening everyone she meets as she searches for a human heart to restore her beauty.
Llorona: another legend is the weeping woman crying for her children that she murdered in a rage when her wealthy husband deserted her.
LOCAL BEACHES CRAMMED WITH BATHERS |
On this third weekend of the month of February, the two public seaside resorts of Cozumel's island found themselves, crammed with people both locals and foreigners. All day children, young people and adults enjoyed the pleasant climate and the cool waters of the sea, in spite of the fact that there were probabilities of rain.
During Carnival, parties in town and celebrations in the street kept much of the locality from showing up at the different public beaches.But this third aforementioned Sunday proved quite to the contrary, since from an early hour upstanding families arrived at the beaches in order to make good use of the sun's rays and a majority of islanders' could be found enjoying an amusing public holiday.
To check out the scene, Por Esto made a journey this Sunday morning to the two most popular seaside resorts for locals on the weekend, La Caletita and Las Casitas and also to beaches on the other side of the island, all places where families took the opportunity this Sunday to live together under the sun's rays.
In the public seaside resort of Caletita a great abundance of people could be seen and here reigned the presence of the little cozumeleños, children who made good use of the waves of the sea to give themselves a good dive every moment.
The public seaside resort known as Las Casitas had double the people by comparison to the aforementioned Caletita. Here, too upstanding families in addition to foreign visitors found themselves enjoying the high-temperature waters. The children enjoyed diving and all the households took the opporuntity to live together gladly beside the sea.
It is pertinent to mention before we close that, in spite of the fact that cold winds reigned and there was a chance of showers, children, young people and adults enjoyed this public holiday to the full. The household's children kept jumping up and down, splashing in the sea while their parents took sunbaths and laid out picnics in order to make good use of the beautiful, sunny day.
4000 PETS VACCINATED AGAINST RABIES |
While the island's canine and feline population is estimated at more than 15,000, only 4,000 rabies vaccinations will be applied to registered animals during the upcoming March campaign. The remaining 11,000 are unregistered street animals with no one to bring them to the modules which will be located in Cozumel's parks and neighborhoods.
Enrique Alvarez Castillo, sanitary regulation coordinator, mentioned that they hope the population will collaborate with the vaccination campaign by bring their animals in for the free service. The State Health Secretary will install a post at the General Hospital and there will be various other sites throughout San Miguel and the outlying areas.
He indicated that one dose of vaccine has a cost of 200 pesos, but will be given free of charge during the promotion.
GARBAGE COLLECTION RATED REGULAR |
The island's trash collection service was rated as average during the present administration. Cozumel's public service director said that the ideal way to improve the daily collection of more than 100 tons of waste is to have 15 trucks in optimum condition performing daily pick-up.
It's important to mention that while the director has a fleet of 15 trucks, they have never all been in working condition at the same time. There are always three or four that are broken down. "The ideal," he said "is to have 15 trucks in top condition and this will permit our 93 employees to offer daily service and maintain a cleaner city". Having said this, the director considers the service his department has offered during the present administration to have been average.
On the other hand, there are a great number of complaints throughout the city about the service, particularly in Flamingos, Emiliano Zapata, and Colonos Cuzamil. Neighbors in those areas affirm that garbage trucks often don't always pass for pick-up and then dogs begin to spread the bags of trash through the streets.
CAN YOU RUN THAT BY ME ONE MORE TIME? |
Non-functioning police patrol cars found within the confines of "The Atom" repair shop were taken to the dump. Others were taken to another mechanic shop "in order that they be repaired and offer better security to the population". Administrative director Ricardo Gongora Escalante added that the vehicles were always kept under heavy security.
After a series of contradictions between the police director, the administration, and a city council member, the broken-down vehicles were removed. This move came a month after a police department mechanic had been sanctioned for having 11 vehicles sitting in the same shop.
Yesterday, with the help of two tow trucks, the first four patrol cars were removed, with plans to use pieces from those vehicles to repair the remaining seven. There should actually be a total of 23 police vehicles with supposedly 14 in working operation and the rest in the repair shop. However, after a recent run through the shop just a week ago, it was verified that there were 11 abandoned cars. Among those were some that had been donated to the Parks and Museums Foundation at the beginning of the present administration.
"The number of inoperable vehicles officially removed from the fleet is four", said the director, "even though it officially appears as six, because I inadvertently included two that are in the process of being taken out of the line-up. Just yesterday they were removed from the shop at the request of the mechanic and they were officially sealed and taken to another area to determine what will be done with them."
Even though he said that there were four in repair at this shop, he clarified that there are other vehicles in other workshops that are also being repaired. He said that they would soon be up and running and once again, offering security to the city. He stressed that they have not been neglected because, when it's necessary, they use vehicles from other agencies, bringing the total number of patrol cars to 26.
VANDALS PRACTICE BOXING ONLY TO ATTACK |
Amateur boxers taking advantage of their skills and superior numbers, attacked a person that claimed the gang had threatened one of his children.The neighbors of the area represented that it is not the first occasion that the youngsters have attacked a person and that nobody has done anything for fear to reprisals.
The youngsters commonly hang out in the Adolfo López Mateos neighborhood on Avenida 35 between Calle 3 and Calle 11 Sur where they reportedly have beat up other people in addition to intimidating and robbing them. According to neighbors who witnessed this specific incident, José Luis Avila Castillo went out to confront the group of teens who, he said, had threatened one of his children.
This, eye witnesses say, was enough motive for the gang to turn on Avila Castilla and, using their superior number and boxing skills beat him up, leaving him covered in blood.
Shortly thereafter the police arrived on the scene. But by then the "bándalos" had already taken refuge inside a house located at Avenida 35 and Calle 7.
The neighbors managed to identify two of the presumed aggressors José Adrián Ucan Canul and Antonio of Jesús Ucan Canul. The victim of the attack later decided to withdraw his denuncia before the Ministerio Publico because he feared further reprisals against his family by the gang.
Neighbors are infuriated and exasperated by the fact that the authorities seem to be able to do nothing about these young people who are a threat to the aforementioned neighborhood. They said that if things continued on in this way, they would have to take the law into their own hands which is why they asked for greater police vigilance in the zone.
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.
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