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 .....

Blue Angel dive shop and the municipal ecology unit have joined forces in a campaign to clean up eastside beaches. On Wednesday both groups began removing garbage and other obstacles that might affect marine turtles when the nesting season begins. The project participants will inspect all beaches to determine which areas will be cleaned first, but plan to eventually work all sandy areas from Mezcalito's to Café Paradise.

Municipal ecology director Nicolás Carrillo Fajardo informed that the numbers have been quite low so far, with only 27 nests in the reserve.

Once the department of urban development finalizes their plan, up to 60 repair shops and storage areas may be relocated to the island's industrial zone. This according to urban development and ecology director Jesús Cambranes Lozano, who informs that 4 shops have already been moved so far this year.

The director says that they are working on obtaining a piece of property in the industrial zone, in order to relocate businesses specializing in auto mechanics, auto painting, and the like. These kinds of shops are generally located in front of a residence and often workers service vehicles on sidewalks, public streets, or unpaved areas in front of the building. Some of the businesses are charged with spilling and/or improper disposal of gas, oil, and other toxic substances, which pollute the subsoil as well as underground rivers and cenotes.

The relocation process could begin in approximately three months, and at that time authorities may also begin closing down specific shops that have been named in complaints filed by private citizens.

In a high-risk sport like deep sea diving, it's fundamentally important to maintain the equipment in optimum condition in order to reduce chances of an accident, according to Larry Cleghorn. Cleghorn is the owner of Cozumel Scuba Repair and is a specialist in dive equipment repair.

"For the diver's security, it's important to regularly maintain the equipment because diving is a sport where individuals are always putting their lives at risk", he commented.

With 14 years of experience in this market, Cozumel Scuba Repair is the only repair and maintenance shop authorized in Mexico by Mares, a manufacturer who guarantees the quality of their product.

Originally from Texas, Larry Cleghorn became a resident of Cozumel 14 years ago and made the decision to invest in this business, which currently has a large client base consisting of national companies as well as many in the United States.

The repair shop's maintenance technician, Javier Polanco Loria, has worked in the field for 11 years. Polanco Loria, who has taught maintenance courses in a number of cities in the U.S., as well as to the Mexican military's special forces, mentioned that one of the most common equipment failures is a hose breaking or a failure in the pressure system.

The Cozumel Scuba Repair also provides repair and maintenance for all types of dive gear including vests. The shop's technician informs that the most common problem with this particular piece of equipment is the inflation mechanism.

Scuba equipment manufacturers recommend that diving equipment be checked and serviced once a year or after 150 to 200 hours of use. Polanco Loria commented that some dive masters and guides have been know to wait until the equipment fails before bringing it in for repair, rather than practicing preventive maintenance. "There are very few accidents that can be attributed to equipment failure, but rather, the majority can be traced to negligence on the part of dive shops in not servicing their equipment. On the other hand", he added, "foreigners are much more careful with their equipment".

Polanco Loria clarified that here in Cozumel the majority of the island's dive shops have greatly increased the frequency of their maintenance checks.

Drivers for Uniper, the island's local bus line, were reported to be racing one another through densely populated areas of San Miguel. Bus U-03 and U-04 put their passengers and other vehicles at risk as they attempted to pass each other on narrow city streets.

At 10:10AM yesterday morning, the two passenger buses were racing down 15th Avenue. Both drivers operated recklessly and at high velocity in an effort to pass the other bus, at the same time speeding past other vehicles driving along the narrow avenue.

During the race, when one of the vehicles had to stop to board or debark passengers, it would do so in the middle of the avenue, thus preventing all vehicles including the other bus from passing.

The race began at 12th Street North and continued all of the way down 15th Avenue at a time when traffic was heaviest with large numbers of cars, scooters, bicycles and pedestrians. In addition the "reckless, flying hoods" continued to overtake one another in a manner that would make witnesses' hair stand on end, as they flew past the police station and finally came to a stop at Chedraui.

Employees of Materiales Cuzamil are being blamed for causing more than 2,000 liters of emulsified blacktop to spill into the sea.

The spillage put a variety of coral in the area at risk and affected more than 3,000 square meters of the island's national park.

Military personnel assisted in the installation of an artificial barrier, in an effort to prevent the currents from further spreading the tar-like substance. At the same time they began cleaning up the beach and mangrove areas around kilometer 6 at playa Corona.

The Materiales Cuzamil employees claimed that the accident occurred as they attempted to foil a robbery attempt, but environmental authorities are asking that the men be arrested.

Quintana Roo continues to maintain a high percentage of tourist activity, with a 19 percent increase in the number of visitors during the first five months of 2004.

According to a report by the national institute of immigration, 4,188,373 documented visitors entered Mexico between January and May of this year. The institute added that cruise ship passengers make up 52 percent of that number.

The port of Cozumel welcomed 1,287,386 tourists and 511,478 crewmembers, while Majahual saw 225,787 passengers and 88,922 ship staff.

All in all, says the institute, this has been a record year for tourism in terms of the first five months. In addition the Cancun airport reported 300,000 foreign visitors during that same period, the highest number ever in the history of the airport.

Immigration informs that as of May of 2004 a total of 9,891 documented foreigners reside in the state of Quintana Roo.

The following is just a sample of the many flood-related articles that have dominated the local news over the last week. For readers who want to know how they can help, please contact Cozumel My Cozumel.

Although hundreds of families suffered damage to their homes and belongings, Mayor Carlos Hernandez Blanco informed that at this time authorities are more concerned about health issues.

Jorge Álvarez Jiménez, director of Cozumel's health clinic, said that they remain on high alert in an effort to quickly serve all sectors of the island's population.

President Vicente Fox offered Governor Hendricks Diaz federal assistance in rebuilding homes and any other remedies deemed necessary. Fox also directed health officials to step up their efforts to prevent the outbreak of epidemics that may result from sewage overflows and the proliferation of mosquitoes.

The local potable water commission reported that while they have been unable to reestablish service for all areas, they hope to have the problem resolved within 36 hours.

Roberto de la Cruz de los Santos, originally from the state of Yucatán, moved to Cozumel some five years ago, accompanied by his wife and two young children. Just like dozens of other families in Cozumel, he lost all of his belongings as a result of last week's heavy rains and now must start digging himself out of a hole.

He told this reporter that he rented an apartment in the Flores Magón neighborhood and that last Saturday he was working the late shift and finished about 10:00 PM. By that time it had been raining for several hours and he arrived home to find more than 3 feet of water in his apartment, covering all of the families' personal effects and furnishings.

"It was really the most anguishing moment of my life, and by 11:00PM it was raining even harder than before", he said.

At that point he tried to contact neighbors and family members to determine where his wife and children had gone, but they were not in their homes because their dwellings were also under water. After two hours of searching through the flooded streets, Roberto located his family in a local church that was serving as a shelter. "My wife had been listening to the radio and took the first chance she saw to make it to the shelter in an effort to escape the sewage that was spilling into the house."

"We have been living here at the shelter since last Saturday", he stated. He went on to say that once the water level lowered he returned to their apartment to find that the refrigerator, television, VCR, washing machine, kitchen appliances, clothes and other possessions were mostly damaged beyond repair. The distraught father went on to say that he and his wife had worked and saved five years to be able to afford these luxuries.

"We have gone back in to rescue a few salvageable items and now I'm looking for a new place to live. Unfortunately the landlord refuses to return my deposit and we can no longer continue to live at the shelter".

Municipal president Carlos Hernández Blanco, estimated 70 million pesos in damage to the island's infrastructure as a result of last weeks floods, and another 200 million to local families.

In the face of this difficult situation, the mayor informed that he has urged the department of social development to assist homeless families, a situation that has affected more than 20,000 Cozumeleños. At the same time, the mayor requested funding to repair damage to the island's streets and schools.

Hernández Blanco clarified that despite the current problems, tourism has not been affected and the island continues to receive national and international visitors. He reported that Cozumel's international airport is in full operation and that cruise lines continue their scheduled arrivals in the island's port. All of which is a great help to the great majority of locals who depend on tourism to support themselves and their families.

In Cozumel, apart from the controversy between the federal government, who confirms sending financial help, and the local mayor's claim that none has been received, we must ensure that the help we do receive is fairly distributed. Whether local authorities receive a little bit of money or a lot of money, we must be vigilant that all of it goes to the 20,000 flood victims.

Inconformity is increasing as funding becomes politicized by neighborhood "madrinas", all of whom of course are directly connected to the PRI party and Carlos Hernández Blanco. Moreover DIF (family services) received hundreds of federal government food dispensations that have been set aside for neighborhood party leaders and the mayor's collaborators. A select group is hording the quality rice, beans, and other basics provided by the government and distributing the leftovers to the "damned", demonstrating a true lack of maternal instinct toward their Cozumel families.

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.

Cozumel News in English Archive of Back Issues

Other Links in the Living on Cozumel Section
Cozumel News in English	The Living on Cozumel Discussion Forum
Cozumel News Archives	Info for Newcomers: The Coz Welcome Wagon
Special Interest Articles Archive	Hot Tips of the Month Archives
Volunteer Opportunities & Community Involvement
Back to the Home Page Index