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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 .....
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? |
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The
Cozumel News in English, Vol 23
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March 6 - March 13, 2005 |
The Editors would like to offer special thanks to Israel Sanchez, a professional translator who has volunteered to help us with the more difficult passages. (Thanks, Izzy!) as well as to the software developers of Word Magic Translator, Professional Edition. We couldn't have done it without you!
WORDS FROM THE LOCAL POLICE CHIEF ABOUT TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS and "Courtesy Tickets" |
The Coordinator of the municipal police, Comandante Ramón Chi Alcocer, stated that there is a subsection of the traffic rules that allows for so-called "Courtesy Tickets" given as a warning only. But normally this possibility is valid only when the infraction is minor and not for a grave offense.
"For example, I have noticed that tourists arrive on Cozumel and rent some type of vehicle or other in order to get to know the island.They are unfamiliar with such things as not parking in places where this is a red curb or right next to a corner. It is in cases like this that the courtesy ticket becomes worthwhile."
"Right now if the regulations violation is for excessive speed, driving while inebriated or if he is implicated in a road accident, the visitor can no longer enjoy this right," the Commandante explained .
He specified that this courtesy ticket was created because "it cannot be forgotten that the island is a completely tourist place, where we receive 1000's of tourists daily all of whom are unfamiliar with traffic patterns and parking zones."
But fortunately and particularly in the case of tourists that come from the United states and Canada, the great majority have an excellent level of road education, he maintained.
The commandant stated that if a police officer notices a tourist has parked in a restricted area---by a store, for example-- his assignment is to notify the driver immediately and make a judgement about how long the tourist plans to stay there--a long time or just for a little while. Because it is not intended to drive away this market by applying the regulations drastically.
But, if the visitor takes a long time more than what he promised, then the ticket of infraction is given and this has to be paid completely.
However,The Commandante added, if the tourist who has commited such an infraction comes in and acknowledges his mistake, there is a good possibility that the ticket will be cancelled. And this is an attitude encouraged by top management in the police department.
If, on the other hand, the visitor comes in trying to cover up or acting in an aggressive manner, then he is not given this solution.
DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION EFFORTS CONTINUE |
The local government has formed a Committee for Economic Projects which is currently meeting with groups such as the taxi union, the Downtown Business Association and the police department to study ways of creating a smoother ebb and flow for downtown cruise passenger traffic.
The groups involved have given the project the name Rescue Downtown Cozumel. And the purpose of the project will be to promote downtown commerce and also to make tourists' visits to the malécon a more satisfying experience.
It has been agreed by all that three strategic stopping places should be designed and implemented each of which would be designed for cultural events, music and arts and crafts displays.
One would in the southern zone of the waterfront between Calle 5 and Calle 7 (between the MacDonalds and the post office); one between Juárez and Calle 1 (by the flagpole); and a third in the northern zone of the malécon between Calle 4 and Calle 6 (just south of El Museo).
The project which is still waiting for the official Green Light, hopes to get under way once the remodelling of Rafael E Melgar is 100% completed , an event that which is forecast for March 20, 2005.
BATTLE BETWEEN FERRY OWNERS HEATS UP AGAIN Por Esto de Cozumel |
The war for the control of passengers's transportation on the ferry route between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel heats up. as Germán Orozco owner of the upstart ferry company, Ultramar denounces Grupo Molina Aviomar owned by José Trinidad Molina Castellanos ("Don Trino") for monopolistic practices. before the Federal Competency Commission
Ultramar denounced Aviomar for reducing ticket prices by 70% over a two month period under the auspices of "celebrating their anniversary".
SUBTERRANEAN CABLES FOR COZUMEL'S WATERFRONT |
The superintendent of the Federal Electric Commission, (CFE ) in the Mayan Riviera, Carlos Castillo Xicoténcatl, visited Cozumel recently to coordinate the semi-private works still to be accomplished as part of the restoration of the malecón Cozumel. Principally, this job involves removing all the light posts and aerial wiring from Melgar between Airport Road and Calle 11 and installing transformers and connections to the various establishments along the waterfront. .
The work will cost 17,437,256 pesos, with CFE contributing 13,170,374 pesos and the Municipal Government chipping in 4,266,882 pesos. The city's contribution has already been raised and has been waiting since October of last year for the work to be completed.
The Mayor and superintendent expressed the view that the works that the CFE will accomplish are extremely important to Cozumel's new downtown urban image since the withdrawal of poles and cables will remove these unsightly obstacles from the sidewalk.
DELTA AIRLINES RESUMES NON-STOPS FROM ATLANTA TO COZUMEL |
Delta Airlines will resume nonstop service between Cozumel and Atlanta beginning this Saturday, the first time such service has been offered since 2001. The plane will be 737-800 150 available seats .
This flight will allow the destination having direct connection with 108 cities it operates with of the United States the airline.
The last time there was a direct flight to Cozumel from Atlantic was with Aeroméxico back in 1999. But unfortunately it was withdrawn after the lamentable events of September 11.
MANY COMPLAINTS AGAINST TIME SHARE SALESMEN BEFORE PROFECO.. |
Also tourists that invent anomalies in order to get a free vacation. |
Cozumel's delegate for the Federal Attorney's Office for Consumer Protection (PROFECO), Ramiro Vélez Marino, indicated that, on the average, his office receives 10 reports a month from Mexican and foreign tourists. The principal complaint is against time-share salespeople, the second against car rental agencies and the third is against jewelry stores.
"The first thing that happens is the complaintant fills out a form and this is sent to the company in question. It calls for this company to attempt an immediate reconcillation with the complaintant. But if the problem is not dealt with, a date is set whereby the company must show up in person and explain why he should not be forced to comply with the details of the complaint.".
In the beginning they look for a reconcilation between the involved parties. But in case where they can't come to an agreement and the tourist has to leave the island, their complaint is given a specific account with PROFECO and placed on an internet page to which the tourist has access in order to follow the progress of the case.
Tthe majority of the complaints get worked out in favor of the tourist because when a check is done by PROFECO it is seen that the companies or salespeople have indeed committed irregularities.
Vélez Marino explained that Mexico is the only country in the world that has designed and created an office like the PROFECO to defend the rights of the tourists and local citizens that are afflicted with some abuse by sellers of goods or services. .
On Cozumel, there is an awareness that many salespeople try to take advantage of the tourism that comes to the island by different roads.
However, it "stands out and cannot be denied that there are also t clever tourists that come to Cozumel with the intention of spending some free vacation time. They look for any failure in the service so they can complain and the management of the hotel will grant them more days or other benefits. In other words they decieve to get more benefits and favors from the hotel."
Tourist wishing to contact PROFECO can go to www.profeco.gob.mx and choose the "Attention to Foreigners" link they'll find there.
SANCTIONS FOR DISCRIMINATION Diario de Yucatan |
In an operation that lasted for 48 hours on Cozumel, the PROFECO initiated administrative procedures against one massage parlor (Bellisima) for discrimination against locals and 2 bars (Carlos and Charles and Senor Frogs) for not providing information about their products and services in Spanish. 300 skin care products and 19 bottles of alcoholic beverages have been 'immobilized' until the problems are corrected.
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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