Cozumel News Vol 13

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In addition to Cozumel’s beautiful beaches, the island of swallows now boasts a new family-oriented recreational center: Caribbean Bol.

The island’s first bowling alley opened its doors two weeks ago and has had great support from the community.

The center’s construction took one-and-a-half years and architect Roberto Marroquin’s design is one of the most modern in all of Mexico. Flat video screens located above each lane are connected to a computerized digital technology system.

Stacey Werner, Caribbean Bol owner, informs that the numbers of residents participating in the sport continues to increase because it’s an activity that accommodates even the youngest family members. If you don’t know how to bowl, no problem – the staff can assist you in learning the basics.

Caribbean Bol has 10 lanes, a snack bar, cafeteria, soda fountain, pool tables and lockers. In the near future they will open a boutique offering shoes and customized bowling balls.

The center is open from 9:00 AM to midnight Monday through Thursday and Sundays, with a closing time of 1:00AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Children 5 years and older are invited to bowl.

Caribbean Bol is located on Avenida 5 Sur between Calles 13 and 15. The price per game is 45 pesos per person with an additional 15-peso charge for shoe rental.

Representatives of Peninsula de la Pasión Company will be summoned to an audience with municipal ecology authorities. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the details of various projects implemented on Passion Island and to see if they have the proper permits for same. Currently the company is filling in a canal that has served to connect the island’s lagoon with the open sea.

Last Sunday Citymar environmentalist Guadalupe Alvarez Chulim held a press conference to denounce the illicit acts being committed by the Peninsula de la Pasión concession. She cited the company for once again filling in a canal that permits seawater to circulate into the lagoon. Señora Alvarez Chulim stated she has gone to the island and witnessed large sand bags that are being positioned to unite the island with federal territory, so that it will actually be a peninsula – something that is not permitted.

When questioned as to whether he had knowledge of the formal complaint, municipal authority Nicolás Carrillo Fajardo affirmed that has is aware of Citymar’s concerns, but that all of his time has been occupied with rescuing turtle nests after hurricane Ivan. He assured is it not that he doesn’t consider the matter an important one, but that he has been busy with other important environmental issues.

The parks and museums foundation president reported that he expects the number of visitors to Chankanaab and Punta Sur parks will increase 10 to 15 percent in the coming year. Juan Carlos Gonzalez made the announcement before presenting life-saving equipment valued at 10,000 dollars to each of the two parks. At the same time he stated that both areas would have several new attractions.

He explained that in order to give more value to each park, they have made some adjustments in addition to equipping new areas; particularly in Chankanaab where they will open a bird observatory with a wide variety of species. They also plan to give an award for the best photograph of the “cuitlacoche”, a bird indigenous to the island, but seldom seen.

The president has supervised the remodeling of Chankanaab’s entrance, looking to provide better service for visitors and better security for pedestrians coming from the parking area.

He explained that they have repaired the damage to underwater bronze statue of Christ, a favorite among the thousands of snorkelers visiting the park.The remodel of the island’s museum will begin soon in an effort to give the building a new image.

Juan Carlos Gonzalez will resign his post as president of the foundation of parks and museums to begin his campaign for PRI mayoral candidate in Cozumel’s upcoming political race.

For some mysterious reason a foreign company offering ocean-view lots doesn’t have a registered telephone number. Or, at least, the correct phone number isn’t printed on the brochures the company gives to their clients. The only numbers that appear are 01 987 872 4531 and 01 987 878 4532, which is a fax machine.

On their Internet page they state that the company has fifty years of experience, which means they should have all of their paperwork in order and should not be fearful of an inspection by local authorities.

Federal maritime zone director Edgar May May scheduled a visit where he will personally ask the company to clarify how and under what conditions the beach property is being sold. He stated that all constructions on the beach are automatically converted into property belonging to the Mexican nation.

Ramiro Veles Mariño, director of consumer affairs in Cozumel, announced they he will verify that information concerning the products or services offered by the real estate company are available in both English and Spanish.

The legal representative for Trans Caribbean Trust Company appeared before local authorities yesterday with documentation that covers the business’ sale of beachfront properties. Federal maritime zone director Edgar May May affirmed that the company is legally constituted.

Raúl Bellote, legal representative for Trans Caribbean, informed that the business is dedicated to the buying and selling of real estate – not unlike several other companies on the island. The attorney indicated that the company is only interested in beach properties because it appeals to foreigners.

Edgar May stated that while it appears that this company is legal, it’s important that all real estate agencies remember that the beaches belong to the Mexican people and cannot be sold. He took the opportunity to remind prospective buyers and sellers that when considering any transaction involving land that joins federal zones, they must verify permits beforehand, in order to avoid problems later on.

A Trans Caribbean spokesperson was questioned about why they wouldn’t permit government inspectors to enter their office, which is located next to the ferry pier. He replied that they weren’t denying them entry, but instead the problem was that staff members don’t speak Spanish and it was impossible for them to communicate.

“As long as I continue to have life and good health, I will offer thanks to the archangel Michael for all of the favors he has given me.” These are the sentiments of José Miguel Becerra Poot, who has been leading religious processions in honor of San Miguel for 32 years.

Guided by the light of a full moon, more than five hundred faithful “Michaels”, “Michaelas” and “Mikeys” demonstrated their love for the archangel.

As has been the custom in the last few years, the pilgrims walked the streets of the island. At 6:00 in the morning they left engineer Miguel Vivas Martin’s home – a man who has participated in the processions for more than fifty years. They all walked in the early morning light to the church of St. Michael, accompanied by Father Enrique Flores Durán, a Legionnaire of Christ.

Accompanied by hymns, shouts, cheers and applause “the Michaels” walk the three- kilometer course with enthusiasm. Upon arriving at the church, red and yellow balloons begin popping as mariachis play a birthday song for St. Michael.

For José Miguel Becerra there is no experience that can compare to carrying the archangel’s processional banner over these last thirty-two years. He thanks his patron saint for sparing the island from strong hurricanes during recent years.

According to señora Miguelina Caballero Plata, “it’s worth getting up at the crack of dawn and going to San Miguel church. The pilgrimage fills me with peace and harmony. Besides, we leave by the moon and then receive the rays of the sun”.

Doña Miguelina affirmed that she has asked the saint for recovery from sickness and that she is able to continue enjoying her only grandchild.

For Miguel Vivas Avila, it fills him with pride to be part of a family that participates in this religious celebration with such love. His grandfather was one of the original participants in the festivities that are now an island tradition.

In the afternoon the pilgrims will join local fisherman by the sea as they carry their banner aboard the Andres Quintana Roo ferry. After 40 minutes they will return to the waterfront for a procession that will end with a Catholic mass.

The newly resurfaced south highway has been converted into an excellent racetrack for irresponsible drivers including cabbies. Not only are they putting their own lives in danger, but the life of anyone else on the road, including tourists. All of this is taking place in front of the tolerant eyes of highway patrol officers who occasionally pass through the area.

There is great concern over these drivers who spend their mornings and afternoons “exercising” their vehicles in this zone. They’ve figured out that now that the resurfaced highway is a great racetrack for imprudent drivers going as fast as they can with and taking no precautions.

Some of these vehicles are dump trucks transporting cement workers. The slightest impact could cause the men to be thrown from the vehicle and seriously injured. Other trucks involved in this dangerous activity carry large drums filled with gas.

Many taxi drivers are also guilty of this practice, as they carry passengers from diverse parts of the world on board. They drive even faster when there’s a cruise ship about to arrive or depart the island.

Despite the fact that police occasionally patrol the area, not one single officer has said anything to the drivers, nor have any of them been ticketed for speeding.

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