Cozumel News this Week October 15 – 24th:
In Cozumel News a Program that will Discount or waive penalties and fines imposed on overdue Property Taxes and traffic fines, Cozumel Traffic Police at a Disadvantage, New Sidewalks and Curbs for some Colonies, Fiscal Reviews on-going for Night Clubs, and a Growing Cancer Prevention Program in Cozumel.
Cozumel to Discount and Waive some Penalties and Fines
The City Council has approved discounts of up to one hundred percent in fines and surcharges on over-due property tax debts and fees for garbage collection, as well as up to a 50 percent discount of outstanding traffic fines. The elimination and discounted fines and penalties are an attempt to recoup much needed funds for the City.
Municipal President, Fredy Marrufo Martin, said that this step was taken to support the economy of the Cozumeleño population. “We are aware of the economic reality of our island and therefore we are giving a direct benefit to the families of Cozumel so that they catch up and in turn, encourages the collection of revenue owed to the municipality, “said the mayor.
The discounts will apply from October 21 to November 15th ONLY and the taxpayers must pay their entire debt in full to qualify.
Traffic Police at a Disadvantage
The Municipal Police are now only able to verbally reprimand traffic offenders due to a shortage of traffic tickets. The shortage has been felt for a week now and resulted from the confusion in the change of administration. The article did not mention when a supply of tickets will arrive.
Sidewalks and Curbs
Municipal President Fredy Marrufo Martin announced on October 14th the construction of sidewalks and curbs for seven of the colonies. An investment of two million pesos has been allocated to build 800 thousand meters of curbs and two thousand, one hundred thirty-seven meters of sidewalks in the colonies of San Gervasio, Emiliano Zapata, Chentuk, Juan Bautista Vega, San Miguel I and Adolfo López Mateos. The intention is to improve the quality of life and living conditions of cozumeleñas families. The new administration immediately started the project of patching and paving the streets when they took office, and describe the construction of curbs and sidewalks as the second stage of their campaign promise.
Fiscal Review of Night Clubs
The new administration is actively pursuing another campaign promise to inspect entertainment businesses in Cozumel. Enforcement staff are said to be hard at work visiting most bars, pubs, and nightclubs to verify that all permits and documentations are in order. Those out of compliance are required to take immediate corrective action. Enforcement staff work two shifts that provide coverage almost 24 hours per day.
Growing Cancer Prevention in Cozumel
As part of the program “Fight against Breast Cancer,”10 mammograms are scheduled daily in the island. This is an increase from five mammograms per day. During 2012 four cases of breast cancer were reported and so far this year only one person tested positive. Patients receive medical care at the oncology clinic in Cancun, because the island lacks this specialty.
The Mammograms are administered at Cozumel General Hospital on 11th Avenue between Avenues 15 and 20. This program is for women aged 40 to 69, the higher risk range is 50 to 69 years old. When an abnormality is detected a tissue sample is extracted for analysis in the pathology laboratories of the Ministry of Health (SESA) in the municipality of Benito Juárez. If the test result is positive for cancer, the patient is treated by specialists in Clinical Oncology in Cancun or Merida, Yucatan.
