Cozumel News March 23rd, 2015: Cozumel Observes International Day of People with Down syndrome, The 5th Annual Cozumel Youth Parliament, and IX Municipal Crafts Contest: Caribbean Magic Hands, Cozumel 2015, Mayor Holds Meeting to Improve Image of Downtown Cozumel, and in Aurita’s Corner, the passing of Ken Larsen.
Cozumel Observes International Day of People with Down syndrome
COZUMEL, 23 March: The System for the Integral Development (DIF) of Cozumel, chaired by Mrs. Gina Ruiz de Marrufo, commemorated the International Day of People with Down Syndrome on 21 March with recreational activities.
These activities were organized by “The Coordination for Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities: , in order that children and young people with Down Syndrome spend a bit of healthy recreation, and to promote coexistence between them.
With great enthusiasm, children and youth began at an early hour with a yoga class, then moved to Chankanaab Park where together with the President of DIF Cozumel witnessed the spectacle of the sea lions, swam with dolphins and enjoyed a meal together.
The 5th Annual Cozumel Youth Parliament
The 5th Annual Cozumel Youth Parliament was held on March 23rd to promote the culture of respect for democratic values. The event was sponsored by the Municipal Government, Department of Education of the State Congress, the Electoral Institute of Quintana Roo (IEQROO) and the Ministry of Education and Culture (SEyC). José Eduardo Aguilar Navarro y Sofía Cocom Duarte were elected deputies for a day to represent the youth of Cozumel.
Caribbean Magic Hands , Cozumel 2015
The Municipal Government, through the Department of Economic Development will hold “Municipal Contest IX Crafts: Magic Hands Caribbean 2015” on April 9th Those interested can register at the “IX Municipal Crafts Contest : Caribbean Magic Hands , Cozumel 2015” until April 8., time in which those based artisans in the municipality must submit a maximum of three parts not have participated in any other competition. Participants need a copy of IFE and CURP and the artisan must be willing to sell the pieces. The competition will be held behind closed doors on April 9 at 11:00 a.m. in the lounge Municipalities of Quintana Roo and the awards ceremony will be held on Friday, April 10th at 12:00 noon.
Mayor Holds Meeting to Improve Image of Downtown Cozumel
Cozumel March 23rd: Mayor Fredy Marrufo Martín led a meeting with members of his cabinet, in which he expressed his interest on the preservation of the redevelopment of the Benito Juárez Park and creating an action plan for the conservation of the urban image.
At that meeting, the Mayor stressed his interest that the various departments of City Hall coordinate actions for repositioning the destination, after the inauguration of the “Remodeling of the infrastructure and Urban Image of Historic Downtown Cozumel “.
In detail, he gave instructions to the department heads to promote actions that highlight the urban center image and preserve the remodeling of the Benito Juárez Park, which will help enable the economic revitalization of downtown.
The Director of Urban Development, Melissa Angulo Gámez said, “It is not enough that the city looks good, clean, friendly, but also reflects authenticity, wealth in landscape and identity.” She suggested creating a program with specific goals that result in improving the urban image, highlighting the uniqueness of the building and the trade to ensure a varied and diverse but harmonious profile set.
Similarly, the Director of Urban Development suggested actions such as placing restrictive signage. Then, with tourism, to assign a maintenance crew for the Benito Juarez Park and the downtown tourist area, provide them with uniforms in accordance with an uniformed image; improve the landscaping of the area; define loading and unloading schedules, capacities of vehicles and take control of municipal solid waste to encourage the use of containers, to name a few.
Likewise, at this meeting there was a brainstorming from councilors and officials of the various agencies involved in this task, aimed to ensure that tourists enjoy a renewed image of the traditional center, residents have a space that reflects their identity within the peninsula, and that Cozumel has one more element to offer within the state and Caribbean.
Aurita’s Corner
It is with great sadness that I announce the death of our dear friend Ken Larsen this past Sunday evening. Ken and his wife Joyce have resided in Cozumel since 2006. My husband Charles has known Ken for years through the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Minnesota. It was a pleasant surprise to discover an old friend when we moved here in 2006. Ken has been a great friend to our family, a kind gentle soul who never had a negative word to say about anyone, that took the time to visit my husband regularly when he was home bound.
Ken was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He was a substitute Pastor at English service at Ebenezer Church. He edited my first articles for Tiempo de Cozumel and was a contributor of articles many times. Some of my readers might know him from his passion of Officiating over Weddings here in Cozumel. He married hundreds of tourists over the past eight years.
Ken suffered an illness that left him paralyze from the chest down and blind. In my heart, I know his suffering has stopped and he is in a better place. It will not stop the many of us that love him from mourning his loss and missing him. Later I will write a formal obituary.
Our heartfelt condolences to Ken’s family, wife, Joyce, children and grandchildren.
