Cozumel Sinkhole Returns
Three years after the State Government spent a fortune rehabilitating the road on Xel-Ha Avenue between Felipe Angeles and 50 Avenue, it is again sinking. A sinkhole of just over two square meters opened behind the Sports Center located in Colonia Independencia.
On Tuesday morning a group of Municipal Services workers went to the location to fill what was thought to be a pothole; they soon realized it was the collapse of the material that had been used to fill the sinkhole there three years ago.
On December 30, 2013 residents in the area that includes a school and a sports arena, were alarmed by the collapse of more than 10 linear meters in Xel-Ha Avenue. That same day, then Governor Roberto Borge Angulo, along with the head of CAPA, Paula González Cetina and the Head of SINTRA, Fernando Escamilla Carrillo, visited the site and indicated that they would find the resources to resolve the problem.
They approved four million ninety thousand pesos in early January 2014 through the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (SINTRA), to rehabilitate what they reported as 16,328 square meters on Xel-Ha Avenue. According to information, the workers left several holes on the left side of the road, for the rainwater to drain. At first this worked, but eventually the rainwater started washing away the fill they had used.
New Cozumel City Government Updates
Officially, there has only been one press release from the new city government, the agenda for Monday October 3rd. The news information that is in this article is from television, radio, Novedades, Por Esto, Policiaco and other news sources that tend to lean one way or the other politically. Reminder to those of us that are not citizens of Mexico, we are gracious visitors and as such cannot get involved in anything political. Here is a combination of all of the articles:
- The first order of business for the new Mayor and cabinet was a rate increase to the city wages.
- The new treasurer announced that the City Coffers were left empty, not to expect discounts on City Services.
- The police are grumbling about their new Chief; they apparently feel he is too tough on them.
On Crime:
The new administration is asking citizens to give them 60 days to improve the performance of the Police Department.
During the past administration motorcycle thefts soared to an average of one stolen per day, not to mention theft of vehicle parts that go unreported. As an example, a few weeks ago, a battery was stolen out of a vehicle parked in front of Corpus Christi Church. This was during the ten O’clock service that we attend Sunday mornings. The theft was not reported as there was no witness. (The church now has fenced in parking available and an attendant.)
There is no one in charge of compiling statistics, I am certain the one motor cycle theft per day is probably low.
Break-ins both in Commercial and Personal property also increased with little or no signs that anyone would be held responsible.
As an example in the business sector, there were six break-ins between October 3rd and 4th. Five were shops, and the sixth was at the DIF Senior home.
A seventh break-in was reported late Tuesday, Ebenezer Church, (The same church that has the services in English on Sundays) was broken into for the fourth time in recent months. No one has been apprehended for any of the break-ins.
I might note that longtime residents of Cozumel are outraged at the thefts, they remember the days where everyone knew each other and doors remained unlocked. As a matter of fact, I am told that at one time you could not come to Cozumel unless you had relatives living here. Security was very tight at the Ferry, making certain that the Cozumel residents did not have any unwelcomed visitors. A list of who arrived and departed was kept and if your relatives did not vouch for you, back on the ferry you went.
I believe everyone in my age bracket can remember those good old days of playing outside, all the doors unlocked, with vehicles, bicycles and toys safe right where you left them. Those days have gone by when the world was safer everywhere.
As I have written before, Cozumel is one of the safest places to stay in Mexico. It is safer than many neighborhoods back home, especially if you use common sense. At sometime in the near future, I will publish an article on safety measures.
Hurricane Mathews Brings Bonus Tourists to Cozumel
Cruise ships are pouring into Cozumel this week as a result of hurricane Mathew’s presence in the Caribbean. On Tuesday there were seven cruise ships in town, only four of them originally scheduled. Another six cruise ships were in town on Wednesday. Some 20,000 tourists roamed the streets of downtown. It is expected to be a good week for the struggling downtown businesses. Our prayers and thoughts are with the people in the path of Hurricane Mathew, be safe!
MetLife Ironman 70.3 Cozumel Results
On Sunday, October 2nd, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. athletes from all over the world gathered at Playa Mía Grand Beach & Water Park for the MetLife Ironman 70.3 Cozumel Awards. The top three places of each age group and elite categories were presented with a trophy. $50,000 in prize money was distributed to the top six male and female elite categories. These winners were:
Elite Female Category
Sue Huse Canada
Lauren Brandon, U.S.A.
Ellie Salthouse, Austria
Elite Male Category
Mauricio Mendez Cruz, Mexico
Richie Cunningham, Australia
Luis Knabl, Austria
For a listing of all the winners and participants go to: http://www.ironman703cozumel.com/wordpress/index.php/faqs/
Congratulations to all the winners and participants in this important event!
Aurita’s Cozumel Corner
Oops! The newspaper got away from me! My apologies to anyone that read this issue as soon as it came out! As I was typing away, I pushed the “publish” button accidentally while the articles were still in the draft stages. Upon realizing my error, I quickly edited, put in the pictures and left the issue as you now see it.
I want to take the opportunity to remind everyone that we are now part of the 911 system for all emergencies on the island. I had to chuckle, on September 17th I translated and published an article informing everyone that Cozumel WOULD NOT be ready to go to the 911 system until 2017. Then with 24 hour notice we were informed that it would in fact switch to the 911 system as scheduled on October 3rd.
HELP! Christmas is coming! I need help providing for our Finca Family. I need gifts for a 9-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy. Every year we put two gift boxes together to help the family. One basket with non-perishable food items for the family and in the other Cat food, Dog food, and feed bags for their chickens and turkeys that they raise to subsidize their income. They have two large dogs that protect their property and adopted an abandoned 3-legged cat. Any amount of help that you can give us will be greatly appreciated!
We need garage sale items for our On-Going Garage sale! Drop stuff off at our location anytime day or night or give us a call, we will come to you to collect your donations. Last but not least, support Papeleria y Novedades Mama Lilly!
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Papelería Mama Lilly
35 Avenida Sur Entre Calles 17 y 15 Bis
987-120-5903 EMAIL: mapapeleria@outlook.com
We are open from 6:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Saturdays and on Sundays, (When we get home from Church) 11 until 8 p.m.
We sell school and office supplies, make copies, print, laminate, and sell some gifts and novelty items. We are licensed, provide Facturas, and deliver to your home, business, or office.
