In this issue, Cozumeleño prepares for Full Ironman 2016, Cozumel Dismisses Police Cadets, and State Governor Meets Chinese Ambassador in Cozumel. In Aurita’s Cozumel Corner, Cozumel City News, Crime Prevention in Cozumel, and The Cozumel Sun Fundraising Update.
Cozumeleño prepares for Full Ironman 2016
Cozumel triathlete Alan Carrillo has been called the island’s ambassador for the sport because of his success in local, national and international events.
During ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Cozumel 2016 which took place in September, he was one of the 600 Mexicans and 20 Cozumeleños who competed, placing fourth in the overall event and third place in his category.
At the end of October, he traveled to Los Cabos to participate in the Ironman 70.3. He competed against 1,500 triathletes and placed seventh overall.
He is already registered to compete in the Gran Fondo New York Cozumel 2016, to take place on November 13th. This, the third edition of the cycling race that is becoming another traditional sporting event of Cozumel.
Then, only two weeks later he will compete in his first Full Ironman. Ford Ironman Cozumel 2016 will consist of a 3,800 Meter swim, biking a distance of 180 kilometers and 42,195 kilometers Run.
Mr. Carrillo says he is prepared and ready to represent Cozumel and Mexico in this grueling international competition. We are proud and looking forward to cheering him on!
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Cozumel Dismisses Police Cadets
On Friday, November 4th, the fourteen cadets of the Cozumel Police Department were dismissed. The unexpected firing of the cadets after nine months of service to the police Department caused another media frenzy.
The plight of the cadets is understandably devastating as they are now faced with how they will support their families. One of the cadets, a father of two was quoted as saying, “For nine months I worked 12 hours a day in the sun, rain, night and day as required. The previous government always paid our salaries, always (…) it turns out that there is no money to pay my salary. I do not know what I’ll tell them, my wife and my family, ” He added that in recent weeks’ security in the City has been lacking because there are not enough police and no patrols to meet the increased number of robberies and assaults.
At the time of the dismissal, Fidencio Balam Puc, trustee and chairman of the Public Safety Commission of the City Council, stated that he was unaware of layoffs. Mayor Perla Cecilla Tun Pech, through City Manager Cesar Viveros Cubillos, later blamed lack of funding because of the debt left by previous administration.
The previous administrations never stopped paying the salaries of the cadets, because the program is part of FORTASEG. 25% of the Cadet salaries is part of a larger grant to the City. There is a risk of losing this funding in 2017 by failure to comply with the guidelines.
As evidence of the shortage of police, there was an accident last Thursday afternoon on 11th Avenue and Calle 10. As in established protocol, Public Safety arrived at the site of the incident and implemented protocols and security measures.The surprise was that it was City Manager Cesar Viveros accompanied by Nemesio Balam Interián, Director of Civil Protection that appeared at the site to meet those involved in the accident. The presence of two directors at the crash site caught the attention of a passersby.
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State Governor Meets Chinese Ambassador in Cozumel
The Government of Quintana Roo began negotiations with the People ‘s Republic of China on a mission to bring trade to the State. This especially in the areas of energy, transportation and manufacturing, which can generate more employment opportunities in Quintana Roo.
The first approach to the plan was a meeting between China’s ambassador in Mexico, Qui Xiaoqi, and Governor Carlos Joaquin Gonzalez. Governor Joaquin Gonzalez and Chinese Ambassador Xiaoqi, met this week in Cozumel. (Notimex)
According to information from the government of Quintana Roo, during the meeting the two leaders discussed the possibility of attracting additional Chinese investments in tourism to Quintana Roo. “Quintana Roo is the largest tourist generating state in the country and Chinese tourism is the third largest market in Asia; we want to strengthen our relationship, “said the governor.
The Governor and the Ambassador accompanied by their respective wives, Mrs. Gabriela Rejón de Joaquín and Mrs. Liu Min, as well as members of the delegations, held a private meeting at a hotel.
The Governor said, after the meeting, that Chinese tourism is the third largest market in Asia and strengthening its presence in Quintana Roo will generate greater economic benefit to improve the quality of life in the State.
“We proposed an exchange of ideas on how to increase air routes, hold tourism promotion fairs and strengthen joint efforts to increase the flow of Chinese tourism to destinations in the Mexican Caribbean,” he said.
Each year 120 million tourists leave China, and of these only 100 000 visit Mexico. Increasing the number represents a great potential for Quintana Roo.
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Aurita’s Cozumel Corner
What an exciting week this has been! Our On-Going Garage Sale has been an absolute success, to date bringing almost $5,000 pesos towards the purchase of our Christmas donations. If we continue this trend, we will be able to do the shopping for our families in need without “Robbing Peter to pay Paul” again this year!
We did not advertise as planned because the weather prognosis originally had an 80% chance of rain. Saturday morning at five a.m. I got the all clear and started the strenuous task of hauling out and organizing a mountain of items for the sale with the help of Sharon. Three hours later, and exhausted, we opened for business.
In between waiting on customers, I started taking pictures and posting the larger items on Facebook and was immediately overwhelmed with questions.
I originally only knew of a few pages for Bazars, a quick search listed over 15 pages that I could advertise the merchandize in. I only had the time to post to the first five pages, then became too busy answering questions to have time to post in the others.
THERE IS A DEMAND FOR USED POTS AND PANS AND KITCHEN UTENSILS! Please do not throw your out pots and pans when you replace them. The local people are not looking for them to look like new, if they still work, they need them. Some cook over an open fire.
THERE IS ALSO A DEMAND FOR FURNITURE. Tables, chairs, stools, outdoor and indoor. They are willing to repair and fix minor flaws.
THE CLOTHING is divided into free, 5, 10, 15, and 20 pesos. What we do not sell in the next few weeks will be donated to Finca families, then we will start all over again in January. We provide clothing to anyone in need year around, free of charge.
We have cleaned out our family closets, toy boxes, game shelves, tool room, and kitchen cabinets twice. If you can donate items, do so quickly so we can include it in our last sale before Christmas.
Sergio’s Silver from Taxco
Sergio’s Silver from Taxco is a fourth generation, family-owned and operated silver jewelry business that began in Taxco, a town in the state of Guerrero known worldwide as the “Silver Capital of Mexico”. You are guaranteed personal attention from the Hernandez family members, who have over forty years of experience in the business. “Our goal is to earn the trust and loyalty of our customer. We strive to provide outstanding customer service so your shopping experience will be enjoyable and you will look forward to visiting us again soon” Mon- Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 8 p.m. Ranked # 1 in Trip Advisors Juárez Ave. #117 x 5th Ave. Phone 01 987 872 7632 Email sergiosilver@live.com.mx Website http://www.sergiosilver.com
Cozumel City News:
First, let me emphasize that as guests of this country those of us that are not Mexican Citizens cannot meddle in Mexican Politics. However, I have a responsibility to my readers that live here full and part time, to keep them informed of anything that affects their lives on the island, specially, their safety. The resignation of the new Chief of Police, staff shortages and dismissal of City employees falls under the category of things that affect us. The last few weeks I have reported tidbits about what I have read and heard that is happening in City Hall under the new administration.
Until today, I have not been able to report Mayor Perla Tun Pech’s side of the issues as the press releases have stopped arriving from the City. Immediately after she took office, she clashed with local media, removed media funding, and the media has not been painting a pretty picture. I have been very careful to try and pull out the facts and refrain from reporting the criticism that is often present in every other sentence.
I want to remind readers that the Mayor is from the Political Party PAN that has not won since 2005. She is also the first woman Mayor. What I have observed in past elections, is that when elected, a new Mayor places family members and supporters in key Management positions throughout the city administration. When the same Political Party followed itself, the President of DIF position went to the Mayor’s wife, a new Chief of Police is appointed, and some management positions change without much fuss. I have read about “Shadow” positions, that received pay checks but are not present.
This Mayor came on board to an administration staffed with supporters of the losing party. What I understand that she is saying, is that there are people sabotaging her efforts to get City Hall and the Police Department organized and functioning properly.
Without further comments, here is what I have heard and read this week. I will follow up with a commentary on Crime in Cozumel.
Under the new administration, the dismissals continued, not only the cadets but some 20 officers were to be dismissed for suspected corruption. There has been no replacement named to the Chief of Police position that was held by Jorge Francisco Cabrera as of today, and I read that a work plan has yet to be submitted.
Mayor Perla Cecilia Tun Pech, held her first public hearing in the park of Colonia 10 de Abril. The event was broadcast live via Facebook. In this area of the city about eight thousand people live, but only between 250 and 280 spectators attended.
During her speech:
She once again emphasized that the previous government has left a broken City Hall.
She touched on the issue of threats against her and accusations against the media representatives.
She said that she has been threatened, but gave no further details and did not say if she filed a complaint with the proper authorities.
She announced that she will implement a neighborhood watch system because she does not have sufficient police patrols to serve the population.
She stated Police, Middle Managers and Assistants were fired for corruption. She did not state what proof there was or if further action would be taken against them. Nor could she say when she would be able to reactivate and reorganize the Municipal Police.
She stated that during the Gustavo Ortega Joaquin’s Administration 2005 – 2008, the police force was 450 members strong and that the current force was 250, 200 after the dismissals.
However, on November 4th, Trustee and Chairman of the City Council Public Safety Committee, Fidencio Balam Puc, said that there are only 60 active police officers at this time.
She said that there is a corrupt system that will not go away, referring to the past administration and blamed the increase in crime rates to the same.
Referring to the reported 25% tax on the income Sports Leagues and Clubs, she said that the tax will apply only to businesses that profit from these sports. (This stopped a planned demonstration against the 25% tax by members of Sports Leagues and Clubs in Cozumel).
She stated that staff from the previous administration has been leaking documents to the media and that there is a destructive movement by some members of the media.
“We still have staff from the last administration that has made use of documents (…) I’m tired of the manipulation of information and attack to attack. We will not pay the media just to have them keep attacking us all the time, ” she complained.
She announced that to counter this (problems with the media) she is working on creating her own newspaper to publicize “the truth of her news.” She said the money saved from not paying the media will be invested in them, the people.
Meanwhile City Council member Aridne Santín Coral made the announcement of the upcoming launch of a Facebook page named “Regidores Cozumel” in which the population will be informed of the activities of the City Council.
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Crime Prevention in Cozumel
I have said it before and I will repeat it, Cozumel is one of the safest places in the world to live, and definitely one of the safest in Mexico. The current lack of Police presence is contributing to the increase in crime as it creates opportunity for juvenile delinquents to wreak havoc on the island.
Being an island, we do not have to worry about organized crime, just your occasional typical thief and juvenile delinquent. We must be smarter than them and we must use common sense.
There is an increase in home and commercial break-ins, assaults, and motorcycle thefts. There have been purses snatched by robbers riding motorcycles. Just last week I saw a video of a poor lady that was found unconscious on the sidewalk with what looked like a broken handbag next to her. She had been injured when her bag was grabbed by a passing motorcycle.
Do not walk anywhere with a hanging bag or purse of any kind that can be grabbed.
Do not flash expensive jewelry people, we live on an island where the Country’s general working wage is $73.04 Pesos per day and the Peso has slipped to $20 to 1 USD! People are struggling to survive.
Lock your vehicles and motorcycles, get alarms! Motorcycles and parts of cars are being dismantled for parts.
Tourists, stop buying car plates, they have been stolen from residents!
Do not wander the streets after dark alone, especially if you have been drinking and vulnerable.
The Cozumel Sun’s recommended house and business alarm is a dog from the Cozumel Humane Society. Go to the Humane Society and adopt a dog or two, we have lived in two different colonies and have never had a break in with our beloved noise makers at home!
If you go on vacation, get a trusted house sitter to take care of your house and pets in your absence. It will be cheaper than replacing stolen items and damage done by break-ins in your absence!
Get a commercial alarm system and advertise that you have it operational. (This is for when you take your dogs for a walk that you adopted from the Cozumel Humane Society)!
Get to know your neighbors, and like the Mayor suggests, take part in organizing a neighborhood watch.
Any other safety ideas to share? Send them to The Cozumel Sun and I will pass them on to other readers.
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EMAIL: mapapeleria@outlook.com
Hours:
06:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
08:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Saturday
08:00 a.m. – 09:30 a.m. Sunday
11:00 a.m. – 09:00 p.m. Sunday
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35 Avenida Sur Entre Calles 17 y 15 Bis
Colonia Independencia (Near Bicentennial Sports Center)
We sell school and office supplies, make copies, print, laminate, and sell some gifts and novelty items. Use of Computer, Calls to Mexico, U.S, and Canada. We are licensed, provide Facturas, and deliver to your home, business, or office. AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLE!
