Cozumel News March 4, 2017

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Cozumel News March 4, 2017 In this issue of Cozumel News: Cielo – Cozumel’s Heaven on Earth, Cozumel Aeroshow Now Cancun Aeroshow, An Article by Hugo Martoccia on Cozumel’s Financial Crisis, No Cozumel Ironman 2017 ? No Cozumel Fishing Rodeo 2017 ? In Aurita’s Cozumel Corner, Aurita and Charlie’s February Adventures,  plus more!

Cielo – Cozumel’s Heaven on Earth

There is a Place in Cozumel appropriately named Ceilo. “Ceilo” means heaven in Spanish, a name that pretty much describes this beautiful stretch of water. Ceilo can only be accessed by boat, so you must charter a boat to get to heaven.

The water is tranquil and crystal clear and you can see all the Sea Stars scattered about in the sand. The hues of blues and greens of sea and sky are breathtaking. You can snorkel in the deep sections or go to the shallower area and just stand and absorb the beauty. A perfect place to be on a hot summer day.

Look, but do not touch or disturb the beautiful creatures, just a touch can kill them. We want everyone to be able to enjoy our piece of heaven for eternity.

Cozumel’s Aeroshow Now Cancun’s Aeroshow

In the mist of Cozumel Carnaval 2017 officials in charge of Cozumel’s Annual airshow announced that they are taking their airshow to Cancun.  The airshow, a free event, was started seven years ago to celebrate the anniversary of Cozumel’s aerodrome, “Capitan Eduardo Toledo Parra.”

The seventh edition was scheduled to take place in mid-April and had grown to be very popular with island residents and tourists alike. The stunt plane community have listed the Cozumel location as one of their all-time favorite venues, so their departure is a total mystery.

¿No Cozumel Ironman – No Cozumel Fishing Rodeo?

At the same time that the move of Cozumel’s air show was announced, rumors had started that we might also not have the Annual Cozumel Fishing Rodeo, nor the Ironman Competitions this year. The reason that was given was that the Municipality was broke and unable to come up with the funds necessary to host the Competitions.  I have seen nothing official on either competition and pray that it is a mistake (or nightmare),  the island economy depends on both for survival.

However, I did find a very good article in Spanish that describes the financial state of Cozumel. I found it in Facebook, and Facebook translated it to English. As it is his article, not my interpretation, I will not make any corrections to the interpretation. Thank you Hugo Martoccia and Noticarib.

Cozumel’s Financial Crisis

Cozumel is financially inviable: it is the only Municipality that owes more than it collects

By Hugo Martoccia

COZUMEL, MX. – Mismanagement of public resources and disproportionate indebtedness over the last few years has led one of the richest and most prosperous municipalities in the state, Cozumel, to have reached a situation of financial loss and unfeasibility.

According to the last known numbers of the municipality, taken as of December 31, 2016, the total debt of the municipality, between banks and suppliers, is equal to 135 percent of its revenues for all concepts.

To make it clear. If Cozumel put together the money of a whole year, and then the one of 4 months of the following year, just at that moment could pay its debts. But since that way of paying a debt is impossible, the municipality has reached a point where it is not viable, and must find a way out.

In absolute numbers, according to data from the municipal financial statements as of December 31, Cozumel has a bank debt of 428.4 MDP, and a debt to suppliers of 228.6 MDP. In total, they are 657 million.

The problem is that the municipality collects much less than that. Under the Revenue Act for 2017, total revenues for this year will be 484.2 MDP. So you owe 173 MDP more than you collect in a year.

THE DEBT OF FREDDY AND THE OTHER MUNICIPALITIES

The economic and financial debacle began with the credit that Freddy Marrufo’s past municipal administration asked for by the end of 2015. That credit was 316.7 MDP. Until that moment the municipality only had a loan of 124 MDP ordered in 2011. The former mayor also added a debt of short term priceless.

Neither the state of Quintana Roo, which was indebted in an irrational way by Roberto Borge, nor any of the municipality has a similar situation. The state has a total debt of about 19400 MDP, but raises more than 28 billion.

According to data from the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, in general terms, the debt of the 11 municipalities of the state equals 43 percent of their income. In the case of Cozumel, as already mentioned, what should equal more than 135 percent of what it collects for any concept. An absurdity.

The situation of the island is very complex that the one of Solidarity or Othón P. Blanco, that are municipalities that took debt in the last years.

Solidaridad, for example, has a bank debt of approximately 748 MDP and a debit to suppliers of 667 MDP. In total there are 1415 MDP. But only in 2016 the municipality raised more than 2000 MDP.

Othon P Blanco has a bank debt of 440 million and another 135 MDP of short-term debt. In total 575 MDP, against an expected collection of more than 750 MDP in 2017.

The optimum, according to financial rating agencies, is that debts should not exceed 50 percent of total revenues, or at most reach 80 percent. But when they are even greater than income, the situation is borderline.

The case of Cozumel is also more complex than that of Benito Juárez or Solidaridad, which at one time had high levels of debt. These two municipalities increase their budgets year by year by up to 20 percent, which makes the debt, if controlled, tend to have less importance.

The economy of Cozumel, however, has a much more stable and slow growth rate, and so its budget moves.

The challenge of this administration, by Perla Tun, and the next, will be to make Cozumel a viable municipality again. (Noticaribe)

Aurita’s Cozumel Corner

February was a great month for Charles and I. We were finally selfish and made certain that we got out of the house once per week without fail. We are making our way south starting from the Northside.  February is my birthday month, plus Charles and I and son Bartolo and Wife Gelmy both had anniversaries.

We started out at our favorite place, Buccanos Beach Club the first Saturday in February. As usual, perfect atmosphere, great service, great food.  The second weekend was an experiment to see just how far our electric chairs could take us.

We had Bartolo drop us off at El Coctelito for lunch. We loved the atmosphere, it was handicap accessible, good service and food, and a 25% local discount.  We had pleasant surprise, Luis and Cristina Erosa from Bandida Fishing Charters joined us for a cocktail.

We cautiously but successfully managed the sidewalks in the electric chairs all the way to Benito Juarez Park.  We managed visits to Fat Tuesday, Sergio’s silver from Taxco, Wet Wendy’s and ended our day by dining at Cozumel’s oldest restaurant Casa Denis. It was great to visit with our favorite waiter Martin and reminisce on how many years we have known him.

Our assault on the City was temporarily disrupted by Cozumel Carnaval 2017. The Cozumel Sun and Papeleria Mama Lilly joined forces to sponsor two comparsas that delivered Parody and some dancing. They performed in front of our home on Saturday the 25^th & Tuesday the 28^th. Next time we do this I must make certain we contract at least one troop to simply dance. The Parody requires an audience that speaks and understands Spanish. Even with a knowledge of Spanish, the jokes can go totally over non-residents heads as it deals with politics and local residents.

As expensive as it was, I will do it again. It can be great for advertising if done right, (we learned a lot) and a great way to tell the neighborhood thank you for their support.  It is costly, a flat fee to the group, then we purchased the business banners to go on their vehicles, water, refreshments, and snacks for the masses, and beer for family friends and some of the performers. What I thought would last for the two evenings, was gone Saturday evening. In addition to purchasing everything again, we turned out to be the last performance for the Tuesday evening Parody before they went to the last parade, so we had to provide food for the performers.

As in past years, our group of ten family and friends watched the Tuesday evening parade from Palmeras across from the passenger Ferry Terminal. We had great front row seating, the Cozumel Community did itself proud once again, the parade was fantastic.

In the weeks that follow we will be making our way downtown south towards Blue Angel, Turquoise, and everything in between. If you see us in our electric chairs, stop and say hi!

Cozumel Worship Services in English

I need reader input on additional church services. Bad news for our Catholic readers, the Priest that spoke English at San Miguel got transferred. I will make some inquiries as to how to get another English speaking Priest on the island, but in the meantime, no Mass in English.

Most of us that live here have the information important to us at our fingertips, it is very important to share with those that do not have access to the information. but visitors really need our help. Please help us help them!

Ebenezer Presbyterian Church
30th Ave. at 10th Street North
Services in English every Sundays at    9 a.m.

Jesus es Rey Bible Church
Corner of Ave. 95 y Calle 39.
Services in English will be at 10 a.m.

Chabad of Cozumel
5th Avenue between Juarez and first
Second Floor PLAZA DEL SOL close to the San Miguel Pier
US Phone +1 (305) 432-2406 or +1 (770) 666-5428
Mexico Cell Phone: +521 (987) 111-9715 or +521 (987) 117-9518
Kabbalat Shabbat Friday night: Sunset

Is your place of worship not listed? Please contact me with the information!

Cozumel Ladies Breakfast

The Cozumel Ladies Breakfast Wednesday, March 1, 8 & 15 will meet at La Choza on Av 10 between Calle 3 and Salas on the left side of the road.  Not sure where all the parking lots are; but there is usually street parking south of the restaurant and you can walk a bit.

Pictured:   Breakfast at La Choza from our visits in December 2016.

Our group meets every Wednesday at 9 am. In addition to meeting wonderful Ladies from all over the world, the breakfast club is an excellent source of information gathering and networking. Breakfasts are informative and FUN! All Women are welcome to join us, even if you are just visiting our beautiful Island.

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To be Politically Correct in Spanish