The Cozumel Sun News June 15, 2018

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In this issue of The Cozumel Sun: Cozumel Post Office Condemned, Cozumel Beach Clean-Up, Shore Diving is NOT Permitted in Cozumel, Tariff Imposed against United States Imports, Cozumel Ladies Breakfast Club, The Cozumel Heat to Go On, Follow-Up on The Taxi Situation, The Cozumel Elections Follow-Up, The Cozumel Sun Community Service Update and more.

Cozumel Post Office Condemned

The roof came down on Cozumel’s Post Office, Correos de Mexico, earlier this month. The 40-year-old structure that has survived two hurricanes in its existence, finally gave in after years of neglect.  It was located on Melgar and Calle 7, in the same structure as Western Union and next to Senior Froggy’s. The other businesses in that little complex are still open and unaffected. Thankfully the roof collapsed on a weekend when employees were not present, saving lives. Mail and packages on the premises are under a pile of concrete and lost forever. If you are expecting anything to arrive in that time frame, it is gone. The post office reopened on June 2^nd on 35 (Avenida) between Calles Jose Maria Morelos and Felipe Angeles. Picture courtesy of  Laura Salsera Johnson

Cozumel Beach Clean-Up

CIMAC, one of the local ecology groups, just finished 2 months of beach cleanups involving the local middle school youth. They picked up 619 kilograms of garbage! They are coordinating an underwater cleanup program for the next couple of months. Please contact Noemi Guadalupe Martin, if you’d like to get involved.

Shore Diving is NOT Permitted in Cozumel

Cozumel 4 You posted a video of two divers ways out in the channel, obviously in distress after diving too far out from shore. I learned something new in reading the article; shore diving is not permitted in Cozumel. Many locals and tourists alike have been shore diving for as long as I can remember, and to the best of my knowledge authorities have not enforced the Law.

When you think about it, the Law makes sense both for protection of Cozumel’s beautiful Marine Park as well as the safety of the divers. If you have an ounce of sense, you do not dive far out, you not dive alone, and you follow a Dive Plan due to the strong and unpredictable currents in Cozumel.

I think back on our diving days and remember that most of our dive trips had a good number of divers that needed constant reminders not to touch, kick, or damage the reefs. I remember dive masters having to round up the stragglers that were not paying attention and wandering off on their own or sinking down to dangerous depths. The thought of any of those divers being off on their own is frightening.

Many divers are certified back home in a lake or other non-threatening body of water. They come to Cozumel not realizing that while Cozumel waters are beautiful, the currents are a force of nature that is not to be played with.

Tariff Imposed against United States Imports

Reported by Mexico News Daily

A range of retaliatory measures against the United States’ metal tariffs took effect on June 5, including 20% duties on U.S. pork, apples, potatoes, 20-25% tariffs on cheese and bourbon The Economy Secretariat (SE) published a full list of the U.S. products that will be affected by the new protectionist measures in the government’s official gazette, with tariffs ranging between 5% and 25%. Some further tariffs will come into force on July 5.

The United States announced on the end of May that it would impose 25% and 10% duties on steel and aluminum from Mexico, Canada and the European Union, prompting Mexico’s government to strike back swiftly by announcing it would impose its own “equivalent measures.”

Many of the products targeted are produced by exporters in states that are politically important to United States President Donald Trump. News agency Reuters said that the retaliatory tariffs could “have political implications in some hotly contested races” in the United States midterm elections in November, in which the Republican Party is seeking to maintain control of both houses of Congress.

Pork-exporting Iowa is one example of a state that could be hurt by the Trump administration’s decision and the ensuing tit-for-tat measures. Bourbon-producing Kentucky and cheese-producing Wisconsin are others. United States’ pork exports to Mexico were worth more than US $1 billion last year, according to government data, and between 2010 and 2017, 89.2% of all pork exports to Mexico came from the U.S. Mexico is the second biggest market for United States’ pork exports and one-third of all pork consumed domestically comes from north of the border.

Jim Heimerl, an Ohio pork producer and president of the U.S. National Pork Producers Council, said the 20% tariff on pork legs and shoulders eliminates his country’s ability to compete in the Mexican market. “The toll on rural America from escalating trade disputes with critically important trade partners is mounting,” he wrote in a statement. “This is devastating to my family and pork producing families across the United States.”

Economy Secretary Ildefonso Guajardo said that Mexico would now “surely” look to import more pork from Europe. He also said that the products to which the new tariffs apply were chosen to limit the impact on inflation.

Heriberto Hernández, president of the Mexican Association of Pork Producers (OPORPA), said that he supports the government’s decision and didn’t expert Mexican pork prices to go up because “there are a lot of alternatives” to U.S. suppliers.

Other countries that export pork to Mexico have been allocated a collective tariff-free quota of 350,000 tons that will remain in effect until the end of this year. However, one Mexican producer disagrees with Hernández’s assessment that pork prices won’t rise.

“We believe that the meat [price] will go up 15, 16% and I think that it could have an impact on consumption, reduce consumption, and that’s what worries me the most,” said Víctor Manuel Ochoa, CEO of Mexico’s largest pork producer, Granjas Carroll.

In a radio interview Foreign Trade Undersecretary Juan Carlos Baker rejected any claim that the tariffs amount to revenge on the United States, charging instead that Mexico was simply acting within its rights. “In no way is this [tariff list] publication revenge . . . It’s a measure that Mexico has a right to in accordance with the trade agreement to compensate for the damage caused by the [United States’] tariffs, which they set under the alleged argument of national security,” he said. “If the United States removes its tariffs, Mexico will do the same”, Baker added.

Mexico said yesterday that it will challenge the metal tariffs at the World Trade Organization, following the leads of Canada and the European Union.nThe tariff dispute has further complicated already contentious and prolonged NAFTA negotiations and created further uncertainty about the future of the trilateral agreement. Canada also strongly condemned the measures and announced its own retaliatory tariffs. The Mexican peso dropped to its weakest level since February 2017 following the government’s announcement, to trade at more than 20 to the US dollar.

Cozumel Ladies Breakfast Club

The Cozumel Ladies Breakfast Club meets every Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. at a designated restaurant in Cozumel.  In the spirit of helping support local merchants, the group patronizes as many restaurants as possible throughout the year. Normally, there are a minimum of three visits to each restaurant. The next Breakfast will be:

Wednesday, June 20 at 9 a.m.
Restaurant: MAR Y JUANA
Avenida General Rafael e Melgar between Calles 7 and 5

There is a pool back behind that is available for use if anyone is interested in enjoying sometime in the water after breakfast.

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!  If you wish to join us contact: cozumel.ladies.breakfast@gmail.com. or Visit the Cozumel Ladies Breakfast Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/216189385593064/

The Cozumel Heat to Go On!

Tropical Storm aside, according to the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) meteorologist, High temperatures will continue in Mexico until August or September due to the weather phenomenon known as La Niña. The continuing hot weather that we are experiencing is being caused by a greater than normal impact of La Niña, an ocean-atmosphere phenomenon that cools sea temperatures but can also cause drier and hotter conditions in some regions of the world, including Mexico.

Much of Mexico experienced extreme temperatures last week that reached as high as 47 C in two locations. It was reported that The heat waves triggered emergency declarations in 22 states, caused at least three deaths and even caused traffic lights to melt in two northern states. The most affected states would be in central and northeastern areas of the country and that temperatures of up to 45 C could be expected in Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango and Zacatecas.

Meteorologist also forecast lower rainfall in the coming months compared to last year. Less rain will mean lower water levels in the nation’s reservoirs until August. It is important to stay hydrated because high temperatures can cause the human body to lose 30% more water than usual. It is recommended by experts to avoid direct exposure to the sun between 11:00am and 5:00pm and using sunscreen.

Aurita’s Cozumel Corner

Follow-Up on The Taxi Situation

All has been calm with the Taxi Union verses the new Mobility Law and Uber. The last related article that I read stated that the Hotel Federation filed a legal complaint against the Taxi Union for obstructing traffic. On the mainland, the demonstration was much larger than in Cozumel. Taxis blocked a major highway affecting traveler’s ability to get to and from the Cancun Airport, subsequently affecting tourism.

The Cozumel Elections Follow-Up

Unfortunately, only one other candidate for Mayor has visited the neighborhood since my last publication. Her name is Juanita Alonso. I accepted her publicity packet expecting to find a bio, unfortunately it only contains proposed changes to the Health System, Island Security, Public Library, Animal Protection, and Employment Opportunities, to name a few.

I Googled her name and found that she is native of Cozumel, she was born in Cozumel, is 47 years of age, and daughter of Don Bernardo Alonso Canto (who for many years served as the officer of the Civil Registry of the island) and Mrs. Juanita Marrufo Angulo.

She has worked in many departments of the Municipality, even in the Capacity as Treasurer under a past administration. She currently works as a Revenue Collector in Cozumel for the Ministry of Finance. She is the political Party MORENA.

The Cozumel Sun Community Service Update

We have adopted a senior citizen that lives around the corner from the Mini Super. He lives in a small bare room without a bathroom or cooking facilities. He has become my son Bartolo’s right hand man seven days per week. With a little help from friends, he now has extra clothes, towels, and toiletries. We allow him the use of the full bathroom in the back of the Mini Super to shower and change, feed him his meals, and pay him a daily stipend.

Our widowed fireman is no longer a fireman, he is working for 911. He is able to work Monday to Friday from eight to Five so that he can be home nights and weekends to care for his daughters ages 13 and 4. It was determined that the eldest is diabetic and thanks to our readers we have medication and other assistance covered. The thirteen-year-old volunteers at the Papeleria and in turn we provide free internet access for her homework and free or discounted school supplies.

Our Finca family is doing great. Once again we provided employment to the Mom during her children’s school hours 7:30 – 10:30 Monday through Friday which ensures that they have food. The Father is still working cement and has gaps in between jobs. We have sent five bags of clothing and linen to Finca Families, again, thanks to our reader’s donation of second hand clothing and linen.

Sun Garage Sale:  Now collecting items for Distribution and Sales: Please keep donating the items you do not need, drop it off anytime day or night, or call and we will pick up! We are currently displaying the garage sale items in Papeleria y Novedades Mama Lilly .

We have five other families on the island that we are assisting as problems arise, and continue to provide meals, employment Applications, and pens to others that find us. We are proving gifts to the children in these families for Christmas, Three Kings Day, Children’s Day as well as their Birthdays. We are providing light work employment to an elderly lady with medical issues that has no other source of income and employment and training to a divorced 18-year-old young lady who was married at the age of 14.  We haven’t done anything recently for Cozumel’s Senior home, as they are in good hands. I believe the last time we participated was when they had their adult diaper drive.

My adopted son Bartolo is still in constant pain in his arm. On November 26 he was on a ladder attempting to patch a leak in our front porch roof when our old ladder fell apart. His wrist and elbow suffered severed breaks. As he also works maintenance in one of the public schools, he has insurance with ISSTES. They dragged their feet and did nothing for an entire day. Out of desperation, I reached out to friends both locally and in the States for Loans and took him to San Miguel where (after receiving payment) they operated. The operation was unsuccessful on the elbow. The same Doctor and Anesthesiologist volunteered to operate again free of charge, this time at Cozumel General Hospital that is more affordable. That operation has not worked either. His elbow remains at a weird angle.  Out of financial necessity, we returned to ISSTE and managed, after a series of appointments to be referred to a Specialist in their Cancun Hospital. The expert questioned the validity of the reports and x-rays and requested a sonogram type test. Of course, the $5,000 plus test was only available at the private hospitals in town. We compared prices, raised the funds and got it done. After two more hospital visits and more lab work we are three weeks later still waiting for ISSTES to cut through the red tape and refer him back to the Specialist in Cancun. As the clock ticks, I am very worried about permanent damage to his arm.

Papeleria y Novedades Mama Lilly
School and Office supplies, copies, printing, laminating, scanning, and binding.
Cosmetics, Perfumes, Beauty Needs, Gifts and Novelty Items. NEW: AVON,
TERRAMAR, and MARY KAY! Refreshments, Ice Cream, Ice, / Snacks
Cyber Café and 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!
Support a Neighborhood Business!
Telephone:   987-869-3119
EMAIL: mapapeleria@outlook.com
06:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
08:00 a.m. – 08:00 p.m. Saturday
08:00 a.m. – 08:00 p.m. Sunday
https://www.facebook.com/papeleriamamalilly/
35 Avenida Sur Entre Calles 17 y 15 Bis
Colonia Independencia (Near Independencia Sports Center)

We have remodeled and expanded the Papeleria by taking half of our living room space. Business comes to almost a standstill during the summer months when children do not have school. In anticipation of this, we have added ice cream, refreshments, snacks, ice, cosmetics, and toiletries. This month we are added children’s gifts (we previously only had gift paper, bags ribbons and bows).  Each year the number of families that needs assistance in purchasing school supplies increase, so we are determined to be prepared this year when school reopens in the fall.

We were blessed with an order of printing and binding of 200 training booklets from Starboard Cruise Company based out of Miami Beach. Our heartfelt thank you goes out to Eileen Byrne who found us on line and opted to give the order to a local small business. The Cozumel Sun Garage Sale has gone in-doors! Now that we have more room in the Papeleria, we replaced our homemade racks with an attractive display “Ropero” that is available to clientele daily (pictured). Please keep us in mind when you are discarding items that you no longer need. The Papeleria with Cyber Café / Garage Sale and Cozumel Sun Headquarters are located in our home on Avenida 35 between Calles 17 & 15 Bis.

Mini Súper

35 Avenida con Calle 17 Colonia Independencia
New Administration – Weekly Promotions
Open 7 Days Per Week
Extended Hours Friday Saturdays & Sundays
Liquors, Beers, Refreshments, Snacks, Cigarettes!
Tamales Salbutes, y Panuchos Friday y Saturday Evenings & More!

Our Mini Super, what can I say. It has been an expensive learning experience going into the Liquor business. Unbeknown to us, the owner of the license and locale had conflicts with the suppliers and customers. The customers are coming, as they discover that there is new management. However, it was not until this week that we were able to cut through the red tape and score a contract with Superior Distributors. We have made no profit on the beer sales up to this point, ten weeks into the business. Like the Papeleria, we have added candies, snacks, batteries, ice, soups, disposable shavers, anything that we think might sell, including some Garage Sale Items and items from the Papeleria. We have been trying to track down the Holland Ice Cream Company to try to get a different type of Ice Cream there as we have Nestles in the Papeleria.

We carry all the Coca Cola products including water, but are looking for the distributor of the midsize water bottles that is more economical than Crystal. We have the Companies Sabritas, Barcel, and Lupita that fairly much covers all the snacks. On Fridays and Saturday evenings we have homemade Tamales, Panuchos, and Salbutes. They are delicious!!! Stop by and try one. We also have the hard liquor, and keep the same promotions on beer that OXXO carries. Our prices are competitive and reasonable, but please keep in mind that we cannot compete with the prices of the large stores, we cannot purchase at that volume. Our Mini Super is located steps from our home on the corner of Avenida 35 and Calle 17, Colonia Independencia.

In spite of the constant pain and sleepless nights, Bartolo has been manning the mini Super seven days per week since we opened. The only day that he has missed was the Sunday he went to see the Specialist in Cancun. We pay for the extended hours permit, and stay open until eleven at night on Friday and Saturday and Six p.m. on Sundays. His wife Gelmy is manning the Papeleria 7 days per week. I provide coverage at both places seven days per week, do the paperwork and fit the Cozumel Sun in between. If all goes well, we should be able to provide employment to more members of the community by this fall.

My family and I thank you for all your support. Without you we would not be able to continue assisting the wonderful people of this island. Have a wonderful week!