Cozumel News December 20, 2018

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Cozumel News and information December 15, 2018  features, INAPAM Office closed, Seguro Popular to be replaced,  Cozumel Tax and Garbage Discounts 2019, Andrés Manuel López Obrador Takes Office, President Obrador Travels Commercial Airlines,  President Obrador Refused the Presidential Home, Isabel Flores Morales, and Cozumel Sun Community Project Updates.

INAPAM Office Closed

This sign is posted at the Cozumel office that issues the Mexico Senior card, INAPAM.  I anticipate things will resume late January or early February. I will keep you informed.

Seguro Popular to be replaced

From Mexico Daily News December 15, 2018

President López Obrador has announced a new integrated federal health system that will incorporate all of Mexico’s states within two years. The States of Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Yucatán, Quintana Roo and Campeche will be the first to implement the new system.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador Takes Office

Andrés Manuel López Obrador took office as President of Mexico on December 1st. President Obrador rode to congress in his Volkswagen Jetta (He refuses to use tax payer money on Presidential Limos!).

The crowds swarmed him along the route and he fearlessly stopped to speak to his people and accept their offering and blessings.  As I watched, a young man approached the Jetta on a bicycle and seemed to have a brief conversation as he rode alongside the moving car.

He pledged to put an end to the 36 years of corruption and impunity in Mexico. His acceptance speech was thorough criticizing the past government and what he pledges to do to return Mexico back to the people. Here are some translations of parts of his speech:

In Opening:

“. . . By the mandate of the people, today we start Mexico’s fourth political transformation. It may seem pretentious or exaggerated, but today is not just the start of a new government, today a new political regime begins,” the new president told lawmakers and dignitaries gathered at the legislative palace of San Lázaro.

On Past Administrations:

“. . . As we have repeated for many years, nothing has damaged Mexico more than the dishonesty of its leaders and the small minority that has profited from influence peddling. That’s the main cause of social and economic inequality as well as the insecurity and violence we s suffer from,” López Obrador said.

“. . . The distinguishing feature of neoliberalism is corruption. It sounds harsh, but in Mexico privatization has been a synonym of corruption,” he continued.

His Plan:

“. . . Revenge is not my strong point . . . I believe that in the field of justice, mistakes of the past can be punished but the fundamental thing is to avoid the crimes of the future. Therefore, I propose to the people of Mexico that we mark an end point to this horrible history and start again . . .” he said.

“. . . We have presented a law to make corruption a serious crime, which it wasn’t, even though it seems incredible . . . We’re going to clean corruption out of the government from top to bottom, just like stairs are cleaned,” the new president declared.

Other Topics Covered:

• Completion of a refinery and rehabilitation of the six [existing] refineries, to lower the price of gasoline and all fuels.
• Infrastructure projects including Maya Train and development of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, to generate employment and economic prosperity that will contribute to making migration “optional, not mandatory.”
• The Santa Lucía Air Force Base will be operating as Mexico City’s new airport in three years.
• A northern border free zone will take effect from January 1.
• The education reform will be cancelled. (This reform is what provoked the sometimes violent teacher strikes and protests all over Mexico)
• Students, the elderly, the disabled, earthquake victims, farmers, fishermen and artisans will all be financially supported by the new government,
• The salaries and benefits of high-ranking government officials will be significantly reduced, adding that his own wage would be 60% less than that earned by Peña Nieto.

On Investors and the Stock Market:

“. . . Let it be heard clearly and wide and far, we’re not going to put the country into debt . . . I promise, and I am a man of my word, that the investments of national and foreign shareholders are safe . . . I also reiterate that the autonomy of the Bank of México will be respected,” López Obrador said.

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Rated one of the top beach snorkeling sites in Cozumel with natural sand walk-in beach, ocean view swimming pool, seaside restaurant with bar, umbrellas & palapas, showers & lockers, beach massage, snorkel equipment & kayak rental, wave runners and parasailing, poolside internet, on property tequila tour, and repel/rock climbing facility.

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President Obrador’s promise to the people of Mexico

“. . . The government will no longer be a committee at the service of a greedy minority. It will represent the rich and the poor, believers and free thinkers, and all Mexican men and women regardless of their ideology, sexual orientation, culture, language, place of origin, educational level or socioeconomic position . . .” López Obrador said.

Toward the end of his speech he mentioned what the young man on the bike had said to him when he approached his car. The young man on a bicycle told him through an open window that he doesn’t have the right to fail the people of Mexico. “That is the commitment I have with the people: I have no right to fail,” he said.

“. . . There are three things that we need to confront the crisis in Mexico and two of them are guaranteed in advance . . . a hardworking people and sufficient natural resources. Soon, very soon, we will have the third, a good government and on that commitment, I give my honor and my word,” López Obrador declared.

“I will govern with complete devotion to the public cause . . . I will work 16 hours a day in order to leave, in six years, the work of transformation in a very advanced state.”

President Obrador Travels Commercial Airlines

President López Obrador’s promise of a new era of government was on the display the day after he was sworn ito office. The newly elected President of Mexico arrived at the Mexico City airport in his Volkswagen Jetta just after 2:00 pm. He was accompanied by his small, unarmed security detail made up of just three women and two men with no police training. The President and his entourage lined up with other passengers to board a commercial flight to Veracruz.

Passengers in the airport and airline staff posed for photos with López Obrador and congratulated the avuncular 65-year-old political veteran on his inauguration, with some even taking the opportunity to give him a hug.  Mexico’s version of Air force one was put up for sale, almost immediately after her took office.

Papeleria y Novedades Mama Lilly
Papeleria y Novedades Mama Lilly is a community based store. We carry School and Office supplies, copies, printing, laminating, scanning, and binding., Cosmetics, Perfumes, Beauty Needs, Gifts and Novelty Items.  We stock and order Avon, Terramar,  and  Mary Kay Products. Refreshments, Ice Cream, Ice, Coca Cola Products, and Snacks are available. We have a Mini 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. – 09:00 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

President Obrador Refused the Presidential Home

Located in the Chapultepec Forest, Los Pinos was home to every Mexican president since Lázaro Cárdenas took office in 1934 but President López Obrador has instead opened its doors to the public as a cultural center.

President López Obrador thinks that Los Pinos, formerly the official residence of Mexico’s president, has been cleansed of the bad vibes left behind by previous occupants. The cleansing process was accomplished, the president explained yesterday, by opening the mansion to the public and allowing the people to enter. Their presence left the house, occupied by presidents for the last 84 years, purified and clean. Since the former presidential residence opened to the public on the day of López Obrador’s inauguration, thousands of people have flocked to see where their past 14 presidents lived.

Aurita’s Cozumel Corner

I met Isabel Flores Morales soon after moving to Cozumel. The island had a bowling alley back in those days called Caribbean Bowl. I got together a few friends and Joined the Ladies bowling league. The Caribbean Bowl was the ultimate place to meet and make friends that live in Cozumel.

Meeting Isabel was one of those rare occurrences in life. We had an instant bond that usually only comes from knowing someone for years. This was remarkable since we came from different countries and cultures. We spoke daily and visited as often as time allowed.

Tragedy Strikes

A few weeks ago I received a frantic call from Isabel’s sister, Guadalupe. Isabel was not breathing. I told her to call 911 and beat the ambulance to her house.  All to no avail, Isabel had passed away.  Her affairs were not in order and three of us ultimately took on the responsibility and made all the decisions. In Cozumel interments must take place within 24 hours. Grieving and in shock, we had to make immediate decisions while waiting for the Medical Examiner.

It is customary in Mexico to have the viewing either at your home or the funeral home.  In Mexico the family stays with the loved one the entire time until the burial. The viewing at San Jose Funeral home until three the next afternoon, followed by a Catholic Mass  at Corpus Christi Church the next day. Sadly, I was unable reach anyone from our old bowling league. To the best of my knowledge the majority of her many friends and acquaintances in Cozumel do not yet know that she is gone.

A Lesson Learned

I have shared the tragic death of my friend not as an obituary, or another chapter in Aurita’s corner, but as a reminder that you must have a plan in place in the event that you die in Cozumel. Whether you are here full time, part-time, or even just vacationing, what happens if you die suddenly?

At least once per year I write an article on the importance of having a Mexican Last Will and Testament, an emergency contact card, a document that describes in detail your every wish, and funeral and cemetery expenses paid for in advanced, set aside, or covered by insurance. If you plan on being returned to your country of birth, be familiar with the laws and process. United States Citizens please read Death Abroad.

The Cozumel Sun Community Service Updates

On The Homefront

Christmas is just not Christmas this Year. My husband fell out of his wheelchair in front of Chedraui.  Two wheels went into a space between the sidewalk and the pedestrian crossing.  Badly scraped from shoulder to knee, lots of blood, and ambulance. A video even emerged on the local media. Two days ago he suffered a concussion and on round the clock bed rest.

My son Bartolo is still recuperating from his fourth and final operation on his arm. The damage to his elbow is permanent, but he will be able to utilize his arm. It has been a year since the accident, placing employment in jeopardy with the school system.

Updates on our Community Projects

We donated our van to the Finca family. The Dad has hopes of using it for work after he gets his license. I advised him to sell it and use the money to get a smaller vehicle that takes up less gas and will be easier for him to drive. We still employ the mom to provide them a stable weekly income. The two children are healthy and happy and with us on days off from school.

Our widowed Fireman with his daughters are hanging in there. One of our readers is funding Leticia’s diabetes medication and helping out with medical costs. We cover the computer time and school supplies as needed. Our seven-year-old granddaughter entertains four year old Priscila while Leticia does her homework. When Dad is not at work, he does projects with them. They pass the house on the way to the park and church. He is an excellent father.

Remember Brandon that we raised money for an eye operation? He has had two more corrective surgeries and has new glasses. I see him and his brother almost daily.

Children’s Christmas Gifts

It has been a very difficult year financially for not only our causes, but for our family. We have met the hurdle of providing gifts for nine local children this year. Our Finca family care package might not get to them until after Christmas. As I write this I am uncertain if we will be able to afford to do a Christmas dinner that would include the neighborhood locals that have no family here. The non-stop rain yesterday and today will prevent us from doing well at the Mini Super. The children are now on vacation, so there will be virtually zero income coming into the Papeleria.

The only thing that I am certain as far as additional plans is that our family will be attending church on the 24^th. We will make our annual visit to the Cozumel Juan Pablo II Senior Home sometime that week. We missed the annual adult diaper drive for them last Sunday, however we will take adult diapers and some sort of treats for the Nuns.

The Cozumel Sun Garage Sale

Since the Papeleria has taken up half of our living room space, I had to take down the garage sale racks in order to have space for the Grandchildren’s Christmas Tree.   There will be no garage sales until after the Holidays. However, you can drop off your second hand items at any time.

Thank You for your support in 2018!

We spread ourselves out too thin this year and never would have made it without the help of so many of you. Thank you Buccanos and Ebeneezer English Service Church. The Wright, Hamp, and Leach  families as well as all the individual friends that have supported us in so many ways. Thank you for supporting our  two community businesses, your donations, and encouragement!  Have a blessed Holiday Season!

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Friday – Saturdays 9 am – 11 pm

Sundays – 9 am- 7 pm 

Monday Christmas Eve  9am – 11pm

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