Assembly to hear proposals
for fee hike, ‘doggie park’
By Staff
An 8.56 percent budget increase and a hike of 5 percent in the Colonos maintenance fee will be presented to voters Saturday (Dec. 12) during the annual association meeting beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Dreams Hotel.
Aside from updated information on the sand reclamation plans for Fatima Bay beaches, Phase 4 update and progress on the second 9 holes of the golf course, there will be several presentations from the floor including a request to create a “doggie park” and a petition to form an “Honor and Justice” committee.
Ron Hurst of Chac-al-hal condo complex will offer three items for consideration, two regarding the parking of commercial vehicles in common areas and another for installing signs to prevent parking in roundabouts. Hurst also wants to empower the Colonos administration to revoke gate passes of people who park illegally.
‘Doggie park’ proposed
The “doggie park” suggestion comes at a time when the permission given to a committee formed in 2012 to create a public park on the private island structures along the entrance boulevard has been rescinded for non-use and general neglect. Use of the park was disappointing and the public committee disbanded last year.
It also comes at a time when some residents refuse to cooperate with leash rules and picking up after their pets, particularly on the golf course expanse, and parking spots are at a premium in Centro. (See Nature Watch story below).
A debate could be in the offing concerning a possible proposal to have individual condominium unit owners pay the annual Colonos fee rather than pay one fee through the condo association as is now generally the case, with a few exceptions. The Colonos administration will point to the negative difficulties such a move would present.
Break-ins beget reaction
A wave of some 21 robberies – 16 of them break-ins – from January through April this year spurred added measures to combat criminal activity, including the cooperative construction of a watch tower along the border with Hard Rock Hotel, 2-month use of four extra night guards provided gratis by the security company, more lamps and cameras and an agreement with the PA developer for new fencing along the Phase 4 highway border to be completed early in the new year.
The actions, including improved use of technology, barbed wire barrier along Villas del Caribe and regular nightly patrols along the golf course were successful since the rate of robberies dropped precipitously from May to the current time.
Wider Omni beach to greet
residents, tourists for holidays
By Staff
A parade of heavy dump trucks, a stone crusher and a singular front-end loader helped the Omni Hotel jump the gun on beach reclamation last week.
While Omni ownership had said a week ago it would begin depositing sand along its section of the Fatima Bay beach in mid-January, trucks began rolling in last week and have already deposited a considerable quantity in time for the holidays. Public access around the fitness center building is now more accommodating and strollers will have ample space to walk along the beach.
The amount of sand being deposited at this time falls quite short of the project’s ultimate 65-foot goal but will provide an average 12 feet of beach sand in the interim.
Omni property owner and PA developer Roman Rivera Torres noted the sand being deposited is more coarse than the beach’s natural white powder. That’s because it is the product of stone that was carved out of the earth in the Phase 4 canal project and crushed. He said the beach will be tilled at some point to blend the two types of sand.
Rivera Torres is expected to present a comprehensive explanation of the project at the Dec. 12 Colonos assembly.
“During the past seven years, the coasts of Quintana Roo, Belize and part of Florida have been losing their sandy beaches due to factors like rising sea level, longer lasting high tides, lower barometric pressure and continuous southeast winds,” he said. “Focusing the causes on nearby constructions (such as piers and barriers) is a mistake that can be confirmed by comparing beaches that remain virgin. Causes are global and of a larger scale.”
Free Christmas Gift of music
Joy of music being offered
Saturday as holiday tidings
Thirty students of the fledgling Rock Music School here in Puerto Aventuras will offer a variety of musical selections on various instruments and voice at a free, 1 1/2-hour recital slated for 7 p.m. Saturday in the Community Cultural Center on Bahia Akumal.
While the words “school” and “student” usually describe young people, the 35 students of the Rock School range in age from four to 75, creating a musical blend as varied as the instruments they play – piano, guitar, flute, violin, drums, saxophone and the one instrument that is the gift of birth – voice.
Maestro Arlindo Silva, proprietor of the Rock School located in studios above the Hoo-Haa Cafe in Centro and owner of a recently opened Spanish restaurant here, gave a stirring violin concert of eclectic themes and styles here last season, displaying the virtuosity of a masterful musician.
“We have a young singer – you won’t believe her voice – among the performers as well as a septuagenarian guitarist,” Silva said. He opened the school here only 8 months ago with 20 students that he said have greatly improved under the school’s teaching methodology while adding more students to the school’s population.
The studio, which has seven teachers for the various instruments, is generally open 1 to 8 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Call 984-142-6660 for more information.
The concert is part of an active weekend of things to do. See Upcoming Events below.
An art conference on Mayan murals of San Bartolo, Calakmul, Tulum, Xelha, Cacaxtla and Bonampak will be delivered in Spanish by Maestro Claudio Obregon from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday (Dec. 11) at the PA Art and Information Center. Admission is 100 pesos and space is limited. More information at 984-802-9047.New game in town –
A French game
called “Petanque” is coming to Puerto Aventuras for a one day only tournament beginning at 11 a.m., Dec. 12, at the Information and Art Center. Thirty players have reportedly signed up for the event so far.The game consists of hurling pitch balls of hollow metal at a smaller “target” ball to see which team can get the pitch balls closest to the target ball. The game here is expected to draw players from Playa, Tulum and maybe Merida, said Gladis Perez of the Information and Art Center. The rules are simple and anyone of any age is welcome to play, she said. The tournament is free, will be accompanied by an art show and is expected to last about two hours. It is sponsored by Le Bistro Cafe…
Christmas reminder that the Colonos office is now accepting gifts and/or money to buy presents for Colonos employees who do such a good job maintaining the community. Gifts can be brought to the Colonos office during working hours. The gifts will be distributed at the annual employee party in the Poblado on Dec. 18. “As usual we look forward to your generosity,” says the Colonos board of directors…
It’s property tax time again and agents from the municipality of Solidaridad are present in the Colonos meeting room this week and next week offering substantial discounts for payment. A 25 percent discount is in effect during December. The agents are accepting payment through this week and also Dec. 14 through 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is a 15 percent discount for those who pay in January and 10 percent in February. The Colonos advises that those who pay more than 10 taxes should send their catastral numbers (property number) to f_aranda1@hotmail.com …
Some residents arrived early Monday to make payments but several glitches sent some of them back home to get cash because the equipment just installed to handle the payments couldn’t process credit or debit cards. Some, like William Brock, had waited for about 20-30 minutes before being told they needed cash. Municipal employees handling the transactions expected the problem to be repaired later on Monday.
Trivial Pursuits Sunday, Dec. 13, 4 p.m. at Latitude 20 with Shannon Rachynski. Proceeds go to the needy. The last event raised 2500 pesos for the youth center in the Poblado. People are asked to bring an unwrapped Christmas gift for the children there… Annual road race scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 31. Sign up at the Colonos office…
Akumal remains embroiled
over use of access road
By Staff
No solution appears to be on the horizon in the battle over the crowded and poorly maintained access road to Akumal Bay while federal agencies study and sit on the situation.
Akumal’s private Ecology Center believes the access road to the center and the shore is a private way while an association of local service providers claims more than 40 years of public use gives them a right of way.
The service association filed a complaint with federal authorities over two years ago when the Ecology Center claimed the right over the road, thereby fostering a complaint by some service providers that they were being denied beach access, a claim steadfastly denied by the center.
The rutted dirt road is currently lined with various stands, kiosks and taxis parked pell-mell near its apex under an entrance archway, creating disarray.
None of this, however, appears to have curtailed the influx of day-trippers wanting to swim with the turtles, or dine at the beach’s popular restaurants or the occupancy of the newly opened, 434-room Secrets Hotel on the beach.
The community’s problems elicited this opinion from one of its resident activists:
“Puerto Aventuras is light years ahead of Akumal in terms of community organization and ability to grow public services. We are still stuck in this nomansland where we are not private, but we are not a public municipality either.
“With no HOA (homeowner association) here, the owners and businesses are constantly receiving calls from people asking them for money as there is no communal fund. It’s the same people again and again who do the giving, while others choose not to contribute. I know that no system is perfect, but Puerto Aventuras is a comparative shining star of a community….”
…AND FOR THE RECORD: A statement by the president of the Consejo de Cuenca Peninsula de Yucatan published in several news outlets including this one that the Akumal Ecological Center had defaulted on a pledge was erroneous and the statement has been retracted. The pledge was paid in June..
Briefly Noted…
A new dining dimension has come to Centro Comercial by way of the MezcalX Restaurant at the former Tiramisu. The eatery is equipped with a vertical spit or rotisserie to offer “Tacos al Pastor”, literally, “the style of the shepherd.” It’s a cooking method brought to Mexico mostly by the early Lebanese settlers whose lineage also spawned Chedraui Market and Carlos (Saleem)Slim. Mexicans adopted the method, but substituted marinated pork for lamb. The vertical spit allows pineapple, onion juices or various spices to drip down on the meat as it cooks…
Doctor dies – An well-known Playa de Carmen doctor died in the Bisa Aesthetic Clinic on Constituent Avenue during a liposuction procedure last week. Authorities said cause of death was peritonitis caused by perforation of the stomach and intestines during the procedure. Officials are considering the possibiity of a manslaughter charge. The clinic is licensed … Temporary licenses to peddle Christmas items in Playa during the holiday season will not be issued this year because established businesses complained last year the peddlers decreased needed sales volume of tax-paying brick and mortar stores…
There is an ornament tree in the main office of the PA Colegio festooned with Christmas ornaments. Each ornament has the name of a child who is developmentally challenged or is the child of an employee. People can take an ornament and make a donation for the child. “There are many ornaments left,” said the person who wrote in about the tree…
It was a surprise to see a huge Santa sticking out the roof of a white Hummer as it made its way past the boat landing last week. Behind the wheel of the Hummer – as though replacing Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer – was JohnTimmerman, owner of Hippo’s Marina Lounge where the giant Santa now stands ringing a silent bell of joy… A film crew was spotted shooting a scene near the Dolphin pools in the marina last Sunday…
‘Colossus’ ship visit – The new “Anthem of the Sea” 16-deck cruise ship was to make its first visit to Cozumel this week, depositing a wave of nearly 5,000 consumers on the island… A Serbian national identified as Dusan Babic, 38, living in Playa and said to be part of an international drug ring, was detained by authorities after a traffic stop in Playa del Carmen over the weekend. Police say they found an assortment of packaged drugs including powdered cocaine in the Audi car…
World AIDS Day generally came and went unnoticed here last week except for the citizen groups monitoring the virus in Playa. They said 88 new cases of HIV were recorded so far this year… About 40 federal Gendarmes arrived in Playa by bus last week for a meeting with local police and officials to map out strategy for protecting the public during the holiday season crush… PEMEX plans an incursion into the US retail market by planning five gasoline stations in Houston, Texas. PEMEX is the acronym for state-owned Petroleos Mexicanos… Mexican President Pena Nieto is opposing attempts to legalize marijuana, opening the door to national debate on the issue after the high court ruled earlier this year that banning its use is unconstitutional…
Murder suspects detained – Three low-level drug dealers who were part of a highway robbery gang have been detained in the deaths of two Australian tourists found dead, shot and burned in their van on a Sinaloa highway… 120 new voters from the Puerto Aventuras delegation have registered to vote and received their certification, the municipality reports…
MexLaw Says…
What to expect from agents
when selling Mexico property
“If you want to sell property in Mexico, using a real estate agent to sell it is suggested as most foreign buyers contact agents first. Buyers rarely communicate directly with sellers in Mexico.
The average agent commission varies between 4 to 8% depending on several factors. If you consent to an exclusive mandate with an agent over a period of 3 to 6 months, then the commission will more likely be 5%. If you are selling land or property in a less exclusive area of Mexico, then the commission is closer to 8%.
Exclusive contracts usually have lower commission rates but they limit your exposure in the market. If you consent to an exclusive mandate, set a reasonable time, between 3 to 6 months, or consent to a higher commission if the property is sold within five weeks. Reduce the commission if no sale is concluded after the initial period.
Most agents will list your property on their website and have agreements with other real estate agents to network and share listings in an informal arrangement. If another agent presents a buyer, you do not have to pay more commission as the total agreed-upon commission is shared between the agents.
It is probable that you already know and trust a real estate agent. Although you rely on and trust the agent, ask how he or she plans to promote your property. Check the agent’s website. Ask how many average visitors (hits) the site gets.
Ask what off-line marketing will be done. You’ll be surprised how little off-line marketing real estate agents do when selling property that is mostly targeted to foreign buyers.
When giving a mandate to a real estate agent, be clear as to the conditions of the sale and provide it in writing. Don’t set a minimum price for your sale but ask the real estate agent to provide you with a price range that you would be agreeable to.
Remind the real estate agent that you require a written offer in a language you can read. Unlike the sale of property in other jurisdictions, it is common in Mexico to exchange offers and counter offers by electronic means (fax or email). Once both parties have agreed to the terms and conditions of the offer, the only remaining item to discuss is the closing date before the Notary Public.
Although you are the seller, it is recommended that you obtain your own legal counsel in Mexico to review the offer, the conditions and the deed of sale, as the Notary Public is neutral and only acts as an official representative of the state to receive and register the deed of sale and collect any taxes arising from the transaction. They are not in a position to dispense legal advice or opinions to either party.
Meanwhile, some 57 real estate agents from this area have obtained certification from the local chapter of the National Chamber of Commerce following studies, although it is reported that others are obtaining the license through the Mexican Association of Realtors and through home study. Certification here is required to work as an agent.
For more information, click on the Mexlaw logo at left.
Nature Watch…
Loose dog digs fangs into
Tzereque, forcing comment
By Staff
It was a terrifying wail that un-mistakenly signified a life or death crisis of some sort. It jarred this writer from a moment of quiet reverie in the veranda shade that kept a broiling sun at bay.
From the kitchen came an “Oh my god!” exclamation as the lady of the house dashed toward the balcony, thinking perhaps a baby was injured. But two stories below. another voice, that of a woman chasing a dog, bellowed frantic orders in attempting to control her dog – that had clamped its fangs around the throat of a harmless, shrieking Tzereque, shaking it from side to side. The dog wouldn’t let go immediately.
When the dog – it looked like a spaniel – became distracted momentarily by the stern admonitions of its owner, the docile Tzereque, also known as “agouti,” saw its chance and sprinted off into the golf course wood line. Likewise, the dog retreated from the unheeded commands of its owner.
When the woman finally marched out from what is a private yard adjacent to the golf course – still trying to corral one of the two dogs under her questionable control – this writer called out to her that dogs are supposed to be on a leash. If they were, this wouldn’t happen. “I know,” the exasperated woman replied, “but they got away from me.” Hardly an excuse. They wouldn’t get away if they were on a leash in the first place.
The woman stomped back through the wood line and boarded her waiting golf cart, signaling to the observers that she was one of the few residents who want to own dogs but evidently are unwilling to walk with them and insensitive to the rights of other humans and the lower harmless animals to use a leash.The same woman doing the same thing was spotted again a few days later on the golf course.
There have been some vicious incidents here of dog attacks on humans, a child from Bahia Xaac who was attacked while running along the golf course and two women in separate Centro attacks as well, prompting the Colonos last year to require leashes on dogs and entering an agreement with the Playa del Carmen dog pound to intermittently monitor the community.
The effort, evidence shows, has been only mildly successful. Some scofflaws remain unresponsive to nurturing a society by agreement. Some evidently cannot resist the temptation to be uncooperative.
The tzereque, among the softest of soft targets, is about as harmless and docile as an animal can be. It is even a vegetarian. It is monogamous and mates for life. It feeds on fruit – no meat. Pairs live in a territory of about 2 hectares. They don’t bother anybody or anything. They build dens out of hollowed logs or under roots. They have a lifespan of 13 years – unless some negligent person’s free-range dog unmercifully cuts that life short.
PRODUCTION DEADLINES: The Pelican Free Press encourages and welcomes public announcements of events and activities. The deadline for publication in any given week is Monday at 5 p.m. for production mid-week, usually Wednesday. Thank you.
The end