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Work Permit Non-Renewal Clauses Illegal?
Non-renewal clauses on work permits are not legal according to a decision by the Governor of the Netherlands
Antilles, Jaime Saleh. He overruled the Lt. Governor of St. Maarten who issued permits with the condition that they would not be renewed. The decision followed an appeal by a foreign technician.
The non-renewal clause, the Governor noted further, is in conflict with the principles of legal security and fair play. Refusal of renewal of a permit is still possible, but not as a condition when the permit is
issued. Refusal of a permit renewal can be challenged after the employer has been able to prove that no worker of Antillean nationality could be attracted for the job. The policy of the government has long been to
protect jobs for its citizens.
However, some businessman have pointed out that there are not enough Antilleans educated in certain new technologies and an inability to hire foreigners could hamper economic growth for the country. (Courtesy of Port
Call)
Bonaire E-News Changes
The fun never ends here at the Bonaire E-News. The issue you're now reading (assuming you've received it by e-mail) is the first to
be distributed by our new mailing list software we recently installed on our servers. This mailing list software (known as Majordomo) will allow us to automate the addition (and removal) of people from our mailing
list, and help ensure that each copy of the Bonaire E-News gets to its intended recipients (something that we've occasionally had a problem with in the past as cranky mail servers refused to forward the Bonaire
E-News to people who had subscribed).
As of today, the new procedure for being added to the Bonaire E-News is to send an e-mail to:
majordomo@caribisles.net
And in the body of the message, place the following text:
subscribe BonaireENews
You will shortly get a confirmation message that you've been added to the mailing list, along with instructions on how to remove yourself from the mailing list if you so desire at a future time. Of course, each copy
of the e-mail Bonaire E-News will provide this information as well.
Here comes a small commercial plug: If any Bonaire-based or oriented business wants to use this same mailing list software to manage their mailings, please note that for NetTech's Web hosting customers this is a free
service. Non-NetTech customers may avail themselves of this service for a small monthly fee. Contact mailto:MailLists@NetTech.an for details.
Now back to our regularly scheduled news.
BonaireLive Changes Pricing
Some of you may be aware that BonaireLive, Bonaire's largest ISP, had an unlimited access plan available for NAfl.
150/month. As of February 15th, however, that plan has been discontinued. In an audit of its hourly usage statistics, BonaireLive discovered that a handful of its users were on-line for as much as 12 contiguous
hours a day, during business hours, tying up valuable modem access and in turn preventing other customers from being able to get on-line (and no, before you ask, NetTech/InfoBonaire was not one of the offending
companies - we checked when we heard the news <grin>).
As such, BonaireLive has now modified its price structure by discontinuing the unlimited access plan and has instead replaced it with a "Power User" plan, which at NAfl. 150/month includes 90 hours of
access per month with additional hours being NAfl. 5.00 each. Additionally, Power Users can surf the Internet for free between the hours of 11PM and 8AM (traditional low usage times). BonaireLive has indicated that
customers who were taking excess advantage of the previous unlimited rates have been notified of the fee structure change.
We should note that one of the worlds largest Internet Service Providers, IBM Global Internet Connection, in the U.S., instituted a similar plan for its previously unlimited access last summer - anyone using over 100
hours of access a month is charged an hourly rate for all hours in excess.
For details on BonaireLive's price structure, see http://www.bonairelive.com .
Captain Don Loses Wire
In 1980 Captain Don smashed his ankle while leading a group attempting to salvage a sailing raft, the Sterke Yerke III, from the
windward side of Bonaire. Doctors in Curaçao wired-up the ankle and put the Captain in a full leg cast. It slowed down his dive activities for a while. Just last week the last wire was removed at Bonaire's San
Francisco Hospital by Dr. van der Veen and his team. Just before the procedure, which involved general anesthesia in the hospital's operating suite they announced to Captain Don that their services and those of the
hospital were being done at no charge "out of respect or what you have done for Bonaire." (Courtesy of Port Call)
National Archaeological Anthropological Museum
Some of you may have noticed special display cases recently added to the post office and library here on
Bonaire. These display cases come to us courtesy of the National Archaeoligical Anthropological Musuem (quite a mouthful! - let's call them NAAM from now on).
For the last three weeks NAAM has been working in cooperation with the Postal Service and Public Libraries of the Netherlands Antilles to kick off a promotional campaign for the planned museum opening in the year
2000. At each post office on all five islands of the Netherlands Antilles (Curacao, Bonaire, St. Maarten, Saba, and St. Eustatius), and at the public libraries of St. Maarten, Bonaire and Curacao, an exhibition
showcase has been placed with artifacts representing the three ethnic pillars of Antillean culture: European, African, and Amerindian. The artifacts symbolize the islands' multi-ethnic history, and support the theme
of the National Museum, which is "Conserving our Cultural Heritage". Many of the National Museum collections are the culmination of over 20 years of research by professional anthropologists and
archaeologists in the region.
The National Museum will be situated on Curacao, with exhibits from all the five islands. Traveling exhibits will also be created and shared between the islands to showcase the rich cultural diversity of the
Netherlands Antilles. The program of exhibits at the National Museum will be for all audiences, but a concerted effort will be made to focus on the youth of the Antilles on the appreciation of their cultural
heritage.
More details can be found at http://www.curacao.com/naam .
Bonaire Twin Cinema News & Features - February 18 - 24, 1999
Bonaire Twin Cinema is located in the heart of Kralendijk next to the Exito Bakery and
behind the Cultimara Supermarket. Starting Thursday, February 18, Bonaire Twin Cinema will be offering the following film features (NaFl.10.- for all normal features):
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The Negotiator - New!
- Matinees Sat. & Sun. at 2:00pm and 5:00pm
- Nightly at 8:00pm
- Late Shows Fri. & Sat. at 11:00pm
Samuel Jackson and Kevin Spacey go head to head as two skilled police hostage negotiators as one of them takes hostages when he discovers he is being framed. (Rated R, Action Suspense, 139 minutes.) See http://movies.yahoo.com/movies/guide/the_negotiator.html for details.
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A Bug's Life
- Matinees Sat. & Sun. at 2:15pm and 4:30pm
- Nightly at 6:30pm
- Late Shows Fri. & Sat. at 12:00
A misfit ant named Flick must save his colony from a greedy gang of grasshoppers and their evil leader Hopper. Flick enlists a troop of circus bugs to aid in the defense. (Rated PG, Animation, 94 minutes) See http://headlines.yahoo.com/Full_Coverage/Movies/A_Bug_s_Life/ for details.
[Bonaire E-News rates A Bug's Life as 4 stars out of 4 - a definite "must see" - features a fun Disney-esque plot sure to entertain children and adults alike, along with great 3D graphics (only one minor
flaw we'll attribute to artistic license - count the number of appendages the ants have). And you absolutely must stay seated when the end credits roll because you'll see some great "bloopers". All in all
a great film for the entire family.]
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Meet Joe Black - ** Due to extended run time - All seats are Nafl 12,50 **
- Nightly at 8:30pm
The story of a media tycoon whose charmed life and orderly household are disrupted by the arrival of an enigmatic young man named Joe Black. Joe falls in love with the tycoon's daughter with profound and bittersweet
consequences. (Rated PG-13, Comedy Romance, 181 minutes) See http://headlines.yahoo.com/Full_Coverage/Movies/Meet_Joe_Black/ for details.
--------------------------------
The Bonaire Twin Cinema also offers a Dinner and a Movie special in conjunction with and DeTuin Eetcafe. Nafl. 35.- gets you dinner, beer or soda, popcorn, and a ticket to a movie.
The Bonaire Twin Cinema Box Office opens nightly at 6:00pm, and no reservations are required. Tickets are only available at the box office.
Questions about the movies? Call Bonaire Twin Cinema at 2400 (Noon to closing everyday), FAX: 8010, or send an e-mail to mailto:TwinCinema@InfoBonaire.com (please
include your phone or FAX number).
Quick Takes
- U.S. Consul Date Change. We had reported previously that the United States Consul of the Netherlands Antilles, based in Curacao, was
going to be on Bonaire next Tuesday (the 23rd of February). That date has now changed to Friday, February 26th. The Consul will be available at Trans World Radio from 10:15am-12:30pm and 1:30pm-4:00pm on a first
come, first serve basis, and will offer the following services: U.S. passport renewals or first time issuance, report of a birth abroad to a U.S. citizen, immigrant visa application for the spouse, parent or child
of a U.S.citizen, and notarial and authentication services.
- Crime Meeting. BONHATA (Bonaire Hotel & Tourism Association), AKIB (Bonaire Business & Industry Association), CURO (Caribbean Underwater Resort Operators), and the Bonaire Restaurant Association -
invite all concerned residents and those who care about Bonaire as much as they do, to participate in a Crime Forum to be held on Friday, March 5th, at 7pm at Harbour Village (probably in Sala Grande) to discuss the
petition effort as well as the concept of community policing. No RSVP is necessary, but a desire to work together to help Bonaire get rid of crime is required.
- BONHATA General Assembly. On Friday, February 26th, at 6pm in the conference room at Captain Don's Habitat, the Bonaire Hotel and Tourism Association (BONHATA) will hold it's regular annual General Assembly.
All BONHATA members are encouraged to attend, as are those organizations and individuals who derive income from tourism. BONHATA will briefly review its progress in the last year as it pertains to airlift, crime,
and government interaction, and then will hold an open forum so that BONHATA members can help set the agenda for the coming year. A new vice president will also be slated for nomination and election at the meeting.
Free drinks and snacks will be provided. For more information, contact the BONHATA office at 5134 or mailto:info@bonhata.org .
- Wine & Cheese Fundraiser. It's Bonaire's most anticipated annual social event. Mark Saturday, March 20 on your calendar because that's when the third annual "Wine and Cheese Fundraiser" for the
Bonaire Culinary team will be held. It's 6 to 9PM at Harbour Village Beach Resort's, "Plaza Mayor", which is the charming outdoor patio with fountain just behind Captain Wook's Bar and Restaurant. Bonaire
wine merchants will be offering samples and restaurants from the Bonaire Restaurant Association will have tables of tasty, interesting cheeses and other appetizers to go with the wines. There will be live background
music and door prizes. This very popular event is always a sellout, so get your tickets early. They'll be on sale for NAfl. 35 at the Green Parrot, Rendez-Vous, and Harbour Village restaurants. The Bonaire Culinary
Team will be competing with teams from all around the Caribbean at the "Taste of the Caribbean 1999" in July in Miami, Florida. (Courtesy of Port Call)
- Elections. Elections for Bonaire's Island Council, the legislative body that most directly affects the lives of the people of Bonaire, will be held on the 23rd of April this year. (Courtesy of Port Call)
- KLM Details. Since breaking the news last week that new KLM flight to Bonaire will start Sunday, April 4th, we've learned a few more details about the flight. The flight, KL789, is scheduled to fly weekly
through the end of October 1999 (no news on what happens then), and will be a Boeing 747 with 34 Business and 417 Economy Class seats. It will depart Amsterdam at 1:05pm, and arrive on Bonaire at 4:35pm. On its
return flight KL789 will depart Bonaire at 5:45pm, flying via Curacao, and will arrive in Amsterdam at 11:00am the following morning (respective local time zones apply to all these times. Check with your local
travel agent for availability.
Classifieds
Lots of things for sale, and some things being sought (please note that we do not warrant the accuracy or validity of the
products/services/etc. being presented here):
Seeking Something:
BABY STROLLER & COMPUTER
Villa Candidus (Maria Hoppner Foundation) is looking for someone to donate a baby stroller. "They have a one year old that is getting to heavy to carry and needs to be rolled
around from time to time." They also could use a computer for administration and for the older children's school work. If you can help, contact L. Michael Gayner at phone/FAX 4781 or mailto: gmichael@bonairelive.net .
ROOMMATE
Looking for female roommate to share oceanfront condo. Fully furnished with all amenities. Private bedroom and bath. naf 800, includes utilities. Call/fax: 7071 or mailto: islandfashions@bonairenet.com
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For Sale:
MOTORCYCLE
Colombian police motorcycle Honda 650RS Dominator, mileage 10,838 1989 model year. Asking Nafl 4,600. Call 5061
FURNITURE
One (baby) bed (white) NAfl. 150,-
One (baby) dressing table with storage room for clothes NAfl. 200,- One double bed (boxspring, matras size 1.90m x 1.40m, only three months old) NAfl. 350,- For more
info: call: 6949 (Rita) during business hours or mailto:ritapcf@hotmail.com
COMPUTER
Compaq laptop, 133 Mhz, Pentium, 1 Gigabyte Harddisk, 1 year old, VGA screen, External CD-ROM (24x). In good condition, includes all original documentation. Includes a lot of software. Without CD-ROM:
NAfl. 1500,- or with CD-ROM drive NAfl. 1750,- Call Carla at 8130 or mailto:cargeer@hotmail.com
COMPUTER
Laptop for Sale, SHARP, 486 - DX2/50Mhz, 32MB RAM, 28.8 Fax Modem, 250MB hard drive, Software includes Windows 95, Office 97, Netscape Communicator. External CD-ROM: Backpack (Parallel Port), External
Mouse: Logitech. Package Price: NAfl. 2000 or Computer Only: NAfl. 1500.
Call Juan Gomez or Luisa Fuertes phone 7500 ext.88 or ext.310.
AUTOMOBILES
1987 Toyota Starlet for NAfl. 3000
1993 Toyota starlet for NAfl. 7000
both in good condition
Call Marlon at 7292
BOOKS: Sea Change, personally autographed by author Dr. Sylvia Earle, NAFl. 25,- or US$14. Profits go to benefit the Bonaire Marine Park. Call Jake at 6773, mailto: jake@nettech.an .
RANGE ROVER STATION WAGON
Classic '76 4x4 - only one of its kind on Bonaire Mint condition with parts and qualified maintenance available locally. Only NAfl. 12,000. Call 7223 or e-mail mailto: intertech@bonairelive.com
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Want to Buy:
TABLE
Looking for a small to medium size table for my porch. Preferably wooden. Call Lieske - Tel/Fax +599-7-5584
STUFF FOR APARTMENT
- Second Hand (small) refrigerator with freezer section
* Furniture for a small living room
* Bed (mattress size 1.90m x 1.40m)
* A carpenter :-) who can make me a bed and a
desk/cubboard Contact tel./fax 5095 or e-mail mailto: titus71@hotmail.com
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