|
Editor's Note
Welcome to the year 2000! You may notice that this issue of the E-News is quite a bit shorter than the norm of late. Don't worry - it's not a Y2K problem - just a combination of less news at present as
well as the fact that the more verbose of us (Jake) is off island this week. Yep, that's right - this issue of the Bonaire E-News comes to you from Washington DC this week (and next week too). Another example of the
miracle of the Internet :-)
Regardless of our location, we'd like to wish all our readers a very Happy New Year and much happiness and prosperity during the coming year!
The Bonaire E-News Staff: Jake, Linda, and Aida
Klein Bonaire Sale Finalized To follow up on our Newsflash of last week, we're pleased to report that the sale of Klein Bonaire went through as
anticipated. And now, finally, after much efforts and many false starts, Klein Bonaire once again belongs to Bonaire.
What a lot of people don't know is that Klein Bonaire in the past never actually belonged to Bonaire. In fact, it was the Dutch government that sold the small island in 1870 to Angel J. Jeserun. At the time Klein
Bonaire was a plantation. Since than it has always been in private hands. From March 31, 1970 until December 30, 1999 it was owned by the Klein Bonaire Development Corporation (KBDC).
Last Thursday, December 30th, was a wonderful day for a lot of people on Bonaire, because that's the day Maurice Neme and Edmond Saade of KBDC, together with Lt. Governor Richard Hart, put their signatures on the
deed to transfer ownership. After that auspicious occasion, a group of about 30 people sailed to Klein Bonaire where three flags were hoisted: the Bonairean flag, the Dutch flag and the Antillean flag. Then Samantha
and Xemio Jacobs sang the Bonairean anthem, followed by a champagne toast to celebrate this historic moment. Another historic moment followed when it was announced that No Name Beach is going to be renamed to Playa
Neme.
Bonaire purchased Klein Bonaire from KBDC for 9.3 million Dutch guilders (US$ 4.26 million, NAFl. 7.56 million). The majority of the funds came from the Government of the Netherlands' Dept. of the Interior and
Kingdom Affairs' environmental budget, with a balance of NAFl. 1.8 million still needing to be raised by a combination of the Bonairean Government, the FPKB and World Wildlife Fund of Holland. Of that amount, the
FPKB still needs to raise about US$310,000. Details of this fund raising effort (which has raised over US$4000 from Carib Inn guests and staff alone in the last week!) can be found at the new Klein Bonaire web site
at http://www.KleinBonaire.org .
During the Klein Bonaire "landing" Laura De Salvo and Bruce Bowker of the Foundation Preservation Klein Bonaire (FPKB) handed Neme a check for NAFl. 50,000 guilders as their first installment of the
additional sum due to Neme for the purchase of Klein Bonaire. In return Neme decided to pay for the fireworks in Playa and Rincon and New Year's Eve the following day.
As a footnote we should point out that in all the speeches made last Thursday, it was stressed that Klein Bonaire must become a 'natuurpark' ("nature park"). We have also heard that if that doesn't happen,
Bonaire will have to pay the Netherlands a fine of 25 million guilders.
Photos of the day's activities, courtesy of the Bonaire Reporter, can be found at http://www.bonaireenews.com/20000105-kleinbonaire.html
First Turtle Poaching Case Going to Court Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire (STCB) announced that the first sea turtle poaching case is going to
court on Bonaire on January 11th. This first case has been brought against a fisherman who was seen bringing a large turtle ashore at the Harbour Village Marine on March 25th, 1999. A witness saw him put the turtle
into a car an then conceal it. Information and evidence was collected by the Bonaire Marine Park and the police, and the fisherman confessed to the alleged crime.
According to the Bonaire Marine Environment Ordinance, passed on June 27th, 1991 it is prohibited to disturb or destroy sea turtle nests or to remove eggs from the nests. It is also prohibited to be in
possession of, to have for sale or delivery, to offer for sale, to buy, to trade, to donate, or to transport eggs of sea turtles. Additionally, it is prohibited to kill, catch, or be in possession of sea turtles.
The penalty for violation of the law is a maximum of NAFl. 5000 (US$2825) and/or one month in jail.
In an interview in the latest STCB Newsletter, public prosecutor (same as the district attorney in U.S. jurisdictions) Ben van der Krabbe says the punishment next week will most likely not be the maximum
amount that can be imposed, as this is the first sea turtle case to appear before the court. But van der Krabbe will ask that a substantial fine be imposed so people will see how serious the situation is, and how
seriously the court takes this matter.
Sunset Beach To Be Torn Down The Sunset Beach Hotel, one of the oldest hotel structures on Bonaire, is finally going to be pulled down. This
was announced by Commissioner Ramonsito Booi last week. He says the intention of the government is to have a new hotel - comparable to a four star name brand resort - built in the same location as the former Sunset
Beach. "At first we had other plans with the hotel, but those were not to Bonaire's advantage. So we changed them because we want a lasting solution. The negotiations with the new management are in an advanced
stage", Booi declared. At this moment the Commissioner indicated that he doesn't want to say anything more about the project, but he expects that the building of the new accommodation will start mid-year. Once
the demolition of the property commences, it is expected that the beach, used by many Bonaire residents, will be closed for safety reasons.
Even though Booi doesn't want to say anything more about the new owner of the property, Harbour Village, according to government sources, is the likely successor. The new hotel is expected to be finished
in two years time.
The Sunset Beach Hotel has been unoccupied since October of last year and was closed as a result of excessive debt. The hotel was eventually put on the auction block and purchased by Interbank, the largest private
creditor.
Esmeralda Project To Be Revived As Eco-Hotel As most people know, Bonaire is very much the eco-tourism destination. It's now been decided
that the Esmeralda Beach Resort at Punt Vierkant (the semi-built resort below Lighthouse Beach Resort) will become an eco-hotel. That's what Commissioner of Tourism Ramonsito Booi declared at a press conference last
week. "It is going to have a very high status. Even higher than Hyatt or Marriott. A temporary contract has been signed with a management group, but I can't give any details right now" he said. It is
expected that next week the contract will be signed and an official announcement made.
Just like with the Sunset Beach Hotel, the current structure at the Esmeralda site will need to be torn down first before a new hotel can be built.
In related news, the government predicts that within the next five years or so, there could be as many as one thousand more hotel rooms on Bonaire, between the new hotels planned for Esmeralda, Sunset Beach, and
expansions to existing resorts.
Letters to the Editor We received a number of letters in the last week regarding the Klein Bonaire acquisition, as well as a reply to one of our Letters
to the Editor in our previous issue.
To the People of Bonaire:
Congratulations! We are frequent visitors to Bonaire. My wife, Sheila & I are very happy to hear that Klein Bonaire has been purchased and will made into a national park. The one
thing that keeps us coming back to Bonaire is how well it is preserved compared to other areas in the world. We visit Bonaire every couple of years. We consider it one of our favorite spots.
We have seen not growth and change in Bonaire that would make us stop coming. I am not saying that there hasn't been any growth or change. The island has the same friendly atmosphere we experienced 10 years ago when
we first started visiting.
Making Klein Bonaire a national park will go a long way in preserving this piece of paradise. Good work to Bruce Bowker and all the people who supported him.
Kelly Cooper Calgary, Alberta CANADA
------------------ To the Editor:
So many of us who have visited and enjoyed Bonaire rejoice with you after the long and arduous negotiations to have Klein Bonaire returned and preserved. Congratulations on winning the good fight!
Bernice and Claude Rankin, Connecticut, USA
------------------ To the Editor:
In response to the letter by Corine Gerharts in the December 22nd issue of the Bonaire E-News, there are many more points that must be made regarding cruise ships. First, what Mr. Aguiton was most likely
implying was that cruise ships can leave any time they want. They have a commitment to tourism, but not at any particular location. Hotels and many other businesses on the other hand cannot simply untie their ropes
and say goodbye for good. When a cruise ships decides it has had enough of an island, it simply does not come back.
When hundreds, and in some cases thousands of people disembark into a small town, the personality and attitude of the local people change. Cultures disappear and false cultures are developed simply for
these one day people. Many businesses start up only with cruise ship income in mind. On some islands, an entire area of town has been created just for cruise ships. When the cruise ships decide not to come back,
these businesses are left high and dry.
Cruise ships tax an infrastructure - they do not support it or add to it. Islands develop and pay for an infrastructure to support cruise ships and when the cruise ships are gone, this expense can not be
recouped. Cruise ships dump garbage on islands, islands which have a very finite area for this. Many other cruise ships dump at sea and simply pay the fines because it is cheaper. They simply care less about
environment and local business than the dollar [and are out] solely for themselves.
Many islands are now starting to realize what the cruise ship industry has done. One island in the U.S. Virgins, St. Thomas, has found that its hotel occupancy has gone down seriously because of cruise
ships and are taking steps to turn this around. Cruise ships are a one day affair whereas hotels bring in a far higher income over a longer and guaranteed time. The amount of money spent by one cruise ship tourist
is minute compared to someone staying for a vacation on an island. St Thomas discovered this a bit late. What looked like a wonderful income from cruise ships was a very shallow and false economy. Certain types of
businesses look like they are doing wonderfully well, one day at a time, until the cruise ships find other ports. Cruise ships have no obligations locally.
Hotels, restaurants, etc., employ locally where cruise ships do not. Cruise ships come, take, and leave. They pay few if any taxes compared to local businesses.
A very good book to read is "The Last Resorts" by Polly Pattullo. In the chapter on cruise ships she clearly points out many areas that are dangerous with this type of tourism. Anyone seriously involved in
any aspect of tourism must read at least this chapter if not the entire book. I would be more than happy to make this chapter and other articles available to read.
Bonaire has not yet felt the effects of long term cruise ship arrivals but other islands have. Can we learn from this?
Bruce Bowker Carib Inn, Bonaire
------------------- Letters to the Editors of the Bonaire E-News can be sent to mailto:editors@BonaireENews.com . Not all letters will necessarily get published, and those that we publish may be edited for clarity.
Government Raises Certain User Fees As of January 1st, several user fees on Bonaire have increased, thanks to actions taken by the Island Council last
week.
First, the road tax, an annual fee paid to allow vehicles to remain in use on public roads on Bonaire has gone up 25 percent. According to the Island Council the raise of the road tax is necessary because the
government needs money to build new roads and to maintain the existing ones. Vehicles that use diesel are going to pay NAFl. 1875 per year (formerly NAFl. 1500). The other tariffs are now NAFl. 285 (previously NAFl.
230) for gasoline pick-trucks and other normal vehicles, and NAFl. 205 (previously NAFl. 165) for other vehicle classes. It was also decided by the Island Council that next year this tax will be raised 25 percent
again.
Also last week, the Island Council voted to double the departure tax for people leaving the island on international flights, US$10 (NAFl. 18) to US$20 (NAFl. 36). The fee applies to visitors as well as residents
departing the island. According to the Island Council the money is needed to face higher costs and to improve the infrastructure of Flamingo International Airport.
These increases come on the heels of an economically painful increase of the sales tax from 2% to 5% on October 1st, 1999.
New License Plates If you've been driving around Bonaire in the last week, you may have noticed that Bonairean license plates have changed color. The
current red license plates are being replaced by yellow ones. A government representative, when asked why the plates have to be changed said "This is a very tough question for me. It has to do with
politics."
In other words the color of the plates is related to the color of the governing political party. The former government was formed by the PDB (the red party) and now the government is formed by UPB (green)
and Paboso (yellow).
So, how do you get a new plate? When you go to the Eilandsontvanger to pay the road tax (due this month) you'll get your new license plate right away. You have to pay NAFl. 15 extra for the new plates and
NAFl. 4 for the tax sticker. The old red plates can be kept as collectors items.
Movies @ The Movies Bonaire Starting Thursday, January 6th, the following movies will be shown:
Stigmata - Nightly at 9:15pm, Matinee Sunday at 4:00pm
Blue Streak - Nightly at 6:45pm, Matinee Sunday at 3:30pm
Double Jeopardy - Nightly at 7:00pm, Matinee Saturday at 4:00pm
Random Hearts - Nightly at 9:30pm, Matinee Saturday at 3:30pm
Please see The Movies Bonaire Web site for more details on these movies and for box office times at http://www.InfoBonaire.com/cinema (Note: The Movies
Bonaire is normally closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.)
Web Site of the Week Each week (when we have material), we'll list one address of a new Bonaire Web site that we come across.
Web site of this week: Foundation Preservation Klein Bonaire - http://www.KleinBonaire.org
If you have a new Bonaire-related Web site and want to make sure people know about it, send a message to mailto:news@BonaireENews.com with the details.
Quick Takes
- First Baby of 2000. A little boy, Georginio Melaan, was the first Year 2000 baby born on Bonaire. The boy was born at his parental home in Nort-SaliƱa at 1:05am, January 1st. Georginio weighed in at 3100
grams (approx. 6 pounds 8 ounces) and was 51 centimeters (approx. 20 inches) long.
- People of the Year '99. Every year the Bonaire Press Associations votes for a man and woman of the year. This year the honor went to Larry Gerharts and Nun Swinda Seraus. According to the organization both
people have done a lot for Bonaire in their field of work. Nun Swinda is not only involved in activities for elderly people, but she also opens the house and terrain where KaĆ Mimina is situated for the elderly.
Gerharts has done a lot of work for in the airlift-committee to improve the airlift to and from Bonaire and to attract more tourists to the island.
- Phone Outage Scheduled in Hato. This coming Saturday, January 8th, the Hato neighborhood and surrounding areas will find their telephone access disabled between midnight and 6:00am. Hato and the surrounding
area were apparently not switched over to the new telephone system in Playa last year, but that will be taken care of in the early hours of Saturday morning. Residents of the affected area are advised by Telbo to
contact the service department at number 120 if they experience any problems telephoning after 6:00am. In its press release announcing the outage, Telbo stated will do its utmost to keep the nuisance to a minimum.
They also indicated that the service interruption will not affect Sabadeco.
- Port Call Name Change. Bonaire's English language waterfront weekly, Port Call, has been renamed effective this week, to the "Bonaire Reporter". According to the publication the name change was
made because the publishers feel the new name better reflects the content of the newssheet.
- No Y2K Problems... Like the rest of the world Bonaire, has suffered no real Y2K problems, as we discovered after contacting WEB, the local water and electric utility company, and Telbo, Bonaire
telephone company. The Y2K project manager of WEB, R. Silberie, told us that there were no major problems. "We choose not to upgrade some of the smaller software, so in advance we knew that would give minor
problems. But they didn't effect the distribution and production. But then we were very well prepared. We even had extra standby teams ready. Some people expected problems at the end of the month. I don't know about
that", Silberie declared.
- ...And No Firework Problems. According to police spokesman Fichi Bernabela the turn of the year was really quiet on Bonaire (if one disregards the sounds of the fireworks), and stated that there
were no appreciable problems. As far as he knows there were also no firework-related accidents reported.
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 - in other words, Caveat Emptor (Buyer
Beware). Note: Advertising real estate for sale or rent, as well as services offered, in our Classifieds are _fee based_ (and are marked with "Advertising Section"). No classified ads will be accepted from
those looking for employment, and all other ads will be reviewed and may be edited if accepted for free placement. Contact us at mailto:classifieds@BonaireENews.com for details.
------------- Help Wanted
HOUSE CLEANER Three families looking to share a house keeper/house cleaner five half-days a week - two each for two of the families, and one half-day for the third. Can provide transportation if needed. Contact
Corine at 717-7033 or mailto:info@multifish.com .
CHIEF ENGINEER Capt. Don's Habitat is currently accepting applications for a full time Chief Engineer. Applicants must have extensive hands on experience in maintenance and repair of Caterpillar Marine Diesel
engines as well as knowledge in outboard engines to include basic service, maintenance, repair as well as major overhauls. Applicants should also have knowledge in inventory control and be willing to travel as fleet
consists of 8 boats located on two islands. Applicants should also have a basic working knowledge in high-pressure air compressor maintenance and repair. Salary and benefits commensurate with
experience. Please address all applications to: Capt. Don's Habitat, Attn: Dive Operations Manager, P.O. Box 88, Kralendijk, Bonaire Netherlands Antilles. Telephone: +599-717-8290, Fax:
+599-717-8240, e-mail: mailto:jack@habitatdiveresorts.com .
VOLUNTEERS Special Olympics Bonaire is looking for volunteers for transportation and unified sports and personal guidance with the "Athlete, Leadership Program", as well as for a volunteer treasurer and
volunteer secretary. For more information, please call tel. 717-8550 / 717-6144 / 717-4781, fax 717-8706, or mailto:spec-olym-bon@bonairelive.com
------------- Personals?
DOG FOUND We found the dog at the beginning of the tourist road. She is a small female dog, possibly a terrier of some sort - black, half long hair, white at the end of her curly tail and her feet are also white.
We think she is still young because she is very playful and if you look at her teeth you can also tell she is young! She has small hanging ears. When we found her she was wearing a brown leather collar without a
tag. Her collar was too big and because of that she was eating it....! She must be somebody's dog because she is super friendly and obedient. I hope we can find her owner!!!! If you are missing your dog or know a
dog which matches this description (likely from the Sabadeco or Hato area), please contact Femke at mailto:doswinkel@bonairelive.com .
TOYS FOR TOTS FROM BOSTON If you live in the Boston area and are coming to Bonaire anytime soon, please contact Ms. Sharon Magnuson at mailto:SharonMag@aol.com . She has some things that should be brought to Bonaire for the kids of the Maria Hoppner Foundation (for underprivileged children and orphans). If you are willing and able to help please contact her!
------------- Services (Advertising Section)
HANDYMAN Need a handyman? An Experienced plumber, electrician, painter, and jack-of-all-trades? Then call Jato Handyman at 717-7270 (evenings) or 717-2727 (daytime - ask for Alda) [Jato was contracted by the
editors of the Bonaire E-News last year and just recently for some work, and we recommend him highly]
------------- Rentals (Advertising Section)
ULTIMO CAS Offering for the first time, "Ultimo Cas", a gracious beachfront property in the quiet neighborhood of Hato. While very convenient to 5 star diving operations, its location offers its own
excellent snorkeling and diving. Contact mailto:ultimocas@hotmail.com or call 2447 for information on short term/long term rental opportunities.
SAND DOLLAR CONDOS FOR RENT Studio Units F-15 and F-17, located on ground level with ocean view, full kitchens & baths. Both sleep 2 adults and 2 children: Queen bed (F-15)/Murphy Queen wallbed (F-17), both
have queen-size sleeper sofa. F-17 recently painted and redecorated. Tennis courts, swimming pool, front desk, and convenience store on property. Dive shop next door. For Discount rental contact owners David or Lynn
Colvard at U.S.A. (919) 782-1761 or email mailto:dcolvard@mindspring.com .
A WEEK AT LIONS DIVE RESORT Beautiful oceanfront one bedroom (sleeps 4) unit with full kitchen for 7 nights available at Lions Dive Resort for a discounted rate during the year 2000. Call 717-5592 or mailto:samur@bonairelive.com for more info.
HOUSE FOR RENT One bedroom house, located at Kaya Rapheala 28 in Antriol. Includes a living room, kitchen, bathroom. Unfurnished. Available as of January 1st, 2000. Asking NAFl. 500,- per month. Contact Diana at
717-5134 during business hours.
HOUSE FOR RENT From November 2, 1999 to December 24, 1999. Offers 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully furnished. Located in Belnem. NAFl. 150/day plus extra NAFl. 25,- laundry costs. Contact Desiree at mailto:aplaceforyou@bonairelive.com .
ONE BEDROOM HOUSE One bedroom house for rent from November 2, 1999 until December 31, 1999. Fully furnished, located in Belnem. NAFl. 85,- per day plus extra NAFl. 25,- laundry costs. Contact Desiree at mailto:aplaceforyou@bonairelive.com .
HOUSE ON THE BEACH Available for weekly rental, in front of great diving and snorkeling, minutes from dive shop, stores and restaurants, reasonably priced. More information available at
http://www.homestead.com/bonairebeachhouse/index.html or at mailto:anniejul@juno.com . Phone/FAX: 516-694-3430
APARTMENTS FOR RENT Tenants sought for long term apartment rental. Offering two different apartments on same street: First is a one bedroom apartment, second is a two bedroom apartment. Both are located
on Kaya Caribe, Nord Salina, and have recently been completely refinished and are fully furnished with air conditioning, kitchen & appliances, washing machine, and more. Affordably priced. Pets okay. Contact
Alda Dirskz at 717-2727 (daytime) or 717-7270 (evenings) for more details.
------------- Real Estate (Advertising Section)
SAND DOLLAR CONDO Sand Dollar Unit C-9. 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms. Located on ground level with ocean view. Nicely decorated and great rental opportunity. Call owners Art or Anna Kleimer at (U.S. toll
free) 1-800-303-7355 or email mailto:kleimer@kleimer.com .
LAND FOR SALE 1538 square meter corner plot for sale with a large sea view frontage, known as lot 116, on Santa Barbara hill (the street below Kaya Aquamarine), with a view over Klein Bonaire. Plot shape,
dimensions, survey map can be provided by FAX for interested parties. Will sell for NAFl. 69,000. Replies to mailto:dawn@bonairelive.com
------------- For Sale:
MEN'S WETSUIT Men's Sea Quest Wetsuit - New, Never Used! It was ordered, it arrived, it was too big so it has never been in the water! Size: XL (Men's caribbean jumpsuit; long sleeves & legs, back zip).
Color: Black body & sleeves, blue inserts on body & sleeves. This is a 5 mm suit with 3mm inserts for better ease of motion. Asking NAFl. 200. Contact Walt at mailto:chaoscentral@bonairelive.com .
SKIN DIVING FINS & WETSUIT Skin/Deep diving fins, extra-extra long, size medium. Also, new 5 mil wetsuit, medium (1m60). Call 2844.
COMPUTER PRINTER HP DeskJet 820Cxi (color). 2 years old. Well maintained. Asking price NAFl. 275,-. Contact mailto:ben@sunbelt.an .
SPEEDBOAT 1989 Speedboat - 16 ft. Deep V, 175HP. Includes trailer, a bimini top, trim tabs. NAFl. 16000. Call Santino at 6769.
SUNFISH SAILBOAT Used, but in good condition. NAFl. 650. If interested, please contact Keith or Carla at 717-8908 or mailto:chall@twr.or .
BIG SAILBOAT The "HoeSee" - 9,60mtr / 31' 5". Asking US$15000,- Specifications: 1984 Morgan (US-mfd), modified; 4 berths; Aft Cockpit; 6 sails (mainsail, genoa 1 and 3, foresail and
stormsails); Yanmar inboard diesel engine 15 KW; Shower and (manual) pump toilet; Freezer; Gas-stove; 25 Watt shipping traffic radiophone; Depthsounder; Two solarpanels of 50 Watts each; and one windgenerator of 75
Watts. Contact mailto:jhoedemakers@rnbtech.com
AIRCO General brand air conditioner, 2400 BTUs. One year old, asking NAFl. 1500,-. Contact Desiree at mailto:aplaceforyou@bonairelive.com .
BCD & REGULATOR A.P. Valves Buddy Commando BC orange/black, w/emergency inflation system, 1100 Denier Cordura, 2 bladder system, lots of lift, professional quality; Beuchat VS10 Regulator, Diaphragm system,
high performance, w Octopus, NO console/SPG. Both items for only NAFl. 400,- Contact Benji at mailto:benji@bonairelive.com .
SUNFISH SAILBOAT Selling a SUNFISH sailboat in very good condition. Price including trailer NAFl. 2995 or best offer. Contact Richard at mailto:cwinkel@bonairelive.com .
COMPUTER SOFTWARE Eudora Pro 4.0 for Windows 95/98 - Professional E-mail software for people who live by e-mail - only one copy left - US$45. Contact Jake @ NetTech at 717-6773 or mailto:jake@nettech.an
------------------- Want to Buy/Swap/Rent/Find:
NEED ROOMMATE Female roomate wanted (non-smoker, please!) to share waterfront townhouse. Private furnished bedroom and bath. Utilities included. NAFl. 850,- Please call 717-7071 or e-mail mailto:islandfashions@bonairenet.com .
WINDSURFING SAIL I'm looking for a (modern) used sail for windsurfing. Approx. 6 m2. Also looking for complete set: board, sail, mast, etc. (not beginners). Call Coen at 717-8130 (office) or mailto:coenvos@hotmail.com
HOUSE RENTAL(S) Looking to rent one or two homes (should be near to each other) for two weeks, starting July 15, 2000 for former Bonaire residents and their family & friends (up to 10 people total). If you
have such homes available for rent, contact Gerdien van den Brand in Holland at mailto:vdbrand@tref.nl
|