Bonaire E-News Publishing Schedule
When we sent out our Bonaire E-Newsflash indicating that this issue
of the Bonaire E-News would be late, and that we'd deliver another issue a week later, we didn't realize that we'd be inundated with even more work in our paying jobs. As such, this issue you're reading will likely have
to keep you going for the rest of November, due to a combination of deadlines, rebreather training, family visits, more deadlines, etc. We will resume publishing the Bonaire E-News on Wednesday, December 8th, on a
weekly schedule. For those of our readers with paid classified advertising (real estate, property rentals, and service sections only - all other ads are free), please be advised that we will extend your
insertions by another 8 weeks to make up for the skipped weeks of publication (and as an early Christmas present). In the event there is breaking news on Bonaire during our hiatus, we will issue a Bonaire
E-Newsflash. Central Government Re-forming?
Miguel Pourier, Bonairean born founder of the PAR party and former two time Prime Minister of the Netherlands
Antilles has been appointed by Governor of the Netherlands Antilles Jaime Saleh to form a new Cabinet, with a strong recommendation that such new Cabinet be formed quickly, with as broad a representation of political
parties as possible. The Governor's decision to appoint Mr. Pourier was based on advice from the majority of the factions in the Parliament. The new Cabinet must focus on the implementation of an emergency
program (including a social and economic factors) with concrete measures to correct the government's financial situation. Other issues which will need to be tackled by the new Cabinet are the creation of jobs and
improving the quality and structure of the civil service. For this, the recommendations of the National Recovery Plan must be the starting point, according to Governor Saleh. Furthermore, Saleh stated that
the Cabinet must support the Island Governments in taking similar measures via just as strict a schedule. Together, specific proposals must be worked out and implemented to re-shape the political and financial
relationship between Central and Island Governments and the Dutch Government. The deadline for this undertaking is the middle of the year 2000. Pourier's assignment also included an emergency plan for
education and problems that the youth face, including their options for the future, and dealing with crime, drugs and unemployment. Pourier's role is not without serious complications, as political
infighting has already reared its ugly head, with parties most recently in power trying to maintain as much of the ministerial portfolio they had previously controlled. On top of that, certain parties have refused to
even come to organizational meetings because of the participation of other parties with contrasting philosophies. Increasing the critical need for fast action, the Central Bank of the Netherlands Antilles
stated that it would limit the amount the Curaçao Government may borrow from banks to only 15 million guilders, when in fact the Curaçao government needs over 100 million guilders to survive until the end of 1999.
According to Central Bank spokesman Jerry Hasselmeyer: "It wouldn't be advisable to finance the Government due to the present situation. Doing so would put a dent in the foreign currency reserves." Meanwhile, the citizens and residents of Bonaire continue to wait for much needed changes in the Central Government Telbo Turmoil
It would be
wonderful to be able to say that Telbo's replacement of the old phone switch with the new one over the weekend of October 16th went smoothly, but sadly that is far from true. Instead of a smooth transition, phone
lines were in chaotic disarray all over Bonaire for several days, with some people still suffering intermittent phone outages even now, two weeks later. In our case, our main phone number went out of commission Saturday
morning, October 16th, and didn't return to service until Tuesday night (and several phone calls and personal visits to Telbo to attempt to get the problem rectified). Disturbingly, people who initially tried our voice
number heard a message that the number they had dialed was invalid. That changed to hearing a ring indicator with no one picking up. At first, our FAX line seemed unaffected, but by Monday morning it too had ceased to
work. When it later came back on, it was with someone else's phone number. And we were far from the only ones this happened to. FAXes for the Bestuurscollege ended up at a local resort; phone calls intended for high
ranking member of government instead reached another resort; numbers for people in Antriol reached others in Republiek; etc. By Tuesday night this too had been resolved for much of the island, including ourselves.
Adding to the turmoil is that the new 717 prefix, which now is correctly working on-island, does not work from anywhere outside Bonaire, including Curaçao. Telbo has informed us that this problem is being worked on and
depends on Antelecom, the long distance switching company in Curaçao. Antelecom needs to update its switches to recognize the new prefix as being Bonaire's. Telbo officials blame Antelecom for this problem, but
indicated that the ability to dial the 717 prefix from off island must be resolved before December. Meanwhile, the many island businesses which have placed ads in magazines, guides, etc. with the new phone numbers
will find that potential customers will be unable to FAX or call them. (That along is a good reason to publish e-mail and Web addresses in ones marketing materials!) And the chaos is far from over, since the Hato
substation has yet to be activated via microwave or fiber link. When that happens, it's likely that phone service in the northern resort area, Hato, and Sabadeco will get scrambled for a while, at least based on past
performance. The Rincon and Antriol sub-stations are now operational, however. As long as Telbo isn't finished unscrambling local connection problems, the new services offered by Telbo with the new phone switch, such
as Called ID, Call Waiting, and lots of other capabilities phone users in other parts of the world take for granted, will not be made available. However, people interested in these services can go to Telbo to sign up
for them, and will receive a notification (hopefully) once these services become available. Dive Festival '99
The Third Annual Bonaire Dive Festival
kicks off on Sunday, November 7th, with Dee Scarr's clean-up seminar at Capt. Don's Habitat at 3:30pm, followed a few hours later by the opening ceremony at the Wilhelmina Park. The opening ceremony will be held in
conjunction with the second running of the Taste of Bonaire - an event where attendees (all are welcome) can sample the culinary wares of members of the Bonaire Restaurant Association for a mere NAFl. 5,- a helping. Get
there early however, as supplies of the sumptuous food are likely to be somewhat limited (in other words, good stuff goes fast!). The remainder of Dive Festival week includes a number of dives, numerous presentations
and seminars, led by environmental notables such as Sylvia Earle and Rod Fujita, photographers Charles Seaborn and Stephen Frink, and several others. On Thursday, November 11th, at 3:30pm, there will be an ECO Fair at
Wilhelmina Park. This event will feature special educational activities for children, as well as an opportunity for residents and visitors to meet with representatives of local nature and animal protection
organizations from Aliansa Naturalesa di Boneiru and two international marine organizations: the REEF Environmental Education Foundation and the CORAL Reef Alliance. There will be drinks, snacks, music and merchandise
for sale. Proceeds from sales will help to support the organizations in their mutual effort to keep Bonaire a beautiful and natural place for everybody to enjoy now and in the future. The event will also kick off
the Tourism and Environmental Quiz, which will serve to educate participants about Bonaire's tourism and environmental efforts and heritage. The winner of the Quiz, to be announced November 30th, will win a two day trip
for two to Aruba, including airline tickets and accommodations. Throughout the week, autographed copies of Sylvia Earle's hallmark book, Sea Change, will be available for sale (NAFl. 25 or US$14) with profits going to
the Bonaire Marine Park. Also available will be Dive Festival T-shirts, CORAL memberships, and other related items. Admission and participation in the week's events is a $50 add-on for people with dive packages
staying at Capt. Don't Habitat, Sand Dollar Condominium Resort, and Harbour Village Beach Resort (those with Dive Festival Packages for that week already have this all included). For those staying at other resorts, the
participation fee is $175 for the week, and arrangements may have to be made for diving with one of the host resorts for some of the dive activities. Those wanting to attend just a presentation may do so with a $10
donation to the CORAL REEF Alliance. Residents of Bonaire (must have a cedula ID) qualify for a weekly rate of NAFl. 100, and a NAFl. 10 to attend a presentation or seminar.
More details, including a calendar of events, can be found at: http://www.infobonaire.com/html/divefestival99.html For those wanting to plan ahead for
next year, the Fourth Annual Bonaire Dive Festival is schedule for June of 2000. BMP 20th Anniversary
In conjunction with Dive Festival week, the
Bonaire Marine Park will be celebrating its 20th anniversary of existence with a motto of "200 Million Years of Nature - 20 Years of Protection!". The Bonaire Marine Park was the brain child of Dr. Ingvar
Kristensen and Carel Steensma, with the personal backing of Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands. It was originally managed by STINAPA, Netherlands Antilles, the parent organization of today's separate foundation, STINAPA
Bonaire. The Park was initially funded by a grant from the World Wildlife Fund (Holland), plus matching grants from the Dutch, the central and the local governments. It was set up in 1979 by Tom van't Hof, Eric Newton,
the Park's first manager, and Franklin Winklaar, who ran it during the early years. By 1984 protective legislation had been enacted, leaflets and a book were available to visiting divers, a system of moorings was in
place, and regulations were being enforced. But then the initial funding ran out. Bonaire's Park became just another of the Caribbean's "paper parks". The reefs were protected by statute, but no money was
available to pay for active management or enforcement. Leaders among the dive operators, recognizing the importance of caring for and promoting the reef, took over a number of the Parks' management jobs. They briefed
their customers on Marine Park rules, maintained the dive moorings, reported violations, and kept the spirit of the Marine Park alive. Today¹s Park began to take shape in 1991 when new funding was received
from the Dutch government. The conditions of the grant included the stipulations that the Marine Park develop an acceptable institutional structure, and that it become self-supporting within the three year term of the
funding. Kalli De Meyer, a trained marine biologist and dive instructor, was hired as full-time manager. After some experimentation, a workable institutional structure was designed. The following January
the first dive tags went on sale. Now the park is self-funding, collecting a $10 annual fee from its users. Shortly it will be collecting mooring fees from visiting yachts as well. And future plans include starting
charging the same $10 annual fee to other marine park users, including snorkelers, wind surfers and visiting fishermen. With the direct threats to the reef monitored and minimized, the Marine Park has since directed
its efforts toward consulting with local agencies on how they can deal with less tangible dangers to the marine environment, such as unwise or negligent development, waste water pollution, poor coastal zone management,
and unchecked development of tourism in the Lac Bay area. The Marine Park is also active in promoting public understanding and awareness of the value of the marine environment. For more than three years the Park has
taught local children to snorkel in its "Tortuganan di Boneiru" classes. It has presented, for Bonaire¹s teachers, a course entitled "Coral Reefs and Related Ecosystems". Special courses have also been
conducted for the Police and SSV. As part of the Nature Policy Plan recently adopted by the Island Government, Bonaire's Marine Park is slated to become a National Park. It will then have an even surer hand at the
helm of Bonaire¹s future as a leader in the management and protection of our coral reef, seagrass and mangrove ecosystems. To celebrate these achievements, the BMP's 20th Birthday celebration includes participation in
the Dive Festival Opening Ceremony on Sunday, November 7th; a BMP slide presentation on Wednesday, November 10th; the ECO Fair on November 11th (see previous article); a Mini-Marine Summit on Friday, November 12th
(invite only); and a Grand Fiesta on Sunday, November 14th at the Wilhelmina Plaza, starting at 6:30pm. We've been informed that there will be lots of prizes, food, and other goodies at the Grand Fiesta - an additional
reason to check it out! A more detailed calendar of events for the 20th Anniversary celebration should be available at the Bonaire Marine Park Web site starting on Friday, November 5th - http://www.bmp.org
Happy Birthday Bonaire Marine Park! Bonaire Government: The First 100 Days
Last week, the Bonairean government unveiled its 4 year-plan, compiled as a
result of pre-installment research and the efforts of the new government in its first 100 days in office. For those who've been around a while, the new plan looks much like a dusted off copy of the plan the UPB party
proffered the last time it was elected into office in the early 1990's (the UPB was replaced by the more socialist PDB party in 1996), and that's because many of the same issues still exist. In preparing the new
version of the Governing Plan, a few more sources were tapped to round out sections which needed updating. In particular, the so-called Pourier Plan developed in 1992 by Miguel Pourier (the same person who is now likely
to become the next Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles); the business plan for the Caribbean Development Corp.; promises made to the public by the government coalition of UPB and PABOSO; contributions by
difference organizations, services and parts of the government; the National Recovery Plan prepared earlier this year for the Central Government; and discussions with Holland. The Governing Plan deals with a vision
for Bonaire, a mission defining the goals to be carried out, a strategy to achieve those goals, and an on-going evaluation of the results of the steps taking to achieve the various goals. It's an ambitious plan,
dealing with all aspects of Bonairean life, from social reform to support for tourism and the ecology, all guided by one principal: "Economic growth and social development which will preserve the nature and culture
for the people of Bonaire." Among the key features of the plan are an improvement of the quality of life for Bonaire's residents, including better use of the police and SSV (government security), prevention of
anti-social behavior, affordable housing, and support of the new Nature Policy Plan. A significant commitment by the government is to streamline government operation, both internally as well as with government owned
companies such as Telbo and WEB. Education is also not forgotten, as proper education is considered a key element in improving the quality of life on Bonaire. The plan includes an effort to extend the school day with
more classes and activities, the latter including organized sports, cultural and craft related activities. Bonaire's role with the outside world was also discussed, in particular the need for Bonaire to have a direct
line to Holland for reporting problems with its position in the Netherlands Antilles. In particular, the government wants Bonaire to be as autonomous as possible, and is in discussions with Holland to see what part, if
any, Holland is willing to take in this process as part of the upcoming referendum vote planned for December. Outside investment also plays a big role within Bonaire's future, and the government committed to
announcing the new owner of the Sunset Beach property by mid-November, stipulating that whomever was chosen would be required to tear down the existing hotel structures and rebuild from scratch, and would need the funds
to rebuild in an upscale manner and then market the property as such. The long promised investment by Divi Resorts to renovate the aging Divi Flamingo property has also finally borne fruit, with renovations having
started this past week, and an official unveiling of the renovation plans being held this week. The other major tourism property issue presented was the Esmeralda project (the semi-constructed hotel located in the
Punt Vierkant area), which has a group waiting to sign an agreement to acquire the property and turn it into a full fledged hotel. The government is also still working on establishing Bonaire as a partner or dual
destination in conjunction with Air Aruba, trying to get airlines to commit to changing their schedules to allow day-trips between the sister islands. The plan presentation closed with an overview of the improvements
planned to the health care system and to barrio infrastructures, such as roads, lighting, and public transportation. The government is in the process of soliciting feedback on these plans from various social partners,
but for the most part many of the goals in the plan are already being used to form and execute actions. Letters to the Editor - Jet Skis
Our
editorial call in the previous issue of the Bonaire E-News for the banning of Jet Skis drew dozens of letters from Bonaire E-News readers - all in support of the ban. Several readers also included links to on-line
information about the dangers of jet skis to people and the environment, as well as articles about jet skis being banned in other areas. And, our article was also reprinted in its entirety in the October 20th issue of
the Extra newspaper. That article resulted in a commentary published in Extra on October 25th, which we've translated and included below as a Letter to the Editor, and are replying to: ----------
From Extra, October 25th:
DIVERS MUST STICK TO THE RULES "As soon as something happens, craft that navigate Bonairean waters are immediately blamed. Divers are defended and given all sorts of privileges
but those that have to fend for their daily bread on the seas are ignored", says citizen Lili Diaz. Diaz told this paper's reporter that lately there are all kinds of articles mentioning divers not being
respected. There is even an article about a craft that ran right over a diver. But, says Diaz, the divers also have to stick to the rules. How many times do we see divers get into the water along the coast and they
don't even put up a buoy or a diver's flag, which is what the law requires. How can someone in a boat know that there are divers down there? The fisherman, for example, hugs the coast, but he doesn't notice
people diving, simply because they disregard the law and do not put up a buoy or flag to indicate there are divers. Diaz explains that, indeed, where there are diving buoys, those navigating the waters know they have to
pay attention and not get too close. But it's a good idea for those who defend the divers to explain to them that they ought to follow the rules for diving. -----------
The Editors of the Bonaire E-News Respond: The issue at hand isn't the fishing boats of Bonaire, which are manned by hard working fishermen who are fishing to feed their families and earn money to support
themselves. In fact, in our research of the topic, the interaction between local fishermen and divers has been very positive, and divers, swimmers, and snorkelers have not suffered injuries or even potential injuries
from fishermen or fishing vessels. The issue is that jet skis are toys of the rich and not toys of the fishermen or the average resident of Bonaire. Such expensive "toys" are being used in defiance of
existing Bonairean laws which require them to be used safely, away from other boats and water users and away from the shore. While fishing boats are operated at low speeds by careful fishermen, jet skis are speed
machines usually operated by immature teenagers looking to get a thrill, and not caring that they might be running over a snorkeler, a diver, or even one of our island's many children who like to frolic in our waters.
Divers are certainly only a mere fraction of those threatened by the uncontrolled use of jet skis. Our families and children who use the water for enjoyment, swimming and splashing around are at significant risk of
being victims of a jet ski collision, as jet ski users are drawn to shallow waters to gain an audience for their dangerous antics, and shallow water is where our kids play. And in a collision between a child or adult
and a jet ski, the jet ski will always win, with devastating results - just take a look at what's been happening in Aruba in the last couple of year. That point aside, the issue of dive flags and buoys for divers
needs to be addressed. While it is well and good to say that if flags and buoys are used, boaters will honor them, actual practice shows something entirely different. During the last month, we personally have done
nearly a half dozen dives with one or more dive flags in tow, with groups ranging from four to a dozen people, in several locations around Bonaire, but with most dives being in the Playa area as part of the underwater
clean-ups we've been helping organize to keep Bonaire's waters clean. During these dives, we have not seen any decrease in boat or jet ski traffic above our heads. In fact, with jet skis, it appears that they seem to
take a dive flag buoy as a sort of target, in complete ignorance or defiance of law and safety. We have had land based observers witness jet skis aim at dive flags being actively used in the water, as well as at dive
site marker buoys. Even more poignant is that jet skiers regularly use any non-moving or slow moving objects in the water, such as buoys, moored boats, fishing boats, etc. as parts of impromptu obstacle courses. Bonaire
Marine Park regulations even state that jet skis must remain 200 meters from any mooring buoy of any sort. Obviously that's not happening. One dive operator who regularly dives with visitors and students in the Playa
area, always with one or more dive flags has also found this disregard for safety and the meaning of dive flags to be consistent with our observations. This is not very encouraging for divers who want to try and be safe
in waters frequented by jet ski users (mostly the populated area between the Harbour Village Marina and southern Bel-Nem, and occasionally Pink Beach). For snorkelers or swimmers, there's no marker like a dive flag
which can be easily used, making them even more vulnerable to high speed watercraft in the shallows. And if they are lucky enough not to be hit by a jet ski, they can still get coated by the hydrocarbon slick jet skis
leave in the water, since jet skis dump 25 to 30 percent of their fuel - a mixture of unburned gas and oil - into the water when being used. This petrochemical discharge, which tends to float at the water's surface, in
turn negatively affects the sea life and environment, as well as making the water less desirable to swim in. People in the water are only some of the users affected. During Regatta, we witnessed a fellow Bonairean
with his child in a small sailboat almost get capsized by a passing jet ski, and received numerous reports of other such incidents during that same time. Do we want our children, family and friends who are using
Sunfish, windsurfers and other small sailing vessels threatened by reckless jet skiers? We think not. And those in and on the water still aren't the only ones affected. A two-hour ride on a 100-horsepower jet ski
emits the same amount of air pollution as driving 139,000 miles in a 1998 passenger car, per research done by the California Air Resources Board. And if that air pollution weren't enough, they produce noise
pollution in the 85-105 decibel range - high enough that the American Hospital Association recommends hearing protection in the vicinity of such loud noise. The noise in turn disturbs both the wildlife and people
nearby. It's no surprise that fishermen aren't very fond of jet skis either - they've been shown to chase fish, and more particularly birds, away at great distances. Everyone knows that birds are a fisherman's friend
when it comes to helping detect the location of schools of bait fish which attract the larger game fish the fishermen depend on for their livelihood. And, the rest of Bonaire economic well-being depends greatly on the
people (tourists) that come to visit Bonaire for peace and tranquility. Jet skis ruin that tranquility very quickly when they come buzzing by. And if people stop coming to Bonaire because of the jet skis, we lose a lot
- in terms of jobs, income, economic stability, and reputation. In the end it's not at all an issue about merely respecting the rights of divers. It's an issue of respecting Bonaire and its people - fishermen,
swimmers, sailors, snorkelers, divers, Bonaire's families, and Bonaire's visitors. After all, Bonaire has earned a reputation of being unspoiled, unhurried, and unforgettable. Jet skis leave Bonaire spoiled with lots of
pollution, they are fast and hurried, but we guess they are unforgettable, especially when one runs over you, chases your dinner away, causes your boat to get knocked over, or disturbs your peace and quiet.
There are only 20 or so jet skis on the island now. Imagine what things might be like with many more... Let's stop the jet ski problem now and ban them from Bonaire. ----------
Letters to the Editors can be sent to mailto:editors@BonaireENews.com . We reserve the right to decide what to reprint, as well as to edit letters for readability and length.
Tene Boneiru Limpi
The island-wide clean-up which took place over the weekend of October 16th, was quite successful, with land-based
participants collecting over 1,400 bags of trash, and underwater cleaners bringing up hundreds of kilos of mostly older trash, including over 700 glass beer bottles. Clean-up participants reported less
trash along the roads and underwater than in previous years, an indication that on-going educational efforts to remind people to dispose of their trash properly seem to be working. The group with the most bags of
trash collected was Hisa Buta with 286 bags, while the group with the most number of bags per member was "Josepha Kids", which collected 93 bags of trash with only six children and two adult leaders. Nearly fifty divers, under the guidance of the Bonaire Dive Club focused their attention on the area in front of Kas di Regatta and between Club Nautico Pier and Karel's. The winners of the
bicycles in the lottery (one ticket awarded for each bag of trash collected) were E. Pikerie of Rocargo, Tamaika Bernabela, Joshebod Martis, Grupo Hisa Buta, and Rosley Balentin. Tene Boneiru Limpi extends it thanks
to all of its sponsors and all the people who worked so hard to collect the trash. Sunfish Worlds on Bonaire
Next year, during the first week
of December 2000, to be exact, Bonaire will be hosting the Year 2000 Sunfish Class World Championship. The event will be hosted at the Plaza Resort. Full details of this event can be found at the Web site of the Bonaire
Sunfish Sailing Association (BSSA) at http://www.BonaireWorlds.org . The BSSA has already received the generous support of Plaza Resort Bonaire, which serves as the host
hotel and race headquarters, as well as a contribution of Internet service and support from Tjin N.V./BonaireLive and Web hosting and design from NetTech N.V., but is still in need of additional support to make this
event happen. The BSSA is appealing to Bonaire corporations and individuals alike to secure additional donations to make sure that Bonaire can afford to host the event. A full list of sponsorship opportunities is
provided on the organization's Web site, and questions can be addressed to mailto:info@BonaireWorlds.org . On a related note, we have a small correction to make to our prior
notice on Bonaire's participation in the 1999 Sunfish World Championships. In addition to Franklin "Kachan" Soliano and Alfred "Yellowman" Martis, Sipke Stapert and Ben Krause will be going to
represent Bonaire on November 13th. We wish all four of them great success in the competition! BONHATA Gala Awards Round-Up
The 3rd Annual BONHATA
Presidential Gala was held on Halloween Eve, October 31st, on the Freewinds cruise ship, a wonderfully equipped, yet intimate vessel with space for 300 passengers and 200 crew, with a top notch dining salon for just
about 100 people - exactly the right number for BONHATA's big annual charity event. The evening opened with champagne and a brief but meaningful speech by Bill Aguiton, General Manager, Trinidad Hilton (retired), who
also happens to be the Caribbean Hotel Association's Hotelier of the Year for 1999. Bill reminded the audience that tourism requires the efforts of all sectors of an island: the direct tourism section (hotels,
restaurants, etc.), tourism dependent businesses (virtually any business on an island on which tourism is the major economic force), government, and the unions (which Bonaire fortunately has few of). He also commented
that most cruise ships have little real commitment to the future of a tourism destination, and try to get as much as they can in terms of concessions, while actively competing with on-island businesses (shops,
restaurants, hotels). He noted that it was his understanding that the Freewinds was an exception (we agree, as the vessel docks on Bonaire 3 days each week, and its passengers actively patronize local businesses because
the vessel intentionally only provides limited shopping and dining facilities). He closed his 10 or so minute speech with a reminder that the Board of an association like BONHATA consists of unpaid volunteers whose job
it is to work for the membership, and as such, association members need to help their Board out as much as possible by being active in the association.
Next up was the Awards ceremony, featuring the following award recipients:
- Excursion Operator of the Year: Bonaire Tours N.V.
- Good Samaritan Award: Mr. Delno L.A. Tromp from Zuster Maria Hoppner
- Green Award: Captain Don Stewart
- First annual Jim Hough Memorial Award: Culinary Team Captain Vernon Martijn, Rum Runners Restaurant.
- Food & Beverage Excellence Award: Green Parrot Restaurant.
- Dive Operation of the Year: Sand Dollar Dive & Photo
- Property of the Year: Captain Don's Habitat
- Employee of the Year - Runner up #1: Gerlinda Engelhardt, Captain Don's Habitat
- Employee of the Year - Runner up #2: Liz Rijna- Den Lamen Restaurant
- Employee of the Year: Latifa Steward-Felix, Maduro & Curiel's Bank
- Supervisor of the Year - Runner up #1: Shayayra Manuela, Sand Dollar Condominium Resort
- Supervisor of the Year - Runner up #2: Sheila Diaz, Bonaire Air Services N.V.
- Supervisor of the Year: Gonzalo Torres, Harbour Village Beach Resort
- Person of the Year: Larry Gerharts, Bonaire Air Services N.V.
A wonder four course dinner with ample libation in the form of wine followed, and raffle tickets were sold for a pair of round trip tickets to Amsterdam (won by Andre Nahr), and a one week trip and stay for Montego
Bay (won by Ann Louise Tuke). The evening ended with an excellent band and dancing. Photos of the event will be available on-line at the BONHATA Web site, http://www.bonhata.org by November 5th.
The raffle brought in NAFl. 2400, and that amount and all other profits from the evening will go to benefit the Hello Tourist project, which educates local children about the ins and outs of Bonaire's
vital tourism industry. Movies @ Bonaire Twin Cinema
We have unfortunately not been provided with updated Movie schedules for the coming weeks.
Please see the Bonaire Twin Cinema Web site for current listings at http://www.InfoBonaire.com/cinema
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:
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 - Kaya Grandi Festival Cancelled. The Kaya Grandi Festival (see Sept. 1, 1999 issue of the Bonaire E-News),
scheduled for Saturday November 6th to celebrate the first call of Norwegian Cruise Lines' Norwegian Sky cruise ship, has been cancelled, as the cruise ship will not be making its first call on that date. No further
information was made available. - Rob Broek: Free Classical Concert. On Wednesday, November 3rd, master pianist Rob Broek will perform the works of Bach, Haydn, and Mozart at 8:30pm at the Trans
World Radio building. Attendance to Broek's concerts has cost Arubans and Curaçaoans NAFl. 25,-. So, while admission on Bonaire is free, donations will be gladly accepted. - Queen to Visit Bonaire.
November 17th is the date when Bonaire receives a royal visit from none other than Holland's Queen Beatrix. The Queen will be visiting Bonaire for a day and will be reviewing many of Bonaire's newest developments at the time, including the sea promenade and Jong Bonaire. So, if you find yourself stuck in slow traffic, be respectful - it's likely the Queen's entourage.
- BONHATA Small Hotels Meeting. BONHATA, the Bonaire Hotel and Tourism Association, will be holding, at its offices, a meeting of the BONHATA Small Hotels Committee on Thursday November 4th, at
3:30pm. Topics scheduled for discussion will be setting a date for the previously discussed "Taxes & Financials" workshop, a report from the CHA small hotels workshops held in Jamaica recently, membership,
and sustainable tourism development. All island small hotels are welcome to attend. For more information contact Linda Anthony, BONHATA's Executive Director, at 5134 or mailto:linda@bonhata.org .
- Iguana = Speed Bumps?
The Extra newspaper recently reported that lately many "flattened" iguanas have been found on Bonaire's roads, victims to car tires, and that it seems unthinkable that anyone would just run over the lizard and then just leave it there, especially when the iguana is a staple in many Bonairean homes. The Extra article implied that there are some people intentionally targeting iguanas and running them over for the sport. So, if you see anyone running down an iguana, please take down the license plate of the offending vehicle and report it to the police at 8000.
- Highway Buys Avanti. In a surprise move, it appears that Highway Transport and Rentals has purchased the rental vehicle part of Avanti Rentals business. All rentals previously made with Avanti
will be honored by Highway at their offices on the road from the Airport. For more information, contact Highway at 6810 or see http://www.AvantiRentals.com . -
Reports of Bird Attacks. Falconer Marcus de Maaijer of the Bird of Prey Center in the Sint Christoffel Park in Curaçao wants to put to rest the ongoing stories in the local Bonaire papers about a Warawara (Crested
Caracara) or Partawela (White Tailed Hawk - English; Witstaart Buizerd - Dutch) which has reportedly been attacking people on the island. De Maaijer called everyone mentioned in the three incidents reported to the
newspapers and found out that the Warawara spotted on a terrace in Yatu Baku actually is tame and was looking for food then flew back home to a Mrs. "S.W." The Osprey photographed on a telephone pole is of a
species that only visits Bonaire during the fall. Neither of these two species of birds will attack anything larger than themselves, unless they are protecting their nests or young ones, as was the case in the third and
last reported attack. The falconer urges anyone with "bad experiences" regarding large birds to get in touch with him via Carmabi in Curacao: tel. 09.462-4242 or mailto:carmabi@attglobal.net .
- NAOB Import Tax Exemption, Part 3. In our on-going saga of the 5% NAOB tax and the ability of resellers and manufacturers to get an exemption on their imports, we've been informed that a new
requirement has been made in documenting the exemption request. The new requirement is that your local island tax office must certify that you are paid up and in good standing on your prior NAOB payments. For more
information contact the Tax office at 8371. - Register Your Boats. According to new laws all seagoing craft must be registered, whether sailboats, jet skis, motor boats, or fishing boats which
navigate Bonairean waters and whose owners live on Bonaire. This applies whether the vessel is in the water or out. Registration can be done at the Harbor Master's Office at Fort Oranje. As of November 30th,
authorities will start verifying that all Bonairean vessels are properly registered, and those in violation of the law will be fined and may face other penalties as well. For more information call 5330, extension 246. - Underwater Clean-up. Saturday, November 6th, is the date of the next monthly underwater clean-up dive, sponsored by Green Submarine and NetTech N.V. Meeting time is 10:00am at the Green Submarine
dive shop on Kaya Playa Lechi, just a little ways south of the Harbour Village Marina. Participating divers will get a free tank for the clean-up dive, and are invited to join in the subsequent pot-luck (i.e. bring some
food for all to share) BBQ at Green Submarine. To RSVP (and confirm tank availability) please call 2929 or send e-mail to mailto:dive@greensubmarine.com . -
Canada 3000 Schedule Confirmed. On December 20th, Canada 3000 will start flying from Toronto non-stop to Bonaire each Monday through April. Entre Nous reports that the flight will depart Toronto at 7:50am in the
morning and arrive on Bonaire at 1:55pm. It will depart Bonaire for a return trip via Curaçao at 2:45pm and arrive in Toronto at 8:00pm. One and two weekly round trip fares are available, reportedly for as little as
CDN$589 (US$399). Hotel packages are available in conjunction with these flights at all the major resorts in Bonaire. For more information contact Squba Holidays in Toronto at mailto:squba@sympatico.ca . (We've heard from several upcoming visitors that this is a great connection for those in the northern U.S. who can get to Toronto easily.)
- Bon Bini Divers Juniors Special. Bon Bini Divers is offering, now through December 31, 2000, free diving for any junior diver (ages 10 - 15) when accompanying a paying adult or guardian. Contact mailto:info@bonbinidivers.com for more details. 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 RESTAURANT NIGHT MANAGER
Experienced night manager needed to manage and operate Green Parrot Restaurant during evenings. Required skills including: 5 years of restaurant experience; Computer skills
including word processing and Internet; College degree; Willing to relocate to Caribbean; Public Relation skills; Eager to be a Team player; Must be self motivated; and Possesses leadership skills and able to deal with
negative situations with positive flair. Contact mailto:greenparrot@bonairerestaurants.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: +599-7-8290, Fax: +599-7-8240, 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"
For more information, please call tel. 8550 / 6144 / 4781, fax 8706, or mailto:spec-olym-bon@bonairelive.com -------------
Personals?
SEARCHING FOR RICK SANGERMAN
My friend Rick Sangerman, a former Portland, Oregon resident, moved to Bonaire a while back, and I lost his address in a move. Am planning a visit soon to Bonaire and would like him to
know I am coming down. If you know Rick, please have him contact Dhyanne Swanson from San Diego, mailto:Umaniak1@aol.com or phone 619-276-8403. 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 7270 (evenings) or 2727
(daytime - ask for Alda) [Jato was contracted by the editors of the Bonaire E-News last year for some work, and we recommend him highly] -------------
Rentals
(Advertising Section) 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 . 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. 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 2727 (daytime) or 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: AIRCO
General brand air conditioner, 2400 BTUs. One year old, asking NAFl. 1500,-. Contact Desiree at mailto:aplaceforyou@bonairelive.com . CAR
1995 Mitsubishi GLX in perfect condition. Asking NAFl. 12000,-
Contact Vincent Morris at mailto:vam@bonairenet.com or call 5472 (office hours), 8592 (evenings), FAX 6842. 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 . LANTASTIC NETWORK SOFTWARE
Lantastic Network Software v8.0, 1 User License on CD-ROM. For Windows 95/98, Windows NT, Windows 3.x &
DOS. Brand new in sealed box. Price NAFl. 100,- (Normal price: US$90.00). Call Ron Gijzen at 7220 or email mailto:rgijzen@aol.com AIRFREIGHT CONTAINERS
2 airfreight containers,
used only once to bring small furniture and personal goods to Bonaire, light aluminum, inner space PVC foil coated, measured (length X width X depth, in inches) 55 X 41 X 48 and 77 X 41 X 40 inches respectively. Asking
NAFl. 400.- & 500.- respectively. For details please call Amado Felix at 8630 or FAX at 4430. NIKON CAMERA
Virtually new (been used for only a handful of rolls of film) Nikon F70D (equivalent to U.S. Nikon N70)
with case and manual and an autofocus 35-80mm Nikkor zoom lens. Features 3D matrix metering, built-in flash, standard Nikon mount for additional Nikon and compatible lenses, built-in timer, manual and automatic
operation, programmable settings, and much much more. Asking NAFl. 900,- (US$500). Call Jake at 6773 or e-mail mailto:jake@nettech.an on behalf of BONHATA, the owner of the
camera. COPIER
Xerox Office 5310 copier, with enlargements, etc. In good condition. Asking NAFl. 550,- (new purchase price was NAFl. 4.400,-). Call 6560 or FAX 6570 for more information. TRANSPORTATION
Daihatsu Cherade 1988, in very good technical condition, new tires and suspension. Asking price NAFl. 2500. Also almost new Tomos motorcycle for sale for only NAFl. 1100. For information please contact mailto:lordlucky@hotmail.com . CHILDREN'S PLAY SET
A two-piece all-wood children's swing (3 swings) and a clubhouse with a slide. Call 5592 for an appointment to view.
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 6773 or mailto:jake@nettech.an
-------------------
Want to Buy/Swap/Rent/Find: APARTMENT TO RENT
Couple looking to rent a quiet, reasonably priced apartment with air conditioning, cable TV, and kitchenette from December 5th to
December 14th. Contact Don Newsom at mailto:terri@widowmaker.com . VAN OR TRUCK
We are looking for a van or 4 door truck, preferably with airco, to purchase while we are in
Bonaire arriving December 15, 1999. It must be in good shape and reasonably priced. Contact us at mailto:joan@remax-absolute.com if you have anything like this.
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 DINGHY
Do you have a dinghy for sale? Please call Theo at 5539 (office) or mailto:info@harbourtownbonaire.com . NEED ENGLIGH TUTOR
Desperately seeking... an English speaking tutor for 5th grader in English grammar & spelling. 1-2 times
per week for one hour private lessons. Please call 5592. WARDROBE
Need big 2 or 3 door wardrobe, second hand, in good condition. Please FAX info to 6772 after 1pm. HOUSE
Teacher from
Holland with 2 kids is looking for a house to rent for long term. Prefer 3 bedrooms with airco. We like Republiek, Santa Barbara, Hato or someplace else near the beach. please contact us at 4666 or e-mail to: mailto:rcdamen@bonairelive.com APARTMENT
Looking for a one bedroom apartment in quiet, safe, neighborhood in the range of NAFl. 400-450/month. Call 6951.
VACUUM CLEANER
Need a vacuum cleaner - 110 or 220V. Call 4666 or mailto:rcdamen@bonairelive.com BICYCLE
Looking for a used "Dutch bike" for exercise and to
bring child to school. Contact Sjoerd at 4444 or mailto:vanderbrug@bonairelive.com . |
