P. O. Box 407, Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean, Phone 786-6518, 786-6125, www.bonairereporter.com email: [email protected] Since 1994 Also in this Issue: New Pirates of the Caribbean– Cruise Ships Page 8 Complete Regatta Program Page 18 Can the Bonaire Museum Keep Its Soul? Page 6 he US Federal Aviation Administra- Turnover Tax (ToT) on goods that pass Table of Contents T tion (FAA) has given the Civil Avia- through or are exported to the Dutch BES THE HAGUE--Members of the Parlia- tion Department on Curaçao three months islands, Dutch State Secretary of Finance, ment’s Permanent Committee for Finance This Week’s Stories to “make concrete changes” to avoid being Frans Weekers, told the Dutch Parliament’s lauded Dutch State Secretary of Finance Frans New Commissioners 3 downgraded from a Category 1 to a Cate- Second Chamber last week. “It is not fair for Weekers’ short-term measures to cut BES Governor Thode Resigns 3 gory 2 destination. Such a distinction could Curaçao and St. Maarten to say that they want taxes that include a decrease in the ABB tax Can Bonaire Museum Keep its have serious consequences for Curaçao as to earn that extra dime. It is not a fair point of of 2%. (See The Reporter, Sept. 16-30, 2011) Soul? 6 well as Bonaire as major US carriers would departure,” Weekers said. St. Maarten and However, opposition parties questioned Goal: !00% Handicapped Accessible most likely cancel some service to the island. Curaçao so far have refused. whether the cuts were enough. Bonaire 6 Bonaire’s Flamingo Airport is not included in The 5% tax has a cumulative effect for BES MP Cynthia Ortega-Martijn presented con- Letters to the Editor-Parking 7 this warning, but many visitors to Bonaire fly consumers. As a result, consumer prices and crete cases of pensioners who have been suf- Who Needs Who? Cruise Compa- US carriers to Curacao and then connect. the cost of construction and food have sharply fering financially since the islands became nies vs Ports of Call 8 Miss Bonaire meets Loras 10 The action is a result of a recently completed increased since most goods pass through the Dutch “public entities” in October last year. Delightful Deli Delicious 10 International Aviation Safety Assessments island’s larger neighbors. In some areas, “Some pensioners have lost up to US $200 Sailors Who Never Left (IASA) audit. The FAA is primarily dissatis- prices have increased as much as 20%. per month in income,” she said. Rob and Jeannette ter Borg 11 fied with the supervision of aviation on Cura- Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba had asked The Do You Know –Extinct Corals 13 çao and that Curacao’s laws do not include Hague to intervene and negotiate a ToT ex- The Caribbean Netherlands Tax Depart- Budget Marine Boat Party 15 certain modern security requirements, and the emption on goods that they import from Cura- ment has collected an additional US $10 Duo Xtreme Race 15 island does not have sufficient modern equip- çao or St. Maarten. million from the islands in the first six Regatta Program 18 ment or efficient inspection procedures. Weekers warned Curaçao and St. Maarten months of this year on top of the first half For the time being, Category 1 remains in that if they continued to levy ToT on goods of the targeted US $52 million. Secretary of Departments place and regional and US-based airlines can destined for Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, Finance Frans Weekers plans to return $6 Flotsam & Jetsam 2 continue to serve as normal. this might lead to alternative trade flows. The million to the islands in the form of tax On the Island Since (Sandra Jacques Salo- It also means that InselAir can continue flying BES islands are seriously contemplating ac- breaks. But Ortega-Martijn and her colleague, mons) 4 to Miami and Charlotte. quiring their goods from other countries: St. Ed Groot of the PvdA, wanted Weekers to Body Talk– Aluminum 7 Eustatius and Saba directly from the US or return the other US $4 million as well. Week- Classifieds 12 Bonaire’s recent change of Government other islands in the region, while Bonaire is ers noted that the real estate tax hasn’t been Tide Table, Sunrise & Sunset Times, caught the attention of Dutch Member of eying Venezuela or Aruba. introduced yet because the basis (grondslag) Moon Phase 12 Bon Quiz– Underwater Arrow 12 Parliament, Wassila Hachchi of the D66 hasn’t yet been determined. Sudoku 13 party. She wants an explanation from Dutch Following his sen- Shopping and Dining Guide 13 Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Rela- tencing to 16 months The Minister of Bonaire Real Estate Reflections- Two tions, Piet Hein Donner. “I am concerned in prison, Curaca- Home Affairs and Words, Two Thoughts, One Success 14 about the level of transparency and good gov- oean Rogelio Kingdom Relations, Picture Yourself (Hanoi Hilton) 14 Bonairean Voices– Government ernance in Bonaire. I have a question about Boezem (22) ran off (BZK), Piet Hein recent developments,” said Hachchi. as he was being in Turmoil 15 Donner, is paying a Masthead 16 She wanted to know whether the correct pro- walked back to the working visit to the cedures were followed in the process of prisoner transport What’s Happening? 16 BES Islands Septem- Latin Music Classics-Miriam Hernandez 17 changing governments. vehicle by prison ber 26th-29th. He is Bonaire On Wheels—Datsun Pickup 18 The Member of Parliament specifically guards. He was responsible for the Bon Quiz Answer 18 asked about the role of Governor Glenn chased through the coordination of the Pet of the Week –Maurice 18 Thodé after the government fell last week. streets of Kralendijk, policy of the Central Sky Park (The False Dawn of Omar Khay- She further asked Donner for a reaction to but even though a warning shot was fired, Government on the three islands and other yam) 19 the suggestion of Bonaire’s opposition party Boezem was able to escape into the mondi th Café Astrology 19 matters. On Wednesday, September 28 , the for member of government, Commissioner (outback) near San Francisco Hospital. A Minister will travel to Bonaire to talk with the Burney Elhage, to reject the position. Elhage manhunt is underway. Executive Council about the current state of How to contact us has long been a suspect in a questionable cor- Bozem was convicted for taking part in an affairs and financial relations. Letters to the Editor: [email protected] ruption case. armed robbery. If you have information on On September 29th in the morning the Minis- his whereabouts call the police tip line at 717- Story tip or idea: ter will depart for Curacao then on to The [email protected] Unfounded rumors are whirling around the 7251. Netherlands. This is the third visit of Minister The Publisher: island. They include: a new container port at Donner to the Dutch Caribbean this year. [email protected] the Salt Pier, a cruise ship center at the Commissioner of Economics and Tour- Box 407, Bonaire, south Town Pier and the relocation of the ism, Burney Elhage, and UPB party PHILIPSBURG--It appears that the envi- Dutch Caribbean US Air force FOL base in Curacao to Bon- leader, Ramonsito Booi, remain suspects Phone 786-6125 aire. We can’t be sure about the first two, but in an investigation into widespread corrup- sioned Caribbean guilder for Curaçao and Phone 786-6518. we can report that the US vice-consul in Cura- tion and fraud that began in 2009 which must St. Maarten will be shelved through 2012 as Available on-line at: the government intends to make arrangements www.bonairereporter.com cao says there are no plans to close or relo- be completed in early 2012 or dropped. The cate the current US Forward Operating investigation, which includes others with less with Curaçao for the continued use of the Printed Every Fortnight, Location at Hato Airport. famous names, has dragged on beyond the Netherlands Antilles guilder. On-line Every day, 24/7 normal time needed for such a case. Next edition printing on THE HAGUE--St. Maarten and Curaçao According to the opposition, accepting a gov- There’s a new company on Bonaire that October 11, 2011 have to act fairly and exempt Bonaire, St. ernment office while under suspicion of a responds to the awareness that we need to Story and Ad deadline: Eustatius and Saba from having to pay crime, sets a bad example. (Continued on page 3) Friday, October 7, 2011 Featuring Giant, Bikkel and Golden Lion bikes Parts and accessories for all brands of bikes and scooters Beautiful Bike Clothes All type of house and car keys dupli- cated Kaya Grandi #61 •Transport of Money •Vehicle patrols “The blue building” Call 717-8545 and Valuables •Burglar Alarms In Business Over 28 years Open: 8:30-12:30, 2:00-5:30 •Private Investigations •Fire Alarm Systems Owner Operated Kaya Nikiboko Nord 37A, PO Box 225 Tel: (599) 717- 8125 Web: www.bonairefreewieler.com Fax (599) 717- 6125 E-mail [email protected] Email: [email protected] Page 2 Bonaire Reporter- Sept. 30, - Oct. 14, 2011 Flotsam and Jetsam (Continued from page 2) Thodé live more sustainably in order to preserve our na- Resigns ture. Bon Eco Solutions brings LED lamps and ast week Bon- fixtures, solar energy so- L aire Governor lutions and water and Glenn Thodé (45) energy savers to the is- asked Queen Beatrix land. Bon Eco Solutions to relieve him of his collaborates with several duties at the end of local companies.