Kunuku Shimaruku, PO Box 407, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, Phone 790-8988, 790-6518, email: [email protected] Since 1994 Three ladies who make it happen at the Rincon Marshé: Jenny Crestian, Roosje Vinck, Carmen Thodé Cultural Hawksbill MCBMCB HonorsHonors thethe Rocargo Talent Landmarks Rescued FKBOFKBO Show Page 3 Page 6 Page 8 Page 9 he Dutch Second living. The maximum pension Prices in Bonaire to be Table of Contents Chamber has urged the will rise to NAƒ674 per month T displayed in three This Week’s Stories Dutch Government to go ($381/€272). The AOV payroll NAƒ = € = $ currencies in 2008 ahead with the constitutional tax will increase by 1% to 5% Cultural Landmarks-Mati Mati 3 change process on the planned on the same date, up to a maxi- More than a Hilton 3 The Economic Affairs Department (DEZA) decreed that Coming Our Way (wooden timetable. This means that the mum salary level of NAƒ72.000. effective January 1, 2008, all the prices in Bonaire must be re- houses) 5 “BES Islands” of Bonaire, St. ported in guilders, dollars, as well as euros. The government Eustatius and Saba, without Turtle Rescue 6 wants people to get used to the value of these currencies to avoid Pastor’s Pen` 7 Curaçao and St. Maarten if nec- similar problems to the euro’s introduction in Holland in 2003. essary, can integrate with Hol- Animal Shelter Auction 7 The measure applies to the prices for products and services, as well More Tour Guides 7 land by December 15, 2008. as the amounts on a pay slip. Companies have three months to get FKBO gets MCB Award 8 Only the PVV party and inde- ready for this change. Effective April 1, 2008, DEZA will start Rocargo Talent Show 9 pendent Rita Verdonk voted checking for compliance. MCB Honors Press 11 against the motion. Because the Netherlands Antilles, as a country, will disappear next Kreater Choir 11 December, Bonaire must choose a different currency than the current Dirt Drivers-Editorial 12 In the next two years, in Antillean guilder, most likely the dollar or the euro. The choice is Bonaire on Wheels (Unimog) 18 line with the planned Decem- Bonaire’s Sports Stadium anticipated by July. Marshée Navidad 18 ber 2008 direct ties with The (above) reopened earlier this Rescue Remedy 19 Netherlands, social and eco- month after extensive refurbish- The chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Aubrey Sealy, NGOs Fuente di Awa Biba 19 nomic improvements, via a ing and a new “astroturf” play- reacted with outrage on the government’s announcement to require WEEKLY FEATURES Social Economic Initiative ing field. the price of products and services to be specified in three different Flotsam & Jetsam 2 currencies (guilders, dollars, and euros) effective January 1. The (SEI), must be made in Bon- Light & Motion Sensor ruling appeared to have been made without consulting the business aire. Money to make it happen An Aruban judge ordered (Clear Blue Water News) 6 is beginning to flow in. the release of the last of three community. “The people who have thought this out and drew it up Sudoku 6 The Dutch have assigned one suspects re-arrested last haven’t got the foggiest idea of the fluctuation of exchange rates,” Sudoku Solution 12 million guilders to come up month in the disappearance of says Sealy. In addition, it also causes uncertainty because during the Classifieds 12 with an environmentally sensi- Natalee Holloway, ruling the motivation for a direct relation with the Netherlands, it was always Picture Yourself with tive development plan, zoning evidence was not strong enough said that Bonaire will most probably go for the dollar and not the The Reporter (Surinam) 13 plan, and a strategic long-range to continue holding him. Joran euro, he added. Biologist’s Bubbles (Marine strategy for Bonaire. Another van der Sloot was arrested No- mammals) 13 Dining & Shopping one million guilders are allo- vember 21 along with two other The following reply was sent by Nydia Thielman of DEZA to an inquiry made by a Bonaire businessman questioning the new ruling: Guides 14 cated to revive the neighbor- suspects, who were released Tide Table 15 hoods (barrios); another five from jail December 1 following “Exclusively for the purpose of this awareness campaign, the Gov- Reporter Masthead 15 million guilders for infrastruc- a similar ruling. What’s Happening 16 ernment of Bonaire has stipulated two fixed rates. The American ture (parking, walking- and cy- Sky Park (Santa, Moon, Mars) 17 dollar is fixed at $1 = NAƒ 1.78, and the EURO is fixed at € 1 = cling promenades, improvement Mortgage rates are drop- Café Astrology 17 NAƒ 2.38. of the roads, and street lights). ping on Bonaire. The average Pet of the Week (Monique, Julia, Business will not be required to accept dollars and euros. If a busi- There are 500.000 guilders interest for a new mortgage was Jessica) 19 ness chooses to make payment possible in other currencies than the available to promote the invest- 8.2% at the end of the third Antillean guilder (NAƒ), the official bank exchange rates should be ment climate and 10 million quarter. Historically, the average used for this purpose. Logically, the businesses must communicate How to contact us guilders for the labor market mortgage interest was 9.5% in the difference between these two purposes to their customers clearly. Letters to the Editor: and training. 2003; 8.9% in 2004; 8.6% in The focus of the awareness campaign is to make the consumer [email protected] In addition to these projects, 2005; 8.5% in 2006; and by the aware of the difference in value between the Antillean guilder (NAƒ), Story tip or idea: the feasibility of moving the sea end of September 2007, the in- the American dollar ($) and the Euro (€) by stipulating that all prices [email protected] port and its heavy activities else- terest was 8.2%. That doesn’t must be posted in these three currencies starting January 1st 2008. Print and Online where will be studied. A Social- mean that lower interest mort- Controls with sanctions will be effective from April 2008. The Advertising: Economic Nature Council will gages aren't available. The low- awareness and informational campaign concerning this new regula- [email protected] replace the current Antillean est mortgage interest is currently tion will commence January 2008. The main goal is to prevent infla- Archives: Social- Economic Council. approximately 6.5%, but with tion as a result of introduction of the new currency, which has not yet Bonairenews.com then click Two million guilders will be restrictions. been decided, so as to maintain a stable and healthy economy. Also, on “Go to Archives” made available to promote tour- The Central Bank expects two to answer your specific questions, yes – the gas stations and govern- The Publisher: ism. conflicting influences next year: ment will also be obliged to post in three currencies. [email protected] an upward pressure on interest Hoping to have informed you sufficiently, however if you should The Bonaire Reporter, The old age pension, rates because of increased eco- have any questions or require additional information please don’t P. O. Box 407, Bonaire, called the AOV, will be in- nomic activities (a great demand hesitate in contacting me anytime.” Neth. Antilles. creased by 3% effective Janu- for money) but also a downward Phone 790-8988 ary 1, 2008. The maximum pen- pressure due to an anticipated Phone 790-6518 sion will be increased by NAƒ20 fluid assets input as a result of ernment’s debts (making more The interest for time loans Available on-line at: per month per person to keep The Netherlands paying the gov- money available). dropped this year for the first www.bonairereporter.com pace with the increased cost of (Continued on page 4) Published every two weeks Unique Gifts for you and yours… SCOOTER & BIKE Books and magazines for a breezy afternoon SALES & REPAIR Peugeot, Kymco Loekie, Giant read… chocolates and candies for the sweetest Gazelle Brands Parts and accessories for of teeth… toys for tots of all ages... any brand scooter or bike VALERIE’S AIRPORT SHOPS Kaya Grandi #61 Airport Shopping,.... "Localized" Across from INPO EN Open: 8:30-12:30, 2:00-5:30 OP Owner Operated TE! Phone 717-5324/ LA Fax 717-5610 [email protected] Page 2 Bonaire Reporter Dec. 21, 2007- Jan 4, 2008 you where on the island you can find it. To commemorate this project, the Boois are hosting an art show at Kas di Arte this month, “Cultural Landmarks Bonaire – History, Mythology, Traditions, Architecture,” with copies of many Cultural Landmarks – A Gift of the plaques on display. The to Bonaire show is open daily from 10 am through December 31. round the island are what This week’s feature is Mati Mati, A used to be empty pedes- located near the Indian Inscriptions tals. The idea, a number of years at Boka Onima. Take the Rincon ago, was to have an explanation road north and turn off to the right (east) at the Indian inscriptions of the particular area and why it he announcement of the sign. Just before you arrive at the was important – historically, tra- construction of a Hilton ditionally and/or mythologically. Indian inscriptions on the same T Hotel adjacent to Flamingo air- The pedestals sat empty for years. side you can look down a little port is just part of a development However, as a gift to the island path and see the pedestal which is and its visitors Frans Booi, whose located outside the cave.