P.O. Box 407, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, Phone 790-6518, 786-6125, www.bonairereporter.com email: [email protected] Since 1994 Printed every fortnight On-line every day, 24/7 Greta Kooistra photo Cyndell Dowling, Gabriella and Evita Thodé(with camera). Cyndell and Gabriella performed a cappella a delightful song they composed about the Shelter and its puppies and kittens. Peace, good will and happiness for you at Christmas and in the New Year. Bonaire Government photo TableThis Week’s of Contents Stories PHU Voting Lawsuit 2 New Prison in Bonaire 3 Referendum 3 Dr. Miguel A. González (English & Span- ish) Committed to Serve 4 Bonaire By Bike 7 Potholes 8 European Kid Freestyle Tour 9 Lions Windsurfing 9 Funchi Ayo 10 Church On The Rise 11 Kriabon Open House 11 Harbourtown Grand Opening 12 Karate Win 14 Letters to the Editor 18 he foundations for the DAE, Floris van Pallandt, said he About 25% of Bonaire’s population consists of immigrants.- Zwarte Piet Healed 18 T sewage treatment plant would remain as an advisor to the 2008 Civil Registry (Bevolking) figures. Kunuku Kids Open House 20 are near completion. They are new CEO for the time being. Holiday Concert 20 being built by the company MNO Leonora was born in Curaçao XThe Party for Justice and Unity (Partido pro Hustisia & Animal Shelter Auction 21 Vervat at the LVV site. When and studied Airline Business Ad- Union -PHU) has filed a lawsuit in order to force the ———————————————— complete, the target is March ministration, Management and government to grant voting rights for local elections to Departments 2011, sewage waste from the prop- Finance. He said his short term Flotsam & Jetsam 2 immigrants who have had legal residence in Bonaire, Saba or erties along the “Hotel Row” and plans call for an immediate fleet On the Island Since.. (Patricia Hassell) 5 Kralendijk, now being deposited replacement program, the removal Statia for five years or more. Bonairean Voices –Purpose In Life 6 into cesspits that eventually leach of some unprofitable and marginal There are two main reasons why the case was filed: Sudoku Puzzle 6 wastewater into the sea, will be routes and activities and ensuring 1. Immigrants in the European Netherlands have long been Latin Music Classics-Steel Band 6 taken by tank trucks to the sewage the continued and increasing em- allowed to vote in municipal elections. Our Island Government Bon Quiz #43 (Goats) 6 Bonaire Voices (Music) 6 plant to be turned into agricultural ployment of DAE’s 150 employ- has a status equal to a City Council, yet immigrants in the BES Sudoku Quiz 6 fertilizer. ees. The airline will keep the name islands were specifically excluded from voting by the Dutch Body Talk–Too Much Calcium(cont) 7 The nutrients in the waste, help- DAE, but will launch a new Web- parliament. According to the PHU that was wrong. Reporter Masthead 12 ful to land plants, encourage algae site. 2.Immigrants work and pay taxes in Bonaire, just like Caribbean Classifieds 14 growth that inhibits coral repro- and European Dutch citizens. Government actions affect them Tide Table, Sunrise & Sunset Times, Moon Phase 14 duction. The action is applauded XContinental Airlines will be and their children as well as Dutch citizens. They should have by reef conservationists who con- flying twice a week from Newark Bonaire On Wheels (Dragster Bike) 15 representation in government. sider it long overdue. to Curaçao on Wednesdays and Masthead 16 What’s Happening, Cruise Ship Sked, Art Saturdays, starting December 18. Exhibits 16 AIRLINE UPDATES This flight might prove to be a Shopping & Service Directory 17 XDutch Antilles Express good alternative for those wanting a distance of 2,200 nautical miles Bolivian flag. However, Boliv- Picture Yourself (Smokey Mtns., US) 18 (DAE) and Royal Dutch airline to extend their Bonaire vacation from her goal hoping to arrive in ian authorities indicated that the Sudoku Solution 19 KLM has expanded their exist- and use the regular Continental three weeks. Dekker hopes to vessel is not registered under Bon Quiz Answer 19 ing cooperation as of December Saturday Bonaire non-stop, become the youngest person to their flag. The ship was reported Pet of the Week (Priscilla) 1 on the new DAE destinations circumnavigate the world single- to international maritime agen- Bubbles (entry & exit points) 21 and continue their transfer service XDutch airline ArkeFly will handedly. Initially, her attempt cies and investigation continues. Sky Park (Moon Eclipse) 23 The Stars have It 23 to passengers. According to a DAE add a second weekly flight from was blocked by a Dutch court release, from December 1 passen- Schiphol to Bonaire beginning in which ruled she was too young XRonella Tjin How to contact us gers with a KLM ticket can also April 2011 on Thursdays. The to make the journey. Asjoe-Croes Letters to the Editor: fly to all DAE destinations in flight will be flown with a 767- will be leaving [email protected] Venezuela, Colombia and Panama 300, according to Radio Nether- Story tip or idea: XLast week a freighter of the her job as the [email protected] “comfortably and quickly” on one lands. “More than 23,000 Dutch CAA / shipping line was Director of the The Publisher: ticket and with automatic baggage tourists visited Bonaire the past [email protected] “arrested” and held on Bon- Tourism Cor- transfer via a transfer to DAE hub year,” Director Ronella Tjin Asjoe aire. The ship did not meet the poration Bonaire at the end of Box 407, Bonaire, Curaçao, as well as Aruba, Bon- -Croes of the Tourism Corporation Neth. Antilles. minimum requirements of inter- this year. In the five years she’s Phone 790-8988 aire and St.Maarten. Bonaire (TCB) said. This flight national law for construction, been in the job significant im- Phone 790-6518 / 786-6518 should help increase the number. safety, crew and environment. provements were made in attract- Available on-line at: XCuraçao businessman Ar- www.bonairereporter.com To ensure that the ship could not ing visitors to Bonaire. Born on Printed Every Fortnight, nold Leonora became the new XDutch sailing teen 14-year go to sea, the Shipping Inspec- Aruba, she returns to her home to On-line Every day, 24/7 owner and CEO of Dutch Antil- old Laura Dekker is currently torate ship chained the vessel to take the job as CEO of the Aruba Next edition printing on les Express (DAE) on Thursday, on her way to the Caribbean the dock. But the chain was cut Tourism Authority. Perhaps the December 28, 2010 December 9. He bought all DAE hoping to make landfall in St. and the vessel disappeared. most significant accomplishment Story and Ad deadline: airline operations from Niek Sand- December 24, 2010, 12 noon Maarten. A stop in Bonaire is in According to the certificates of of her tenure was increasing mann, who has decided to focus on her plans. the ship it was sailing under a real estate. Former director of Dekker ‘s website that she was at (Continued on page 19) 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 duplicated Kaya Grandi #61 “The blue building” •Transport of Money •Vehicle patrols Call 717-8545 and Valuables •Burglar Alarms In Business Open: 8:30-12:30, 2:00-5:30 Over 27 years Owner Operated •Private Investigations •Fire Alarm Systems Web: www.bonairefreewieler.com Kaya Nikiboko Nord 37A, PO Box 225 Tel: (599) 717- 8125 Email: [email protected] Fax (599) 717- 6125 E-mail [email protected] Page 2 Bonaire Reporter- December 17-31, 2010 The second tangible asset (the first was the tax office) riday, Decem- provided to Bonaire as a result of the islands direct tie to F ber17, is the day The Netherlands opened last week: a professionally set for Bonaire residents designed and operated prison. holding Dutch citizen- ship to say Yes or No to n the deal struck with the O Dutch Central government by its elected Thursday, officials. They agreed to integrate Bon- December aire into The Netherlands as a “special 2, the new municipality.” Nether- But try as they could our reporters lands Car- could not get the leaders of any of the ibbean political parties who were signatories prison of the agreements to endorse a YES opened choice. There are several prominent after the citizens and elected officials who are comple- recommending NO and others who are tion of 48 counseling avoiding the Referendum altogether. The newly minted PHU Party new tem- The head of the new prison, advises, “This referendum is infected. porary jail Patricia Hassell A few of the guards at the new prison Do not vote. Stay home, drink a beer, do cells. The what you want. But DO NOT VOTE.” next day At least 50% of the eligible voters, the prison was open to the public for viewing. The opening which includes inmates of the jail, but was attended by elected officials, those in the judicial ser- not non-Dutch residents, must show up vice, interested parties and featured speeches by Mrs. at the polls for the result to be valid. Dinesh ten Hoorn Boer (Director-General Department of However, no matter what the out- Security and Justice), Mr Peter van de Sande (Head DJI), come, the result cannot directly prison head, Patricia Hassell and Lt. Gov. Glenn Thodé. change the deal already struck. If the vote is NO, its supporters want a binding The Dutch Custodial Institutions Service is preparing new Referendum in short order.