RICKY to Rock Tibás: Latin music idol Ricky Martin will be stopping to perform at the Ricardo Saprissa stadium in Tibás, north of San José, Feb. 19 as part of his “Blanco y Negro” tour. Tickets to witness this Latin Grammy-winning star are on sale at Megasuper grocery stores or online at www.specialticket.net.

Spirit Airlines yesterday announced it will begin nonstop service between its hub in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and San José beginning April 5, according to a statement posted on the airline's Web site.

By Katherine Stanley
Tico Times Staff | kstanley@ticotimes.net

Public Security Minister Fernando Berrocal announced yesterday that reforms to the country's Immigration Law are ready for submission to the Legislative Assembly.

President Oscar Arias, a longtime critic of the existing law approved before Arias took office in May 2006, reviewed the reforms at his weekly Cabinet meeting. (The law took effect in August, despite Arias' efforts to convince legislators to postpone it.) Following the meeting, Berrocal and Immigration Director Mario Zamora told reporters the package of 60 reforms will, if approved, overhaul the Immigration Police, toughen punishments of human traffickers, make it easier for immigrants to legalize their status, and put Costa Rica in compliance of international human-rights treaties.

Casa Presidencial spokeswoman Eugenia Sancho told The Tico Times the bill could be submitted to the assembly at any time.

The existing law was approved in 2005 after years of debate, despite criticism from the Catholic Church, human-rights activists and other groups. When the Arias administration took over, its ministers added to the chorus by arguing that it is impossible for the under-funded Immigration Administration to comply with the law without additional funds.

The reforms presented to the Cabinet yesterday were drafted by a team at Immigration that consulted with advisors from all the political parties represented in the Legislative Assembly, Church leaders, academics and other groups. Because of this approach, the bill should reach a vote quickly, Berrocal said.

“It's a consensus bill,” he said.

The reforms contain both good and bad news for foreign residents. On the upside: Now, foreigners seeking a change in their immigration status must visit the Costa Rican consulates in their countries of origin as part of the process, but the reforms would remove that requirement to simplify the process. Procedures for businesses seeking immigration permits for temporary workers from Nicaragua or other countries would also be simplified.

However, the bill does require foreign residents to pay a monthly tax for public education and health services, Berrocal said. He added that the exact amount of such payments is up to the Legislative Assembly; Zamora told The Tico Times last year that the payments would likely be $8-17.

Berrocal said such a contribution is “rational,” but George González, head of immigration services at the Costa Rican Residents' Association, said in December that demanding such a payment would be unfair and perhaps illegal.

“It would be unconstitutional to say that foreigners have to pay more than nationals,” he said. “It has to be based on income” (TT, Dec. 8, 2006).

By Leland Baxter-Neal
Tico Times Staff | lbaxter@ticotimes.net

The National Water and Sewer Institute (AyA) Tuesday announced that the spring located less than 75 meters from the site of an explosive December chemical fire has no contaminants and its water is suitable for human consumption.

The announcement meant restored water service for 2,000 people in the Caribbean coastal town of Moín who had been depending on water trucks since the Dec. 13 fire.

The blaze at a Químicos Holanda chemical storage plant took the lives of two workers and spilled toxic solvents into the surrounding eco system (TT, Dec. 15, 2006). The nearby spring provided water for 20,000 area residents, and was immediately quarantined.

While some residents received water service redirected from an unaffected river, others – including the 2,000 who had their service restored this week – have depended on visits from water tanker trucks ever since.

Environment and Energy Minister Roberto Dobles told The Tico Times that technicians had been taking daily samples from the springs' aquifers since the fire, and since Dec. 26, 2006, the samples have been free of contaminants.

“There is no danger in using the water,” Dobles said.

Spirit Airlines yesterday announced it will begin nonstop service between its hub in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and San José beginning April 5, according to a statement posted on the airline's Web site.

Flights will be offered on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and the route will be serviced by Airbus aircraft, the statement said. The airline will also offer connecting flights to San José from other U.S. destinations.

Spirit offers service to 15 other Latin American and Caribbean cities; Costa Rica will be its first Central American destination.

“We are thrilled to be offering our terrific, low-fare service to one of Central America's most beautiful countries,” said Luis Zúñiga, Spirit marketing representative and Costa Rica native, according to the statement. “We're looking forward to taking Floridians to enjoy Costa Rica, whether it's to reconnect with family or take advantage of the vast opportunities for ecotourism.”

-Tico Times