by Rod Hughes

Heavy rains yesterday damaged homes in the capital’s suburbs and in the southern zone of the country. Worse, the Meteorological Institute says more is in store for today and perhaps tomorrow.
In the southern area, several villages were isolated as creebeds overflowed and some bridges were damaged. Some families were forced from their homes. In downtown Tibas, some seven homes were damaged.
At least one man is missing and feared dead after he fell into the swollen Alajuela River in that city.
Meterologist Rosario Alfaro promised worse rains for today at least.

by Rod Hughes

The Ministry of Transport (MOPT) has is so enthralled with its new spacious La Uruca district office building that it is promising the elimination of intermitable lines and license renewal within 15 minutes. The 850-square-meter building was inaugurated yesterday and is located alongside the Banco Nacional bank branch in that district.
It has a free parking lot for customers and ramps for handicapped access.
All it takes, according to Roy Rojas, head of the Traffic Safety Council, is submission of the medical exam, the taking a photo and the license will be handed over. Of course, one must also have a receipt that they have paid their fees at any Banco Nacional or Banco de Costa Rica branch.
The new streamlined system will, MOPT promises, end the incidious “gavilan” process, where a runner is paid to stand in line for the license seeker or “sold” his place in line. So long was the wait at the old facility on Plaza Viquez that only the young and determined would have the strength to stand for the time required to reach the window. Closed-circuit TV monitors will ensure that they do not return to their old tricks, added MOPT spokesmen.
The old building will close forever. In the middle of last year, the labor inspectors said the structure was dirty, humid and, literally, flea-infested.

by Rod Hughes

A bill that would ban foreigners marrying Costa Ricans solely to obtain residency is gathering support in the Legislative Assembly, reports the daily paper La Nacion.
This practice usually takes the form of a foreign man going to a lawyer, who then seeks out a poor or drug addicted native woman for a bogus marriage. Many times, the Costa Rican mate has never met or even seen anyone except the spouse’s lawyer in order to sign the papers in exchange for a one-time payment ranging from 5,000 colones to 25,000 (about $10 to $50) and many times, if they wish to marry later, find themselves prevented by the convenience marriage.
Immigration chief Mario Zamora has found himself twice running afoul of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court for slowing down applications for residency status because of these marriages. By attempting to control the situation, Zamora finds himself personally liable to lawsuits as well as his department.
The immigration reform bill currently in special session of congress attempts to close this loophole.
Zamora points out that lawyers, for a legal fee of about 10,000 colones, will seek out the indigent or the addicted. The notaries who witness the signatures also receive their cut.
“We’ve seen a case in Cristo Rey barrio (a rough part of San Jose) where a drug addict received drugs for her signature on marriage liceses,” said Zamora.
But not all locals who lend their signatures to this trade are women. La Nacion interviewed Jose Amgel Aguilar, 47, who told the reporter, “I was broke and needed money. All I knew was that I married a woman I’d never met. There in Pavas and Lomas, they marry anyone.”
The bill that would end this practice and for which Zamora is lobbying hard, has gathered the support of Evita Arguedas of the Libertarian Movement and National Liberation deputy Francisco Antonio Pacheco who have promised their support. The bill, which would also make adjustments in the Family Code, the Penal Codes as well as the natoary codes, is currently in committee. Nine Costa Ricans who “married” for a fee have testified that they have applied for anullments.