Bully Boy Tactics

I am absolutely disgusted with certain individuals who subscribe to some of the local forums. They are not content with attacking me as a Councillor, some, even as an individual. But to start attacking members of my staff, by issuing vitriolic attacks on them and their families, is akin to the tactics of one Joseph Goebels.
I absolute refute and deny any claims that any person recieves favours or considerations because they are related to people who work with me. This relates to Mr Richie Sparks who runs a legal Community Radio Station. He advertises many of the Community events that the Ayuntamiento and the Offices for the Urbanisation, promote. He also advertises for anyone who informs him of Community events.
In his capacity as a friend of mine and as the partner of Sam, he has on many occaisions, volunteered his time and services for free, because he believes in promoting a Community Spirit. If some of the people did one tenth of what Richie does for the Community, they would not have time to hide behind pseudonymns and write such trash in the forums. I know the persons behind some these pseudonymns and if I was a gossip monger, I could certainly spill a few beans about them, but that would only make me a shallow minded individual. I am better than that and so are the many people whom I regard as friends.

A reminder

It would seem that a few people have short memories. When a council inherits more than NINE million Euros of debt, it is extremely difficult to come up with new projects that do not cost a fortune to implement. So for those who moan about the appearance that nothing is being done, perhaps they should realise that that in an effort to reduce the debt, many of the original contracts had to be re negotiated. This may give the appearance that we are treading water, but we are not sinking deeper into debt.
Here is a scenario for some to contemplate. What if Spain adopted similar system of council tax as they have in the UK. 7 years ago, when I was living in the UK , my Council Tax was £1500 per annum. At today's exchange rate, that's approximately €1800. Can you imagine if every household in Spain had to pay this. There would be so much money in the pot for all sorts of improvements. Such better services. Better amenities ,better job prospects, better standards of living all round. We could say goodbye to the debt. Just imagine 1200 property owners paying that amount each year. By my calculations that works out at    €2160000. Within four years  the council would be debt free. We could have a new school, street lights working all the time, streets and pavements free of weeds. We could have a library and more doctors and improved medical services. But there is only one thing wrong with this scenario, it would require a great deal of sacrifice from the residents. Which is impossible because many want their cake and to eat it too.
All the current taxation and SUMA payments that are collected by San Fulgencio, amount to just over 3 million euros each year. A little more than 4 million comes from the Government,( Alicante, Valencia and Madrid ). The current cost of maintaining what we have, comes to more than 8 million.  So you do the Maths. Without extra money coming from somewhere, where do the moaners expect it to come from. I think if you have an answer, perhaps you could forward it on the the Prime Ministers of Britain, Spain, Greece, Italy and Cyprus and then we in Europe can all get out of the financial crisis

Certificate of Registration

There is a lot of talk recently about Residencias also known as Certificates of Registration. The main question is " Do they require to be renewed after 5 years?" The answer from the offices of the Policia National in Torrevieja and Madrid is NO. The Certificate does not expire.
However, if you require to renew your SIP card, you may be asked to provide a new Certificate of Registration, as by doing so, you must now show proof of earnings or pension. This at the moment is the only reason you may be asked to renew your Residencia aka Certificate of Registration

For those that do not read the Spanish Press

This is a translation from the Spanish Newspaper, Informacion! Today a court trial opened in Orihuela, of the socialist ex Mayoress of San Fulgencio, Trinidad Martinez, and five other Councillors of her administration for allowing a housing block in an area that was reserved for sports grounds, in the General Plan. According to the warrant seen by this newspaper. The ex Mayoress, faces two years in prison and ten years of disqualification from holding political office, for a continuing offense alleged against planning. On the bench will sit three municipal officers for having supported the project, according to the prosecutor, knowing that it is unlawful.
Together with Trinidad Martinez, the others accused and on the bench are the councilors who took part in the various committees of government in which licenses were authorised for controversial project, José Mora, Teresa and Luisa Terres Alberola and independents Mariano Martí and Simone Elster. The prosecution has called for the revocation of all licenses approved for the sports area of ​​San Fulgencio since 2001 and particularly the agreements of the governing board of the January 14, 2010 in which it was given to the developer for first occupancy license for 44 homes. For the other defendants, sentences ranging from eight to ten years of ineligibility, and one or two in jail.
The events started off in February 2000 when the owner of the land presented a blueprint for building eight blocks of flats and outdoor sports facilities, and the construction of 98 apartments in principle intended for athletes.
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Padrons.

A lot has been said recently about the Padron. In the past it was supposed to be, that without a Residencia, you could not get a Padron.
The rules have now been changed and I am reliably informed, that a Residencia is no longer a legal requirementm, to obtain a Padron.
When applying for a Padron a resident must show that they own a property in the Municipality, by producing their Escritura, a valid passport and your NIE. If you do not own a property and are only renting, then a copy of the Rental Agreement along with a certified copy of the owners passport and a utility bill, along with your own passport, will be required . These should be accompanied by a Solicitud de Inscription en el Padron Municipal. ( Copies are available at the Town Hall and the Offices of the Concejalia de Urbanizaciones )
Your padron may be required to be renewed if you are intending making a large monetary purchase, such as a car. All residents who have a padron should also check to see if they are on the Voting Register. If a Padron has not been renewed for some time, residents may find that their particulars have disappeared from the Voting Register. This became evident at the last Municipal Election when large numbers of people were turned away at the Polling Station, because they were not on the Voters Role.
If a person resides in Spain for more than 3 Months, they should register with the National Police in Elche or Alicante. Information on how to apply for a Residencia, can be obtained from our office on Calle Madrid.

Charity Register.

This is in fact a Register of Associations. All Associations operating in San Fulgencio are required to be registered with the Town Hall. In order for a Charity/Association to hold functions or fundraisers in collaboration with the Town Hall, they should be registered. Associations that are registered can apply for financial assistance  or use of Town Hall facilities. Any grants awarded must be used solely for the benefit of the Association and receipts must be provided, to ensure a continuation of assistance and collaboration, from the Town Hall.
The Psychologist from the Social Services , is collating and updating the data. However, Charities or Associations can Register their details at the Offices of the Concejalia de Urbanizacions. A copy of the statutes are required along with details of the President or other named Office Bearer.
If a Charity is  unregistered and not working with the Town Hall, it may not get the necessary permissions and road closures to hold events.
This ruling is to prevent unregistered Charities or Associations, collecting or fund raising within the Municipality. Any organisation recieving donations from another Charity are expected to declare those donations for tax purposes. If the other organisation is registered as a Charity or Association , then they may be exempt from paying tax. If unregistered, then the Registered Charity can pay the recipient´s bills, but should not give cash donations, which cannot be accounted for.

Planned Power Cuts

Iberdrola will be carrying out work on the Electricity supply in the Lo Pedreño and El Oasis areas on 27th November. The planned down time for the electricity supply if from 0900 to 0930 hrs.