With reference to an article in today’s, Información newspaper, where an ex female member of staff has accused me of sexual harassment towards her over a period of 18 months.

First, let me say that I vehemently deny these allegations.

It is my understanding that prior to these allegations being put to the Guardia Civil, she spoke with the Alcalde, Carlos Ramirez and stated that she intended to report the matter to the Police, but stated that if I was persuaded to resign from office, the complaint would go away and he would avoid being involved in a Scandal. As I completely deny the allegations, I saw this as a form of Blackmail. I informed the Alcalde that I was not going to resign.

I find it strange that up until June of last year, she shared a house and her life with a member of the Policia Nacional and for all that time she apparently said absolutely nothing to him.

Secondly while her brother and her son worked in the same office since day one and neither of them were apparently informed and if they were, they never said anything to me.

Thirdly: I find it strange that when the time came to execute the government cuts, which would have seen her brother and her son being released from their posts, this allegation should come to the fore.

Fourthly: In September of last year, I had serious thoughts about stepping back from the number one position in favour of this woman, for the next election. I informed her of my plans and suggested that she take a more active role in local fiestas and organisations. 

It was about this time that she decided to organise a Dog Show on the Urbanisation. She started to organise this event, without prior consultation with me. She only mentioned this once the wheels had been put in motion. After the conclusion of this event, she took three days off as she stated that she was completely stressed out by the Dog Show. This made me rethink my prior thoughts for the next election. I informed her that I would take the Party into the next election in the Number 1 position. She seemed taken aback and annoyed by this news.

Over the last few years, on numerous occasions, when she has overstepped her authority and spoke out against fellow Councillors, Council officials and Lawyers. I had to censure her on many of these occasions. I only raised my voice but never shouted at her or spoke to her with contempt. Despite these reprimands and the reminder that she was there to explain the nuances of the Spanish language to me, at that time or later, she continued to express her opinions and cause unnecessary annoyance in Council meetings. Because she had on many occasions done excellent work, I would always allow her a great deal of leeway. However, I was by this time having doubts about her abilities and seriously losing confidence in her.

Returning to the allegations. She reports that she submitted her complaint to the Guardia Civil in Guardamar on the 29^th of January. A few days later Samantha Hull, my asesora, was invited to make a declaration to the investigating officer , although she has neither heard nor seen any form of sexual harassment towards this woman. She was informed that I would be contacted later that day to give a declaration to the Guardia Civil. Three weeks have passed by since then and to date I have never been interviewed. I have been informed through another Police source that the papers have been sent to the courts. Should this case go ahead, I will answer fully in front of the judge, with proper legal representation and an official interpreter.

I am currently seeking legal advice for the purposes of raising a Denuncia against this person and any other person who attempts to defame my name or character.

In accordance with legislation from Central Government in Madrid, to cut staffing levels and salaries, in all the Town Halls, the Ayuntamiento of San Fulgencio has released three assessoras from the Offices of the Urbanisations. As of todays date, the three assessoras, had their employment terminated and no longer work for the Ayuntamiento.
These cuts, will result in a saving of approximately 92,000 Euros per year.
Despite these cuts, the Offices of the Urbanisations, with myself and Sam, will remain open and it will be business as usual.

Sporting Club of San Fulgencio and forthcoming Fiesta de Patronales.

The first point is the issue of the Sporting Club of San Fulgencio.
There are some people who are involved with the San Fulgencio Football Club who think they are one and the same. However the Sporting Club of San Fulgencio, is the name of the Organisation that covers all the sporting activities in San Fulgencio. Basket Ball, Padel, Tennis, Tae Kwan Do, Karate, Judo, Football (for all ages) and Ballet.
The money that is allocated to the Sporting Club of San Fulgencio is to pay for uniforms, equipment, membership cards, payment to the sports coaches and for referees and officials, when required, etc. As far as their being only a little of the funds being allocated to San Fulgencio Footbal Club, they are only one of many other sporting activities, that recieve help from the Town Hall.
Fiesta de Patronales.
These take place on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th. January. On the official fiesta brochure it states that on the 16th there will be a Solen Mass at 12.00 noon, followed by the Traditional Parade of collecting chickens and rabbits from the residents of the village. I have expressed my feelings on this to the Mayor and I will not be participating in this part of the fiesta.
On the Friday the programme states that at 5pm there will be the San Anton piglet slaughter at the church. Please let me assure everybody that this is symbolic. No live animals will be slaughtered. Porcelain piggy banks will be broken and the funds used by the church .New "Pigs" will be given out to those who donate last years "Pigs"

Puting the record straight.

It has been passed around that I was responsible for getting rid of the animal ambulance. Not true. This was a decision made by the Government Team. Why? Put quite simply, between that and the vetinary bills, being run up by the previous Councillor, it was just too much. It has also been stated that I am resposible for awarding the contract to recover abandoned animals, to Cereco. Also not true.
Let me say that I am the Councillor for the Urbanisations. I am not the Councillor for Animals. All decisions regarding animals are put forward by the relevant Councillor and approved or disapproved by a majority vote at the Junta de Gobierno.
It is regrettable that a little dog died in the back of a Cereco van and that the owner was very distraught. But for this to be brought up again in such a manner only succeeds in opening a wound for the owner. I wonder if the author of the latest diatribe, even considered the feelings of this person? It appears to me that this is politically motivated. If that is the case then I think the author should be ashamed of themselves.
I would also like to point out that the procedure of registering your pets with the Town Hall was as far as I am aware, instigated by Councillor Lewis and we continued the process.
In case you think I am one of these people who hate animals, let me point out that I have 3 rescued cats and I am currently in the process of adopting an abandoned dog.  One of my staff have several adopted cats and several dogs. Another, who is allergic to cats has however, just adopted a dog. Not everyone wants to have a pet. But those that do, treat them with the love and affection they deserve.

Disgusting behaviour

On Sunday, I was disgusted by the behaviour of Councillor Lewis. 

While I was down in San Fulgencio Village, taking part in the Remembrance Day service, he decided to pay a visit to the area of the Dog Show. Which may I say, was attended and supported, by a large number of people.

He approached several people and distributed leaflets, which stated, that what was occurring, was a “Council Sham”. He even upset several people and brought one of them to tears with his brand of vicious vitriolic lies. He stated that all the abandoned animals on display would be collected by the Council and the Police and would be dead in six days. What a lie this was.

 All these animals were under the care of fosterers and would remain so, until permanent homes could be found for them. He also stated that none of the other animal organisations on the Urbanisation had been approached to take part in the dog show. This is also a tissue of lies. Every organisation for animals on Marina Oasis was contacted. Both K9 and SATS, gladly displayed the posters, but were unable to provide volunteers for a free stall or a selection of dogs for adoption, as Sunday, is a day that many volunteers are involved in walking and looking after the abandoned dogs and for kennel maintenance. 
Pets in Spain were contacted but declined to get involved. 
In fact, I was in the office when a representative of Pets in Spain came in and I overheard this person being informed of the Dog Show and they were offered a stall and an opportunity to bring some dogs, by one of the office staff.

While I am on about Pets in Spain, let me tell about an incident that happened over the summer. A Spanish gentleman came to our office, stating that a stray dog had wandered into his garden and he could not get it to go away. I contacted several of the animal charities on La Marina and was informed that they had no room at their kennels or fosterers available at that moment. I contacted Councillor Lewis, on the Pets in Spain number. He stated, "That is your problem not mine. I am not interested; go speak to your friends at K9". He continued by saying, "I am driving at this moment and I don’t even want to speak to you". The dog was eventually collected by the Police and removed to Cereco.

I have to ask, was this because it was me, as he obviously has a bee in his bonnet about being put out of the Council, or is it a true sign of the type of person he really is? I could go on and tell you about some of the bully boy tactics he got up to, to me and my wife, prior the formal election of the new government team. But he would only deny it. But I know what he did and so does my wife. One thing is evident; he is not my "Buddy" and never will.
As far as abandoned dogs are concerned , we do our best to contact the various animal rescue organisations, in order to rehome them. The latest was when 4 puppies were dumped in the nearby waste bins. We took them into the office and to the vets to be examined. We were able to have them taken by one of the Spanish dog rescue organisations and all four are now adopted and have gone to permanent homes.

Non residents being fined for driving a Spanish registered car

It has come to our notice that a recent visitor to Spain, was fined for driving a Spanish registered car.
We have discovered that, the Traffico of the Guardia Civil can impose a fine on owners of Spanish registered cars, if they are non resident and unable to produce documentation, stating that they are non resident.
Once the fine is imposed, the owner is unable to have the fine cancelled and must pay it.
In order to avoid this type of situation, a non resident can apply on Form EX-15 to get a certificate of non residency. To obtain this certificate the applicant can get the form from our office . It has to be taken to one of the Commisariats of Police in Elche or Alicante. The cost of the Certificate is €6.89.
For further information, contact our office at Calle Madrid no.5.

Remembrance Sunday.

Remembrance Sunday 10th November.

In collaboration with the Royal British Legion and The Catholic and Anglican Churches in San Fulgencio, The Ayuntamiento, has organised a remembrance service, to be held at, 11.30 a.m. on the Plaza de Constitucion, ( In front of the Town Hall ), San Fulgencio.
Wreaths will be laid to commemorate all those who have died as the result of conflicts and acts of terrorism.

All are welcome to attend and show their respect for the fallen.