Where do we go from here

First I would like to say a huge thank you to all those that voted for us. We won two seats but were beaten into second place by the P.P. who won an overall majority.
We carried out a clean campaign, for which we were criticised for, but we maintained our integrity throughout. We witnessed some dirty tricks and  we were also subjected to abuse from some of the supporters from another Party.
We can lay the blame at the door of many people, but in the end we are of the opinion that some of the blame must go to the promised votes from the Spaniards in the village. They just did not materialise. Also, there were still many people who were turned away from voting, because they had disappeared from the voters role. This is something that we will address in the coming weeks.
There were others from the Urb. that promised to vote for PIPN, but complacency and apathy took over. They just did not show up.

However, we could go on and on putting forward reasons for not getting enough votes or seats, but we did beat the PSOE and APSFU, who have been established for a lot longer than ourselves.
To the future.
We opened our PIPN office on 107 Calle Madrid, in order to have meetings away from the Council offices. We plan to be available to serve the Community from our office. We will still be able to represent the residents in many of the things that concern them.

Have you seen the electoral program from the Partido Popular. I don't mean to be nasty, but the English is deplorable.

Is this fair

The other day we were informed by the Junta Electoral, the body that governs and decides everything relative to the forthcoming elections, of the places and numbers of posters that we can put up.

In the Village.....Casco Urbano

The PP will be allowed to place 35 posters on the lamp posts, the PSOE  21,
APSFU 17 and PIPN 7

In the urbanisation Marina
PP will be allowed 61, the PSOE 45, APSFU 29 and PIPN 9

The other parties such as Compromis and UPyD have also been allowed a few posters each.

Normally there are A boards erected outside the Police Office on Calle Amsterdam and on the main Square in the village. On plaza Constitucion in the village, we have been allowed only 1 poster, PP 3 PSOE 2, APSFU 2.
In Calle Amsterdam PIPN, ZERO . PP 2 PSOE 1, APSFU 1 Compromis 1 UPyD 1.
 Therefore if you wish support us and display one of our posters in your car or in your home, please call and collect a couple from our new SEDE de PIPN office
 in Calle Madrid number 107. You can also uplift from the 8th of May, a copy of our Electoral Program

Carlos Returns to the Urb.,

We have been informed that as of Monday next Carlos the Mayor, has decided to visit our office one day a week up until the elections. If you have a question for the Mayor, please feel free to submit your question in person or by email to our office,  concejaliadeurbanizciones@ayto-sanfulgencio.es. I assume that on this occasion, Samantha will do any necessary translation.
Perhaps someone could ask the question as to why the gardeners were tidying up the area around the Seprona Hut, ( Animal Protection Dept of the Guardia Civil ) opposite the Police office here on La Marina. I always thought that this area was private.

Keeping you informed

There has been quite a few comments on one of the other forums regarding the state of the roads on Oasis. I tried to phone Carlos the Mayor, but he was not answering his phones. I managed to get a hold of Pascual Mojica, the first deputy. He informed me that the machinery to do the roads, should be in situ, by the end of next week. If not, then by the beginning of the following week. The actual work should start very soon after. So the work should be well on the way, by the time the election comes around.
On the subject of the elections, the convicted ex Mayoress, Trinidad Martinez was in Alicante this morning apparently assisting the new leader of the local PSOE, to obtain certification for the ex pats on his list of candidates. I was there also. She acknowledged me with a rye, nervous smile. The new leader of the local PSOE apparently is the boyfreind of Trini's daughter. So there will be no manipulation there, will there?.

Election Programs

Although I will not comment on posts in other forums, I feel that the main message has got to be, get out and vote, please.
Vote for the Party that you feel will do the best for you.
We cannot advertise our Manifesto, until we are officially permitted to do so, but I can say that P.I.P.N. has developed a manifesto from the suggestions made by the people who matter, the electorate.
 We will always listen to the people. To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, we are looking for a new birth of freedom that would bring true equality to all of our citizens. By ensuring that we have " Government of the people, by the people for the people ".
I fear that many of the National Parties have forgotten what the true meaning of Democracy is all about.
Our policies will include issues such as improvements to the infrastructure, creating better opportunities for the residents,  particularly in relation to improving facilities and employment. We have developed a plan to deal with animals and their errant owners. We have developed plans to encourage businesses and give opportunities to our youth.
In a very short space of time we will sending our full manifesto, to the printers. It will not be as fancy as some that of the other parties as we have been working on a shoe string. Our funding comes from our own pockets. A few members have donated sums of money to help us along. We could still use more. This is why our candidates are donating to the fighting fund, whatever they can afford. We all know that the other major parties will be funded from the National pot.

Dirty Tricks or not?

So, as we approach the Municipal Elections on the 24th May, we are finding that this council are inaugurating projects which have lay in Limbo for months and in some cases a few years. The problem with this is that THIS Councillor, Jeff Wiszniewski, has not been informed or consulted on any of these projects. Despite the fact that many of these projects were initiated from our office.
One point in question, is the laying of the Tarmac on the roads of La Marina Urb.
This work commenced without this office, The Office of the Urbanizaciones, being informed. Yes, I knew that a grant had been given to San Fulgencio late last year, by the Diputacion in Alicante, but no one thought it relevant to let me know when the work was going to start. I travelled to my office one morning to find many of the roads blocked by road laying machinery.
The second point is, the Library. We had as part of our Manifesto in 2011, that we would push for a Library, here in La Marina Urb. We arranged to have a partition built in the Social Centre. We arranged to have the book cases bought. We arranged for the donation of books. We collected these books at our office and arranged to have them stored at the Social Centre. When we asked what was happening with the Library, we were informed that there was no one available to operate the Library and that they could not afford to employ anyone to run the library. It was suggested that we could organise volunteers to run the Library, but no encouragement was given. Today we discovered, that for the last few weeks, work has been going on, to erect the book shelves. A lady from the Village has been tasked to arrange and categorise the books. If it was not for a gentleman who dropped off his wife for a craft class, we still would not know.
It also looks as though the Oasis Project will get under way in the next few weeks. Again I find that this is close to the Elections. Although we still do not know who has won the contract, it seems that they are keeping this a secret as well. However I fully understand the annoyance of the residents of Oasis, who see new tarmac being laid on the Urbanisation, at no cost to the residents. One particular resident of Oasis is very angry that he has to pay approximately €8,000 as his contribution. I wonder why the contribution from Alicante, could not have been used to offset the cost to the residents of Oasis.
Our office has also put forward a project last October, for installing exercise machines in the park next to the Market Place. I wonder if that will also miraculously be started before the cut off date of 27th March. Also in the pipeline is the Men´s Shed Project, which may also be started before the cut off date.
Despite the fact that there is an agreement with the Partido Popular, they continue to forget or do not deem it necessary, to inform this office of what they are doing.
To me, this is neither of the above, this to me just shows the contempt that the PP shows for myself, our Party and the Extranjeros who reside on the Urbanisations. I am personally fed up that this Urbanisation and the residents are getting the scraps from the masters table.
The forthcoming election will afford the residents of this community, the opportunity to reverse this trend. We deserve better.

Fiesta of San Anton and the collection of the chickens

It has been pointed out to me,  that through several of the forums, there has been expressions of distate at the treatment of the chickens and rabbits at this fiesta. For the last few years I have declined to be part of this. My personal opinion is that it is cruel and unnecessary.  In fact, after last years fiesta, I suggested to the Mayor that it would be more humane to carry the animals in cages. This would not detract from the essence of the fiesta as currently the animals are collected and eventually placed in the back of a van with cages. Yes cages. Most, if not all survive the ordeal of being carried through the streets. So it would be simple to change.
Perhaps because there is an election this year, the ruling party does not wish to offend any of its voters. However they have failed to realise that more and more of the residents of La Marina, have become more politically aware and most of the extranjeros abhor animal cruelty

Municipal Rubbish tip.

It has come to my notice that as of today, the Councillor for Parks and Gardens, Paulino Herrero, has has organised  a new scheme for residents to be able to use the Municipal Green Waste Deposit. A card will be issued to home owners to allow them to dispose of garden waste at the Municipal tip on Calle Extremadura. This apparently has been brought about by the fact that outsiders are travelling to La Marina Urb. to dispose of their garden waste. Also companies are using this facility, instead of using dumps in their own area, which in some cases charge a fee.
The New Cards will be available from the offices of the Tourist Information Office. People requiring such cards will need to produce  some form of identification showing their address in San Fulgencio Municipality.

San Fulgencio Council.

In reply to the La Marina Info, I would like to point out some of the errors that have been put onto this "Blog".
While San Fulgencio Council works hard to reduce the overall debt of more than €9,000,000.00 that was left by the previous government, it also has had to dismiss several contracts which were implemented by the previous Government Team. If they had been allowed to continue, it is my belief the Town would have been bankrupt.
The costs of Electricity and Water are public utilities and are out with the control of local authorities.
The comment about the the Council voting to increase taxes is correct, in that in order to maintain the current levels of service and infrastructure, taxes had to be increased. The reason being that, as more than 3,000 persons are no longer on the Padron, there has been a reduction of approximately €660,000 from the yearly grants, supplied by Valencia and Alicante. The author of the "Blog" however fails to state that the Tax on motor vehicles will be reduced. Of course he would not know this, as at the last council meeting (Pleno), neither he nor the rest of the opposition Councillors turned up to discuss these proposals. By his own hand he has also explained on his "Blog" entry dated 12th June 2014 paragraph 2, the above reason to be true.
With regards the increase in salary for Samantha Hull ( Not Gallon ), there are many who have said that she deserves the increase. Including Mariano Marti Sanchez ( your boss ), who albeit was being sarcastic, suggested she deserved the combined salaries of those that left our employ.
As most will be aware, the other Assessors left our employ at the beginning of the year. The fourth member left at the end of September. This whole exercise has resulted in a net saving of approximately €105,000 over a year. The work load has not diminished any and this results in both myself and Samantha having to work longer hours and to take work home with us.
The writer also states on the "Blog", that none of the opposition councillors are invited to any of the Junta de Gobiernos, this is because by it¨s name it is a meeting of the Government Team. In all Town Councils in Spain and Spanish speaking countries, opposition members are not normally invited to be part of the Junta de Gobierno.
In relation to the remuneration received by myself, this is my salary, which is well documented, and in order to qualify for said salary, I have to attend these meetings of the Junta. If I am on holiday, I do not qualify, therefore these days have to be re scheduled. As opposition councillors, I am sure that if they wanted to, they could examine the total amounts paid to me over a year. As declared in my taxes. They would discover that since 2013, I am in fact as yet underpaid, by several thousand euros.
And for those that do not know, I attend my office most days from 09.00 hrs until 15.00 hrs. This does not count the extra hours put in on Civic duties as well as the hours taken up by working at home. Neither does it take into account the hours spent at meetings.

Feral Cats

It has come to my attention that some people who live in our Municipality are up in arms about the alleged cull of feral cats in Guardamar. They are obviously afraid that this Town Hall, may adopt a similar policy.
Let me assure everyone that we have no plans to instigate any such policy. I have spoken to members of the local charities and we do not have a problem with feral cats. Many of the feral cats in our area have been trapped and neutered. Volunteers do go out and feed them and in general terms, thanks to the charities and volunteers, our own feral cats are not a major problem. We must be vigilant though. We do not want people from outside our Municipality, dumping cats or dogs in our area. I would also like to urge the residents of our community to continue supporting the animal charities to ensure that we can continue to keep the situation at a manageable level.

August Fiesta La marina.

I regret to say that there has been a delay in getting information out to the public as to who will be performing at this years fiesta. Due to the cost involved it has to go before a committee ( Junta de Gobierno ) and a tender process is used to select the company that will put it on. The three main companies that submitted tenders failed to submit the correct paperwork and they had to re submit, twice.
Hopefully the paperwork is now in order and we will have a decision today. We cannot divulge who is performing until this final decision is made. On a previous occasion, when the information was released before the final stage was completed, the opposition parties tried to imply that the selection of the company used for the fiesta, was pre ordained.
We have the printers on hold as well as the preferred acts,
 so please be patient and hopefully all will be revealed next week.

Parking on yellow lines.

Last week a visitor to my office on Calle Madrid, parked there car opposite. There are yellow lines on both sides of the road. When he returned to his car he discovered that he had received a parking ticket. He returned to the office and enquired if the yellow lines were still in force. On checking, we discovered that they were, so please be aware, when visiting our office.

power cuts

From 0800 until 1100 hrs on Monday 30.6.2014there will be power cuts on La Marina and surrounding area for essential maintenance by Iberdrola.

High Summer Temperatures

The Generalitat of Valencia, have issued warnings about the prospect of very high summer temperatures in the region
The basic recommendations are that young and old should be looked after and ensure that they are given plenty of fluids.
Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Wear light weight and light coloured clothing. Do not remain in the sun for long periods of time without adequate protection. Do not engage in strenuous activities at times when the temperatures are at their highest.
Do not leave children or animals in the car , even for a very short space of time, as the temperatures in a car can rise incredibly fast. It is advisable, even for adults, to wear a tee shirt when swimming.
Alcohol, caffeine and the hot sun are not good combinations. In the heat, alcohol affects persons much quicker and caffeine, combined with the heat, can produce an increased heart rate.
Those most at risk of heat stroke are Children under 5yrs, persons over the age of 65 yrs, persons who are very overweight, persons who are involved in heavy physical work and those who are ill and on medication. You are encouraged to use your fans and air conditioning systems to keep cool.
If a person is suffering from heat stroke, try to bring down their temperature by applying wet cloths to the pulse points on the body, such as the wrists, ankles and neck. Heat stroke may cause severe headaches and vomiting and in very serious cases unconsciousness.
In severe cases of heat stroke call the emergency services on 112.
The prospect of temperatures reaching over 100º this weekend are very high, so please take care, enjoy the good weather and act sensibly in the heat.

Meeting with bar owners from Consum.
The meeting was held yesterday afternoon when most of the bar owners attended, as well as a few uninvited guests.
18 months ago members of the town hall and Tommy from the President's Association reached an agreement with Valencia to have a pilot scheme regarding the bars and entertainment in San Fulgencio. A set of guide lines were put down for the bars to follow.
1.Keep the music down to an acceptable level.
2. Ensure all windows and doors are kept closed.
3. Music to finish at midnight.
4. Ensure those sitting outside maintain order and keep the noise down.
5. Music etc., no more than three times a week.
So for a while all went well. But in the last 4 months there have been 70 plus complaints about noise.
Why? Quite frankly some bars have been abusing the guide lines.
So what happens when the guide lines are abused?
The police are called to deal with the complaints. The police, they have to follow the rule of law.
The two main laws are the law regarding excessive noise and the law regarding having the correct licence.
Only two bars on the urbanisation have a licence for live music. All the others are taking a chance. "If you put your head above the parapet you will get it shot."
So if you have Karaoke on the terrace and only have a licence for carry out food and the police are called, you will receive a denuncia. Also, some of the bars, that had not progressed their opening licences are still in the same position as they were, 18 months ago, despite having been informed of their requirements.
Because of the failure of these bars, they are drawing attention to the other bars that are compliant.
This is not something that either myself or any other councillor or the mayor have any control over.This is down to the bar owners.
If the local police deal with it, the fines are lower, but if the autonomical police deal with it, the fines can be as much as €3000 for a first offence and/or closure. Some say if the bars close, then the area will die. I don't think that is the case. From experience, when a bar closes it is not that long before someone else comes along to take it over.
So what of the future?
Let's get back to being responsible. If you are aware that certain bars are not complying contact myself or Paulino. Follow the guide lines, get your paperwork in order. You need public liability insurance, you need to have fire extinguishers that are maintained and certified.
The good news is that bars can have music inside, as long as there are no microphones or amplifiers. So a singer/guitarist can perform as long as there are no electrical aids and they keep the noise level down.
Outside Fiestas.
The rules are amended.
a. All bars who collaborate to have a mini fiesta will only be allowed two per area per month.
b.They must have their opening licence.
c. Personal liability insurance and
d. Certified fire extinguishers.
It is also up to the bar owners to ensure that any performers have their autonomo as they can be held responsible for employing a non registered worker.
Remember respect the rule of law and respect those officers that are called to enforce the rule of law. You can and will be denounced for disrespecting police officers in the execution of their duty. In all cases, unless specified, music will cease at midnight. Music in the afternoons come under the same rules as that of music in the evenings and any establishment, that has music in the afternoons, must either have the correct licence or be prepared to accept the consequences if they are reported to the police.

On a lighter note, the fiesta that is planned for, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of August will still go ahead and take place on the Consum Square.

A Cultural trip is being planned to Tabarca on the 12th July at a cost of approximately €18.

The Heroes of San Fulgencio Awards will take place in the Cardenal Beluga Theatre at 8 p.m. on the 11th July. Entertainment will be provided by Shani Ormiston. Tickets are €5 each. There is still time to nominate your Hero.  Forms are available from all council offices and the establishments that have sponsored the awards.
Toldos Guardamar, The Hillside Bar, Our Place, Los Amigos, Barclay´s Properties,
The Bell, Woodstock, La Marina Vehicle Services, Bay Radio. Voting can also be by email at, localheroessanful@hotmail.com.
The Categories are : Child of Courage, Fundraiser of the Year, Sports Achievement Award, Parent of the Year, Student of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Bravery Award, The Emergency Services Award, The Good Neighbour Award and a Special Recognition Award.

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Suspect Bogus Gas men.

First of all, I would like to say a big thank you for all those who expressed messages of sympathy on hearing of the death of my mum in Scotland. They were very much appreciated.
On the point of the Suspect Bogus gas men, there have been a couple of people who have contacted us about this.
The procedure is that there should be no cold calling. The Gas company are obliged to contact the customer either by telephone or in writing, requesting an appointment for one of their representatives to call. But everyone should be aware that your personal details may be available to other people. Ask the caller to quote the details of the gas contract so that you can check it. Also ensure that if an appointment is made, make sure that the representative has proper identification and is affiliated to the gas company. It is a fact that gas installations should be checked every 5 years. But remember if you are not completely satisfied, do not let anyone onto your property, ask them for the telephone number of their office and contact their office. The Repsol Customer Service number is  901 100 125.

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"