miércoles, 28 de abril de 2010

Budget 2010

On the Pleno of April 27th 2010 Los Verdes did ask again about the balance of the year 2009 and the budget for the running year 2010. Both have not been presented yet.
Los Verdes did ask if this might be due to the fact that the balance of last year is so bad that it needs “to be corrected”, but Monica Lorente answered that “tha balance is ready” and “looks very good”.
So we ask why at the end of the month of April of 2010 the balance for the past still has not been presented and due to this, no budget for 2010 has been yet presented.
As usual our ruling party PP is acting based on their own schedule….

viernes, 23 de abril de 2010

Cala Mosca

http://www.lasextanoticias.com/videos/ver/el_ladrillazo_en_orihuela/245172

To what appeared a short while ago on the news of the Spanish TV channel L Sexta, I would like to make the following comment:The project of Cala Mosca (against which we demonstrated already in 2007 together will all oposition parties, see the 2 fotos) was approved by the ruling party PP in the last monthly pleno under the Maire Medina, just before the elections of May 2007. Nevertheless the PP got the absolute majority at the elections. Not only becaue they got suficient votes for it, but also because many citizens did not go to vote at all. But sadly enough also because many citizens gave their vote to small political groups who had no chance the reach the necessary 5% of all votes to get one councillor and be so in fact represented in the Town Hall. All these things made it possible that the PP is ruling us again and did now in fact as we know aprove the next big project in Pau 5.

jueves, 22 de abril de 2010

Propositions to Budget 2010

Propositions of Los Verdes for the Orihuela budget 2010.

The budget of the running year was supposed to be decided at the monthly meeting (Pleno) in February 2010. Unfortunatly until today the budget for the running year has not been discussed at all.
Our propositions are not included in the existing budget for 2010. º

1. Installation of a Youth Center (already applied for by Los Verdes and also promised by the ruling party PP in their electoral programme in 2007)
2. Build an additional pedestrian-way or a separat footbridge to crossing the Autovia at Lomas de Cabo Roig. (promised by the ruling party PP in their electoral programme in 2007)
3. Foundation of natural areas/Parks in the coastal-area. (promised by the ruling party PP in their electoral programme in 2007)
4. Make sure that the existing accesses for disabled citizens, as for example to the bridges crossing the N332, are actually really accessible for wheelchairs.
5. Additional crossing of the N332. (from PP promised, however the construction of another bridge with moneys of the government fund was nevertheless refused).
6. Listing, labeling and protection of the " Vias pecuarias " (old livestock-ways, that are protected in Spain,) in the community area Orihuela, incl. coast.
7. Bus connection of Orihuela Costa and the other suburbs to the city Orihuela and to the hospital Vega Baja.
8. Installation of solar pannels and Fotovoltaik in public buildings (for example also swimming pools, changing rooms etc)
9. Introduction of a council-owned bicycle-distribution (like for example in Barcelona) in the city and at the coast.
10. Creation or expansion of a team, who`s task would be to mark the public woodlands of the municipality and to keep these clean.
11. Installation of public toilets in parks etc where necessary, in the city and in the coastal-area.
12. Improvement of the existing bus stops through installation of sun/rain protection.
13. Budget for the realization of integration-activities, distributes over the entire year, for foreign citizens.
14. Improvement and repair of street signs, like for example crosswalks, parking places etc in different streets of Orihuela Costa.
15. Construction of a connection-street between lot Balcones and Orihuela Costa.
16. Extension, improvement and completion of the Paseo of Agua Marina.
17. Municipality sports courses also in Orihuela Costa.
18. Citizen-ticket
19. Budget for the realization of integration-activities for foreign teenagers.
20. Information signs at those building sites which are denounced.
21. Purchase of decibel-measuring instruments for the Policia Local.
22. Disposal of municipality premises for the opposition parties in the Town Hall in Orihuela Costa.
23. Budget for a staff-plan through which certain overtimes of the town hall-personnel can be achieved by unemployed citizens.
24. Produce a plan with funds to help for renewable energies at buildings in the municipality.

miércoles, 21 de abril de 2010

Mobile Recycling System, 2nd





The Green Party denounces again the very bad functioning of the waste system in Orihuela and Orihuela Costa. The Green Party did investigate and found out that the company in charge is systematically unfulfilling the conditions established by their contract.
The mobile Ecoparque (recycling system) for example is based on a schedule so that it is following a time table and is stationed at a total of 24 different places one day a month.
We could check that if that day is a bank holiday, the mobile recycling container is not put in place, but also the service is not changed to another day, which means that this address is left out until the following month. We also could check that some places/or days are simply left out with no reason. No mobile recycling system appears on the schedules day. (Ex. El Presidente, C/ El Salvador on the 17th of March).
Very often 2 or even 3 containers for daily waste stand together, so that many neighbours have to walk a considerable distance to reach them.
The garden waste containers are metal grey. Unfortunately they usually stand alone and the citizen do not seem to know what “Solo poda particular” means. (= only house garden waste). When no other waste containers are nearby, they are filled also with domestic waste. We from Los Verdes do think that it is absolutely necessary to make an information campaign.

The contract with the waste company costs a lot of money (paid by all of us), but the service is not the one established in the contract for which we pay. When complains are handed in to the Town Hall, the responsible councillor, Mr. Abadia, defends the company when his duty should be to defend the citizens and check if the company fulfils its duties.

Until now the existence of a mobile recycling system and the schedule for it is not published on the official web of the Town Hall or the unofficial web of Orihuela Costa (Stefan). The leaflet is not lying out in the Town Hall and the tourist office keeps it behind the desk. No official campaign has been made to make this service public. Not knowing about it, the citizens will not make use of it and at the end, may be it can be stopped again “because it is not accepted by the citizens”……

lunes, 19 de abril de 2010

Trees is Pau 26, march 2010

Planted trees in Pau 26

Of course Los Verdes are happy about every tree which is planted, but we would like to point out the following: Pau 26 was illegally used by the garbage company as a “transit” deposit for green waste. After denouncing this and many protest of neighbours living near Pau 26, already last year in a Town Hall meeting it was decided that Pau 26 is not used anymore for this purpose and that the plot has to be restored to its original state (with trees). Of course this was suppose to be carried out by Mr. Fenoll respectively the garbage company. Now in March Councillor Aniorte makes it the “Day of the Tree” with nice photos and positive publicity and school children planting trees.
So what happened to Mr. Fenoll? Did he pay a fine? Did he make the work? Did he at least pay for the trees or did we all with our taxes pay for these trees?????
We will find out!


Pleno March 2010

There is no resume of the last pleno, as it was a short one with no relevant points regarding the Coast or the budget.

Mobile Ecoparque (Recycling System)

Mobile Ecopark

Los Verdes did apply already last year for an ecopark and more containers as for example special containers to deposit kitchen oil, motor oil etc. Since December it was supposed to happen and now it finally did: There are mobile containers which are stationed in various streets of Orihuela Costa following a schedule which is available at the Town Hall. This is a big step forward and we hope that all of us will make an effort towards recycling.
We think that Stefan P. should forward this kind of information in his newsletter and that all Community Presidents should be informed and asked to put this information on their notice board.
As by know we also do notice that the published schedule is not maintained. We will investigate and inform you here.

Budget 2010, March 2010

Budget 2010

Until now the budget for the running year has not been discussed or approved. The opposition parties have issued a leaflet together showing some of the disastrous and useless expenses which our ruling party did make during the years 2007 and 2008.
For example 1,8 million euros to external companies for “technical reports”. Do we not have sufficient qualified technicians working for the town hall?
For example 2 million euros for publicity…..
For example 4.000 euros for a course for “directive capability” for councillor David Costa….???


Regarding the money from PlanE and Plan Confianza which comes from the Government and from the Valencian Generalidad to give work in times of crisis to the local companies and support the local economy, we have to point out that most of the work is carried out by companies which are not from Orihuela and also all jobs always go to the same few companies – this also applies for most of the projects which the town hall carries out.

PlanE and Plan Confianza, Dec. 2009

I would like to explain some of the investment plans going on at the present moment in Orihuela and Coast.

The Spanish government has issued the so called "PlanE" which is money put at the disposal of the Town Halls to increase employement, work, projects etc. in times of crisis.
Through this PlanE Orihuela has received for the current year 2009 the amount of 13 millions Euros. On the Coast it has been used to build the water tank in La Zenia to collect the rain water. That was it, the "rest" of the 13 millions has been spend in Orihuela Town.
For 2010 there will be an amount of 9 millions of Euros. With this money at the present moment 2 centros infantiles have been planned for the Coast.
Money of PlanE is money which is existing and which the Town Hall will be receiving. We will see if some more projects could be financed at the Coast or if again most of money will be used up in Orihuela Town.
Remember that the request of PSOE to build the bridge crossing the N332 in La Regia with these funds, a request which has been rejected by the ruling party PP.


The Generalidad Valenciana has a so called "Plan Confianza". This is money which is not yet approved, which means that projects made with this money are not yet approved, so that they can be made or not. One of those projects made with money of the Plan Confianza is the Sports Center in Playa Flamenca.

We from Los Verdes think that it is most important inform the citizens about these backgrounds, so that everybody knows if the improvements made on the Coast are paid with our taxes or if Orihuela gets the money from elsewhere, and which percentage of money from the government or from the Generalidad is spend on the Coast.
In the past of all the tax money raised on the Coast, less than 10% has been inverted in the Coast.

Request for Youth Center, Feb. 2010

Los Verdes presented officially for the next Pleno at the end of this month the

REQUEST FOR A YOUTHCENTER in Orihuela Costa.

- Based on the pardon, in Orihuela Costa do live aprox. 1.500 young people between 14 and 29 years of age.
- This group of citizens does not have any basic municipal installations for young people as there are in most other municipalities, such as library, meeting place etc.
- Politics should give major importance to young people to form them and help them to become young adults. In the case of young European residents it is even more important to help them, as they represent the motion of integration of different nationalities, cultures and languages.
- The group of Los Verdes know that in the area of Orihuela Costa there are buildings destinated to “VPO” (public) which would have sufficient space to give place to a Youth Center

Los Verdes do apply to the Town Hall of Orihuela, at the monthly Pleno, to decide about the following points:

- Destinate one of the existing buildings of VPO in Orihuela Costa to become a space dedicated to you people, with library etc.
- Destinate an amount of money of the budget of 2010 to material and staff for this Youth Center.
- Make the various departments involved elaborate a plan of actions to finalize this request.

Habitation Certificates and Suma, April 2010


Habitation Certificates:

As you might all have read in the press, finally the town hall is issuing the famous papers. We are still pushing and also investigating all the ones which have been without until now.

It was said that in Bosque de Las Lomas I, II and III no certificates can be issued, because the pools do not have a certificate of end of building (Final de obra) and most probably are not included in the initial project. But we did find out that this is not the case. All pools are in the initial project and have a building licence. The fact that the Final de Obra is missing will have to be assumed by the town hall as the builder is not existing anymore.

Pinada Golf I and II as well as Laguna III have deficiencies which make it impossible that the municipal technician issues a positive report. But as the town hall did let these deficiencies happen, most probably there will be a political agreement between the various parties (ruling and opposition) in which will be decided to take over as it is. This will require some time.

- We recommend to those house owner or community presidents who do not have their habitation certificate yet and who cannot apply at their builders office because it does not exist anymore and there is no further address of the builder, to apply directly at the town hall indicating that the builder is not available anymore.

We are sorry that things move in such a slow motion manner, but at least something has been achieved.


SUMA

Some house owners do pay Suma taxes since a long time even without having their habitation certificate. Some others are not registered in Suma yet. Once the town hall issues the HC, automatically a note will go to Suma and they will send you than a letter claiming the taxes. They can claim up to 4 years in the past. Usually they do charge also the fine for not paying in time, but they are not allowed to do so.
We therefore recommend to all owners who receive such a letter to go to Suma to object to the fine (20%!!) and only pay the really due amount.

Pleno January 2010

Resumé of Pleno of 26.01.2010, costal matters

- PP applied to modify the land destination of a plot of land in Playa Flamenca from „Ocio y recreo“ (leasure) into „comercial“. It is a plot of land where are situated a few bars but also the Scandinavian school. Changing the destination would mean, that the whole complex could be converted in something like “Via Park IV”. Los Verdes do not agree with this change, as the residents of Laguna III did buy their properties considering that this area would be for “ocio y recreo” and not to have in front of their house a commercial centre highly frequented especially during night hours. This decision would be in favour of some town hall “friends” but against the neighbours and citizens.
VOTED: all opposition parties against it.
Accepted with the majority of the ruling party PP.

- PP applied to create a new job “Director of Security”. It is already decided who would get this job. The yearly expense for the Town Hall for that salary would be 53.000.- €. Until now, this job did not exist, so the question rises Who did the work until now?? It is only short time ago, that the salary of the councillor of security has been raised as she had a lot work. So will this salary be reduced again??
VOTED: all opposition parties against it.
Accepted with the majority of the ruling party PP.

Los Verdes have asked again officially about the bad service given through the official Web page of the Town Hall:
- Extension numbers of departments are not mentioned
- No translation for the application of building licences and the documentation to be presented.
- No translation of the various “Ordenanazas” (Town Laws)
- No information at all about how to register at the Padrón, no translation, no opening hours of that office, AND NO FORM TO APPLY FOR THE RIGHT TO VOTE AS A EUROPEAN CITIZEN.
- Education: No list or links to the different schools of the Costa. There is a form to apply for a school place, but if you do not know Spanish, it is hard to find.
- Immigration: There is a lot of legal text, but no important information for future citizens, no matter if European or Non-European.
- Official decisions towards citizens (fines etc.) are not published.
Los Verdes say that due to this lack in the official web site of the Town Hall, foreigners have to visit the private web page of the Coastal asesor, Mr. Prokoppa, which is used mainly to transmit publicity for the ruling party PP.

Pleno December 2009

Pleno January 2010

The last Pleno, dated 23rd of Dicember 2009, did not bring much news.
Here a short résumé about those things concerning the Coast.

4. Socialist party PSOE applied to use money of the government fonds for repairs of sports installation etc. All the mentioned places are situated only in the city.
Denied by the majority of PP

8. Los Verdes did ask for help for the Association of “Amigos de los Humedales”. They denounced years ago some important people for letting chemicals into the river Segura. The ones which were denounced got free due to a “formal mistake”, and the environment association has to pay for the Court case.
PP and CLR voted against it. Los Verdes and PSOE in favour.

9. Centro Liberal applies to have the façades of private buildings behind Calle Luis Rojas to be renovated with money from the Town Hall.
Los Verdes and PP voted against it. We remind that on the last pleno Councillor Aniorte did say, referring to the request for an additional bridge crossing the N332 that “there are more important things than this in times of crisis…”.
PSOE and CLR voted in favour.
PP and Los Verdes against.

3 Times already it has been asked which duties Mr. Stefan Prokoppa has. Finally this time there was an answer. He is mostly responsible to translate and to forward the matters which the Residents do let him know. Los Verdes did say that they think he is there only to get new members for the PP.

Los Verdes did ask to contact Aguagest to see if they would try to contact those house owners who seem to have broken pipes and whose water bill is extremely high when nobody is in the house. Manly these proprietors only realize months later through their bank statement that there is something broken.