As we now have three Opposition Councillors on Bédar Town Council, we have decided to start a new blog. The aim of the new blog is to try to keep you up to date with what Bédar Independents / Independients are doing and what is going on in the Town Hall.
You can find the new blog at http://bedar-almeria.blogspot.com
Monday, October 3, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Election Results
I wanted to let you know the results of the election in Bédar yesterday. Our party – the Independents under the umbrella of the PP – got three out of the nine seats. This means that Ana, David and Cristobal are now counsellors for Bédar. I understand that this is the strongest the opposition has been in Bedar since democracy came to Spain in 1975.
Thanks to all those who voted or helped us and I hope we will be able to repay your trust.
Thanks to all those who voted or helped us and I hope we will be able to repay your trust.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Why your vote counts
We´re almost there. The election is on Sunday and we are hoping that we have persuaded you to vote for us. Let the last word go to one of our supporters.
WHY YOUR VOTE COUNTS
Ever since I bought my house 18 years ago I have been making the effort to learn good Spanish and absorb Spanish culture. I now have more Spanish friends than foreign. I have integrated into the Spanish community in my area and I intend to grow old here (if there are any young people left to help look after me).
Non -Spaniards now make up 40% of the community. Many have experience, skills and ideas to offer which would benefit the entire community and, like me, would like to participate in some way. They are supporting the new independent members under the umbrella of the PP party. This enthusiastic, dedicated, multicultural party needs all the support they can muster if only to be a credible opposition.
Two community-spirited, hardworking, non- Spanish residents have joined this list of candidates in 2nd and 5th places. They have spent months listening to other citizens and learning about how things are run in this village. They have many excellent ideas and represent a sizeable proportion of this community so that, depending on the turnout at the polls on Sunday, at least the No 2 could be assured of a place on the Council.
The two token non -Spanish members on the PSOE list are in 8th and 9th position. Unless the PSOE achieves the miracle of gaining 100% of the votes in Bedar they have no chance whatever of joining the Council and will have no official voice even if their team remain in power.
So, I urge you all to vote for our team (PP) and give the non -Spanish residents a chance to be heard. To paraphrase Edmund Burke:
All it will take to silence our voice, is for good people not to vote.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Dialogue Across the Cultures.
I saw it working on Saturday. I mean real, creative and dynamic conversations about the future of our municipality involving both cultures.
It was actually a political meeting called to discuss our policies among a number of selected guests. We started with statements from three of the candidates and then opened up the meeting for questions and comments. There were some questions, but before we knew what was happening a dialogue opened up across the cultures. Spanish and foreigners were talking to each other, asking each other questions and even checking out preconceived impressions of each other. There was a real buzz of conversation and I found, as chairman, I needed to say very little. The translators were working very hard and they made the whole thing possible.
Now our party want more of this. We want to be together exploring our hopes and ideas for Bédar across both cultures. We don´t want the present situation where thoughts and ideas for Bédar are only discussed within a very narrow group of people and decisions taken behind closed doors. So much is gained when we open up, involve people, listen to what they say and get them working for the future of Bédar.
I was excited by this meeting. If we get a good representation in the Town Hall at this election we will be wanting more discussion about the town, more involvement from all the people of Bédar and no one feeling that they are excluded.
That´s another reason we want your vote.
It was actually a political meeting called to discuss our policies among a number of selected guests. We started with statements from three of the candidates and then opened up the meeting for questions and comments. There were some questions, but before we knew what was happening a dialogue opened up across the cultures. Spanish and foreigners were talking to each other, asking each other questions and even checking out preconceived impressions of each other. There was a real buzz of conversation and I found, as chairman, I needed to say very little. The translators were working very hard and they made the whole thing possible.
Now our party want more of this. We want to be together exploring our hopes and ideas for Bédar across both cultures. We don´t want the present situation where thoughts and ideas for Bédar are only discussed within a very narrow group of people and decisions taken behind closed doors. So much is gained when we open up, involve people, listen to what they say and get them working for the future of Bédar.
I was excited by this meeting. If we get a good representation in the Town Hall at this election we will be wanting more discussion about the town, more involvement from all the people of Bédar and no one feeling that they are excluded.
That´s another reason we want your vote.
What happens on election day and how do I vote?
Voting will take place between 9.00am and 8.00pm in the room under Bédar Town Hall. The entrance is on the road at the side of the Town Hall. Take your voting card, your passport and your NIE or Residencia.
Chose one 'papeleta' (voting paper). If you are voting for us – chose the PP paper and you will see the list of names including myself and John down as Independents.
Check your name on the list posted at the door (foreigners have their own separate list)
You will find piles of voting papers from each of the two parties, the PSOE and the PP and a pile of envelopes.
Chose one 'papeleta' (voting paper). If you are voting for us – chose the PP paper and you will see the list of names including myself and John down as Independents.
DO NOT PUT ANY MARK ON THE PAPER.
This is very important. If your paper is marked in any way it will be declared void. You are voting for the team, not a person.
Fold it in two and put it in the envelope - this is your vote. Do not think you can save envelopes by putting two votes in one envelope. This will also be declared void.
Take it to the polling table. They will check your ID and cross you off the list. You put your envelope in the ballot box.
There will be people called 'interventores' on hand, wearing badges from their parties, all offering to help. They can show you where to go, but cannot come in the booth with you. Remember your vote is private.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
How can I check that I am registered to vote if I have not received a voting card?
Some people who thought they were registered to vote have not received a voting card. Below is how to check.
Send an email to the Census Office at sede.censoelectoral@ine.es quoting your name, your passport number and your NIE number. Emails are accepted in English or Spanish and a response may be sent in Spanish.
SPANISH EXAMPLE
Muy señor mío,
Queremos confirmar que vamos a ser capaces de votar en mayo de 2011.
Nombre .... NIE .... Pasaporte ....
Nombre .... NIE .... Pasaporte ....
Gracias por tu ayuda.
Un cordial saludo,
ENGLISH EXAMPLE
Dear Sir,
We wish to confirm that we will be able to vote in May 2011.
Name .... NIE: .... Passport ....
Name .... NIE .... Passport ....
Thank you for your help.
Regards,
Send an email to the Census Office at sede.censoelectoral@ine.es quoting your name, your passport number and your NIE number. Emails are accepted in English or Spanish and a response may be sent in Spanish.
SPANISH EXAMPLE
Muy señor mío,
Queremos confirmar que vamos a ser capaces de votar en mayo de 2011.
Nombre .... NIE .... Pasaporte ....
Nombre .... NIE .... Pasaporte ....
Gracias por tu ayuda.
Un cordial saludo,
REPLY EXAMPLE
Si, ustedes podrán votar en las proximas elecciones municipales de 22 de mayo de 2011.
Un saludo,
ENGLISH EXAMPLE
Dear Sir,
We wish to confirm that we will be able to vote in May 2011.
Name .... NIE: .... Passport ....
Name .... NIE .... Passport ....
Thank you for your help.
Regards,
First election meeting
Well, we had a our first election meeting last night with over 40 people. Sorry if you couldn´t join us. It was a good meeting with some good questions and some lively debate and discussion. It was a little daunting facing electors for the first time but the atmosphere was generally very informal, friendly and helpful. It was also the first time we had appeared in public with our Spanish colleagues and we thought that Ana, candidate for Mayor, managed so well with our largely British audience. I am so looking forward to continuing to work with her.
Yesterday I travelled with Jeanne along the "road to nowhere"! Well at least we were told it led to nowhere. This is a very new road that branches off the road to El Alberico and heads into the campo. It cost 83,000 euros and we were told that it led to nowhere. So I went to see where nowhere was. It wends its way around the hills for 2.5kms past the occasional house and eventually stops at a ruin. Behind the ruin was an occupied house under construction by the owners. The owners were very friendly and welcoming. They don´t get many visitors! We discovered that we were in Fuente del Alberico, a little hamlet with two houses permanently occupied, one house is the holiday retreat for a Spanish family and a few ruins. So, we must add another hamlet to Bédar - Fuente del Alberico.
We have been asked about how you know if you are registered to vote as someone at the meeting yesterday thought that they were registered, but hadn´t received a voting card. Have a look on this blog under the link - Election Process.
Yesterday I travelled with Jeanne along the "road to nowhere"! Well at least we were told it led to nowhere. This is a very new road that branches off the road to El Alberico and heads into the campo. It cost 83,000 euros and we were told that it led to nowhere. So I went to see where nowhere was. It wends its way around the hills for 2.5kms past the occasional house and eventually stops at a ruin. Behind the ruin was an occupied house under construction by the owners. The owners were very friendly and welcoming. They don´t get many visitors! We discovered that we were in Fuente del Alberico, a little hamlet with two houses permanently occupied, one house is the holiday retreat for a Spanish family and a few ruins. So, we must add another hamlet to Bédar - Fuente del Alberico.
We have been asked about how you know if you are registered to vote as someone at the meeting yesterday thought that they were registered, but hadn´t received a voting card. Have a look on this blog under the link - Election Process.
You talk about doing lots of things in and for Bédar. What about all the other villages which are also part of Bédar?
We explain in our manifesto that where the word Bédar is used, unless it is specifically referring to the town of Bédar, we are referring to the municipality of Bédar which includes the villages of El Pinar, Serena, Los Pinos, El Campico, El Albarico, Fuente el Albarico, Los Giles and Los Matreros.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
I have met lots of people since I set out on this venture. They´re never short of a comment or an opinion and I´m enjoying the many conversations. We mostly agree, but not always and that´s what makes it interesting. I´ve noticed that some people think I´m just interested in El Pinar. Certainly my involvement in the El Pinar set me off, but since then I have become preoccupied by the bigger picture.
I have been inspired by the younger, Spanish representatives on our election list. Inspired because they are refusing just to sit back and do nothing......
We refuse to accept that Bédar has to stand still.
We can make a "Brighter Future".
Let me tell you my major concern - my fear for Bédar and its hamlets. It is that, if we are not careful and don´t take action now, Bédar will become devoid of families and young people. We´ll find ourselves living in a community of retired and elderly people. There are few jobs here and finding a house that is affordable - if you´re young - is a near impossibility.
I have been inspired by the younger, Spanish representatives on our election list. Inspired because they are refusing just to sit back and do nothing......
- They can´t find work in the area.
- They can´t find affordable housing in the area
- They want to be in the town they love.
- They are taking responsibility.
- They´re getting involved.
- They´re trying to get things changed.
- They have put themselves forward as candidates for the council.
We must not allow Bedar´s slow death to continue. Of course we can´t fight this recession on our own but we can, with vision and enterprise, prepare now to develop the obvious potential here in Bédar. Have a look again at our manifesto and you will see some of the ideas we putting forward.
We refuse to accept that Bédar has to stand still.
We can make a "Brighter Future".
Where has your money gone?
Bedar’s accounts are anything but transparent. When a new opposition councillor enters the town hall and asks to see the accounts, he is first fobbed off with a half-page budget of estimated town hall income and expenditures for the year. Both income and expenditures are divided into seven broad categories with no further detail. If the councillor continues to press, he eventually gets a 50+ page document, again of estimated income and expenditures divided into finer categories where it is possible to see, for example, that the town hall budgeted 4500 euros for 2010 in pharmaceutical products presumably for town hall personnel. Eventually, during the plenary meetings, the councillor is presented with a previous year’s closing accounts – again divided into the seven broad categories – and expected to approve them without ever seeing the detail of actual expenditures for services, goods or projects.
By law, there should be an Accounts Information Committee which meets regularly and through which the Opposition and residents can control town hall expenditures. However, in small towns, setting this committee up remains at the discretion of the mayor. The previous Levante Sostenible (LSOS) councillor continually demanded that this committee be set up to operate on a continuous basis in Bedar but was refused. The only time the committee met was a month after the 2007 elections to rubber stamp expenditure approvals when it was too late for the Opposition to query anything. Similarly another 96,661.03 euros in expenditures without explanation was approved in the plenary of March 13, 2008. In fact, we have been told by the mayor of a nearby town that no opposition councillor in Spain is ever allowed to see the municipal accounts.
The figures and project descriptions given below are therefore taken from primarily public sources. Some come from interviews given by the mayor himself which appear in newspapers such as Nuevo Levante. This is the PR mouthpiece of the area’s mayors where they publicise works being carried out in each town and sometimes mention the budgets involved and/or subsidies awarded. Some come from official billboards dotted around the municipality which accompany various projects and give project details, the contract amount and who it was awarded to, and the source of the subsidy. Some were items in a plenary session’s agenda which required approval in order to be paid out.
The purpose of this document is to give as much information as we have been able to gather along with our appraisal of the expenditure involved. We also include the location of the expenditure. Readers can judge for themselves whether the money has been wisely or fairly spent, and whether unfinished projects are worth completing.
First and foremost, in 2008 the Environment Ministry spent over 581,000 euros to build the Tortoise House for which the town hall contributed a plot of over 17,000 sqm. There are still no tortoises nor any plan to acquire them.
The subsidy received for the construction of official low-cost housing (VPO) near the municipal pool stands at 270,000 euros although so far nothing has been built. The initial site for the VPO was in the town hall’s share of the land destined for the development of a new urbanisation in La Meseta. Several months after making this approval, the town hall abruptly decided to use the original site for a school (strange since there are already few children for the existing Bedar school) and to purchase other land for the VPO. The chosen site, in front of a steep slope next to the municipal pool, measures 1502 sqm and was purchased for 456,627.22 euros – a very expensive 304 euros/sqm – from a company known as Mirador de Bedar, S.L. This company appears to have very good relations with the town hall and is also the developer of a 50 hectare urbanisation in El Curato which was approved during the plenary of March 13, 2008.
It is evident that when high prices are paid for land, it depends on who the seller is. For the municipal parking lot next to the cemetery (where half the land already belonged to the town hall), the other half was purchased for four times more per square metre than the land where the new cemetery is located. The plots are similar in size and location, so why the huge difference in price?
In an article appearing in the April 2009 issue of Noticias del Levante y Cuenca del Almanzora, the mayor announced the establishment of two employment workshops for tourist development and hard landscaping, reportedly involving central government subsidies of 161,000 and 101,000 euros respectively. Subsequently the town hall ended up spending substantial additional amounts to cover salaries and social security payments for the 16 workshop participants. The mayor claimed the money was to be used to turn Bedar into an ecotourist location. Some of the projects cited were street repairs in the town nucleus, renovating the old school in Serena for use as a mining museum, new sidewalks and gardens for Los Giles, as well as renovating a building in Albarico for use as a rural hostel.
Today there is little to show for the expenditures. Street repairs in the town nucleus were often unnecessary and residents are complaining of drainage problems caused by poor construction. A single private company is benefiting to date from the work on the Mine Walk which remains unsafe in several places. A further 60,000 euro subsidy has now been received to set up a mining museum and an external company without prior experience in this sector has been chosen to do this work while local sources with substantial relevant experience have been ignored.
The same article states that Bedar was one of six towns in the area chosen to “make a study in energy optimisation with the goal of creating savings”. The six towns received a subsidy of 114,681.50 euros. The budgeted amount for electricity expenditure in 2010 is 6500 euros, meaning that Bedar’s share of this subsidy could probably pay for at least two years’ worth of consumption. What a strange subsidy and of course there has been no follow-up on the so-called study itself.
Roadworks between the main road to Bedar and the turn-off to Serena have employed metal barriers – which are being removed in other parts of Spain as unsafe – and curbing that could create accidents for both cars and motorcyclists. Total bill: 24,000 euros.
Municipal swimming pool: Two years ago it was closed for the entire summer due to leaks which were subsequently repaired by the Diputacion of Almeria for a reported 30,000 euros.
Lighting for Bedar streets: The company which was awarded the tender clearly cut costs in their work. Between the lamp posts, the corrugated tubing is sometimes visible and the ditch where the tubing is laid isn’t deep enough nor is there the required concrete bedding. Some of the lamp posts are improperly anchored and could fall. Some were installed on private property without acquiring advance permission from the owners. Cost: approx. 50,000 euros.
Lighting and sidewalk in Serena: Five lampposts were erected in a short stretch of Serena where one or two would have been more than sufficient. Cost, including sidewalk paving: 42,000 euros.
Third Age Centre: According to the town hall, the adaptation and fitting out of the former teacher’s house as a social centre for the elderly has been finalised at a total cost of 25,115.28 euros. We have so far been unable to determine if it is open.
Water Deposit in Los Pinos: A few years back, residents proposed the best site for its location. Despite their advice, the engineers chose a position at a lower altitude meaning that when demand is high, water pressure is insufficient and water supply does not reach many houses.
Water Deposit for supply to El Albarico: The well technicians marked the spot for a well and claimed there was a large quantity of good quality water. Several residents ceded land. A sounding was made; the housing for the well was built; tubing and electrics were installed. After the well was finished, what a surprise to discover that there was little water and it was of poor quality. Now a purifier needs to be built before it can be used.
The football grounds remain deteriorated and unused. As there is no maintenance, that’s another investment of 38,000 euros (30,000 from the Junta de Andalucia and 8,000 from the town hall) thrown away. Does Bedar even have a football team?
Investment in cleaning machinery, including a sweeper and a truck. The truck doesn’t have a current ITV nor does it have a matriculation. The land where the machinery is kept (in front of the municipal swimming pool) reportedly cost 60,000 euros.
Cost of last Andalusi Festival: 11,932.07 euros. Tourists are supposed to come and spend money in the town, not the other way around.
By law, there should be an Accounts Information Committee which meets regularly and through which the Opposition and residents can control town hall expenditures. However, in small towns, setting this committee up remains at the discretion of the mayor. The previous Levante Sostenible (LSOS) councillor continually demanded that this committee be set up to operate on a continuous basis in Bedar but was refused. The only time the committee met was a month after the 2007 elections to rubber stamp expenditure approvals when it was too late for the Opposition to query anything. Similarly another 96,661.03 euros in expenditures without explanation was approved in the plenary of March 13, 2008. In fact, we have been told by the mayor of a nearby town that no opposition councillor in Spain is ever allowed to see the municipal accounts.
The figures and project descriptions given below are therefore taken from primarily public sources. Some come from interviews given by the mayor himself which appear in newspapers such as Nuevo Levante. This is the PR mouthpiece of the area’s mayors where they publicise works being carried out in each town and sometimes mention the budgets involved and/or subsidies awarded. Some come from official billboards dotted around the municipality which accompany various projects and give project details, the contract amount and who it was awarded to, and the source of the subsidy. Some were items in a plenary session’s agenda which required approval in order to be paid out.
The purpose of this document is to give as much information as we have been able to gather along with our appraisal of the expenditure involved. We also include the location of the expenditure. Readers can judge for themselves whether the money has been wisely or fairly spent, and whether unfinished projects are worth completing.
First and foremost, in 2008 the Environment Ministry spent over 581,000 euros to build the Tortoise House for which the town hall contributed a plot of over 17,000 sqm. There are still no tortoises nor any plan to acquire them.
The subsidy received for the construction of official low-cost housing (VPO) near the municipal pool stands at 270,000 euros although so far nothing has been built. The initial site for the VPO was in the town hall’s share of the land destined for the development of a new urbanisation in La Meseta. Several months after making this approval, the town hall abruptly decided to use the original site for a school (strange since there are already few children for the existing Bedar school) and to purchase other land for the VPO. The chosen site, in front of a steep slope next to the municipal pool, measures 1502 sqm and was purchased for 456,627.22 euros – a very expensive 304 euros/sqm – from a company known as Mirador de Bedar, S.L. This company appears to have very good relations with the town hall and is also the developer of a 50 hectare urbanisation in El Curato which was approved during the plenary of March 13, 2008.
It is evident that when high prices are paid for land, it depends on who the seller is. For the municipal parking lot next to the cemetery (where half the land already belonged to the town hall), the other half was purchased for four times more per square metre than the land where the new cemetery is located. The plots are similar in size and location, so why the huge difference in price?In an article appearing in the April 2009 issue of Noticias del Levante y Cuenca del Almanzora, the mayor announced the establishment of two employment workshops for tourist development and hard landscaping, reportedly involving central government subsidies of 161,000 and 101,000 euros respectively. Subsequently the town hall ended up spending substantial additional amounts to cover salaries and social security payments for the 16 workshop participants. The mayor claimed the money was to be used to turn Bedar into an ecotourist location. Some of the projects cited were street repairs in the town nucleus, renovating the old school in Serena for use as a mining museum, new sidewalks and gardens for Los Giles, as well as renovating a building in Albarico for use as a rural hostel.
Today there is little to show for the expenditures. Street repairs in the town nucleus were often unnecessary and residents are complaining of drainage problems caused by poor construction. A single private company is benefiting to date from the work on the Mine Walk which remains unsafe in several places. A further 60,000 euro subsidy has now been received to set up a mining museum and an external company without prior experience in this sector has been chosen to do this work while local sources with substantial relevant experience have been ignored.
The same article states that Bedar was one of six towns in the area chosen to “make a study in energy optimisation with the goal of creating savings”. The six towns received a subsidy of 114,681.50 euros. The budgeted amount for electricity expenditure in 2010 is 6500 euros, meaning that Bedar’s share of this subsidy could probably pay for at least two years’ worth of consumption. What a strange subsidy and of course there has been no follow-up on the so-called study itself.
Municipal swimming pool: Two years ago it was closed for the entire summer due to leaks which were subsequently repaired by the Diputacion of Almeria for a reported 30,000 euros.
Lighting for Bedar streets: The company which was awarded the tender clearly cut costs in their work. Between the lamp posts, the corrugated tubing is sometimes visible and the ditch where the tubing is laid isn’t deep enough nor is there the required concrete bedding. Some of the lamp posts are improperly anchored and could fall. Some were installed on private property without acquiring advance permission from the owners. Cost: approx. 50,000 euros.
Lighting and sidewalk in Serena: Five lampposts were erected in a short stretch of Serena where one or two would have been more than sufficient. Cost, including sidewalk paving: 42,000 euros.
Third Age Centre: According to the town hall, the adaptation and fitting out of the former teacher’s house as a social centre for the elderly has been finalised at a total cost of 25,115.28 euros. We have so far been unable to determine if it is open.
Water Deposit in Los Pinos: A few years back, residents proposed the best site for its location. Despite their advice, the engineers chose a position at a lower altitude meaning that when demand is high, water pressure is insufficient and water supply does not reach many houses.
Water Deposit for supply to El Albarico: The well technicians marked the spot for a well and claimed there was a large quantity of good quality water. Several residents ceded land. A sounding was made; the housing for the well was built; tubing and electrics were installed. After the well was finished, what a surprise to discover that there was little water and it was of poor quality. Now a purifier needs to be built before it can be used.
The football grounds remain deteriorated and unused. As there is no maintenance, that’s another investment of 38,000 euros (30,000 from the Junta de Andalucia and 8,000 from the town hall) thrown away. Does Bedar even have a football team?
Cost of last Andalusi Festival: 11,932.07 euros. Tourists are supposed to come and spend money in the town, not the other way around.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
How do the elections work and how are the councillors chosen?
Each party or group standing in the municipal elections makes up a list of candidates equal to the number of councillor seats in the town. The total number of councillors depends on the town’s population. In the past, Bedar had seven councillors; this year, the population exceeds 1000, so there will be nine councillors, one of which will be the mayor.
On polling day, May 22, at the polling venue in the town hall, each party will have papeletas or ballot papers (which may have already been given to you in advance along with special envelopes) with lists of the names of each party’s chosen candidates. You vote for the party and not the individual candidates. It is essential that you do NOT tick any of the individual names on the ballot paper or your vote will be considered null and void.
At the end of the polling day, the votes are counted with the total number of council seats awarded proportionately. The party with the greatest number of councillors becomes the majority party with the number one on their list generally becoming the Mayor.
At the last elections in 2007, five parties were presented of which three got enough votes to gain councillors.
Now let us look at the results:
Total number of those who voted (Votantes) 474 (68,80%)
Abstentions 215 (31,20%)
Null and void votes 1 (0,21%)
Blank Votes (Votos en blanco) 2 (0,42%)
The PSOE winning party received 64% of the votes cast. Their 302 votes translated into five councillors or roughly 60 votes per councillor. LSOS came in second with 72 votes and one councillor. The Partido Andalucista’s 60 votes also equated into one councillor. The first five names on the PSOE list went into the town hall with their number one, Angel Collado, chosen as mayor.
On polling day, May 22, at the polling venue in the town hall, each party will have papeletas or ballot papers (which may have already been given to you in advance along with special envelopes) with lists of the names of each party’s chosen candidates. You vote for the party and not the individual candidates. It is essential that you do NOT tick any of the individual names on the ballot paper or your vote will be considered null and void.
At the end of the polling day, the votes are counted with the total number of council seats awarded proportionately. The party with the greatest number of councillors becomes the majority party with the number one on their list generally becoming the Mayor.
At the last elections in 2007, five parties were presented of which three got enough votes to gain councillors.
Now let us look at the results:
Total number of those who voted (Votantes) 474 (68,80%)
Abstentions 215 (31,20%)
Null and void votes 1 (0,21%)
Blank Votes (Votos en blanco) 2 (0,42%)
| Candidatures | Votes | Councillors | |
| PSOE | 302 | 63,85% | 5 |
| LEVANTE SOS | 72 | 15,22% | 1 |
| ANDALUCISTA PARTY | 62 | 13,11% | 1 |
| PP | 24 | 5,07% | 0 |
| PDEAL | 11 | 2,33% | 0 |
| TOTAL | 471 | 99.58% | 7 |
The PSOE winning party received 64% of the votes cast. Their 302 votes translated into five councillors or roughly 60 votes per councillor. LSOS came in second with 72 votes and one councillor. The Partido Andalucista’s 60 votes also equated into one councillor. The first five names on the PSOE list went into the town hall with their number one, Angel Collado, chosen as mayor.
I do not understand why the British candidates on the independent PP list want to go against the British candidates on the PSOE list? What is the point of dividing the foreign vote?
Please first read the previous answer which explains what happened in the 2007 elections. The sixth and seventh place names in the PSOE list did not become councillors because the party did not receive enough votes for that to happen. They therefore did not become part of the governing team and had no voice.
Now consider the present PSOE list for the May 2011 elections. Remember that because of the increased population in Bedar, nine candidates are now required instead of seven.
1. Don ANGEL FRANCISCO COLLADO FERNANDEZ
2. Doña ANA MARIA JODAR CINTAS
3. Don PEDRO MORENO FERNANDEZ
4. Doña ISABEL GONZALEZ MARTINEZ
5. Don JOSE RAMON MUÑOZ ARTERO
6. Don IVAN GALLARDO COLLADO
7. Doña ROCIO MECA LOPEZ
8. Doña LOIS BENSON
9. Don MICHAEL HOWARD LIGHTFOOT
Note the last place positions on the PSOE list of the two non-Spanish. In order for them to enter the town hall, the PSOE would have to win virtually 100% of the votes. Considering that they previously won 64% of the vote, this is unlikely to happen.
We can therefore conclude that these non-Spanish are being included as a token gesture to gain more votes from the non-Spanish voters – who currently make up some 40% of the 617 registered voters in Bedar – without any intention to ever let these two people have any voice.
In our group, we have a British name as number two on the list. If our group gets a minimum of 110-120 votes, our number two will at least go in as a councillor. If we are able to win some 300 votes and therefore become the majority party, our number two would be Deputy Mayor while our number five, another Brit, would also go in as a councillor. This would be real representation for the non-Spanish residents of Bedar.
Now consider the present PSOE list for the May 2011 elections. Remember that because of the increased population in Bedar, nine candidates are now required instead of seven.
1. Don ANGEL FRANCISCO COLLADO FERNANDEZ
2. Doña ANA MARIA JODAR CINTAS
3. Don PEDRO MORENO FERNANDEZ
4. Doña ISABEL GONZALEZ MARTINEZ
5. Don JOSE RAMON MUÑOZ ARTERO
6. Don IVAN GALLARDO COLLADO
7. Doña ROCIO MECA LOPEZ
8. Doña LOIS BENSON
9. Don MICHAEL HOWARD LIGHTFOOT
Note the last place positions on the PSOE list of the two non-Spanish. In order for them to enter the town hall, the PSOE would have to win virtually 100% of the votes. Considering that they previously won 64% of the vote, this is unlikely to happen.
We can therefore conclude that these non-Spanish are being included as a token gesture to gain more votes from the non-Spanish voters – who currently make up some 40% of the 617 registered voters in Bedar – without any intention to ever let these two people have any voice.
In our group, we have a British name as number two on the list. If our group gets a minimum of 110-120 votes, our number two will at least go in as a councillor. If we are able to win some 300 votes and therefore become the majority party, our number two would be Deputy Mayor while our number five, another Brit, would also go in as a councillor. This would be real representation for the non-Spanish residents of Bedar.
How much influence does the Opposition have in the town hall?
At the last elections the PSOE party gained five councillors and each of the two opposition parties got one each. This absolute majority meant that issues voted on during the plenary meetings were literally decided in advance with opposition members ignored. Opposition councillors were not allowed to speak during plenary meetings, nor were members of the public. It is the mayor’s discretion over whether Opposition councillors or members of the public are allowed to speak at plenary meetings and our mayor consistently chose to silence any possible discussion.
Given this past experience, it is safe to assume that unless the Opposition is strong and works effectively, the majority party will continue to steamroll proceedings. To be an effective Opposition party, we would need four councillors which means we need some 220 votes. In 2007, the combined Opposition parties achieved 169 votes. This means every vote will count.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Welcome to my blog
What I want to do in this blog is to try to keep you informed about the election process - as it happens.
In other places on the blog you can find -
It is a mad process at the moment. Numerous emails passing between all members of the team, consulting with advisers and making sure that we have got our policies right and that we are communicating them clearly. The cultural challenging is exhilerating although sometimes daunting - we are having to be careful we don´t misunderstand each other with the two languages and we are keen to know and understand the two cultures. For all of us, this is an important part of what we are doing.
So read on. Make a comment. Ask a question. Tell us if you support us.
In other places on the blog you can find -
- the list of people in the team with biographies and photos
- our Manifesto
- questions people have asked us and our answers.
Fundamental to our approach is that we should be known to you, explain what we are doing, be willing to listen to you and answer your questions. This is what this blog will try to achieve. So this isn´t all about me or the team. It is about having a discussion about the future of Bédar and what we all want and hope for. So let´s hear from you. Make a comment, ask a question or just let us know what you think about what is happening.
It is a mad process at the moment. Numerous emails passing between all members of the team, consulting with advisers and making sure that we have got our policies right and that we are communicating them clearly. The cultural challenging is exhilerating although sometimes daunting - we are having to be careful we don´t misunderstand each other with the two languages and we are keen to know and understand the two cultures. For all of us, this is an important part of what we are doing.
So read on. Make a comment. Ask a question. Tell us if you support us.
If your party win the election, will there be English people in the Town Hall that we can talk to?
In the event of us winning the election, and I become Deputy Mayor, I will be at the town Hall at specified times during the week to speak with any English speaking residents who have issues and concerns. As the Town Hall belongs to the community of Bedar and its hamlets we will be working to make it a friendly and welcoming place for Residents and Visitors, where your concerns and queries can be discussed.
(answered by David Horton)
(answered by David Horton)
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Why isn’t Levante Sostenible (LSOS) presenting a list at these elections? Is it true that LSOS members have passed over to the PP?
We understand that many people are wondering why LSOS hasn’t presented a list at these elections and why its members are running as independents under the PP banner. The LSOS councillors fought a valiant battle over the past four years against a town hall with an absolute majority for its PSOE councillors who consistently blanked out the opposition councillors and never gave any heed to our ideas. Despite these difficulties, the LSOS councillors continued to defend their program but to no avail. Nevertheless their efforts have not been in vain as other groups in the town began to realise that Bedar seriously needs change in order to ensure its future survival.
Accordingly, LSOS members met with members of the Partido Andalucista, the other opposition party, foreign residents and young people from Bedar dissatisfied with the operations in the town hall, and decided to present a list at the forthcoming municipal elections. Our program would still be based on the original LSOS program with some modifications and updating, as well as new ideas. Given the difficulties of creating an entirely new group, when the PP embraced our program and our ideas, they offered to let us run as independents under their banner and we accepted this opportunity.
We are all convinced that our program is what Bedar needs. We have also decided to set up a new association, to be called “Bedar Sostenible”, open to all residents of Bedar, to ensure that those people voted into the town hall from our list will act fairly on behalf of the wider community and all its residents with transparency, accountability and austerity in these difficult economic times.
(answered by Juan Antonio Soler, current LSOS town councillor)
Accordingly, LSOS members met with members of the Partido Andalucista, the other opposition party, foreign residents and young people from Bedar dissatisfied with the operations in the town hall, and decided to present a list at the forthcoming municipal elections. Our program would still be based on the original LSOS program with some modifications and updating, as well as new ideas. Given the difficulties of creating an entirely new group, when the PP embraced our program and our ideas, they offered to let us run as independents under their banner and we accepted this opportunity.
We are all convinced that our program is what Bedar needs. We have also decided to set up a new association, to be called “Bedar Sostenible”, open to all residents of Bedar, to ensure that those people voted into the town hall from our list will act fairly on behalf of the wider community and all its residents with transparency, accountability and austerity in these difficult economic times.
(answered by Juan Antonio Soler, current LSOS town councillor)
What can the new group under the PP banner offer the town which those on the PSOE list cannot?
The various elements of this new group have gotten together under the PP banner because of their dissatisfaction with the current town hall – the absence of control or arbitration as well as of clear ideas.
The PSOE town councillors have limited themselves to robotically following orders given by political leaders upon whom they depend and have never been able to come up with their own ideas – much less carry them out – to deal with the real needs of the town. Those needs have become even more critical with the end of the construction boom leaving us with only tourism as a possible source of income. In the face of this crisis, our town hall has not known how to respond and when they do, they do so badly and in a disorganized fashion.
The poor management of the various subsidies received, the wastage represented by the famous Plan E, the different disorganised and sometimes contradictory measures undertaken to develop tourism have led to much loss of funding and precious time. All the money brought in during the boom construction years, as well as the various subsidies received for tourism development, were not used adequately. Here we are in the midst of a financial crisis with scarce resources and with absolutely nothing in tourist infrastructure for a town that is supposed to live from tourism.
We have no public transportation, insufficient accommodation, and no comprehensive tourism plan or marketing strategy which would guarantee the success of such efforts. Instead we have chronic unemployment leaving our young people with no other choice but to look for work outside. This vicious circle makes conditions worse all the time, especially in services supposedly provided by the town hall.
Since Levante Sostenible was created in 2007, we proposed a new model for the economic future of the town which turned away from the construction of large urbanisations towards tourism and other sustainable activities. Now that construction has collapsed, our town hall is giving a token nod to the principles of sustainability and tourist development without really knowing what they are doing.
Our new list offers a real working team with enthusiastic young people guided by proven experts with backgrounds in tourism development, housing and management. Most importantly, everyone in the group is committed to Bedar and all its residents, regardless of one’s political ideas, and ready to listen to good ideas from all sources.
(answered by Juan Antonio Soler, current LSOS councillor)
The PSOE town councillors have limited themselves to robotically following orders given by political leaders upon whom they depend and have never been able to come up with their own ideas – much less carry them out – to deal with the real needs of the town. Those needs have become even more critical with the end of the construction boom leaving us with only tourism as a possible source of income. In the face of this crisis, our town hall has not known how to respond and when they do, they do so badly and in a disorganized fashion.
The poor management of the various subsidies received, the wastage represented by the famous Plan E, the different disorganised and sometimes contradictory measures undertaken to develop tourism have led to much loss of funding and precious time. All the money brought in during the boom construction years, as well as the various subsidies received for tourism development, were not used adequately. Here we are in the midst of a financial crisis with scarce resources and with absolutely nothing in tourist infrastructure for a town that is supposed to live from tourism.
We have no public transportation, insufficient accommodation, and no comprehensive tourism plan or marketing strategy which would guarantee the success of such efforts. Instead we have chronic unemployment leaving our young people with no other choice but to look for work outside. This vicious circle makes conditions worse all the time, especially in services supposedly provided by the town hall.
Since Levante Sostenible was created in 2007, we proposed a new model for the economic future of the town which turned away from the construction of large urbanisations towards tourism and other sustainable activities. Now that construction has collapsed, our town hall is giving a token nod to the principles of sustainability and tourist development without really knowing what they are doing.
Our new list offers a real working team with enthusiastic young people guided by proven experts with backgrounds in tourism development, housing and management. Most importantly, everyone in the group is committed to Bedar and all its residents, regardless of one’s political ideas, and ready to listen to good ideas from all sources.
(answered by Juan Antonio Soler, current LSOS councillor)
Thursday, April 28, 2011
We have heard that the PP is against all building and will, if necessary, revoke building licences that have been granted before the elections. Is that true?
No. That rumour was circulated during the last elections. In the past, illegal building licenses were granted to both bring much needed money into town hall coffers (remember nobody pays serious rates in Spain
When one resident filed a complaint in the town hall about an illegal second-floor building which blocked their view, they were told that “no one has a right to a view”. Whatever the situation in the past, since the corruption scandals throughout Spain
If your building licence requests are reasonable and conform to the law, there will be no reason to refuse them.
How can you possibly run town hall affairs when you do not speak Spanish?
I initially came here to retire, to drink good wine and play chess. However, when I saw my future undermined by town hall apathy and decided to join the opposition list, I also started intense and regular Spanish lessons.
Whether we like it or not, we are now a multicultural community and sad though it is, most of us Brits do not learn Spanish because we do not really have an incentive to. We tend to live amongst ourselves, so even if we have good intentions and try to learn some Spanish, we have little opportunity to practise it. Forming this party has been a great incentive to all concerned. In our team there are some Brits with little Spanish but who are developing their skills; there are young Spaniards with little English but who are really keen to develop their skills and communicate with the English. There is even a young Spaniard on our list who is currently taking a Masters in English who welcomes the opportunity to perfect her English. We also have some native English speakers who speak excellent Spanish and who are delighted to have the opportunity to improve their written Spanish.
This language challenge can even be seen as a blessing in disguise: we all have to speak clearly and simply, listen to each other and help each other. During our working meetings and constant flow of emails, we are all aware of and learning about differences in cultural as well as individual backgrounds. This effort creates a real bond between us and is excellent practice for the post-electoral challenge we will face of having to reach the multicultural residents in Bedar.
(Answered by David Horton)
(Answered by David Horton)
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
What role will the European residents play in this new group? What truth is there in the rumour that the British are taking over the town?
Over 40% of Bedar’s registered voters are non-Spanish. To ignore this statistic or their presence is to ignore reality. From the beginning, our group has always considered this segment of our population, predominantly British, to be important. Don’t forget that they need the same services and attention to problems as the Spanish, something which the current administration has not been adequately providing.
Putting in token non-Spanish into the list has happened frequently in the past. For example, the current PSOE list has two non-Spanish in the final positions where it is unlikely they will be allowed to participate actively nor bring solutions to the town’s problems. We, on the other hand, take the points of view seriously (of our non-Spanish residents) and believe that both communities should work together for the common good. We are all in the same boat. Therefore, the only way to attain complete integration is to put several British names in the upper positions on our list such that everyone will feel represented and know that their opinions will have a voice.
Furthermore, amongst our non-Spanish residents are individuals who are highly qualified and ready to run a town hall. Their experience is one of the strongest points of our list and ensures the local Bedarenses that finally there will be someone in the town hall that represents everyone, that listens to everyone, and who is able to manage the town and its resources such that Bedar can grow as a town and a society. This is particularly important now that income from construction has dried up. It is vital and urgent that we develop new economic models to give life to the town and ensure its future.
The experience of the British on our list combines well with the enthusiasm, intelligence and willingness of our younger Spanish list members who make up for what they lack in experience with their commitment to making the town a better place. This teamwork results in much more value than that offered by a sole person making all the decisions without consulting with anybody – something which we are all accustomed to in the current town hall. In addition, the team is supported by a group of volunteer advisors offering a wealth of important and necessary skills, such as legal counsel, translating, IT skills and tourism development.
(answered by LSOS councillor Juan Antonio Soler)
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