Politicians don’t want vaccinations ; Petrol up 2c ; PSD propose extra €65 a month on pensions
TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Vic … Navigator of the Seas passing Caniço / Reis Magos, with a rather familiar looking foreground.
This weekends football : Both our teams are in action on Sunday, and both unusually on TV (SportTV1). Nacional host Setúbal at 6 pm, and Marítimo visit Sporting, kick off at 8.15 pm. The big game of the weekend is today between Braga and Benfica, the two top sides in the Liga Sagres.
Deputies (MPs) in the regional assembly are not interested in being vaccinated – The vaccination plan against Gripe A is underway, and the MPs are included in the priority groups. The move started yesterday on Madeira, but our politicians showed little interest. Some through fear, others because they did not see why that MPs should be in a priority vaccination group, and of course they are under no obligation. The article showed that in almost all the parties, that there was no intention to be vaccinated, except a PSD social democrat who said she was going to consult her doctor first. Well of course if you are a PSD member, you have to consult someone, as decision making skills are not one of the key requirements to represent your party and the electorate, as Uncle Bertie decides everything. Blog writers it seems do not come within the priority groups, but do I care … I still have 1.5 litres of © Toranja Poncha © chilling in the fridge, and that should keep the swine flu away for at least two nights.
Madeira studies new areas for fishing for the black espada fish – The regional secretary for the environment and natural resources presented the project ‘MARPROF’. Due to the reduction in the catch of the fish new fishing zones are being sought. The project MARPROF (I won’t bore you with what it stands for) has the objective of investigating marine biodiversity, and coming up with ways to develop the fishing sector of the archipelagos of Madeira, the Azores, and the Canary Islands. Shrimps and deep water crabs are other species sought that that have economic potential for Madeira. So that’s the environmental solution for overfishing is it, go and overfish elsewhere. I think I could manage without espada for a couple of years to let the stocks recuperate.
PSD-M presents proposal for a law that creates a pension supplement worth €65 – Supplement is compensation for the costs of insularity. The social democrats of Madeira will present the proposal, that will give Madeira’s pensioners the extra 65 Eurobucks monthly, in the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal. If approved it will benefit 30,000 pensioners through old age, disability, or social reasons. Hmmmmmmm, I smell a rat here. Should the AR approve the proposal, and I can’t really see that being on an island affects pensioners more than anyone else working or living here, then there would be a uproar that everyone else deserves the same, here, on the Azores, and maybe on the mainland too. No this is a political dagger, knowing that the idea will be rejected, giving more ammo for the PSD-M against the PS socialist government.
Petrol prices take a bit of a hike on Monday with a 2.c rise per litre. Diesel will rise by 1.c.
Have a great weekend !
Many thanks to Elaine for her contribution from yesterday’s news :
26th Chestnut Festival at Nun’s Valley this weekend. Begins Saturday afternoon at 18.00 with traditional games, a fashion show at 20.00 and animation between 21.00 and 23.00 with Enio Fernandes. The main event is Sunday. The exhibition opens at 09.00 and mass in the Parish Church at 11.30. At 12.00 there is the official opening with the parade at 12.30. Tradition folklore groups start performing at 14.00 and a ‘Miss Chestnut 2009′ competition from 19.30 to 22.00 then entertainment continuing throughout the night. —- No ‘Mr Chestnut 2009′! Perhaps they should have a Miss Chest and a Mr. Nuts Elaine? Der
Madeira exports hospital waste. The Region is sole shareholder of Valor Ambiente which refuses to allow hospital waste to be incinerated at Meia Serra. Refusal is on the grounds that the consortium who built the incinerator and equipped it did not meet the requirements specified. The hospital waste was incinerated there for a year but caused environmental concerns. It is now incinerated in Spain at a cost of €1.2 million a year. The cost of exportation and incineration is being charged to the consortium who built Meia Serra, who are challenging this in court. The Region still owes €18 million for the construction of Meia Serra and €5 million operating costs. At Meia Serra, it costs 1.15 Euros / kg and transportation costs of €0.08. Exportation to Spain, the cost is estimated by the Diário to be 1.23 Euros / kg.
Diário also complaining that animal waste is not being incinerated but entering landfill instead. At present, the amount is 40 tons a month, which is not an environmental hazard but could be in future due to soil contamination. The amount of clinical and animal by-products increased 74% last year, and the courts are normally slow to settle disputes.
First seal cub to be born in 2009. Population of seals (Monachus monachus) in the region is now 39. On the 25th October, the rangers at the Desertas Islands observed the first cub of the year. The colony has at least seven breeding females and the majority of births occur in October and November, so they are hoping for more. The conservation project was begun in 1988, with three main guidelines: monitoring, protection and education. Monitoring is increased at this time of year to identify the mothers, observe the behaviour of the animals during the breeding season and be attentive to the emergence of new individuals. The local seal population is increasing, whereas worldwide the number of seals is decreasing and its range too. The world population is 500.
Madeiran immigrants in England struggling. Some have been going through financial difficulties, to the point of being obliged to seek help of the Portuguese Sports Centre and Cultural Club in London to eat. The situation has worsened with unemployment associated with the economic crisis. The problem was felt most strongly at the beginning of this year but the situation is gradually improving due to economic recovery in England and increased employment. People usually only temporarily ask for help until they can get a new job. There are also social problems like alcoholism, drug addiction and mental health problems. There is one person who is unemployed and homeless who goes to the club everyday to eat. They have paid three times for him to return to Madeira but he keeps returning, over the past two years. Even with the crisis, it is always easier to get work in London than Portugal. The main requirement for employment is a good command of English, which has improved during the past few years. The club helps the immigrants to integrate, especially new arrivals.
Landslide in Colmeal blocks road in Nun’s Valley. Firemen form Câmara de Lobos had to unblock the road to allow the bus to pass yesterday afternoon, an operation which took an hour. Landslides are common in this region and difficult to prevent due to a nearby high escarpment which is difficult to reinforce.
Second false distress alarm. Maritime Police and SANAS yesterday morning responded to a distress flare in the bay of Funchal. This flare was fired during training carried out by the Regional Directorate of Fisheries. The Port of Funchal had authorized the training but the location was not as expected, hence the Port Captain decided to launch a rescue.
SANAS has acquired a Mobicall system that will allow a fast and reliable communication to avoid wasting valuable time in responding to a rescue alert. The investment was 10,000 Euros.
Trial between Jardim and Carlos Pereira in 2010. Reported yesterday that Pereira is suing Jardim for 35,000 Euros. At today’s hearing, it was decided that there is a case to answer and due to the Court’s agenda, it will be in mid-2010.
Still lack of fuel on Porto Santo. Lack of petrol and diesel causing problems especially for public transport, tourism and rent-a-car sectors. It is worse at the weekends resulting in queues of cars and motorbikes at the city centre filling station. GALP is the only supplier and they say they are unaware of the problems and it is the petrol station managers who are liable.
Madeira is studying new fishing areas for Black Scabbard fish. Due to the reduced fishing haul, the Secretariat for the Environment and Natural Resources is looking for new fishing areas. Want to innovate and develop the fishing industry of the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands. Shrimp and crab are other species with economic potential in Madeira. Whoops a bit of duplication there, sorry Elaine, but your piece has a photo. Der
PSD introduce a draft bill to increase benefits by 65 Euros a month. If approved by Parliament, to be included in the State Budget 2011. Will help 30,000 people receiving benefits for old age, incapacity or social benefit. Whoops again!
Man died after fall from the fifth floor. Occurred on Friday afternoon. He was 53 years old and fell from the fifth floor of a building located in the Praça da ACIF, at the rear of the Loja da Cidadão. He was a civil engineer and married with three children. The PSP and Judicial Police are investigating the circumstances.
Prison guards denounce ‘malaise’ in the Prison of Funchal. Malaise, poor management of human resources, lack of dialogue and respect of their status experienced by prison guards. The blame is aimed at the Director of the Prison, Fernando Santos, by the President of the Prison Guards Union. —– There have been strikes recently.
Moviflor opens new store in Funchal. Will open to the public on Saturday at 10.00 until 22.00 with opening offers this weekend. 2,600 square metres of furnishings and decorations. Located at the Caminho de Santa Quiteria next to Madeira Shopping and the previous shop in Funchal is closed for renovations.
Regional Plan for the Homeless 2009 – 2011. It is the adoption of a document entered into the objective of ‘Promotion of Social Inclusion and Prevention of Social Exclusion’. The plan intends to identify people living on the street, the issues why they are there and then integrate them into society with dignity. The plan is being implemented by the Regional Secretariat for Social Affairs, private institutions, parishes and municipalities. 35 people are already identified as homeless, scattered around the Farmer’s Market, Rua Dr. Fernao Ornelas and the Building 2000. They are to be reintegrated back into their family or if none, into institutions.
Fuel prices increase from Monday (midnight 2 November). Unleaded petrol up from 1.187 to 1.202 Euros and diesel 0.950 Euros a litre.
A quick look at today’s front page of the Diário :
Christmas anticipated to sell despite of the debt situation – The requests for help grow from families struggling with their commitments. Of 531 cases that went to the Consumer Defence entity, 160 are are about financial overcommitment. But still the race for Christmas shopping is underway.
In football : Draw of FC Porto livens the game (tonight) between the league leaders – Belenenses stall the champions. Poor first half by Porto, but dominated most of the second half, and were unlucky to end up with a 1 – 1 draw. Braga and Benfica play today for first place. 9.15 pm on SportTV1. Chelsea come to see Rúben Micael. Whilst I hope Nacional can hang on to Micael for as long as possible this season, for sure he will be sold fairly soon, and what better buyers could there be than Chelsea, famous for paying stupid prices for average players.
There come the witches with a weekend of partying for Madeira. A creepy Halloween for all tastes. No evidence of witches and monsters yet in my town, and Halloween here it is still a hit and miss event, and sometimes passes by totally unnoticed. I saw a full page advert in yesterday’s Diário for Hiper Sã in São Martinho (I think), and it was all for Halloween products at incredible prices, and I reckon to get fully kitted up for a scary appearance you wouldn’t have gotten much change from €50. The Chinese perhaps haven’t got wind of this yet, but when the new megastore opens in Machico, they should be able to slash the price of future Halloweens, as after all most of the junk that people buy probably originates in China anyway.
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Anyway (yet again), the story started earlier in the night as I invented ‘Toranja Poncha’. I assume I invented it, as nobody has ever mentioned it before … or am I wrong?. With the benefit of being a citrus fruit much less sweet than oranges, and much cheaper and juicier than the lemons available at the moment, at €1.29 a kilo in Pingos, surely it was worth the risk as an investment, purely for the prevention and cure for Gripe A I thought. 
False shipwreck. SANAS, Navy, Maritime Police and the Portuguese Air Force (a ‘Merlin’ from Porto Santo) were engaged yesterday morning in a search and rescue operation following an emergency signal issued by a fast-launch sinking in the area between Madalena do Mar and Calheta. The effort was called off when the signal was traced to a boat in dry dock in Calheta. The launch had been impounded in 2005 when seized at the request of the Spanish authorities on suspicion of being used by an international network of drug traffickers. It is not the first time for a false rescue situation. The Commander of the Maritime Zone said, with both amusement and irritation, "It was an actual operation that ultimately served as training." The reasons that led to the activation of the EPIRB emergency signal are being determined to try and prevent a future occurrence. It is reassuring to other boat owners to hear of the operation.
Landfill washed into the sea is no different from deposition after rainfall. Reply by the MDS after a complaint reported by the Diário yesterday about the construction of the promenade near Praia Formosa. They say that the temporary landfill which might be washed into the sea is no different from normal deposition when rainfall increases the flows of streams. They allege the statement was political exploitation by the Communist Party.
"Obrigado Madeira!" The only words said in Portuguese by the President of the Republic of Poland, visiting yesterday for the tribute to Marshal Josef Pilsudski. He praised Poland’s good relationship with the region and highlighted similarities between both countries; reclaimed democracy and freedom in Europe and NATO, and growth despite the present economic climate. He said that Madeira "is a bit of a different world." He was "delighted" to see the statue of Polish Pope John Paul II. Miguel Albuquerque said that Funchal and Gdansk had a good partnership. The Polish representative said that 80% of Poles want to stay in the EU because they feel safer.
Queiroz counts on Ruben Micael. Micael (photo), from Câmara de Lobos, that plays (a blinder) for Nacional, has been selected by national coach Carlos Queiroz for the preliminary squad to play against Bosnia in the World Cup play-off game. The selection, thought by many to be overdue, may lead to a regular place in the Portugal squad that will go to South Africa next year, that is of course if they can beat Bosnia on 14th and 18th November. Another Nacional player João Aurélio has been selected for the national under-21 squad to play against England (14th November) and Greece (17th November).
Collision at Quinta Grande damaged two parked cars. A car damaged two vans at dawn, about 04.15 on the 15th October and did not stop. Surveillance video (shown) has been released and it is thought to be a metallic grey Polo. The police and owners are appealing for information.
An "environmental attack" in the construction of the promenade in the zone of Soccoridos. The Municipal Council of Funchal have complained about the amount of gravel put down, needed for construction machines, which they think will wash into the sea and cause pollution. They say the level is higher than the contractor SMD originally stated and have sent a report to the Regional Department of the Environment and Maritime Police.
Collision between three cars and a motorcycle. No casualties but damage to the vehicles. It occurred at rush hour yesterday afternoon at the entrance to the Funchal – Machico expressway at Santo António and a 15 km queue formed.
Anyone recognise this from 16 years ago, exactly to the day? 
Funchal Tuning Club accompany the Virgin. These are people who modify their vehicles, although illegal here but legal in some parts of the EU. This will be on November 4th when the statue goes from Acadas da Cruz to Ponta do Pargo. It will be in the Diocese of Calheta until the 26th November when it goes to Ribeira Brava and Ponta do Sol. —– An illegal convoy? Will police be in attendance? A bit different from the Popemobile, which was the first vehicle, then bikers, now tuners….next?
Between 2 – 8 November, the Science Centre in Porto Moniz will have the photographic exhibition of the first visit of the Pilgrim Statue to Madeira in 1948. The exhibition has hundreds of photos from the Vicentes Museum and is touring the country.
Quinta do Lorde development within the law. The Legislative Assembly of Madeira approved a 30-page report stating there was no illegality in the construction of the private enterprise in Caniçal. Illegalities had been raised on grounds of the areas of construction and environmental impact. There had been a previous 10,000 page report compiled by prosecutors, mainly 4 political parties and environmental group Quercus. The licensing was approved by all authorities, but there were particular problems with intrusion into the public maritime area. The resort was designed by an American company and will have 740 beds and 370 rooms spread between the hotel and tourist villas and apartments. It will employ 200 and indirectly employ another 100.
Expropriation in São Vicente with police and gunshot into the air – Owners contest the moving in of construction machinery without explanations on the part of the council. Sounds like another bungled compulsory land purchase. The photo shows a JCB diggers with it’s shovel raised, ready to attack a cultivated allotment or garden, but it stopped in it’s tracks when it heard gunfire. 
The Neighbourhood of Nogueira becomes more and more uncontrollable. The population is tired of the terror. After an assault on a fireman with a bottle on Saturday night, there is an upsurge in criticism about the scarcity of policing. Nogueira finds itself under siege. The Diário found ‘in situe’ an atmosphere that ‘one could cut with a knife’. Also the main photo on the cover, that shows the remnants of the glass from the bottle used to attack the fireman. It seems that a Diário reporting crew ‘cruised’ the district of Nogueira after the dreadful attack on the firemen. The interview, mostly with a lady, revealed the same old trouble, unemployment, drugs, neighbours in dispute. The conclusion is that the neighbourhood has the air of a Latin American country. 
Benfica 6 Nacional 1. Sod the Diário report, you get mine. An absolute disgrace of a game! I am not complaining about the result, it wasn’t unjust and could have been more if the linesmen hadn’t been alert to the offside rule, but the referee was absolutely dreadful, and I hope he has RSI strain from reaching into his pocket so many times for yellow and red cards. The Benfica Goal Machine got more and more superior as the game progressed, but they obviously felt inferior as they just dived and dived, in the end getting two Nacional players sent off. I have just returned from watching the game as I write this, with steam coming out of my ears, so a couple of beers have put me in swearing mode, so here goes *!*!, and ##€€#*#. Sorry about that. That referee deserves a red card, and why Benfica had to put up such a pitiful act when they were clearly far superior is beyond me. At times I want to give up on football, and last night wasn’t helped by the fact that I watched the game in a local bar with around 20 other people. The other 19 were whooping for joy as the sixth goal went in against our local side. What a bunch of wet *!##*!, totally against their local team. 
Cultural Centre in London experiencing difficulties. Portuguese Cultural and Sports Centre is facing financial and management difficulties. The 27th anniversary party had 180 in attendance at the church hall in Brixton, London. Difficulties are due to debts and departure of people but there are plenty of young second-generation Madeirans volunteering, especially in using new technologies in promotion. They have six football teams, and a traditional music group who perform both in the UK and abroad. The London ambassador to Portugal attended and said that language and cultural differences were barriers to full integration, and that all immigrants had to unite to overcome them. Online consulate’s services have helped to register births and marriages and issue cards to citizens.
Fire destroys old home / workshop. A fire of unknown origin destroyed an old wicker workshop at a residence in Canto do Muro in Funchal. Although two fire crews attended, they could not save the building due to the presence of flammable material. Witnesses saw a bearded man dressed in a tracksuit fleeing before the flames appeared. The place has been disused for three years and is a residence for many drug addicts, who have broken down the doors replaced to try to prevent re-entry.
Negligence and marital conflicts are causes of some fires. Some people set their own homes on fire due to severe psychological pressure after a divorce or serious marital conflict. ‘If I can’t have it, no one can’ mentality. The two arrested were for car arson, one after an incendiary device. Most fires, both urban and forest, are due to negligence especially with an ageing population. Forest fires are often caused by land clearance or cigarette butts. Urban fires are caused by a forgotten pot on the stove or forgetting to turn it off before leaving, or falling asleep with a lit cigarette. Car fires are usually either due to the electrical system or battery.
Cavaco stresses the importance of understanding between central government and the autonomous regions. At the inauguration of the second government of José Sócrates, Cavaco Silva the President of the Republic stressed the importance of dialogue and understanding between the central government and the autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores. He said, "A culture of negotiation must be everybody’s responsibility."
