Madeira News Blog

TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Jon … Lucy & Gizmo, both adopted from SPAD (Domestic Animal Protection Society). What a pair of posers Jon! They certainly don’t look bovered by anything on this planet!

Sheila sent me this, mainly for the attention of the British readers :  Are we bovered?

"Am I alone in noticing that, despite the sterling efforts of Der and Elaine to bring news items to the Blog, few if any of us seem to have opinions about serious matters, which might be expected to concern us as Brits?

For instance, how do we feel about our dear departed Prime Minister, Tony Blair becoming the first President of the European Council of EU leaders? Do any of us care one way or the other? No?

Well, how about this then. The Lisbon Treaty is almost certain to be ratified after the Czechs were bribed by an opt-out into withdrawing their opposition. Ireland has had two stabs at a referendum because they got it "wrong" and voted "no" the first time. Britain was promised a referendum but we are not going to get one. Do any of us care?
Maybe we can’t do anything to influence the major decisions, which affect all our lives, but do we have to allow ourselves to be rail-roaded into changes, which most of us may not want? Perhaps we are just not "bovered".

I forgot all about Britain some time ago, so not comment from that perspective, but putting a warmonger  in charge of anything to me sends all the wrong messages, and I must admit I didn’t even know about his appointment.  Anyway that aside, like Sheila I always thought it strange that very few people over the last two years were interested enough to make any comments on the daily news, although I have had the impression a few times that some people who are not Madeirans think they don’t have the right to do so. It takes allsorts I suppose, as Bertie Bassett one said. BTW I haven’t had one for years, but those round coconut ones (pink or blue) with liquorice centres were definitely from sweetie heaven. Der

"The Madeira group Siram is looking for partners in Macau to manage casinos in Porto Santo and Cape Verde, and to develop an innovative spa project in Macau, Siram president Silvio Santos told Portuguese news agency Lusa. One of the company’s’ real estate and tourism developers is having difficulties financing its Colombo’s Resort tourism project, in the Madeiran island of Porto Santo, and are looking for partnerships and a new ownership structure focused on the areas of tourism and gambling, to be set up next year. With a current budget of €200 million, Colombo’s Resort, a five star resort to be managed by Starwood, is looking for new investors which may come from Macau, depending on the revival of construction work". MACAU DAILY TIMES

"When considering the size of Madeira, you can hardly imagine that this island has so much to offer!  From many historical monuments, squares and streets in the capital of Funchal to enchanting gardens, picturesque villages, amazing landscapes, impressive volcanic caves, rugged coast lines, beautiful natural beaches and, last but not least, breathtaking views, there is so much to see that you will soon realise that one visit to Madeira just isn’t enough!" A very well written article ATLANTIC QUEST – My journey across the Americas during my Gap Year

Elaine completes a full month with her news translation, without a break. Thanks so much Elaine. Here are yesterday’s main stories :

Pink Christmas trees in fashion this year. Expensive but selling well, according to the manager of ‘Bazar do Povo’ (Sa) in Funchal. They have been selling Christmas decorations since September. —- You heard it first here. Of course. © Toranja Poncha © is also pink, so have yourself a very pinky Christmas time with a tree as well. Der

Requests for help from consumers rise 52%. Requests to Serviço de Defesa do Consumidor (Citizen’s Advice Bureau) for help with financial issues increased 52% this year. Most frequent cases related to credit, often due to changes in family circumstances, e.g. divorce, widowhood, health or unemployment. Also mortgage queries as to which is the best deal.

The association gave the following tips: Prevention is best. Before taking out a loan, work out your budget and whether you can afford it without getting into debt. Avoid credit for everyday expenses. Never borrow to pay off other debts. Never sign a contract unless you understand it. You always need to have some savings.

Business group suspected of fraud began in Caniçal Free Zone. The business group headed by Manuel Godinho, suspected of economic crimes and bribery of managers of public funds, was launched in the Madeira market through a company newly established in the Free Zone, the Resatlantico – Waste Management. All Manuel Godinho’s companies, many of which are linked to business waste and waste management, are based in Aveiro. The only exception seems to be a company formed in May this year in Madeira and is based in the Free Zone in Caniçal. Resatlantico entered the regional market to collect used electrical and electronic equipment for the purposes of dismantling and recycling using facilities on the continent. It has established protocols with AMB3E and municipalities and is licensed by the Directorate for the Environment. It is unknown if the investigations on the continent will affect regional expansion. Manuel Godinho was arrested last Wednesday in Aveiro in relation to economic crimes involving an oxygen-treatment and environmental cleaning group. 14 people were indicted.

Good chestnut harvest. (Interview with a farmer) The harvest is only half done but has already doubled the amount produced in 2008. Increases both in the quantity and quality. Grown in Curral das Freiras and sold in the local shops, in Sao Martinho and sold to the Sã supermarket group. There is a processing centre in Curral das Freiras where the chestnuts are graded then heat treated to preserve them. Are inexpensive this year, selling through an intermediary for 1.20 to 1.40 Euros a kilo and directly to the consumer for 1.60 to 1.70 Euros a kilo. This year, 43% less are imported. The dried fruit price has increased globally. —- As noted in the comments section in the Diário, selling in the Farmer’s Market for 3.99 to 4.10 Euros a kilo.

The Regional Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development estimates that Madeira has the capacity to produce 764 tonnes per year. The processing plant has graded 33% more than last year and heat treated 160% more since the season started on October 6th. There are 24 producers of organic nuts corresponding to an area of 33.14 hectares, of which 21.53 are in Curral das Freiras and 11.61 in Jardim da Serra.

Court seeks list of projects approved in Ponta do Sol in 2001. The present mayor, Rui Marques and former mayor, António Lobo were in the dock (both PSD politicians) and eight witnesses gave evidence. It involves a 20,000 Euros bribe for approval of a 29 unit apartment block when the Plano Director Municipal (PDM) was suspended. Partners in the firm are former members of the PSD, Emidio Correia and the former Ponta do Sol councillor Antonio Munuel. A witness, a Socialist Party councillor said that councillors of the opposition did not know the legal implications of the suspension of the PDM and had limited access to projects. Approval of this one had been done quickly whereas others took "weeks and months" and other projects were approved in consequence of the suspension of the PDM. At that time he did not realise the building site was controversial. The trial continues on 13 November when Ponta do Sol Council have to send a list of all draft permits for private buildings approved during the year 2001.

Driver of car that collided with two vans identified. He fled the scene and video surveillance tape was released of his grey Polo car. He has contacted the owners of the damaged vans and accepted liability. —- No report of police prosecuting.

Tribute to combatants. On Monday 2 November, there will be a ceremony commemorating combatants who lost their lives on overseas missions. It will be in Nazaré at the Monumento de Homenagem dos Combatentes do Ultramar (in photo). Appeal for serving combatants and the general public to attend to make the greatest possible tribute.

Free bus pass for the elderly back on the parliamentary agenda. This was approved in 1999 but never implemented. The free pass should be given to anyone over 60 who receives an income below the minimum wage. Also aimed at all people with disabilities, regardless of age.

Club Med 2 in port today. A five-masted luxurious cruising yacht joined three other ships to  make another full harbour. She sailed from Casablanca and is going on to the Caribbean. The Club Med Portugal visited the ship. The yacht has recently been renovated with 10 new suites of 36 square metres and it can accommodate 392 tourists.

Porto Santo port promoted as free of charge.  Medicruise (association of cruise ports) meeting in Monaco, where Madeira is gaining membership. Because Porto Santo port is free of charge, companies save between 3,500 and 12,000 Euros depending on tonnage of the vessel and passenger numbers. Funchal has lowered its tariff during the quieter summer months to try to increase business.

C&A want to open a second store in Funchal in the near future. The new store opened yesterday at the Forum Madeira. The group wanted to open a larger store, as they are normally 1400 to 2000 square metres but this one is just over 700 square metres. Yesterday was busy, partially due to curiosity and also because of an opening discount of 20%. —- The papers are a bit late with this one. Quite right Elaine, Josie had already told us having actually checked it out personally yesterday. Der

Valor Ambiente reply to Diário’s report. Diário yesterday had a report highlighting exportation of clinical waste to Spain for incineration. In Jornal da Madeira, the company stated that this is just a temporary solution which is in the public interest until the company who built the incinerator at Meia Serra make alterations to increase productivity and create safer operating conditions, as it is still under warranty. They said this company is paying for the exportation and it is not resulting in extra costs to Valor Ambiente (Government owned) and the Diário is just being critical of the Government.

Direct debits can be paid into a bank account in another EU country. From Monday but not available immediately in all 27 countries. This is under the SEPA (Single Euro Payments) system developed in 2008 to simplify payments through bank transfers, direct debits and bank cards in the Eurozone. Customers in the Single Area will also be able to make and receive payments in Euros under the same conditions as they do nationally.

A quick look at today’s front page news headlines in the Diário :

‘PS proposes an educational revolution – André Escórcio is the project author. Not that this idea will go anywhere, as it’s not a PSD idea, but the gist is to offer free education at all levels, and cut support to private and small independent schools, and then to create a more autonomous education system, with its own characteristics, without impinging on the general principles of law.

Failures in the management of hazardous waste lead CDU to ask for an inquiry. A story which Elaine has covered well in the last couple of days, and it seems a plausible reason has been given, that satisfies accusations made in a possible case of mischief-making by the Diário.

The main headline today : Armas operation is illegal – The Port and Maritime Transport Authorities have concluded that the loading operation undertaken by the Spanish vessel in Funchal Port is in breach of the rules. The license is at risk. The unloading of freight in Funchal Port from the passenger ferry that does the Madeira – Portimão – Canary Islands route has been deemed to breach licence conditions it seems. The situation arose after complaints from other shipping companies who had been forced to load and unload elsewhere, whilst the passenger ferry could continue freight operations unhindered. That could bump up the costs of the passenger ferry service somewhat, as that would have been a big piece of income for Naviera Armas, or even put the whole operation at risk. As for the next step, I reckon the government will step in and intervene, as the ferry service just cannot be put at risk.

A large picture shows a graveyard with some estrelicia flowers : No one dares to mess with the rules of the cemeteries – The 40 year old regulations provide great breeding conditions for the mosquito that spreads dengue disease. The health authorities prefer to respect the cult and its rituals.

‘Fly Madeira’ commences flying next Tuesday – Transporting cargo will mark the start of operations of the new airline company. It will be better known as FlyMI (Fly Madeira Islands), and on Tuesday it will fly a cargo from Lisbon to Madeira in it’s inaugural flight in a leased Boeing 737-300. Phase one of the formation for FlyMI is freight, passengers will come later through scheduled and charter flights.

In football : Nacional and Marítimo want to imitate Braga. Victory over Benfica results in clear league leadership for Braga. Today the teams from Madeira play, with TV honours. And what a great game and result it was (2 – 0), and how wonderful it was to see those Benfica supporters ,who were gloating over putting 6 goals past Nacional last week, crying in their beer. Benfica were the stronger side, but Braga played a strategy to outwit them, and it worked very well. Fantastic first goal as well.

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This picture was taken at Lugar de Baixo marina yesterday evening. Despite earlier reports that the reopening was still a while away, it will in fact be open to the public again this afternoon.

(24th September). Today’s main news headline : ‘Câmara Of Santana Promotes [Staff] Continually -  On the eve of abandoning the presidency, Carlos Pereira gives spectacular improvements to workers’. After 20 years in Santana, the president of the council is on his way out, out of favour with the PSD-M leader and president of Madeira, Alberto João Jardim. One of the favours has now put a subordinate on a higher salary than Pereira himself. He has promoted 3 staff seemingly just to give them a higher salary. It’s legal, but raises some policy questions. In January, Carlos Pereira signed an order to allocate €79 thousand of the council budget of 2009, for "the purposes" of Contracts, Careers and Remuneration. Of this €53,500 was for movements within pay scales of 55 council employees, and €10,000 was for performance bonuses. Normally movements in pay scales work on a points system, but a council president has the power to override this. Legal or not, the deals are to be seen as an appreciation of the president at the end of his mandate, and a ‘hot potato’ left for his successor. 

‘Customs Strike Opens ‘Green Route’ In The Airport – Funchal Customs yesterday registered 100% participation in the strike. And there remain two days without control’. The three day strike started yesterday, leaving airport checks non existent in terms of customs activity. Two officers were on duty, in order to meet minimum service levels, but aside from that the strike achieved 100% participation. Airport baggage was going through unchecked, even that from ‘risk countries’. In the main offices in Funchal, just the boss, his assistant, two cleaners, and a telephonist were present.  

The main front page photo today shows a group of cops on the move : ‘Police From Here Complain To Lisbon – President of the ASPP in Lisbon say that they are already receiving denunciations from the police of Madeira about alleged attempts to pressure by regional political powers’. The police complain to their trade union in Lisbon, but there is no documentation to prove the allegations that political power is being used to apply pressure. Paulo Rodrigues, president of the TU, says Madeira is not the only case, as other police forces in Portugal suffer similar pressure and political interference in attempts to control the police. He stresses that security is not a regionalized responsibility, and that it is therefore an area controlled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI), without any intervention permitted from the Regional Government. He cites as a very recent example, the order of president Jardim to the police, to stop the opposition PND political party entering Curral das Freiras, because he was attending an event there. "It is for the police not to fall into the trap of giving in to pressure", and if they are victims of exploitation, the union recommends that they make a complaint. The National Election Commission (CNE), commenting on the same case said "only for strict safety reasons that were concerned with public protection, could a political party be prevented from campaigning in a public place". A "landslide" could justify the conduct of the PSP in this situation, which, according to the PND, the party was prevented from campaigning in the Nun’s Valley. "I do not think that [landslide] has been the case, since there was no report of the evacuation of the Nun’s Valley", he added. He said he had not yet received a formal complaint regarding this incident, but had so far received 17 complaints relating to the national elections to be held here on Sunday. He expects that number to triple on Sunday. As regards the local elections on 11th October, he said 114 complaints had been received, with the PS socialists heading the count as complainers.

‘School Bus Pass Scalds In The Country And In The University’. This has been already covered recently on this blog, and is about the disparity in costs of bus passes for students, which seem to depend on several factors: social standing (financially), distance travelled, and the need for crossing between different bus zones.

In football : ‘Shalke 04 Waves €5 Million At Rúben Micael – The exit of the Nacional player in December seems inevitable’. The German club has already made an offer for the star Madeiran, and he could be on his way in January. Bit of a tenuous link here though, as Shalke are being financed through sponsorship by Gazprom, the biggest company in Russia and biggest gas supplier in the world, who are also the major shareholder in Zenith St. Petersburg, the club that Nacional knocked out of the qualifying game for the Europa League. The boss at Shalke has already raided Nacional once. Micael has already had a whacking pay rise at Nacional to keep him happy, after a Spanish club offered him 14 times his salary at that time. Even so, a move in the new transfer window is inevitable, with a number of clubs interested. Perhaps this is a move in revenge for the Europa League result, at a price which is pocket money for Gazprom, and without Micael, Nacional’s chances in Europe look even limper than they already are.

Madeira University has 47 student vacancies, 36 which were caused by students who were accepted for places but who didn’t register.

‘Caniço Is Going To Have A Garden And Sports Facility’. The problem of the lack of green areas and leisure in Caniço will soon be alleviated. The council of Santa Cruz has already secured the necessary investment to enable the construction of a city park, in the heart of the area. A considerable work, considered a priority by the current council president, and a ‘flagship’ in the campaign of the PSD social democrats in the area. The park will incorporate various courts for ball games, a multipurpose court, a children’s park, parking for 200 vehicles, a small cycle path, a mini golf ‘space’, and a green area. The money for the work, €1.5 to €2 million, will be ‘publically’ released next week, but the exact location of the park is still a closely guarded secret. The population of the area has escalated from 12 thousand to around 28 thousand, in just 8 years, and as one Diário reader, Dimitrios, says in the comments : "After having transformed Caniço into one of the most horrible places in Portugal in terms of disorganised construction, only now they remembered to make a garden". I don’t think they even ‘remembered’ Dimitrios’, as it can be no coincidence that the câmara and local elections are just over two weeks away. Still if the money has already been secured, maybe that will not now be the election winner that the PSD in Santa Cruz are hoping, and any party can now jump on the same ‘city park’ bandwagon.

Gripe A swine flu has taken the first life in Portugal. The 41 year old man was actually an emigrant in France, on holiday in Portugal, but he died yesterday in a Porto hospital.

‘Service For Workplace Conflicts Already Received 12 Cases – The new body is a faster alternative for both trade unions and employers’. The Regional Service for Voluntary Resolution of Workplace Conflicts, was officially inaugurated yesterday, but even up until then had received 12 applications, 8 of which have been dealt with. The objective of the body is to resolve workplace problems without legal recourse. The service, which seems to be based on arbitration and compromise, can also refer cases to the courts if they remain unresolved, and can issue certificates of exemption for the court costs.

Some leftovers from yesterday, which was a huge newspaper :

(23rd September). The last of yesterday’s headlines : ‘Induction For The Rookies Starts Parties And Gatherings’. The ‘newcomers’ are already in the initiation routines, and between games and war cries the new students integrate themselves in the usual manner’. "The initiation has been quite good fun, and is not bad as many people think, we have our rights and duties", says one new students about the initiation of new students in the University of Madeira. The initiation period lasts a month, and aside from the fun element, is supposed to welcome the newcomers and make them feel comfortable in UMa with their new colleagues. on 14th October there is then a ‘baptism’ ceremony.

‘Government Order To Regulate Determination Of Career Progression – Teacher’s Union accuses the Madeira government of frustrating the expectations of teachers’. President Jardim had promised changes in the rules for teacher career progression, following the national changes that based progression on teacher evaluations (where Jardim bypassed the national scheme, by automatically giving all of Madeira’s teachers a blanket rating of ‘good’). Jardim criticised the national scheme, and said Madeira would be different, promising career progression. In effect what Jardim did froze the salaries of the teachers, leaving them untouched now since 2005. 

‘Foreign Doctors To Fill Gaps – The health service is considering hiring a Polish anaesthetist’. While there is still a shortage of doctors in some specialties, the Regional Health Service SESARAM may resort to foreign professionals. Miguel Ferreira, clinical director of SESARAM, has already announced the appointment of a doctor from Venezuela. The possibility of using more foreign professionals to fill gaps is a situation to consider in individual cases. "We can not hire 15 or 20 foreign doctors because we have to think of those internally who are currently doing the specialty", he added. Odd to hear that Madeira is actively seeking foreigners, well nearly. Must mean that all the political cronies already have their offspring employed in the top jobs, or is it that the hospital chief thinks that a spotty orange-tinted brain surgeon is just a step too far.

‘Image of Our Lady of Fátima in Madeira’. On the 12th October the Diocese of Funchal will receive the Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fátima, where it will stay until the 18th, before going around to some of the other major towns, on a tour that will run through until May. Fátima is the home of the shrine called the Basilica, built to commemorate the events of 1917 when three peasant children claimed to have seen the "Virgin of the Rosary", Our Lady of Fátima. It was and still is a very important religious event in Portugal. Unfortunately the original photograph of the statue that I saw has now disappeared, but I managed to find another one to satisfy ones curiosity.

‘Number Of Cases Of AIDS Grows On Madeira’. The president of the association ‘Abraço’ announced the fact without giving any definite numbers. The charitable organization that supports AIDS / SIDA sufferers is trying to raise €500,000 to open a new support facility through a national campaign to collect and sell waste copper. The building has been made available in Rua da Carreira by the regional government, but a lack of funds has prevented the reconstruction and adaptation for 3 years now. Electrical cables and wires, telephone chargers, and computer parts containing copper can be donated through Dolce Vita shopping malls and Post Offices.

UPDATES :

‘Magalhães Not Finished’. The project to provide mini laptop computers to school children throughout Portugal is to continue. The announcement by the Minister for Education said the decision has been made, regardless of the election results on Sunday. Over 400,000 children already have the computers, which as well as serving as a teaching / learning aid, gives wireless internet access, and also allows the possibility of remote teaching in case a school is temporarily closed, or a child cannot get to school.

‘Construction restricted by falling demand – The engineering works are the only ones to record a positive change’. A spokesman for the national Federation of Construction said that housing construction in Portugal had fallen 25.3% in comparative quarters in a year. Unemployment from the construction industry was up 77.3% between July 2008 and July 2009.

A Cooperative in Portugal will next week launch internet shopping. Customers will be able to order their groceries on-line and have them delivered to their homes, with a minimum order value of €25 . The website is here, but it is not functioning yet : www.coopbeja.com I will be looking again on Tuesday, to see if they deliver to Madeira, but somehow I think not. Anyway, it’s a good sign (perhaps) of things to come.

‘Portuguese Economy Should Contract 4% – The estimates of Standard & Poor are not very cheering for the national economy’. The ‘rating’ agency also said the economy would contract 1.2% in 2010, owing to the continuing effects of the financial crisis and weaknesses at home. The report stresses that external competiveness is particularly weak, that levels of investment are stagnant, and that the private sector is highly geared. Well I need a new TV, so that might help a bit, and the freezer broke last down month too, but that will have to wait until I can pluck up the courage to look inside. Anyway, I wouldn’t take much notice of anything produced by a company called ‘Standard & Poor’, as if it was any good at what it was doing it wouldn’t be ‘standard’ or even worse ‘poor’, now would it? I am think of starting a new venture next week, along the same lines, writing reports about country’s economies and finances, the name I have in mind is ‘Jolly Decent Yet Far From Rich’, and I reckon I can have S & P out of business in a month. Anyway, I just rolled the dice, and I predict the Portuguese economy will grow 18% next year (6 + 6 = 12, then a free roll for a double, 1 + 3). If you need a forecast for your favourite economy, drop me a line and you can have a special blog readers discount. I can only do positive forecasts mind, as I don’t have any dice with negative spots, so Americans, Brits and Spaniards, you are unfortunately beyond help.

No politics today, as I just can’t take any more!!!!!

(22nd September). Today’s main news headline : ‘Region Refuses To Pay President ‘Do MAR’ – Óscar Gonçalves went yesterday to complain to the Madeira executive, and to the representative of the republic’. It’s a new battle between Madeira and Lisbon. This time due to the International Shipping Register of Madeira (MAR), and the choice of Oscar Gonçalves to chair the MAR Technical Commission. Normally it is the role of the Government of the Republic to nominate the president of the Technical Commission of MAR, but obtaining the agreement of the Madeira government as a matter of unwritten protocol. However, Óscar is little known in the world of shipping, but a well known collaborator of the socialist party PS-Madeira, and the government (PSD) here complained that it had not been consulted about his appointment in May, as had been customary in the past. As a result the government here have refused to pay his salary, as well as restricted his movements outside of Madeira. They argue that he is not qualified to carry out inspections and surveys for vessels registered with MAR, which they say is one of the legal requirements. The matter is now in the hands of the appropriate authorities in Lisbon. MAR has 157 commercial vessels registered, 14 of which are passenger ships.

‘Robberies In Garajau And On The Levada Dos Tornos – Youths steal the cash register and have the police waiting when they arrive home. Couple robbed at knifepoint in Camacha’. The first story is about a Café / Bar called ‘Brites’ in Garajau, that was robbed at around 4 am yesterday morning, when 2 young men smashed the shop front glass window, and took the cash register, containing just some change. The two robbers, who were regular customers in the bar, took the till to a car park to open it, where they were caught on video camera in the act, along with the registration plate of their car. Police were able to identify the owner of the car, the mother of one of the men, and when they arrived home the police were there waiting. They were taken back to the crime scene, where they apologised to the owner, returned the stolen money, and offered to pay for the damage caused, which included the €400 cash till, the broken window, an aquarium, and a fridge. It is possible that that the same two men had also tried to break into a bar in Cristo Rei, hurling a rock at the front window, which didn’t shatter as it was double glazed, but caused around €200 worth of damage all the same. The sophistication of the crimes and the intelligence of the criminals of Madeira never ceases to amaze me, and once again the police do a great job in cleaning up the mess. I have no idea whether the men involved here were charged, but often an apology to the owner and the payment of the losses and damages suffices, showing the forgiving and kind hearted nature of people here. Personally I would have wanted them strung up if they had done that to me, but there again there are men who have committed far greater crimes but still legally walk our streets. PS Dare not mention who for fear of reprisals.

The other story sounds much more serious, as two German tourists were robbed at knifepoint on the Levada dos Tornos, in the zone of Vale Paraíso, Camacha. He surprised the couple, and demanded the valuables that they were carrying. He stole the rucksack and about €100, but apart from being shocked, the couple were unharmed. The rucksack was later recovered by police, less the money. The police have a description of the suspect and are conducting investigations. I hate doing these stories more than anything, as levadas are supposed to be such safe and peaceful places … and of course still are. The police normally catch these thugs, but it’s best to be aware that there are occasionally problems in just one or two places. How people will obtain such information after next week I don’t know, but I hope they can ask at hotels or go on accompanied tours, or at least find out about any risky areas from somewhere.

’36 From The Savoy Refute Dismissal – The case started yesterday in court’. The collective dismissal of staff from the now closed Savoy Hotel in Funchal is in court, with 36 workers challenging the SIET Savoy Group decision to dismiss them. Their aim is to reverse the decision, and guarantee themselves future employment. The trade union representing the workers said it was the only option open to them once negotiations with the employer had failed. Win and they have their jobs back, lose and they will be entitled to compensation based on length of service. Many of the 99 workers have already accepted the termination and compensation package offered, when the hotel closed to be demolished, to make way for a new Savoy Hotel.

After yesterday’s story about the school of in São Martinho (Funchal) that failed to be ready on time because of building problems, it seems that São Martinho kids are stricken with bad luck, or good luck depending on the point of view. ‘Lombada School in São Martinho Fails To Open At The Start Of The School Year – A lack of staff has left parents and students at the school gate’. They turned up, but that’s as far as they got, as the school remained closed when staff didn’t turn up. The situation caught some parents off guard, along with 250 kids, even though there had been some communications about potential problems. Teachers weren’t lacking, except for the maths teacher, but one cleaning lady was on holiday, one was transferred, and the other one remaining refused to work alone. The knock on from that is that the catering staff and auxiliaries didn’t then turn up for work for fear of being put on cleaning duties. According to the government Education Department the situation has been resolved and the school is now fully operational. It wouldn’t happen in the private sector for sure, and if I had been in charge I would have had those parents in scrubbing the floors and doing the cooking, and sent the non-teaching staff off to meet those ex-Savoy Hotel workers.

‘Erasmus’ Sent Away 117 Madeiran Students In 6 Years’. The programme, according to funding available, allows students at Madeira University to study abroad. The scheme is growing in popularity, but as there is no specific funding for the purpose, applications depend on the general funding of UMa being able to support the applications received. The programme has proved particularly popular for students in physical education and in languages, with the countries most selected being Slovenia (23), Spain (32) and the Czech Republic (32).

Bit of a school theme going today, so here’s another : ‘Gripe A : Teachers “are not a priority risk group”. Contingency plans against the H1N1 swine flu virus in schools caught the attention of the Teachers Union of Madeira, this week. Coordinator Marilia Azevedo regretted the fact that the infection prevention plans have been made only with students in mind. A spokesman for the matter (I have no idea where from), said that the health services and Regional Secretary for Education and Culture had been working together for some time, “[teachers] are not a priority risk group in particular, as the groups that are in contact with the sick are health professionals. I do not see that there needs to be a special scenario for teachers”. What gobsmacking incompetence, as infected teachers are as much of a problem as infected children to start with, but absent teachers cause a different problem altogether, and without them to control the children, the risk of cross infection is highly elevated. Just imagine if one infected teacher in the weekly staff meeting infects the whole teaching staff group … chaos!

’224 Citizens Of Funchal Try Out The Services Of Horários do Funchal For Free – Bruno Pereira, vice-president of Funchal Council will be one of the participants’. The famous yellow bus company of Funchal wants to attract new customers to its regular services of public transport. With this objective in mind the company yesterday started the week with a promotional project ‘Ad personam’. Under the initiative, which is part of a wider European action called ‘Intelligent Energy of Europe’, over 224 people aged between 18 and 60 years can travel free for a week on the bus network of Horários. The lucky 224 were selected from 805 respondents to a survey undertaken in May, and addition to this weeks freebie, will be able to obtain discounted bus travel for the rest of the year through a monthly pass.

The headline I thought I would never see : ‘Marina At Lugar de Baixo Reopens – It will open, but not for boats to moor there’. No firm date has been set, but it is virtually certain that the marina infrastructure will reopen to the public sometime this year, with boats allowed back in shortly after the Winter. Clean up work is still ongoing, including partial clearing of a cliff face. The badly damaged car park has been demolished, and will not be rebuilt, but other parking is available. I can hardly wait for Uncle Bertie’s reinauguration (right!), and to go and enjoy the swimming pool and tennis court, or even just taking a coffee there. I have never tried hard-hat swimming before, but I presume I will need a strap-on-version, as well chastity-belt type swimming trunks. As for the coffee, will the café staff be trained to ask “will it be one lump or two?”

The sport / football headline : ‘Cup Takes Marítimo To The Azores’. Our team travels to Santa Clara to play on the 18th October, in the 3rd round of the Portugal Cup. Nacional will go to the north of Portugal to take on Varzim. Both opponents play in the Liga Honra (the 2nd highest level), and so should not in theory present too much of a challenge. There are still other teams from Madeira left in the cup, but as there are no big name opponents involved, I will leave it there.

Work on the new cemetery in Caniçal has been halted for three weeks. A digger started work, but after a couple of days was taken away. The main problem is with expropriations, or compulsory land purchases. The €1m project wasn’t in the council work programme for the current mandate, but the decision was made to proceed urgently because the existing cemetery is absolutely full. Aside from the purchase of land, how can a cemetery cost anything like €1 million to build? Aside from some ground levelling and boundary walls, what else is there. Will it be fully equipped with ready-to-wear tombs and blank gravestones, or am I just out of touch with today’s cemetery construction prices?

(15th September). Today’s main news headline : ‘Câmara Loses Revenue – Funchal council charged tax to the Pestana Hotel Group at the start of an unconstitutional regulation. As a result, 15 years after, it is forced to return 255 thousand Euros’. It’s an old case, dating back to December 1994, when the boss of the Pestana Group was told that the câmara had determined the payment for council tax had been established at over €255,000 for the division of lots at the site of Quinta Leacock. The local authority considered that such a fee was payable under the Regulations of Fees and Licenses, passed by the council on 9th May 1994. The Pestana Group argued that the site, intended for the construction of the ‘Pestana Village’, was exempt from the regulations, and first appealed to the courts in 1996. From there it gets complicated and detailed, but in a nutshell, 13 years after the initial court case, the Pestana Group has now won its battle, and is now free to recover the payment which should never have been made.

Today’s main front page photo shows a concerned lady pointing up at the scenic rock face in front of her : ‘Houses And Road At Risk In Madalena – The report of LREC confirmed the evident signs of ‘instability’ in the rock face’. A cliff face with obvious signs of instability is causing concern in Madalena do Mar. It’s the part between sítios da Palmeira (above) and Banda d`Além (below) in the general area of the bathing complex to the west. It is causing particular concern, as in the event of a collapse, the buildings above could also be sent plummeting. The findings are revealed in a report by the Regional Laboratory of Civil Engineering (LREC), who were on site to assess the conditions of the problem area located slightly ahead of the mouth of the tunnel that leads to Calheta, almost opposite the access ramp to the local beach. A spokesman from Ponta do Sol council tries to reduce the fears saying that "the opinion is just a warning. There is nothing [danger] imminent". However, the council is working with a housing organisation "trying to find alternative space" for residents in the danger zone, because says the council president, "perhaps not to do ‘the devil contrives’ and we have there another problem in our hands" (as a rule, I try and avoid translating such sayings or expressions). The assessment by LREC was triggered by an application for a building permit for a block of 12 apartments, an application that was understandably refused in the circumstances. Amongst the recommendations of the LREC to stabilise the rock face are dynamic barriers, high strength mesh, and where possible steel and concrete reinforcement, as well as the building of a wall lower down to retain falling rocks. The report also warns of the danger of carrying out the costly work, which in itself might trigger some problems, and the dangers of continuing erosion through atmospheric conditions. Rui Marques, council president, who is a qualified engineer, believes that the LREC report is "just a warning of the possibility and not an imminent situation. The opinion is more about prevention, with care needed not to scare people", he said.

’87% Of Candidates Get Placements In The First Phase Of Higher Education – Just 187 Madeiran students didn’t get through’. It is the lowest number in recent years, with only 187 students not placed in the first stage of the competition for access to Higher Education. 87% of the candidates who competed on Madeira for a place in the Portuguese universities were selected. Until this Friday, the 187 students who were not placed in the first round of applications, can still compete for vacancies that remained unfilled.

Today’s sport headline : ‘Award For Dinis – The awards ‘Diário / Powerade’ will be delivered today, distinguishing also the dedication of Dinis Aveiro to regional sport’. A posthumous ‘career award’ is to be made to Dinis, for his contribution to sport on Madeira, and in particular his club ‘CF Andorinha’. Always the last to leave after training, putting away the equipment, always with a smile, and an urge to monkey around, he was a true example of dedication and love for his football club. Then at the weekend, he was always off to watch his football team Marítimo. Not a name many readers will recognise for sure, but you might of heard of his son, Cristiano Ronaldo.

A group of mothers from Câmara de Lobos are threatening to stop their kids going to school, because despite living some way away from the school their children attend, they are not able to receive subsidised but passes. Yesterday morning, the group tried to get a reaction from the school and the Department for Education and Culture, but without success, and now they threaten that their children, aged between 10 and 15, will not go to school unless there is a solution to the problem. The golden rule seems to be ‘one kilometre’ away to qualify for a subsidised bus pass (normally costing €43 a month in this case), but it seems that schools have some say in the matter, taking into account distance, roads [existence?], and even steep slopes. With ‘back to school’ next week, and elections that following Sunday, probably something will be done very quickly to pacify matters and keep the voters happy.

‘Serra d’ Água Will Be A Mini European City’. President Jardim highlighted the "notable unban regeneration" in Serra d’ Água in recent years, during the inauguration of the new plaza (pictured) and public park of the parish. Alberto João Jardim went as far as to compare the location within the region of Ribeira Brava to "any well developed small town in Europe". The parish is now equipped with a multifunctional space especially designed for leisure and entertainment, with an amphitheatre, a playground, a bar with a terrace, and an underground car park of two floors with the capacity for 59 cars. €1.7 million has been spent, and further investment is promised.

‘The number of cancer patients has increased’. Following yesterday’s headline in the Diário about the lack of resources and conditions for cancer patients attending hospital in Funchal, with some having to go private for scans, the Regional Secretary for Social Affairs assures that the prevention of cancer, early diagnosis, and treatment of cancer patients, are priorities of the Madeira Government. However, it is also true that "the number of patients with cancer has been increasing alarmingly". He assures that works are planned to expand, and points out the recently opened Radiation Therapy Centre, and also the new centre for the Volunteers of the Portuguese League Against Cancer. The Secretary states that the situation will change substantially after the expansion work in the Department of Hemato-Oncology. At that time, there will be a ‘Unit for Pain’, as well as better equipment to make diagnostic tests.

(5th September). ‘Community Funding Diverted – The budget that should be applied in the restoration of a levada was used for other purposes. AJAMPS already resolved the matter, but the illegal practice is being investigated’. The Association Of Young Farmers Of Madeira and Porto Santo (AJAMPS) used money allocated for the restoration of a levada in Porto da Cruz to pay current expenses. The money was funding provided by the EU specifically for the levada project, and the association almost lost the right to apply for future funding through its actions, and had to turn to the bank for help in correcting the situation. What was even worse that the restoration work was done and the company was not paid the €175,000 owed (not at the time anyway). Diverting and misuse of European funding, whatever next! What on earth would Uncle Bertie think of such an action, diverting funding, not paying suppliers, then trying to conceal the action. At least we have a government here that these naughty young farmers can use as a role model.

‘Under 23′ Pass Doesn’t Come To Madeira – The students in higher education have, since the beginning of the month, a reduction of 50% on the cost of public transport. But only on the continent’. A bus pass from a rural zone to the University of Madeira costs up to €160 (per month) without any discount. From 1st September higher education students are allowed 50% discount on their bus travel in Portugal, but here on Madeira, the measure has not been applied, at least for now. The students will continue to receive a 25% rebate through an Academic Association. According to Luís Eduardo Nicolau, the president of the Association, there have been no answers. "We called the (bus company) ‘Horários do Funchal’ and they said they knew nothing about it. The students of Madeira are again in no man’s land". The government of Madeira is talking of discrimination. From the viewpoint of the regional government, this difference is a clear discrimination for the students of the Azores and Madeira, not to mention those studying at smaller universities in in the country, at least that is the opinion of Francisco Fernandes, the regional secretary for Education.

‘Exhibition Teaches to ‘Overcome Fears’ – The ‘BD’ raises awareness for the objectives of the United Nations’. The cartoon strip exhibition, that opens next month, called "Overcoming The Fears", is a ‘journey’ through the eight Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations that are planned to be completed by 2015. The exhibition has already been in some major venues in Portugal, and now comes to Funchal. The exhibition, a national initiative of the Portuguese Institute for Development Support of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, will be inaugurated on Wednesday October 7th, at 6 pm at the Electricity Museum (Casa da Luz) in Funchal, staying open to the public until 31st October. The Millennium Development Goals were established in September 2000 between the Heads of State and Governments from 189 countries, including Portugal. The meeting took place at the United Nations, resulting in the signing of the Millennium Declaration. The countries present committed themselves to fighting poverty and hunger, gender inequality, environmental degradation, and HIV / AIDS. The assembly also committed to improving access to education, health care and drinking water. The agreed eight Millennium Development Goals were to be achieved by 2015. I wonder why it has taken 9 years to deliver this information to us in Madeira, with only 6 years left I am thinking this might not work out as expected, and what are these ‘fears’ I wonder?

The sports / football headline : ‘Compelled To Win ‘Doing Without’ Benefits – The national squad of Portuguese football just want to win the great prize : to be in the World Cup’. I can’t find this story online yet, but will return to it later if it crops up.

Our local sides don’t play this weekend, as Portugal are playing Denmark in a critical World up qualifying game. That’s on TVI channel 4 at 7 pm tonight.

Petrol and diesel will both drop 1 cêntimo per litre in price on Monday.

UPDATES :

‘Bad Weather Interferes In August – Entrances in the swimming complexes in Funchal decreased compared to 2008′. The number of entrance tickets sold diminished in the facilities in Funchal managed by FrenteMar in August, with the bad weather during the final fortnight of the month blamed. Sales were up until 22nd August, but from 23rd to the 31st there was a "rampant descent" in sales. Last year 100,637 tickets were sold in August, but this year it was down to 97,823. The Lido complex was the most popular as always, with 51,033 tickets sold. I don’t remember any bad weather, a couple of cloudy days at worst. It’s not rained over my way for a couple of months, unless I was hibernating.

‘Security Of Hiper Sã Catches Thief With €5,000′. A 20 year old man was caught trying to escape from the store in São Martinho, whilst in the road, with the money stolen from an employee. The Funchal man had hidden in the store until after closing time, and then around 11.30 pm jumped an employee in the restaurant area who was counting up the days takings. The thief ran into a passer by as he was fleeing, fell, and was then caught and held until the police arrived.

The driver of this car had ‘popped into’ a petrol station in Gaula to ‘fill up’ very early yesterday morning, doing slightly more than the recommended velocity. He also hit a petrol pump before entering the premises.

‘New Roads Inaugurated In Machico And Ponta do Sol’. The road linking the villages of Achada and Fajã dos Rolos, in the parish of Santo da Serra in Machico, will be inaugurated today at 5 pm by the president of the Regional Government, Alberto João Jardim. About an hour and a half later, he will open the road to Levada da Vargem, in Lombada, in Ponta do Sol.

‘Electricity of Madeira Invests €13 Million – Wind energy already represents 6.5% of the total production of the electricity of Madeira’. The region has another wind turbine park in Paul da Serra, with 12 units. It was inaugurated by president Jardim yesterday. Each unit has a potential to generate 850 kW. A spokesman for the electricity company EEM said that two more such parks would be constructed in 2010 with a potential of 15 MW, that will take wind power up to 9.8% of the total of electricity production, with the eventual aim of 30% of production through renewable resources in 2017.

Today’s main news headline : ‘Government Has 130 In Positions Of Trust – The team includes secretaries, directors, presidents of institutes, cabinet chiefs and assistants. Costing €5 million annually just in wages, it has less advisers and more consultants’. The Diário refers to them more or less as the ‘Orange Brigade’. A band of merry men working for president Jardim, ranging from Regional Secretaries (where appointed, rather than elected politicians) to advisors. Alberto João Jardim leads a team equivalent to an infantry company, but with much higher costs, especially since almost all are highly qualified or experienced. It represents a significant fiscal burden to Madeira. In round numbers, over five million Euros per year in salaries, not including allowances, expenses, subsidies, vehicles, and equipment. Those termed purely as ‘advisers’ have been cut from 39 to 14 to save costs in the last year or so, as the treasury could not accommodate all the costs. I can’t imagine why this has come up now, especially so near to election time, but it has been reported before. No doubt some of them are genuine needs, but 130 people (neither politicians or civil servants), for a little island like this. Come on! Every political system has cronies for sure, but this is a little regional autonomy not a state.

The pre-election campaign for the Assembly of the Republic is going to start tomorrow for the PSD social democrats. Candidates will not only start door to door campaigning, but will also be waiting at church entrances. The party is aiming to take 5 of the 6 seats available to Madeira. 

‘Eurozone to grow more strongly – Interest rates stay at their lowest level in the ECB’s 10-year history’. The European Central Bank (ECB) has raised its forecast for economic growth in the Eurozone and kept interest rates on hold at 1%. The head of the bank said there was an expectation that "severe contraction" would now be followed by a period of "stabilisation and gradual recovery". Eurozone rates were cut from 1.25% to a record low of 1% in May this year.