Madeira News Blog

TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Vic … Daybreak over Caniço

From Tobi : "Der this is quite funny, if you click on newer post (bottom left) he has a couple more posts". Cheers Tobi, this blogger is nuttier than other bloggers  I know. GNOME ON MADEIRA

Quite a useful short guide to some of the museums and specialist centres on Madeira, for those with the time and interest. Unfortunately in most cases the locations are not mentioned. STATIC ATTRACTIONS

"Madeira has got to be the world’s wackiest wine. Most folks know madeira as "cooking wine" … bobbing in the Atlantic some 350 miles north of Africa". So I woke up in Spain this morning did I? Got to be the whacky newspaper article of the day DAILY HERALD

Madeira Photo Excursion – Nature Meetings in cooperation with Associação Promoção da Madeira, ACIF with their Chapters of Hoteliers, Photographer’s & Travel Agencies, are organizing on Saturday 21st of November 2009 a Full Day Madeira Photography Excursion.The Autonomous Region of Madeira is one of the best photogenic locations in Europe. For both amateur and professional photographers we offer to combine their visit to Madeira Islands with a Full Day excursion. A professional local photographer will provide photo coaching and guide you to locations helping you take full advantage of the opportunities presents during the excursion. The excursion will set you back €39.50, but includes transport from Funchal and a 3 course lunch. PHOTO EXCURSION

Sócrates Government to focus on development of Autonomous Regions. Directly related to the Azores, the program of Prime Minister José Socrates will also seek to limit the terms in office for regional presidents. Already delivered to Parliament, the program of the 13th constitutional Government states that "the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira represent devolution strategies of great importance to the country". The Government is committed to consolidating autonomy at institutional, economical, social and cultural level. In addition, José Socrates will enforce the law of incompatibility between public office and pluralism of representation at the Legislative Assembly, as stated in the Political-Administrative Statute of Madeira. The Government’s program also plans to introduce limits of office for Regional presidents, and financial effort aimed at convergence in order to contribute to national development and cohesion. I found this on the RTP Azores TV website, and having never seen anything on RTP news written in English, I thought I should mark the occasion. I would argue that the mandate limit is more related (or even targeted) at Madeira rather than the Azores, not that will ever be admitted of course. Unlike Jardim of Madeira, President César of the Azores is a socialist, the same as Sócrates, just so there is absolutely no doubt on the issue.

Many thanks to Elaine for yesterday’s top stories :

CMF give ultimatum to residents of the ‘Edificio Infante’. The Marina Shopping mall owes 1/4 of the building and some shops are thought to have strategically closed before upgrading work has to be paid for in the first quarter of 2010, rather than close due to bankruptcy. The two facades of the building (Avenida Arriaga and Avenida do Mar), terraces and garage fitments need redecorating. The idea is to start the work when the weather improves in the Spring. The condominium administration company are looking for tenders and the next meeting with the residents is at the end of the month. At previous meetings, the residents have rejected the costs despite ‘tireless’ work by some and when works are approved, fund-raising will begin. If the residents still cannot agree then Funchal Council will find a tender and it could be more costly to the residents, so the condominium administrator wants this to be a last resort. The longer the delay, the more expensive it will become, so it is an investment.

Ribeira Brava will have the Emigrant Museum. The proposal was in the electoral program of the Social Democrats and highlighted at the inauguration of the mayor who is starting his final term, and is a former immigrant. It is intended as a tribute to those who go abroad for a brighter future but always remember their ‘roots’ where they were born. Plans are for the museum to be installed in the old health centre, which was the first one in the area.

Signs that Madeira is in economic crisis. In the past nine months, there have been an overall 27% fewer automatic transactions through electronic terminals or ATM machines, a loss of 437 million Euros (1,637 to 1,200) or 1.6 million Euros per day. 30% less through automatic terminals, 23% less using cards, 25% less through ATMs and 42% less international transactions. This penalises local companies and taxes, for example IVA (VAT) and consumption taxes on fuel, alcohol, tobacco, etc.

Quinta do Lorde will raise 7 million in taxes. Machico Council have calculated they will receive 7 million Euros in direct taxes (IMI and IMT) accruing 625,000 Euros in licences/permits and 68,000 Euros in IMI each year. This was one of the arguments they used in a court case filed on July 17 opposing the construction of the resort. They also expect employment for 400 construction workers and 200 jobs created in the future. —- I thought it had been ruled legal and the arguments finally ended.

German resident in Água de Pena accusing neighbour of assault. A 66 year old German, resident since 1977, has filed a court case against a 35 year old Madeiran neighbour. Both residents were in dispute in 2006 over the construction of a house on the Vereda (lane) da Quinta da Lagartixa, which gave access to the German’s residence. There were a dozen subscribers to a petition against the construction but the Council authorized an alternative access to the vereda, which was constructed. The German citizen alleges he was insulted then pushed against a wall resulting in minor injuries and an upset wife. The court hearing has begun today in Santa Cruz.

Community policing in Nazaré works. Recovered a stolen ‘Toshiba’ portable computer worth 1,000 Euros which had been sold for 40 Euros. Case of theft and receiving stolen goods, to pay for drug addiction. The police were on patrol in São Martinho and spotted a man carrying a ‘Toshiba’ laptop identical to one which had been reported as stolen from a house in Nazaré. He could not explain the origin and was the suspected receiver of the laptop. The suspect of the crime is the brother of the victim, referred to as toxicodependent, who admitted selling it for 40 Euros. The laptop has been returned to the rightful owner and legal proceedings will follow.

Sweet potato weighing about eight kilos. From farmland in Água de Pena, Machico.

—– Quite a fertile region for unusual and large vegetables.

Government will spend 10% of the budget on pensions to former MPs. €1.6 million to 52 former MPs. The politicians on the Continent and the Azores lost this ‘privilege’ in 2005 following an amendment which Madeira did not follow. Holding office for not less than 12 years and under 55 years of age, the pension is 4% for each year in office, up to a maximum of 80% of salary.

50% fewer fatal accidents at work. In 2000, there were 10 and only 4 in 2008. A Regional Strategy 2008/11 has been implemented. The ultimate goal is to minimize occupational accidents and illnesses by changing attitudes, behaviours and through training and awareness. The highest number of fatal accidents are in construction, responsible for more than a third, but 7% less in 2006 than 2000.

Police catch a well-known thief after a pursuit. The 40 year old man from Caniçal is known for burglary of rural properties. A neighbour alerted the police that the man was inside a property in Poco do Gil. Realizing that the police had arrived, he fled to land near the football field. The police surrounded him from several sides as he ran through private land and had to be handcuffed for detention at Machico Police Station for identification.

Savoy Group can start building the new hotel. The present Savoy Hotel can be demolished ready for the construction of a new hotel on the Avenida do Infante. The permit should be issued shortly and work begun within six months. The details of the plan for the redevelopment of the Ribeira de São Joao still need approval.

‘Aida Vita’ passenger air-lifted off yesterday. A 77 year old German on the cruise ship was evacuated to Funchal Central Hospital after a suspected cerebrovascular accident (CVA). The ship was about 240 miles west of Madeira and although the area comes under the Ponta Delgada rescue services, a naval ‘Merlin’ helicopter was deployed due to the proximity of the navy in the area.

Madeiran drivers aggressive. A Driving School Instructor said the psychological testing for some applicants for driving licences, if the new law is applied in Madeira next year, should be extended to all drivers. He said most driving is of a good standard but too many drivers are aggressive and lack the maturity and civility needed. Testing would help reduce this number. He outlined in particular the problems with lane discipline on roundabouts. ——- Are there many unemployed psychologists here to carry out testing?

A quick look at today’s front page headlines :

Reoccurring burglaries shake Campanário – Elderly question the law. The Diário got together a group of victims and neighbours to discuss the problem. One lady aged 60 said "But what law is it that we have on Madeira", after being a victim 3 times so far this year. Residents say they are fed up of the burglaries and point the finger of blame on a 23 year old man, a drug addict called Hugo, but the justice system appears to do nothing.

Today’s main news headline : Police Expel Commissioner – Manuel Saldanha was influential in the PSP (Public Security Police) of Madeira. He was a promising official, but he ruined his own career. He was convicted for the practice of a crime of drug trafficking, conduct that led Internal Affairs to dismiss him.

Deadly skid in Rosário. A 34 year old man died from his injuries after his truck went off the road at a bend and hit a wall.

Madeira pays €200 thousand to exhibit art in Lisbon. The regional heritage (collection) is going to be promoted starting 21st November in the National Palace of Ajuda.

The main front page photo today shows a number of elderly football supporters arriving at Madeira Airport : Bilbao brings a thousand supporters and Nacional asks for a full house. "Them coming is helping us to win". The challenge is launched by Nacional coach Manuel Machado. Spanish flight operators fill four charter flights. The game is live on SportTV1 around 8 pm tonight. Last chance saloon methinks, so good luck lads!

In politics : New president changes the locks – The drastic measure of Rui Moisés motivates the opposition to ask if the local authority was burgled. The new president of Santana Câmara took the measure as one of his first acts after taking command. He says that is something "normal for one who is new in post" and "it is not a lack of confidence in anyone". Knowing the level of corruption that goes on in politics here, I think I would have done the same thing, and used the exact same excuses.

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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!!!!!

(20th September). Today’s main news headline : ‘Penal Reform Takes 87 Out Of Jail – The prison population on Madeira decreased by 23% since the new law came into effect, in 2007′. Before the reform law we had 385 prisoners, but today it is less than 300. As a result of the new Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure, effective from 15th September 2007, the number of inmates has been reduced significantly. In those days there were two prisons, but the one in Viveiros closed in May, leaving just the jail in Cancela. Much of the change has been in the remand system, with those awaiting criminal action more likely to be subject to reporting restrictions, or to wear an ‘electronic bracelet’ for tagging. Women prisoners in particular are very few, with the current number not even in double figures, mostly for drug trafficking. The objectives set for Portugal to reduce its prison population have been met. It was just a decade ago that Portugal was mentioned in international reports to have a shameful rate of pre-trial detention. I was quite concerned for a brief moment with that headline, I thought loads of criminals and drug dealers had suddenly hit the streets, which I suppose they have, but not all today in one go.

‘Donation Of Bodies To Science Doesn’t Do Well – They lack bodies for dissection. Because of that, they have resorted to using animal organs in the Anatomy classes’. Anatomy students at the University of Madeira (UMa) are having to use models and pig organs for their practical studies, through a shortage of human bodies ‘donated to science’. A law has been in place for 10 years to allow the use of donated bodies, but the Portuguese nationwide haven’t taken to the practice, leaving our future doctors with a reduced degree of experience and knowledge. What they have also is the right to use bodies that are not claimed by the families, but since the UMa course started in 2004, that has not happened, nor have there been any donations. One suggestion is that students be allowed to attend autopsy procedures, whether for legal or clinical reasons. "It would be good if people could understand the importance of donating a body to science," says Isabel Torres of UMa. "Having cadavers for dissection would be an asset to the course and a very positive experience for the future performance of doctors", she added. 

‘Madeira Spends More On Students – ‘Profs’ lead Madeira to spend more’. Each student is going to cost the regional budget €7,858 a year, compared to a national average of €4,772. Each student costs more than the national average, with an average 8.2 students per teacher, and a greater range of school activities. The European average ratio is 15 students per teacher. The average cost is even higher than the average of OECD countries when it comes to second cycle children. Education expenditure on Madeira represents 27.5% of the total budget, compared to 14.8% in Portugal, 21.8% in the Azores, and 12.9% in the other OECD countries. Madeira has a budget of €443 million to pay for education, on the face of it much more than the €386 million it theoretically needs, but there are many other non-educational expenses to be met, such as feeding the children and school transportation. Teachers salaries alone amount to €281 million, with the more experienced (15 years) earning €24,911, three times more than those just starting out.

Sport has the big front page photo today, and the the lions share of the space, with several headlines. It shows a rather impressive photo of an airborne rally car : ‘Assault’ To The Regional Of Rallies Postpones The Awarding Of The Title – Miguel Nunes won the C.D. Nacional Rally and has a one point lead over Alexandre Camacho’. The result in the Madeira Coral Rally Championship now takes the deciding of the final placings to the rally in Faial on 24th and 25th October.

‘João Rodrigues Wins The World Cup’. This is a Madeiran in a sailing competition, who won the silver medal yesterday in the ISAF World Cup, but over 7 races was the overall winner. Yesterday’s event took place at Weymouth, England, the venue for the 2012 Olympic Regattas.

‘Today Is The Derby. It is one of those "more relaxed" games, assures the president of Marítimo in an interview with the Diário’. He is either joking or mad. We will see in a few hours.

‘FC Porto Lose In Braga’ … I didn’t see that one coming! That leaves Braga clear at the top of the table after 5 straight wins after their 1 – 0 victory.

‘Francisco Lobato Wins First Stage Of The Transat 6,50 – The Portuguese sailor leads in the series craft, the French prototype of Bertrand Delesne was the first to arrive at Funchal’. Lobato finished the first leg of the ‘Transat 6.50′ race as first in its class, in ‘Roff TMN’, arriving in Funchal at 3.45 pm, almost 2 hours after the French boat ‘Entreprendre Durablement’. The other 47 boats are expected over the next few days.

Caniço is the featured ‘parish’ of the week in the Diário series, though I could swear it has already been done. ‘Much Construction And Few Green Spaces – A police station and fire station head the list of things lacking for those who live there’. When he left Caniço the landscape of the parish "was pure tababeira and fig", but after 52 years living in Venezuela Luis Soares returned to find a quite different Caniço, with more buildings, more streets, and better living conditions for the residents. The good climate, proximity to Funchal, and housing at an affordable price, caused many Madeirans to chose to move to this town near Santa Cruz. The population growth has brought "some disappointment" (it doubled in 4 years). The population count in the last census in 2001 was 11,586, but is now estimated at 25,000. The people complain of excessive construction and lack of green spaces. Thoughtless architecture and urban chaos are some of the opinions about the city of "concrete boxes".

Coincidently, this was in yesterday’s Jornal da Madeira : ‘City Park In Caniço – Câmara of Santa Cruz still has a plan for the the enlargement of the pier’. The council is going to build the park in Caniço, and also in the plan is a nursing home, an auditorium, upgrading of Largo da Achada, restoration of the old church in Camacha, a school in Caniço, a civic centre in Achada de Gaula, enlargement of the harbour area, and construction of a new nursery, a building of shared services in Santa Cruz, and in Santo da Serra plans for the agricultural market and civic centre. The list goes on … and on, but I don’t recall any mention of police and fire stations in Caniço.

The photo shows president Jardim and his sidekick, the president of Funchal Câmara, at the inauguration of the new stretch of cycle path at Estrada Monumental yesterday. Jardim livened up the event with a speech that the Diário refers to as "Down with fascism", and again Jardim claimed that Madeira was the victim of all and sundry, run by outsiders. He also has a go at the police for not doing what he thinks is their job "through fear", in dealing with a nearby political campaign by the PND, something he may come to regret me thinks.

There is an email scam going on, with many people being sent a fictitious debt purportedly coming from Portugal Telecom. If you receive something that looks like this, just delete it.

‘Bridge Of Ribeiro Seco Reopens Tomorrow’. The bridge at Engenho do Mel in Funchal will reopen early tomorrow morning, after demolition arising from the construction work on the new via expresso to Funchal Port.

UPDATES :

‘Fatal Accident In Caniço – man aged 34 died instantly’. The accident on the via rápida this morning killed one man and left a woman seriously injured.

Iberojet, part of the Carnival group, has confirmed its intention to make a total of 19 stops on Madeira next Summer with it’s cruise ship ‘Grand Voyager’. The cruise will include weekly port calls in Vigo, Portimão, Casablanca, Arrecife, Las Palmas and Funchal. Funchal will also be a port for passengers to start / finish their cruise (I think?). The first cruise stop here will be on 30th April, 2010. The ship, which is no newcomer here, was built in 2000 in the shipyard Blohm Voss, in Hamburg, Germany. Its tonnage is 24,391, measuring 180.7 meters long and 25.6 meters wide. It can accommodate 922 passengers, and is served by 360 crew members.

‘Jehovahs Witnesses Opt To Not Vote – There are around 1,200 on Madeira, but they believe in the Kingdom of God, and not of men’. "We’re not going to vote for reasons explained in the bible" said a spokesman.

The Diário has been publishing ‘quotes of the day’ from the politicians over the last few days, but nothing very notable so far. I will try a couple today:

"If you want medical assistance and a new hospital, vote for Coelho. If you want football and great stadiums then vote for Dr. João Alberto and Jaime Ramos". – José Manuel Coelho, PND.

"It’s a thrill to be here with you". – José Manuel Rodrigues, CDS, at a dinner with more than 300 women. He also said "I never saw so much beauty concentrated in so little space". Grovelling politicians, don’t you just hate them!

(19th September). This from yesterday’s Jornal da Madeira : "People forgive but don’t forget" – Alberto João Jardim speaks of "rich kids of fascist families". At an inauguration on Friday Jardim talked about the times of fascism, saying that many people here remember what it was like, and now that now they have to put up with the rich kids, the children of the fascists that robbed the people of Madeira, and now they go around spending it and acting like clowns. Who on earth writes this stuff for him? Surely the writer and orator cannot be the one and the same Uncle Bertie … and yet he’s still in Charge?