Madeira News Blog

Today’s Photo Thanks to me … I thought we might have had some presépio (nativity scene) photos in by now, but not much apart from one Tobi sent in a while back. This one is in Hiper Sã in Ribeira Brava.

There is even a second photo today, this one showing the famous Ribeira Brava super-duper coach, the one that cost the council a small fortune a year or so ago, all painted up in a super-duper custom designed livery, which again must have cost a small fortune. There is another just like it also, but smaller. They hardly get used, so there is a problem keeping them parked up for long periods of time, so the council solution is to park this big one here, on the area of hatched-lines, just a few metres from the police station. If anyone else did the same the police would be out with their ticket book and a hefty fine would be issued. The Diário newspaper does a daily photo, sent in by readers, called ‘Em Flagrant’, which pretty much means ‘caught red handed’, and normally it involves stupid drivers, or road signs or something along those lines, but they don’t appear on the Diário website. So I thought (after a suggestion from Sheila) I would start off something similar, as ‘How well do you know Madeira ?’ seems to have died a bit of a death. Any photos or stories please send them to the email address at the bottom of this page.

Some nice ‘city’ photos here, but ignore the first one : MADEIRA PHOTOS

Madeira based artist Sonia von Walter has finished a new painting LADY IN RED … (my description) I like the painting, but hate the song.

Don’t forget that tomorrow is a Portugal public holiday (Restoration of Independence).

The following snippet is from Elaine of the West, many thanks …

(relevant to those of us pontasssolenses and others who enjoy the fun of the fair!)

Giga Park opens soon. From next Thursday the Christmas Giga Park opens to the public in Ponta do Sol. The fair is being set up in the area of future expansion of the village. The 2009 version of Giga Park consists of 11 types of amusements geared towards the younger audience and eight for adults, plus some intended for the whole family. Among the vast array of fun, of note is the return of one of the ‘ex-libris "of the fairs of yesteryear, such as the Pit of Death. Despite being 80 years old, it is a real adventure, challenging the law of gravity on two wheels. The amount of equipment increases daily, but everything should be completed by mid-week. The official opening is scheduled for the evening of Thursday, 3 December. The amusement park will be in Ponta do Sol until 11 January. The enclosure also includes games, raffles, hardware, restaurant and bars, as well as sanitation facilities. The park has an estimated capacity of about three thousand vehicles, and parking is free. Work to level the ground and the erection of structures has been going on constantly for some time. Since the beginning of the month trailers have arrived by sea with material and the amusements, with the last due to arrive in Funchal tomorrow. By Thursday, everything should be ready to go.

Circus with sharks and seals from day 17. A circus environment is part of the range of entertainment of the Giga Park. This is scheduled to debut on the 17th, going on display to the public in the last three and a half weeks of the fair. The Jorge Cardinalli ‘Aqua Show’ includes Pacific Ocean sharks in a tank with 30 litres of water. There will also be Alaskan seals, a show that features clowns, acrobats, magic and, as the old slogan circus says, ‘much more’. From Tuesday to Friday ‘Aqua Show’ plans to present a daily show starting at 21:30. On Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and holidays there will be three sessions: 15.30, 17.30 and 21.30.

and of course from Elaine of the East, with thanks …

750 euro grants do not convince doctors. The Government of the Republic will pay 750 Euros per month grants to junior doctors to relocate to Madeira, the Azores, Alentejo and the Algarve. Some see them as an ‘added value’, others as a ‘prison’. They are a promotion for doctors who want to stay in the region after specialist training but are a risk for others as they need to find a vacancy. If they take posts in the region after training, they have to work here for a few years or pay back the training cost.

Unrepaired road complaints to the Municipality. Whenever it rains with some intensity, the road Caminho da Cova Grande in Amoreirinha, Canhas turns into a muddy swamp and dangerous for pedestrians and cars. Only jeeps and wellington boots can cope with the mud that collects on the flattest areas of the road beyond the initial cemented 100 metres. The water descends from the surrounding serra along with debris which enters homes, especially as there is no storm water drainage system installed in the road. Antonio Joaquim has a garage below the road level and that is the worst part of his house affected. He complained to the Council but still no change, whereas he recalls with nostalgia that in the times of the mayor Antonio Lobo, "Within 15 days, it was cemented." The mayor of Ponta do Sol said he knew of the problem and promised that soon there would be intervention by the Municipality in order to regularize the situation of the rainwater. He confirmed that during the election campaign, which also coincided with days of rain in late September, he passed the site in question and realized the accumulation of water which comes from the serra of Canas. The extension of the cemented path is not justified because it is already up a hill. He says, "Who has a house in the serra should be prepared to deal with these situations."

Chinese citizen goes back to court to ask not to be expelled. Xu Zhiqiang was born in China and in mid-2004 was arrested at the airport by the immigration officials for illegally entering Madeira. Upon orders of a judge, he was forbidden to leave the region and was subject to Terms of Identity and Residency and to periodically report to the Immigration Service (SEF). He was professionally employed in hotel and catering. On 22 October 2009, SEF ordered his expulsion from the country in the next 20 days, for having entered and remained unlawfully in Portugal. Xu Zhiqiang obtained a court injunction arguing the order of SEF has formal and material defects and presented five witnesses. In 2008 he was denied a residence permit on grounds of his illegal entry and he has no legal right to permanency. He said he stayed illegally but was subject to a court order. He said that when he entered into the European area in the year 2004, he had a valid passport and visa. He claims he has lost, among trips made to several EU countries including Spain and Portugal, the passport and relevant visa issued by the Portuguese Embassy in China. This was ignored by the Court of Santa Cruz hence he wants the original conviction reviewed. The whole family is here, socially integrated and he has worked for five years and paid Social Security contributions and IRS. He awaits a decision by the court.

Lights, music and nativity: it is almost Christmas in the municipalities. A round-up of Christmas events staged by the Councils. The tradition still remains for presepios and carols. In Santa Cruz there are initiatives for all tastes. The Council of José Alberto Goncalves promotes several dinners – on December 23 for the elderly and December 29 for University students. Festa in the streets of the county. Camacha monopolizes the festivities, where on the 8th is the opening of the doors of the ‘tenda’ in the parish with traditional musical entertainment until January 18, promoting folklore and regional music. A Market Night (no date yet) and photography competition and the usual municipal crib. In Machico, the municipal crib and lighting start on December 7. On the 20th at the Forum of Machico, there is a Christmas Concert and the next day is the turn of the municipal band and on January 6, Singing of the Kings. As well as the usual lighting and nativity scene, Câmara de Lobos is holding a Market Night at the Estreito de Câmara de Lobos. Sao Vicente’s Market Night is on December 18 and the casas do povo are organizing the municipal crib. On the 23rd at São Vicente, there is a lunch for officials and their children, at a very low entry price. Porto Santo has various initiatives and a dinner for University students. In Funchal, there are endless initiatives. A dinner for 300 employees and celebrations at all the institutions and the 14 community centres. The main attraction is the Market Night.

Forestry grant 16 licences for cutting 1,245 Christmas trees.  The Regional Directorate of Forestry approved 16 applications for cutting trees for sale at Christmas. They are also thinning out trees in forest management for conservation purposes and giving them to public institutions. On November 21 they started monitoring the roads with barriers for illegal collection of material, especially in Ribeira das Cales and Paul da Serra. They also have mobile units to monitor illegal selling of flora and fauna. The problem is not as widespread as ten years ago due to educational programs. They give Christmas materials to charities and the Scouts to sell to raise funds.

Registration of ships guarantees millions in VAT. Twenty years after its creation, the International Shipping Register of Madeira (MAR) provides regional employment and generates IVA and IRC. A company based in the International Business Centre (IBC), which has six oil platforms registered in MAR, invoiced 1,300 million Euros with 291 million profit, as well as giving 60 people employment. With 153 registered ships and an additional 83 recreational boats, it is notable that the number of passenger ships has increased, with 12 cruise ships and 7 ferries. Two of these are large cruise ships and the business generated on board pays tax to Madeira. Large cruise ships carry up to 100,000 passengers and generate 6 million Euros profit per year. It is estimated that the ones registered in Madeira carry more than 200,000 passengers per year which represents daily expenditure on board of 43.7 million Euros. In the IBC there are also more than 30 licensed companies in the sector of maritime transport, which have in turn 50 ships registered in MAR and although they pay a reduced rate of IRC, they also generate revenue. More than 4,000 crew members, 10% Portuguese, work on ships registered in MAR. 80% of vessels registered in MAR have foreign owners. There should be more ships registered next year, not only related to tourism and with high tonnage. There is both a registration fee and maintenance fee, ranging from 1,600 to 37,000 Euros for registration and the highest maintenance paid is 35,000 Euros per year. A pleasure craft for sports pays 500 Euros for both registration and yearly maintenance fees. A commercial pleasure craft pays 1,250 Euros for registration. MAR appoints inspectors of registered vessels, at least 40 inspections per year costing at least 600 Euros per time. Also additional fees for certificates.

Estrada Monumental is the most dangerous road in Madeira. Since 2001, there have been 866 accidents recorded by the police. In the three sections; Ribeira Seco – Lido (282), Lido – Praia Formosa (460) and Praia Formosa – Socorridos (124). This is due to a lot of resident movement and up to 70 coaches per day. There are also trees at the sides of the roads, reducing visibility and many pedestrians in the area. The relief roads in the area should help reduce traffic and accidents. The roads are safer than in the past because of better signalling, lighting, surveillance and asphalt. Most accidents are caused by bad driving habits, 20 – 25% by excess speed and disregard of stopping distances, especially by people going to work. Roundabouts are also the cause of many accidents as people are not used to them and do not know the rules. Most accidents on the fast roads occur in the tunnels, due to bends and less visibility. The Police Commissioner advises people to leave home 15 minutes early to significantly reduce the number of accidents.

Today’s front page news stories from the Diário de Notícias :

Funchal has too small a quay for so many cruise ships – Three cruise ships yesterday occupied all the available mooring space, and that is not unusual. But bigger ships coming more frequently are the future. A recycled story that now comes up every time Funchal port gets overloaded, with the point being correct, but up until now with no solution in sight. I will leave this one for someone else to translate, not wishing to hog all the top stories.

Farmers keen in the wait of award – 50 await answers in Santana for the ‘drag’ of 2 years. "Right now it is very difficult to be a farmer. You can not sell practically anything. Potato prices are a crying shame". This was just one of many pleas heard by the Diário in the wholesale market for fruit and vegetable in Santana, where an information meeting was held for 50 producers yesterday. The meeting was arranged by the Regional Director for Agriculture and Rural Development, and is making it’s way around Madeira. As well as the money due for two years from Lisbon, that has not arrived, the farmers complain about the increasing prices of pesticides and fertilisers, the increased costs of labour, and the plagues of rats and rabbits that ruin the crops. The meeting was called to try and persuade farmers to take out crop insurance, to protect against the risks (fire, lightning strike, and exceptional weather conditions), and that can also be extended to cover farm animals. It seems some farmers were convinced that insurance was a good way to go, with a simple example given of a 1,000 square metre vineyard costing €37.60 a year to insure. 

Today’s top headline : Private firms ‘fine’ on the parking meters – The companies with the concessions dispense with the PSP police in order to save money and the parking tickets they leave on the windscreens. The existing system of the police controlling parking in allocated spaces will be taken on in January 2010 by the ‘franchise’ companies that manage the spaces, in order to save thousand of Euros, and motorists are warned to take extra care not to fall foul of the rules. In effect, the fines issued will become legally recoverable charges, and it seems technically possible that the driver could be hit twice. From what I can understand, the driver, when entering on to an allocated parking space, by that act enters into a legally binding contract with the company responsible for that space. If that driver fails to purchase the correct ticket for the stay, then he becomes liable to pay the daily rate, an amount that will accumulate in the database of the franchise company (referenced by the car registration), and if unsettled will go to legal recourse. The driver will be able to take the ticket to a multibanco (ATM) and make the required payment. I can see loopholes and problems written all over this, but it seems that the system is already well proven to work elsewhere, including in the Azores, where a driver was recently forced to pay nearly €2,000 plus his costs.

Increase in violence hits teachers – Thefts and aggression increased in the last academic year. And the threats to teaching staff become fashionable. The Education Directorate is concerned, but feels that there is too much through the TV and internet. Madeira is catching up with continental Portugal in terms of problems in schools. The PSP police operate a program called ‘Safe School’, and last year through that it has been established that the majority of crimes in schools are violence against the person, with 95 cases, followed by theft (57 cases), and threats and insults (49 cases), vandalism (40), and other crimes are also listed. The news is disappointing, as what was a growing problem saw a marked improvement in the 2007/2008, but has now returned to a growing trend. The Regional Director for Education says that the problem is worrying, but that the school environment in not any more of a problem than the social context outside the school gates. He says that the influences of families ‘that have seen better times’, and TV violence, and images and videos posted on the internet all play a part in the problems in the schools.

Marítimo reduced to ten draw in Restelo – The green-reds were losing 2 – 0. The Madeira team pulled back two goals away at Belenenses to come away with a point.

CR9 was in the chair in the defeat in Barcelona, on the day on which he was nominated for the ‘Golden Ball’. Cristiano Ronaldo and his team Real Madrid lost by one goal to to Barcelona in yesterday’s top game. But who cares about Spanish football?

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If you can, please contribute something Madeira related. A funny story or good or bad experience, a news item, or a story from a Madeira newspaper, a photo or video, a teaser, news of a bargain flight or item in a supermarket. Please help keep this blog going … without user contributions it won’t survive. Please don’t send in automatic translations (like Google translator) without checking them through and correcting them first, thanks.

You can email blog@madeira4u.com with any large contributions and photos / videos.

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Please use the comments here for general chit-chat, or feel free to ask any questions … someone usually has an answer.

(more…)

Today’s Photo : Thanks to Eiryl … the Fountains outside Machico Civic Centre

Yesterday’s top news stories :

Fear and discontent among doctors. Doctors in the region are concerned and dissatisfied with certain situations in the Health Department. This is demonstrated by the growing number of applications for legal help to the Independent Union of Doctors throughout the year. Between 2001 and 2008, there were on average 4 requests per year and the number has soared to nearly 95 this year.  Most complaints are related to salary, working hours, working legally and young doctors enquiring about the new labour code. People are "scared and unhappy" with the current management of SESARAM which is why the number of complaints has increased in the past few months. There is also concern about recruitment of doctors and the lack of career advancement when working in the region. They are meeting with representatives of the Nursing Union to have a concerted action for fighting for better working conditions and health care, as nurses are also "unhappy, worried and discouraged". Family doctors are concerned about new rules that SESARAM want to implement for lists of patients at health centres.The numbers of patients assigned to each doctor will not exceed 1500, to include for each household only the people who most often seek health services. So there will be people of the same family, who because they are healthier, may be excluded from the lists of users of health centres.

More violence and drug abuse this year. So far this year, 780 domestic violence cases (663 last year) and 232 cases of drug crimes (177 last year) reported to the police. The police are also encountering more resistance to arrest, from 11 cases to 28 this year. Overall, reported crime has increased, from 8,641 to 9,139 cases. The crimes on the increase were crimes against property, against the person and bounced cheques. On the decrease were corruption, driving without a licence or under the influence of alcohol, and violence against the elderly or children. There are more cases than last year still waiting to be heard by the Prosecution Services, up from 5,753 to 6,082, of these 135 waiting since 2006 or earlier. Only 13.2% of the cases end in a criminal charge, most of the others are filed due to lack of evidence. In the first half of 2009, the police served 478 warrants, resulting in 260 arrests and 37 individuals escorted to prison under tight security.

More people taking up Occupational Unemployment. This year, 755 people were placed on the Occupational and Unemployed Workers Benefit Program. The unemployed undertake an occupation-related activity and it reinforces the workforce, especially in social institutions, people’s homes, local cultural and sports associations and public administration services. Preference is given to those who have been unemployed longer or belong to social groups more difficult to integrate. It is beneficial as it keeps people employed, they receive an additional allowance and they might be taken on permanently. There are three programs, including one for people over the age of 55 years, some with restrictions on the length of time on the program, and everyone receives at least the minimum wage of 459 Euros.

New church in Jardim da Serra. Cost €2.6 million, of which €1.9 million was from the Government and new land had to be acquired. It occupies an imposing site at the top of a hill in Machico municipality, visible from a distance. Although it has traditional elements, it is based on a new design and has the capacity for 425 worshippers which by the seat / aisle arrangement can be doubled to provide for up to 1,000. The architect has designed seven other churches on the island and three more are in the design stages.

SITAM wants the Church to state its position on Christmas and Sunday opening hours. The Office, Commerce and Services Union wants the Church to help in its negotiations with the Town Hall on the schedule for Christmas trade opening hours to ensure that workers get enough rest days. They are awaiting the Diocese response to a one and a half year old petition against shops opening on Sunday. The Union also proposes a 5% salary increase and this year, there have been 5 or 6 bankruptcies in this sector.

Levada worker died yesterday at work. He was 47 and died after being semi-buried by a landslide of rocks on the Levada da Serra, between Ribeiro Frio and Santa da Serra. He was an employee of a private company and a colleague warned him and could not free him, already unconscious, due to the volume of rocks. The bombeiros (fire brigade) from Santa Cruz had difficulty accessing the area quickly as it is about 4 km from the nearest road and the Emergency Medical Team declared him dead in situ. The Regional Inspectorate of Labour have opened an investigation.

A 63 year old British tourist was rescued by the bombeiros after a  fall in the Levada dos Tornos and had a suspected broken leg. A number of foreign tourists have fallen in this area.

‘Missing Face’ inquiry extends to Madeira. This corruption investigation, ‘Faca Oculta’, based in Lisbon is about Manuel Godinho and the rapid licensing of his waste treatment firms. The network of his firms in the region is being investigated for evidence of corrupt ‘illegal favours’ from Government officials.

Prints of Paula Rego to be exhibited in Prazeres. The prints from galleries in Lisbon and Porto will be at the Galaria dos Prazeres from the 27th November (10 – 13 and 14 – 19 hours). There will be 17 lithographs from this famous Portuguese artist shown in two rooms. Six prints are in the ‘Series of Wine’ and confirm the importance of literature to Paula Rego’s artistry.

Regulatory body ruling on political fairness in broadcasting. The Regulatory Body approved a resolution calling on the insistence of the whole RTP television network to comply with regulations concerning the equal representation of all political parties. The regulations were begun to be broken in 2007.

Atlantic Holidays (Pestana) returns to Porto Santo from May 31 2010. Resumption of direct flights from Gatwick to Porto Santo on Mondays until November 1 2010. The flights will be with Viking Airlines which uses a Boeing 737-300 with a capacity of 148 passengers. This replaces the bankrupt XL Airways. Between 26 July and 31 August, the flights will alter and be from Norwich to Madeira due to the busy domestic tourism period to Porto Santo.

Portugal is the top EU country with a rapidly ageing population. From 1980 to 2008, the percentage of people aged over 65 increased from 11.2% to 17.4%. Following Portugal are Spain, Italy, Germany, Greece and Sweden. Ireland has the youngest population with an average age of 35.1 years. In Portugal, the average is 40.5. It is also below the European average for assistance to families. The birth rate is at a ‘critical level’ of 1.34. —– The EU wants Portugal to reduce the high deficit and debt levels by 2013, so the future does not look good for either Portugal or Madeira.

Used car market. Opens today at Tecnopolo until Sunday 15th. Free entrance. Opening hours are 18.00 to 22.00 and at the weekend from 11.00 to 20.00. There are 200 cars and motorcycles and 15 companies (3 dealers and 12 multi-brand stands) are participating. Some companies also have promotional campaigns to attract customers.

Tivoli Hotel 10th anniversary. The Atlántico Restaurant has been refurbished and is to reopen with capacity for between 550 and 700 diners, one of the largest restaurants on the island. The opening event on the 18th at 19.00 will be attended by Alberto Jardim and there will be different celebratory activities in the following 10 weeks. The hotel has 317 rooms, of which 43 are suites and last year had a 62% occupancy rate which has increased this year.

Many thanks to Elaine, who did all the work today!

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If you can, please contribute something Madeira related. A funny story or good or bad experience, a news item, or a story from a Madeira newspaper, a photo or video, a teaser, news of a bargain flight or item in a supermarket. Please help keep this blog going … without user contributions it won’t survive. 

You can email blog@madeira4u.com with any large contributions and photos / videos.

—————————————————————————————————————————————–

Please use the comments here for general chit-chat, or feel free to ask any questions … someone usually has an answer.

(more…)

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!!!!!