(20th May). It’s hard to believe I know, but Madeira has 632 lawyers / solicitors, one for every 388 people living here. And of course, more lawyers, less things to do. The article came about because the association representing them organised a free legal consultation day to mark ‘Day Of The Lawyer’, but it’s a bit late to act on now.
(20th May). ‘Humour In The Name Of The HAT OF HOPE’. Three if the biggest names in stand-up comedy in Portugal are coming to Madeira. Francisco Menezes, Aldo Lima e Nilton will entertain at the Casino in Funchal on 6th June, to raise funds for the ‘Hat of Hope’ campaign, which runs every year, to help support social institutions on Madeira. As I would guess most readers don’t speak Portuguese, not much point in carrying on with this one.
(20th May). The day’s main headline : ‘Government Dispenses With ‘Heli’ – The monthly support of more than €11,000 was withdrawn because SIRAM asked for a 50% increase’. The helicopter is in ‘free fall’ without government support. During the last 10 years the regional government paid HeliAtlantis €11,000 every month to support the operation of its helicopter. The payment was justified because the privately owned helicopter could be called upon to carry out surveillance, provide emergency assistance where a helicopter was needed, and provide a form of official transport. However the owners SIRAM went to see the Jardim’s representative to say they were reviewing the contract, and the contract was then rescinded. The helicopter which is about to go to Lisbon for an overhaul was due to come back afterwards, but the drop in tourism income coupled with the loss of the contract now makes the operation unviable and it may be that the helicopter will not return.
(20th May). ‘In The Meeting Between Jardim And Marítimo No Ears Were Bent’. Yesterday’s meeting between President Jardim and the management of Marítimo football club, to discuss the rebuilding of the club stadium and plan for the next football season, lasted about two and a half hours. The conclusions of the meeting are to be kept secret, but the president of the club said that there were no ears pulled or pressure applied. “There was a normal conversation that served to shape the future,” he explained, despite the season not being as good as expected, with Marítimo failing to achieve the European placing it wanted.
I know this next story should go in ‘Sports’, but I included it here as it may contrast with the one above.
(20th May). ‘Nacional Ask Jardim For A New Pavilion – They go to Quinta Vigia to challenge the government’. Unlike Marítimo, Nacional have to ask for an audience, and they go cap in hand with a European placing already achieved. That does not entitle the club to any extra favours it seems, and the quest to ask Jardim for support to build a club pavilion may well be a wasted journey. The club want a new pavilion to host gymnastics, indoor football, and karate, as well as other sporting disciplines. No doubt the €47 million the regional government is about to give to Marítimo will get dropped into the conversation somewhere (A public stadium worth €16 million, and a reconstruction contract worth €31 million). If all fails, maybe the €2 million that Benfica are rumoured to be paying Nacional for star striker Nenê might help.
