Madeira News Blog

TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Tobi … "the old lift at Fajã dos Padres, I saw 4 men get out of this when it came up , they must be mad?"

"In the hidden parish and beautiful valley of the town of Curral das Freiras, the traditional chestnut festival goes on. This festival roots back to the 1500’s when the community was built as a parish from pirates – as the story goes! Nevertheless, a community grew as did its use of chestnuts. Chestnut trees flourish in this area, and so, as a tradition, the surpluses of chestnuts are celebrated with special recipes and events". TRADITIONAL RECIPES AND CREATIVE GOURMET

From November 3^rd-7^th, Funchal will hold its first edition of the Madeira Gourmet Festival.

Following on from yesterday’s discussion, I understand that people may not have the confidence to do a news translation, but if one doesn’t try one never knows. If anyone wants to try and translate an article in full or part, (say up to 200 words) and send it to me by email I will be happy to look through it and send it back with any corrections. If there is a big response it may take me a couple of days to get back to you. Obviously I cannot do this every day, although I will do a common sense check and correct basic errors (such as missing accents and spelling errors) before posting, and as I read most of the Diário printed version nearly every day, I know pretty much what the articles are about. Don’t forget to send me the original article in Portuguese as well as a translation though. If using a translation programme, the most popular one is probably GOOGLE, and you can just ‘cut and paste’ the text in, but they all contain quirks and problems and just give a ‘gisted’ translation. Another useful hint may be to open two windows of Google Translator, one to do the full article, and another to get alternatives for individual words to make more appropriate choices. Entering a single word in the translator will bring up a number of alternatives, but only if they exist of course.

Jardim statue rejected – Proposal of the PND led to some exchanges of accusations. Finally, after a year and a half of waiting to be discussed, the proposal of the PND (New Democrats) to erect a statue of Alberto João Jardim was voted on. The PSD social democrats, Jardim’s party, rejected the draft resolution that had the vote of Baltasar Aguiar  of the PND, whilst the rest of the opposition deputies abstained. Jaime Ramos (PSD) said that the proposer of the measure "had no dignity" to suggest such an honour, and he replied that the fact that the draft resolution was being discussed was proof that the will of the parliamentary leader of PSD was not respected. "Sr. Jaime Ramos does not command the deputies (MPs) and does not command the Madeirans. Your word is worth zero", said Aguiar. For the PND member this was proof that "it is possible to play with a regime that for 30 years has played with the Madeirans". After the election antics of both the PSD and PND, well reported on this blog, it looks like the daggers are well out. For sure if the PSD had made such a proposal, the statue of Uncle Bertie would have been complete by now, so my congratulations to the PND for taking this initiative of reverse psychology, that has certainly put an end to any suggestion of such a waste of taxpayers money, at least I expect until 2011, when Jardim is still threatening to stand down. I was watching this performance in the assembly on this mornings news, and this bloke Baltasar is as nutty as the ‘Rabbit’, the man he took over from. Perhaps I should write to the PND and suggest a ‘grassy knoll’ in place of the statue? I wonder what could we call it … ‘Garden of Peace’ perhaps?

TAP will undertake one less flight to Madeira – The measure will be implemented at the end of October. The number of daily flights will reduce from 8 to 7. The company justifies the move on the basis of less demand, but has promised to reinstate the flight over Christmas and New Year. The spokesman for Portugal’s favourite airline said that the company would continue to monitor demand, and reduce or increase the number of flights accordingly. The TAP spokesman’s name is André Soares, which I thought was rather appropriate, or perhaps André Grounded would be better with this news. Hope I am not belittling anyone of that name!

Nacional without fear in Bilbau – Manuel Machado outlines target for today : "win". Nacional play their third group match tonight in the Europa League, away against Athletic Bilbao. The game starts at 6 pm, SportTV 1. Did I already mention that my soon-to-be-pal Manuel, manager of Nacional, is a frequent visitor to Ribeira Brava, and frequents the same establishment as I do. We are on greetings terms already, and I reckon it won’t be long before I will be helping pick the team at weekends.

Other headlines from today’s Diário :

São Roque ceases to have a pharmacy – The closing of the chemists in Penteada, that moved to Santo António causes protests.

Outside seating for all on the Rua Fernão Ornelas – The cafes are going to occupy part of the pavements of the city artery. The other traders agree with the option that actually will run for a period of three months. Funchal council makes the permits conditional to continuing mobility.

Mosquitoes arrive in Caniço despite of the controls.

Worse Summer for hotels closes 75% of ‘beds’ in the Winter – Three hotels in Porto Santo fight the crisis. Also on the island, the new kennels inaugurated this month don’t work.

Other top stories from yesterday’s news, many thanks to Elaine :

Reminder. Sunday October 25th is the start of official Winter time with clocks going back from 2.00 am to 1.00 am.

Risk of death uncovered. More on this story. The picnic area has been opened at Lamaceiros for five years. The area is near a deep levada for the Central Electricity Station, which is just fenced off by open-weave wooden fencing, not enough to prevent children from climbing through and falling in. A little distance away is a reservoir of several metres depth inadequately fenced off by metal railings. There are only warning signs up and a lifesaving-ring. Another danger is a PT mast which is fenced off but the door has been damaged, previously reported and will be repaired later this month. The representatives for the Electricity Board and Porto Moniz Municipality say they have not received complaints, but parents should keep an eye on their children. The future leader of the municipality prefers to keep silent on the subject, as he is not yet elected. According to the law, water tanks and reservoirs must be covered.

Trainers to prevent obesity. The Institute of Health Administration and Social Affairs (IASAÚDE) is to have a three day training course for doctors, nurses and dieticians working in primary care. Entitled  ‘Diet, Physical Activity and Obesity’, the aim is to be able to provide dietary advice to children and adults and prevent childhood obesity by being able to advise on physical activity and emotional aspects of eating behaviours. —–Two conferences for health professionals. One at Reids and one at The Vine hotels!

Gonzalez, former President of the CAPFM Cooperative to pay 400,000 Euros fine. He was leader for the co-operative for fruit producers between 1997 and 2004 and risks having to pay the fine and return to jail. In 2008, he was given a nine year prison sentence and a fine of 100 days at 15 Euros a day for bribery, misuse of subsidized credit, mismanagement, embezzlement and misuse of grant. In June this year, on appeal, the sentence was reduced to five years and a 1000 Euro fine. After disagreements with his previous lawyer, he has now appointed a new one to try and get the prison sentence suspended. He is also to pay 316,000 Euros compensation to the Autonomous Region of Madeira for the misuse of credit for restructuring the banana industry and misuse of EU subsidies to banana producers for non-standard bananas. Compensation of 2 million Euros to CAPFM for ‘frivolous’ investment of money in the stock market without authorization was reduced to 59,000 Euros.

2,000 influenza A vaccinations should arrive by the end of the month. There are presently four confirmed cases, bringing the total to 45 cases since last July. Official advice in Portugal that school children with symptoms of influenza A should spend seven days at home.

Man survives fall of 50 – 60 metres. A man in his 40s was rescued yesterday afternoon in the sítio do Lobo do Velha in Prazeres. He had fallen the previous night around 23.00 and spent the night in the river bed. For an unknown reason, he had decided to walk along a path through the pine forest despite poor visibility and could not see the danger. His family found him and alerted the services the following afternoon. The rescue took from 15.00 to 19.30, involving the Bombeiros, using mountain rescue equipment and the Forestry Police. The Emergency Medical Team gave first aid once the rescuers had reached the nearby road and it was suspected that he had a fractured leg.

PSD ‘barons’ want Jardim to continue. Jardim has previously said he would not continue beyond 2011. Miguel de Sousa says as Jardim is "effective, competent and hardworking" he need not be replaced and this is the general feeling of many of the PSD committee ‘barons’. The President of the Legislative Assembly of Madeira and personal doctor to Jardim, Miguel Mendonca, says that at 65 years of age, Jardim could carry on for another four years.

Madeira goes into debt of up to €50 million. The Government has decided to authorize short-term loans of up to €50 million to meet the requirements of the financial year 2010. They can borrow up to 35% of the revenue collected in the previous year. These have to be repaid by 31 December 2010.  Current revenues do not cover operating costs of the Government.

In the first nine months of this year, tax revenues fell 13.4% from last year, contributing to a decline of 12.8% of total revenue. Tax revenues account for 88.3% of total revenue, and the drop is due to declines in income and corporation tax and VAT.

New ‘DeBorla’ shop opening on Friday. Promoted as the ‘biggest store of utilities in the country’ with competitive prices. Items for decoration, kitchen, textiles, health, plastics, travel, DIY, pet shop, fishing, sports, beach, camping, gardening, electrical, school supplies, car accessories and toys will  be on sale in the new 2,000 square metre shop in Cancela. Inaugurated by Jardim on Thursday at 18.00 and open to the public from Friday and everyday from 10.00 to 20.00. The group has been trading since 1999 and has 19 other stores in Portugal and the Azores. —– It is part of the Brandimport building which is a drinks storage depot, on the Estrada do Garajau, near the slip road to the expressway to Funchal. I shall of course be paying a visit. De Borla = free, but somehow I don’t think so. Der

Reminder that the ‘Market Opportunities’ in Avenida Arriaga, Funchal opens Friday at 16.30  and will run until 29 October. 49 stalls of clothing, footwear, furnishings etc. at more attractive prices than in the shops.

ACIF are planning Christmas Exponatal 2009 where you receive a voucher for each 20 Euros or more spent on an item  in a participating store and the raffle is drawn at the traditional market night on 23rd. December. Prizes are a car and a shopping basket containing 50 Euros worth of goods.

Funchal might have a fairground park in Almirante Reis, near the Monte cable car for Christmas.

Wines&Spirits Madeira 2009 will have over 300 wines. More than 50 wine producers and over 300 wines at the event. Recognized chefs from hotels in Madeira and the Continent will give demonstrations. Workshops on cooking with oil, chocolate, coffee and wine tasting. It is held from Friday, 6 November – Sunday, 8 November at the Congress Centre, Casino Park Hotel, from 15.00 to 21.00.

"Portugal still aimlessly in debt, without competitive ability and widespread unemployment". Due to re-elections of the Socialist Party in Portugal, according to Tranquada Gomes, deputy of  the PSD. In contrast, the PSD in Madeira investing in large projects is "an elixir of redeeming all our ills," but the big question relates to our ability to pay interest on the debt incurred.

The PSD had a protest vote against the Regional Commander of the PSP for not acting enough during the pre-election disturbances. The opposing political parties expressed themselves against the vote, Joao Gouveia (PS) saying that "what the PND did in the election campaign was commendable" and the PCP left the chamber during discussions of the vote. Special news on the police command, probably tomorrow … don’t miss it! Der

Regional Finance Law revision passed. There was a surprise when the PS voted for the bill to revise the law. The original law was passed in 2007 and during 2007 and 2009, it is thought to have lost  Madeira 200 million Euros. The law concerns the transfer of money from the Portugal state to Madeira and the Azores.

People walking and jogging in the new cycle path. Complaint in Diário Cidade on Tuesday. Despite a large enough pedestrian area by it. —- Tourists are included in the complaint. Is it well sign-posted and do the cyclists use it?

Inaugurations by Jardim are still in need of  work. A week and a half after the elections, D. Cidade have noticed some projects inaugurated by Jardim in Funchal and Câmara de Lobos still needing intervention.  In two months, he carried out 60 inaugurations costing 215 million Euros, for his election campaign. Examples are the Avenida do Amparo linking Cota 200 to Estrada Monumental, and the Porto do Funchal / via-rápida link tunnel.

Quercus complain that the expansion of the power station will start before environmental impact is known. The environmental group admit the need for an increase in power production but work should not begin in defiance of the law. The station is Vitoria, near the mouth of the Ribeira dos Socorridos.

Travel news. TAP will fly one less flight per day from Madeira, from the end of October, except over Christmas and New Year. There might be a weekly flight to Estonia. Sorry Elaine, slight overlap there! Der

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(23rd September). Today’s main news headline and front page photo today shows an apartment block with road works underway out front : ‘Rushed Works Cause Damage – The inaugurations require the exceptional works to continue ‘out of hours’, and that causes noise, damage, and complaints’. The rush to finish the works causes bother, and in the end they work out more expensive. The overtime and extra money is nice for those who benefit, but working at ‘full gas’ has it’s risks. In Amparo (Funchal), the rush to complete work on the new link road between the Estrada Monumental and Nazaré, means men and machines working around the clock in the hope that the road can be inaugurated in time for the elections. The people of Piornais are losing sleep because of the situation, but there is no record of any authorisation of the extended working hours through the proper government channels. There is not even a special ‘noise permit’ granted, as is necessary when working during unsociable hours, nor even any sign of an application for one. Last night the works caused a electricity ‘blackout’ in the area between 8 pm and 9.30 pm. The electricity company said it was nothing to do with them, and the suspects are the contractors working in Piornais. As well as problems for the local population, hotels and businesses have also been affected. The works at Ribeiro Seco (port access) are also cited as causing local problems. The Diário also points out that in similar circumstances, just before the regional elections of 2007, two construction workers were killed at work. For the construction industry, according to a trade union spokesman, Madeira is the most profitable place to be in Portugal at the moment, but warns of the dangers of using workers who are tired and have little time for rest. "When working within very tight deadlines it increases the risk of accidents", he adds.

‘Police officer Assaulted By The People In Caniçal – The violence coincides with the criticism made by Jardim towards the police. The ASPP trade union protests "indignation" for the lack of respect’. The officer, who was on traffic duty, went to hospital with a fractured toe and / or a serious foot injury, after the assault on Sunday night, which occurred during the gathering for Nossa Senhora da Piedade when he intervened in a quarrel. The incident happened just hours after president Jardim had criticised police for not intervening during a political event which disturbed his inauguration of the new cycle path in Funchal. Jardim’s words have infuriated the trade union representing the police, with a spokesman saying that it is not acceptable for a political leader to ‘tarnish’ the institution of his own police force. "When a politician does not respect the PSP, people are also legitimised to disrespect the police," said the TU bloke. "These people are the first to throw the stones, and the last to give us a hand" he said, adding that he was "very angry" with the statement of the President. Jardim accused the PSP of not upholding the law and limiting itself to issuing parking tickets. What Jardim said deserves to get him in trouble, as I for one know that the PSP generally do a good job, but to link what he said with the trouble in Caniçal is just plain stupid and asking for more trouble. I often say that Jardim does little of use and says stupid things, but that doesn’t incite blog readers into nipping out and giving Uncle Bertie a bit of a kicking (you don’t do you?).

‘Câmara Finished With Containers In São Martinho’. The council ‘dumps’ the two companies that had set up on dubious sites. In a situation that has dragged on for some months, Funchal Council has guaranteed that the matter is on the brink of being resolved. The issue involved a piece of land on the west side and adjoining the cemetery in São Martinho, brought by Funchal Council many years ago to enable the means of expanding the cemetery itself. Two (GRP) shipping container companies located there have been bothering local residents by parking trucks on the nearby road. The two companies were ordered some time ago to leave the site, which they had no right to occupy, but nothing happened. The council has now passed a new resolution to deal with the matter, and this time if the warning does not work the police will be called in to enforce the situation. Once the site it cleared, it will be sealed off to prevent future problems.

‘Stop … Gripe A’ – The secretary of Education launches on video and audio a prevention campaign’. Not translated, that is the actual name of the new initiative started yesterday. The material gives in plain and simple terms an awareness of how to prevent the spread of swine flu. It even has it’s own song, which will be included in school music lessons. I see posters are now appearing in bar and cafe loo’s round my way. I would rather they put them at the entrances, as once the virus carriers are inside the risk starts. Surely the main aim is to keep the risk away altogether, whilst hand washing after a pee is just good hygiene? Whilst on the subject, Madeira was Gripe A free for the last week, with 14 suspected cases all proving negative.

An article covering dentistry and dentists on Madeira is published on this blog, but makes difficult reading, indicating to me an automatic software translation with a minimal effort to correct. TWELVE COMPLAINTS AGAINST DENTISTS

‘Albuquerque Promises A New Public Garden’. In an article about the inauguration of a new apartment block called ‘Madalenas Residence II’ in Funchal, the president of Funchal Council said it is the next objective to create a large public garden in the area of Madalenas. The new building contains 80 apartments, of which nearly half are already sold, and cost €11 million of private investment.

‘Madeira Has A Public-Private Social Partnership’. It is a discrete project, apparently modest, but for the three thousand families involved it is of exceptional importance. Because with the support of EU funds, the involvement of the councils, and the Development Agency of Madeira, the restoration and improvement of run-down houses has become possible. Yesterday in Santa Cruz, contracts were signed with 38 families in the parish of Caniçal, that benefit from the supply of tiles, paints and other materials for the restoration of their homes. A helping hand that could amount to €3,500 per family. The scheme was revealed by the president of Santa Cruz council, José Alberto Gonçalves, who says that the restoration project in Santa Cruz will involve "320 families and more than 1,300 people, and a gross financial outlay of €1.2 million, with the council itself investing €250 thousand". The families involved will receive the materials by the end of this year, and then they have 90 days to complete the work. The scheme is being rolled out in 8 of Madeira’s 11 regions.

26 political articles in today’s Diário, it just grows and grows. Obviously there is only so much I can cover, so aside from headline stories, one or two of the more interesting ones are included. Strangely they are normally the ones that show our existing government and president in a bad light, but as no other party has any ‘track record’ in government, perhaps that is natural and understandable.

(17th September). Today’s final headline : ‘Robbery’ Causes Depression In The PS In Água De Pena – The treasurer of the parish council, involved in the case of the money for the festivals, wants to give up on local government’. She was on the socialist’s candidate list for the forthcoming local elections, but she has now decided to withdraw. The decision will be related to the mysterious disappearance of money, donated to the church for the parish celebrations, from the interior of her car. The case of the missing money, nearly €10,000, has caused unrest in the area. Speculation about how the money was taken from her car, that shows no sign of a break-in, has generated many theories as to what actually happened. No one will speak openly about the matter, and the lady herself does not answer her telephone.

‘Jardim’s Ride Archived’. The controversial matter of president Jardim giving his party leader, Manuela Ferreira Leite, a lift to the airport in a vehicle of the presidency at the end of her recent visit, was made into a formal complaint by an opposition party. The National Elections Commission (CNE) has now investigated the matter and decided that there was no wrongdoing by Jardim. The issue was about using government property for party political purposes. However, the effort of the complaint did not fall completely on deaf ears, as the CNE decision includes a recommendation to the President of the Government [in that role] to keep a distance from the electoral battle. Jardim, on hearing the ‘warning’ eased matters considerably with the comment aimed at the CNE, “it attacks from a distance, as far as I know only with missiles” (or something along those lines).

This photo is from today’s Diário de Notícias, showing the amount of political street garbage in one street in Funchal.

‘Department of Environment is “a den of thieves”. “We must denounce a den of thieves that exists here in the regional office of the Environment and Natural Resources”. It was thus that Sr. José Manuel Coelho began his campaigning, at the door of the office of Manuel António Correia. The candidate of the PND New Democracy Party, known to blog readers as ‘The rabbit’, who used the opportunity to speak to people passing on Avenida Arriaga, accuses the Government of diverting the money coming from the European Union, and which should have been used to finance agricultural projects. “This money is diverted to fall into the pockets of Sr. Jaime Ramos and his fledgling” he accuses. “Dr. Alberto João Jardim ordered the diversion of that money to build farm roads, for himself to inaugurate, and for Jaime Ramos to put money in his pocket, through the sale of tarmac and concrete”, he explains. He adds that the farmers who invested their own savings in the proposed projects, never received the money that they were owed. So this is what is meant by a ‘Rabbit Punch’. Coelho knows no boundaries, and he is prepared to go to lengths that I wouldn’t dare, even though the stories are well known, but always stay as just rumours, discussed quietly in dark smoky corners in bars. The accused, Jaime Ramos, who is also the parliamentary leader of the ruling PSD social democrats on Madeira, is also a prominent and powerful businessman, with interests in construction and an extensive stakeholder in cement production on Madeira. Of course, I have no opinion on the matter, just reporting what was said by Sr. Coelho, according to the newspaper.

(16th September). Yesterday’s final headline : ‘President Of Santana Humiliated’. Pereira takes a U turn. A decision was taken at a council meeting at the beginning of September to reduce IMI council tax from 0.7% to 0.6%. The proposal had been made by the PS-M socialists, and voted on and accepted by the majority PSD-M social democrats. Now câmara president Carlos Pereira has come up with another proposal … that the level for council tax should remain at 0.7%, in order to maintain the level of council revenue. The socialists say the order to reverse the decision came from ‘outside’, and that Santana council is being managed ‘inside out’, a reference to the new candidate on the PSD-M list for next months elections, when Carlos Pereira will be ousted after 25 years in the job. The PS say that Carlos has already been “de-authorised”. So, the new man is already in charge without yet going through the democratic process, known as the elections. I have often said that democracy here only happens once every 4 years, for each level of election that is, and it looks like this year the PSD have already managed to bypass even that little treat for the people.

‘Not Even The Marines Will Stop The Inaugurations’. Nothing will stop president Jardim in his election time inauguration spree, not even the criticism of his socialist political opponent, Bernardo Trindade, who believes that they are being used as a political toll. Jardim said yesterday in Funchal, he will maintain the programme of inaugurations, because he has the Portuguese Constitution and the law on his side. “The only way I can stop doing inaugurations, and even then they would not manage, would be to land the Marines here and arrest me” said Jardim. In the pre-election days in September and early October 66 such inaugurations have been organised.

A couple of the political parties have decided to adopt anti-corruption themes for their political campaigns, including the CDU communists, and the PND new democrats (as mentioned above). The picture shows the latter using a hearse as a prop, and the man doing the silly walk on top is the one known as ‘The Rabbit’. ‘Coelho Announces: ‘Let’s Bury Corruption’ on Madeira’. The hearse was parked outside the Bank of Portugal (why?) as a small piece was enacted on top. On the side of the vehicle was the slogan ‘Let’s bury corruption. Inside the hearse was an orange coffin on which was written,’ Here lies Maria of the Corruption of Jardim Ramos and Sousas’, pointing out senior PSD-M politicians Jaime Ramos, and president Arlindo Gomes of Câmara de Lobos”, as guilty of corruption. Many people stopped and watched in amusement, many were children, and many tourists who had no idea what was going on, but took lots of photos anyway.