Madeira News Blog

(3rd July). Today’s main news headline : ‘Rats And Cockroaches Invade Formosa – The thicket in the zone near to the beach contributes to the plague that intimidates users and traders’. With the hot weather only just starting, the rats and cockroaches are already displaying a worrying level of activity in the area. Traders, bathers, and those who frequent the area, tell of appearances of the two creatures around restaurants, rubbish bins and even on the beach pebbles, and they fear the situation will worsen significantly with improving Summer breeding conditions. Part of the problem area is the old Shell installation, abandoned in 2007, and now overgrown. A rat extermination programme that covered public spaces finished 3 months ago in Funchal, but will be restarted soon to include the Praia Formosa zone.

The main photograph today shows jazz singer Vânia Fernandes at the opening night of the Funchal Jazz Festival : ‘Jazz Sells More – After the filling of the opening night, Funchal Jazz today hosts a musical legend’. The headline is referring to the ‘legend’ contrabassist Ron Carter, who performs tonight at 9.30 in the park of Santa Catarina in Funchal. Aside from being overflowing last night, ticket sales have been "pretty good", with three day passes tripling in sales compared to last year.

‘Eight Thousand Teachers Contest 295 Vacancies’. The internal application deadline is midnight tonight, and external applicants are able to apply from next week. They are competing for teaching posts through the regional Department for Education. This exercise happens every year, and I assume these are permanent full time positions, that are of interest to existing teaching staff that have lesser status or working hours.

‘The First Step Is Taken – Bernardo Trindade is confident that the agreement to resolve matters at Colombo’s Resort is going to work out’. The first stage in rescuing the incomplete and paralysed tourist complex on Porto Santo has now been taken, with the new partners signing an agreement in Lisbon yesterday. Trindade said he expects it to move forward, regardless of the election results in October, even though it is no more at this stage than a gentleman’s agreement. Work stopped on the construction some time ago when the original project ran out of money. It is interesting to also learn that the €5 million pledge by Porto Santo Council, is not in fact a pledge, but an exemption from municipal taxes. I know they are allowed to do this, but that might raise an eyebrow or two with other hotel owners past, present and future.

‘Ministry of health Announces Three More Cases – Two women and a child infected with gripe A virus’. That takes the total now to 23, and there were just a handful a week or so ago. One of the women has just returned from Spain, and is now being kept in Lisbon in the hospital called Curry Cabral (Goat Curry?). The other woman, in the Azores, came from Canada. The child is an eight month old baby, coming from Majorca. All 23 cases are confirmed as having H1N1 swine flu. I have seen no update on the two that came into Madeira Airport yet. I wrote that last night, this morning on the TV news it says there are now 27 cases.

‘Madeirans have the highest global rate of deficiency in the chromosome 14 gene – Researchers publish results of a study in an international scientific journal’. The study, managed by the Laboratory of Human Genetics in the University of Madeira (LGHUMa), will be published soon by the British scientific journal ‘Respiratory Medicine’. The deficiency exists in 4.1% of the population, and relates to the presence of glycoprotein, that functions to protect the lungs against dust, air pollution, and tobacco smoke. The deficiency can lead to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema), or diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver. It has been well known for years that respiratory problems are a frequent problem for Madeirans, and a genetic problem was often mentioned. Perhaps now that the exact cause has been pinpointed an exact and effective remedy can be developed.

‘World Press Photo On Exhibition – The best photographs in the world of news are on display to the public until 23rd July’. I had mentioned it some weeks ago, but the exhibition starts today in the Salão Nobre of the Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias (Funchal Theatre). The photos from 2008 will be displayed here, in a custom now in its fourth successive year. The entry fee is €1, but if you prefer you can send me the €1 and see the photos here (go to ‘Winners 2009′): WORLD PRESS PHOTO

‘Disgusted drivers leave TEAM MARÍTIMO – The walk out has already taken place in the rally club’. The drivers are fed up with internal politics in the club, and a broken promise of the club president over free inscriptions for the Coral Championship.

‘Nacional awaits €1.5 million from FC Porto for Paulo Assunção’. The ‘bonus’ will come as a result of the transfer of the ex-Nacional player from Porto to Athletico Madrid for €3 million, of which Nacional has the right of 50% under terms previously agreed with Porto.

(2nd July). And a few snippets left over from yesterday …

‘Hospital Already Performed Eight Operations by GPS – Computer assisted operations since May’. Funchal Central Hospital performed between 60 and 70 knee rebuilding operations per year over the last 10 years or so, to deal with wear and tear and other medical conditions, but a new procedure introduced in May using a computer navigation system is proving successful. The equipment used does not yet exist in other hospitals in Portugal. The eight patients so far are recuperating very well, and indicating an encouraging start for the new procedure, which can also be used for hip replacement operations.

Madeira baby Rodrigo, who received a bone marrow transplant a month ago as a result of being diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of 6 weeks, remains in hospital in Lisbon, but is doing well after liver and kidney complications were resolved after 15 days in intensive care. He will stay in hospital longer than was originally hoped, and will now have to spend his first birthday there on 7th July.

Discussions are underway in Gauteng in South Africa, where there is a Madeiran community, for a twinning relationship with Madeira.

Serra de Água has its first multibanco machine (ATM / Cash point) after years of asking. The population wanted it in a location where it could be accessed 24 hours a day, but eventually had to settle for it being located in the ‘Tasquinha da Poncha’ (Poncha Bar). What a dream excuse for a quick bevy … just popping out to the cash point dear … won’t be long!

(2nd July). Today’s main news headline : ‘Owes Millions But Wants To Buy Shares – The society that launched ‘Colombo’s Resort’ doesn’t pay the €70 million it owes to the creditors, but tries to buy shares of the associates. An option that arouses suspicion’. Just a couple of days after a rescue package to complete the tourist complex on Porto Santo was announced, it seems the original consortium that started and financed the project originally has called for an ‘extraordinary meeting’ for 7th July, to discuss the acquisition of its originating shareholders shares. The shares which belong to individual associates in the original project would be sold to the consortium, in order for the associates to recover their investment, but the consortium company seems to have money available for the move, and yet abandoned the project months ago owing €70 million. The consortium company, that is not technically bankrupt, claims that it own the assets that cover the liabilities. A bit tricky to follow this one, but it seems the rescue scheme organised by the Secretary for Tourism of Portugal did not foresee this coming, which is very odd if the assets (i.e. what has been built so far) still belong to the original consortium.

Two big photos on today’s front page : The first shows lots of cars in a compound : ‘Abandoned Cars Given Stickers – Funchal Council launches alert : Negligent owners have 8 days to avoid being towed away’. The council are putting notices on cars seemingly left abandoned on roads and in public places, warning owners that they have 8 days to remove the vehicle before it is towed off and taken to the pound at Vasco Gil. From June 2007 to March 2009 650 cars were towed away by the council, an average of 33 cars a month. Once the deadline has expired, there is no going back, and the vehicles are removed. Owners are able to retrieve their vehicles from the pound, and a notice of warning is posted in the newspaper, after which the cars are dismantled and sent to Portugal for scrap / recycling. Owners wishing to rescue their vehicles have to pay the towing fee (€71.48 – €125.04, depending on the vehicle size), and a fine which can range between €250 and €2,500, but according to the council very few people try to recover their cars. The ‘stickers’ must be having some effect, as the council say they have only towed away 38 cars so far this year, compared to 445 cars for the whole of 2008. It seems the Diário must have picked up this story long after the scheme was implemented, but it also seems odd that the fines only apply if you want to retrieve a car, when surely they should apply regardless?

‘Police Officers Gather Today To Boycott The Service’. This is a national story which also ties in the police on Madeira, about the government of the republic failing to recognise the professional status of the police. Organised by police trade unions, a protest has been organised for today outside of the official residence of prime minister José Socrates. The method of communication to notify police officers is by sms text message to mobile phones, with the message "The police were cheated. On the 2nd don’t go to work. Show your disgust. This is a radical fight". Little support is expected here on Madeira, particularly as yesterday was a public holiday when there was no administration working in the police force. The police can only legally boycott work through approved time off work or by booking holidays, and given the amount of notice given, they would have been unlikely to have been able to organise in time through the police administration office.

‘Street Sacrifices Heritage – The new road buried two water mills in Fajã da Ovelha’. The construction of the ‘via expresso’ (fast road) that connects Fajã da Ovelha to Ponta do Pargo has buried the two old water mills that are relics of the industrial heritage of Madeira, protected under regional laws. People wanted the new road, but are upset about the lack of respect for the mills. The contractors, AFA and Technovia, responsible for the new road, simply covered them over with concrete seemingly without any thought about preserving them. The regional office responsible for culture says it doesn’t understand how this could have happened.

‘Jazz In The Park Doesn’t Create Agreement – The 10th edition of Funchal Jazz gets going today in a location less intimate, but that also receives praise’. The new home of the Jazz Festival, previously in the gardens of Quinta Magnolia since 1999, has caused some upset with traditionalists, but pleased other fans. The Parque de Santa Catarina is the new venue. "It is important to highlight the presence of Ron Carter and also Benny Golson and Cedar Walton, living legends of jazz", said one musician. The event starts at 9.30pm with a tribute to the musician Tony Cruz, who passed away. That is followed by a concert by Vânia Fernandes at 9.45pm, and then other concerts through to the early hours.

‘Police Recover Stolen Material Worth €13,000 – The two individuals detained are aged 15 and 18′. The robbery happened last month in a shop in São Martinho that had the door forced. Police recovered six laptop computers, a PDA, and a mobile phone. They were also believed to have been responsible for a robbery in Rádio Clube, as further stolen property was also recovered.

‘Protecting The Tarantulas Of The Ilhas Desertas – The PHARALIS has lead to fragmentation of the endemic species of spiders’. This particular species of tarantula spider, that can only be found on the Desterta Grande of the ‘Deserted Islands’, is under threat from a type of grass plant, which has already spread over an area of 20 hectares. The problem was discovered after culling work on goats and rabbits on the island. The Valley da Castanheira, which the spiders favour because it is protected from the wind, and has good conditions for water and humidity, is being taken over by the Pharalis aquatica plant, which is affecting the food resources for the spider, such as snails, and reducing the places for the spiders to live. That is resulting in fragmentation of the population, which according to an expert "in a population of a few specimens, the fragmentation is the worst that can happen, as it increases the risk of extinction". Experts are now looking into ways to reduce and control the invading plant, and without using herbicides that could cause even more problems, it may be that the work is done by hand.

(30th June). Today’s main news headline : ‘Generosity Finances Delinquency – Beggars and drug addicts attack in the parks. Police realize that generosity feeds the phenomenon’. The covered car parks are being used by beggars and drug addicts to torment and rob people and damage and steal from cars. The problem is present in various places on Madeira, but is of most concern in downtown Funchal and Santa Cruz. In one case mentioned that took place last week in Caniço, a couple of ‘hoodies’ yanked out a woman as she was entering her car. They took her purse with identification, money, and her mobile phone. She ended up not pressing charges. A police spokesman acknowledges the problem in covered car parks, and said that car park owners have been alerted to the need for security cameras, and in some cases a security guard. In downtown Funchal the problem is particularly worrying, and has special attention from community police in Infante and Almirante Reis. The police spokesman says that one of the best ways to deter the beggars, is not to give money when asked, “it is good will and the spirit of solidarity that make the beggars hang around these places” he said. He also advises car park users to look around before making a move, to lock the car, and keep valuables out of site.

The same article also covers the Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers Market) and the situation there with drunks, junkies, and beggars creating a disgusting sight for tourists and people passing by. Aggressions’ and obscenities, as well as begging, are all part of the daily lives of the people that gather at the market every day. The police spokesman say this occurs because close by is a ‘rehabilitation centre’ used by some of these people. He said additional community police are alert to the problems.

‘Community Policing Arrives For Traffic – PSP have an operation of free vigilance for houses where the owners go on holiday’. After community policing was established in Santo António, São Martinho, Sé, and Monte, the concept of community policing is to be extended to include traffic. The duties of the officers will include dealing with cars badly parked, cars on pavements, and prevention of drink driving, with the officers devoted to traffic matters. The project will begin in downtown Funchal.

In the same article ‘Operation Safe Summer 2009′ started last Friday, with the police launching the same initiative as last year to patrol and protect commercial and residential areas, tourist zones, beaches and roads. The operation will run until 15th September, but the police bicycle patrols will be expanded for this year. Amongst other anti-crime tips in the article, there is an indirect warning about pickpockets. Police are also producing a leaflet to give to tourists coming to Portugal on holiday, and it will contain the phone numbers that people might need, as well as advice on how to avoid problems during their holiday, including moderated consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Regarding the free surveillance of houses left empty whilst owners go on holiday, those wishing to use the service need to complete and deliver a form to the police station, or fill in the form online at www.psp.pt.

‘Tourist Robbed With Weapon On The Levada dos Piornais’. It happened around 11am yesterday morning in São Martinho, when a German tourist walking alone had a gun(?) pointed at his neck and had €40 stolen. The tourist was already in the process of handing the money over when the mugger produced the weapon. Police attended the scene, but the mugger had already fled.

The main photo on today’s front page shows a group of youngsters playing banjos and recorders : ‘Madeira Explains Artistic Education To Europe – The office coordinator shares 30 years of experience in a European meeting that takes place tomorrow morning in Estonia’. The conference organised by the European Association for Music in Schools takes place every two years, bringing together experts in the field, to share ideas and experiences, and establish partnerships at a European level. This year the theme is ‘Music inside and outside of schools, and it takes place in Estonia, a country with a great tradition for choirs. Madeira feels it has something special to offer, because it can do things in such a small population, that would be much more difficult in larger countries. Amongst the things that Madeira will share, is the mixing of music with acting, to help students learn music, with such events sometimes televised. Also the extracurricular activities that take place for students who wish to specialise, and the use of ‘fun’ in the learning experience.

‘Aedes Aegypti – The IHMT team will study the effectiveness of insecticides used to combat the mosquito’. A team from the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (IHMT) of the New University of Lisbon will hold a two week study on the degree of effectiveness of products used on Madeira to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The President of the Management Board for Health and Social Affairs (IASAS), Maurício Melim, said that entomologists would be able to recognize the quality of the products used. He says that the products used to date have been in accordance with international guidelines and practices. The quantity of mosquitoes found in late June is low compared with previous years, but the situation will change with increased temperatures. He added that in the opinion of ‘the entomologist’, it is not going to be possible to eradicate the mosquito. It originally arrived here several years ago, and has continued to breed and prosper, gradually spreading out from the original problem area in Funchal.

The Government Of Madeira Adopts Solution For Columbus Resort – A protocol to facilitate the project was approved yesterday’. The tourist complex in Porto Santo that ground to a halt several months ago due to lack of funds has a rescue package. There are no more details at present.

At the same meeting the government agreed a project to upgrade the miradouro (view point) at Cabo Girão, with a platform of steel and glass, that will cost nearly €2 million. Also agreed was the construction of a health centre, with welfare facilities and homes for elderly people, at Porto da Cruz, which will cost €4.2 million.  

‘Funchal Council Funds €150,000 In Funchal Jazz – The festival runs between 2nd and 4th July in St. Catherine’s Park’. The 10th edition of the festival will receive the same amount of funding as last year, but has moved from Quinta Magnólia, and doesn’t have an actual sponsor. This year there will be two huge TV screens installed, and improvements in the sound quality. Tickets are available at the Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias, with a special promotional price until today. A ticket for all 3 days costs €30.

All the articles which mention the police (6 paragraphs) were linked from the front page, and although some of the news is about positive measures being taken, it does not show Madeira in a good light at all.