Madeira News Blog

3 of the 5 headlines today are in Politics, so I will deal with those later.

(24th August). ‘Hospital ‘Seals’ Paediatrics – After the affair with the baby in the hospital nursery, those responsible reactivate the door code entry system’. Referring to the 3 month old baby who was found with a fractured arm and head bruising, but no one knows what happened, or are not saying more likely. The security door lock for the baby unit in Funchal Central Hospital has now been reactivated, making it necessary to enter a code to pass through the access door. The door lock was deactivated when work was going on, but according to the clinical director of Madeira’s Health Service Region (SESARAM), Miguel Ferreira, the system was only there to monitor staff movements, but has now been reactivated as a direct response to the baby being injured. The baby’s mother is still not allowed to visit, a situation that could last "indefinitely", and she says the measure with the door lock has come to late to prevent what happened. She denies any responsibility for what happened. An anonymous letter to the Diário on Saturday says that the mother was at the hospital on the day the baby got a broken arm, and that the mother didn’t enter through the reception.

In football : ‘Marítimo Mission Accomplished In The First Home Game At The Barreiros Stadium – With a scarce result, but fair, Marítimo give manager Carvalhal his second victory. In The Dragon stadium Nacional rushed themselves and lost 3 – 0 (to Porto)’. Nice one for Marítimo, but Nacional played well for over an hour, and it all went wrong when the referee gave an undeserved penalty to Porto for a handball, and then sent off a player. It just got worse from there.

‘Jardim do Mar ‘Isolated’ For Several Hours’. The village will be inaccessible most of today as the only access road is closed for cleaning of the rock faces close to the road. It is expected to reopen at 5 pm. 

‘Animals Poisoned In Ribeira Grande’. There is a rather grim looking picture of a dead dog and cat that were poisoned last week at their owners home in Machico. The culprit is unknown, but it seems that poisoned food was thrown into the back yard of the house, causing the death of the family pets. The owner called the police, and at the end he said he was disappointed with justice, that treats animals like objects rather than living creatures.

‘Coming Soon – New Traffic Rules – Innovations in the use of roundabouts and speed limits’. Pay attention to the new rules of the highway code, some of which will come into effect later this year, but with changes planned through until 2015. The National Strategy for Road Safety (ENSR) has thirty operational objectives which are divided into groups of ten, known as key actions, to be implemented from 2009 to 2015. Some of these key actions will result in amendments to the Highway Code and legislation, in particular, ‘Rules of the Road and the Regulation and Signalling of Traffic’. Not all the changes are known yet, but one of them will be the creation of 30 km zones, especially in urban areas. Also expected to change are the ‘safety distance’, circulation at roundabouts, variable message signalling, the rules around cycling, and a reduction in the permitted blood alcohol levels. Also to be reviewed are the systems and levels of fines for traffic offences. According to the Diário the rules have already changed once for the use of roundabouts, so hopefully the diagram will make it all crystal clear. What it says is that it is prohibited to travel in the outside lane of a roundabout, except in the stretch immediately preceding the intended exit.

UPDATE

‘Man Aged 75 Disappeared On Porto Santo – The elderly man didn’t return home after going fishing’. The resident of Porto Santo went missing yesterday, and his family raised the alert around midnight when he didn’t return home. The car of the man was found at Pedras Altas on the south side. Fireman and a group of forensic navy divers from Madeira have been mobilised to help in the search operation.

‘Jardim do Mar Complains About The Quality Of Water – Petition organised by the PS candidate warns of the harmful effects of chlorine’. Several dozen residents signed the petition, and "more did not sign for fear of possible political consequences", said the socialist candidate Sofia Canha, who took up the case of the drinking water with a intense taste of chlorine. The water problem is one thing, but not signing a petition about poor water quality because of fears of reprisals is pretty sad, or is it just BS from this candidate? I have heard similar stories many times before, about people with issues afraid to speak out, in fear that someone will come knocking on the door after dark. I wonder which political party could have installed such fears in Madeira’s democracy?

Today’s main news story : ‘Bernardo Teaches Marketing To Jardim – The national politician makes use of the game of Nacional at the stadium of Zenit to promote Madeira in the Russian press, with the slogan ‘Madeira, Land Of Danny & Ronaldo’. The photo with the headline, which I assume is part of the advert, shows a stunning view of Madeira’s mountain scenery. The secretary of state for tourism is going to approve the Europa League second leg qualifying match between Zenit St. Petersburg and Nacional as an advertising opportunity to strongly promote our island. Bernardo Trindade responded to president Jardim, who was rude to him last week, by taking the initiative to promote Madeira, saying that the "gratuitous insult is the weapon of the weak, I respond with the effort". The campaign will run in three of the most prestigious newspapers, starting on the eve of the big match. Trindade says that the Russian market is a target for ‘Tourism of Portugal’ and that the football match fits perfectly into the strategy to promote Madeira and Portugal, with an investment of €10,000. If Nacional make it through to the next stage he says he will consider similar initiatives. Good old Bernie, always has an eye open for Madeira, but there again it is his homeland.

The main photo on the front page shows the back of the head of prime minister José Sócrates as he waves to a large crowd at Fonte do Bispo yesterday : ‘Abuse Is A Weapon Of The Weak – Sócrates came to say to thousands of socialists at Fonte do Bispo that he is counting on the Madeiran voters’. He didn’t come here "to give lessons on good manners", he came to defend the Government, present the PS manifesto, and ask the Madeirans for their vote. He didn’t mention the name of Jardim, but his direction was clear when he said "abuse degrades democracy and freedom, it is a weapon of the weak". The secretary general of the socialist party was certainly made welcome by the crowd, and the weak local leadership. "Welcome to Madeira! I am honoured with your presence", local leader João Carlos Gouveia did not conceal his joy at the presence of his national leader at the ‘Festival of Freedom’. The president of the PS-M wants Sócrates to come more often to Madeira, "as Prime Minister and a distinguished representative of the common homeland". Gouveia said that "nobody is the owner of Madeira and that "the Madeirans are civilized". The abuse, he said, "does not fall within the genetic framework of democracy".

In a second related article it says that José Sócrates came to Madeira with two firm objectives :  To mobilise for the elections, and to leave it very clear that he distances himself from the talk of Alberto João Jardim. It also says he came here to "defend what the socialist party does in government", but perhaps that one wasn’t such a firm objective as the other two. "I always counted on Madeira and who counts on Madeira always finds more than they counted on … Madeira never failed", stressed José Sócrates. What a load of political BS, as the PS have never had anything more than a slight foothold on Madeira. A statement like that here would label him a ‘graxista’, especially as until this year he had never visited since becoming prime minister.

Yet another article on the same matters : ‘Madeira is known for the "common insults of Alberto João" – Bernardo Trindade denounces the "shame" he brings to the Region’. He condemned the "insulting" that president Jardim thrives on as tarnishing the image of Madeira, and called for "cooperation and solidarity" with the government of José Sócrates. He called the recent PSD party rally on Porto Santo the "festival of insults that shame our land". The opening speech at yesterday’s PS rally referred to Jardim as the "Hugo Chávez of Madeira". An estimated 15,000 supporters attended the event. 

‘CDU On The Attack -The candidate for São Bento Isabel Cardoso says that between Sócrates and Ferreira Leite it’s the Devil’s choice’. The next in the series of Diário interviews with the ‘top of list’ for each party, and it’s beginning to look that each one will get ‘front page’ space, which is a bit of a drag. Although the communists are going through a good spell at the moment, the CDU candidate Isabel Cardoso doesn’t have any chance of a seat in the assembly of the republic, and she is not even Madeiran. The CDU party share of the vote in all the elections in the last 5 years has been between 3.3 and 5.5%, except for the European elections this year when it achieved 6.65%.

RIGHT TO REPLY (today 1.32 pm)

‘Sócrates came to Madeira to "do the usual number, to play the victim" – Jardim considers that the ‘Festival of Freedom’ "in terms of political and programmatic content for this region, was zero". The president of the Regional Government and leader of the PSD Madeira, Alberto João Jardim, said that the secretary general of the Socialist Party, José Sócrates, came to Madeira to "do his usual number, that is playing the victim". Jardim interrupted his €10 a day holiday on Porto Santo to speak to the media about the PS rally yesterday in Calheta. "I had challenged the previous day in Porto Santo, the secretary general (Sócrates) of the PS to clarify certain issues and he said nothing, however he did his usual number, that is to victimize himself and say that the others are incorrect and rude" he said. "What he (Sócrates) did to Madeira and what everybody knows, that it is the PS behind a far-right organization who’s been insulting and slandering everyone". The president of the PSD-M concluded that for José Sócrates "there’s no water to wash himself with". Apparently the rally yesterday did not actually mention the name of Jardim. Thanks to you Uncle Bertie, I am now back on the right track. I was actually briefly taken in by José and his henchmen into believing you were on occasions rude to other politicians, but now I realise it must be the media misinterpreting your complimentary views on your political colleagues.

(30th June). ‘Chaos Around The Bazar do Povo – The first day of the bridge closure was chaotic for the traffic in the vicinity’. The project to demolish and rebuild the bridge, which was given plenty of publicity, caused immense problems and tailbacks for drivers yesterday, and caught the council by surprise. Funchal council tried various initiatives throughout the day to try and resolve the problems, including switching off traffic lights, which seemed to make matters even worse. The work is scheduled to continue through until 12th September.

The council of Santa Cruz used it’s ‘right of reply’ to clarify matters, after it was reported yesterday in the Diário about the plans to build a new building of shared service, ‘Loja do Cidadão’, in the process making an investor very rich (see yesterday’s blog). The response says that the Diário’s facts were wrong, and the lease will not be for 30 years, just 16, after which time the building will be fully paid and will start generating revenue for the council through subletting income. It also says that the monthly rent payable by the council will be offset by savings in the release of premises elsewhere. In addition "The solution proposed will allow the creation of many jobs in the area of construction and related services, bringing more dynamism to the local economy". In fact the statement from the president of the câmara totally reverses the negative report given by the Diário, and makes the project sound like a dream for everyone. One of the hazards of my work I suppose, but I reserve judgement until I see the ‘right to reply’ to the ‘right to reply’.

‘Colombo’s Resort’ with a solution in sight. Continuing with the earlier story, more details have now been released on completion the tourist resort on Porto Santo, where work was stopped because of a lack of funding. The Secretary of State for Tourism has put together a memorandum of understanding, with the support of venture capital companies, which should take a very important role in moving the work forward. The Portugal government is to take a small share (€10 million), compared with the other partners, and Porto Santo council itself is to stump up €5 million (and I think the Madeira government €1m). Another €10 million will come from the banks BCP Millenium and Banif, and €15 million from the construction company. Estimates are that the construction will need €40 million to complete, so that just about does it. The protocol is to be signed by all parties on Thursday in Lisbon. If all goes to plan, the complex will be complete next Summer, creating over 300 jobs, some way short of the 400 originally planned, but governed by seasonality and the standards of service planned for the new resort.

‘PSD-M Say That Autonomy Brings Savings To Portugal – The parliamentary group accuses the government of the republic of transferring just 20% of what Madeira spends on health and education’. The group say that through the regional finance law the government is providing less money, and based on a calculation using the year 2007, it transferred just €139 million, when on a per-capita basis it would have been €495 million. The social democrats say that for 2009 Madeira has a budget of €718 million for health and education, but that the state only transfers €147 million, "which represents only about 20%, therefore not fulfilling their responsibilities", accused Jaime Filipe Ramos. That’s a pretty hefty shortfall! So how is it being paid for ?

‘Regedor Of Tabua Leaves The Council – The senior of the parish claims that 88 years don’t permit more’. The 88 year old leader of the parish council is not going to stand again for election, after six decades of service to the community of Tabua, finally leaving his active political life due to his age. It was in 1947 that António Ramos took over as president, the position he still holds now, passing through the periods of dictatorship in Portugal, and the revolution of 1974. He has won nine elections since democracy, a feat unrivalled in local government. His successor, a candidate  from the social democrats, has not yet been determined.

‘PS Admits To Want Victory In Ribeira Brava’. But the socialist candidate at the top of the candidate list, Alano Gonçalves, admits it could be difficult "but not impossible". It got on the front page, I don’t know why, but he was hardly going to say he wanted to lose was he. Anyway, he is very likely to lose, and the PS in Ribeira Brava will be lucky to keep the one council seat they currently have (the PSD social democrats have 6), if the European election results are of any guidance. 

(15^th May) Aquaparque (Aquapark) reopened its doors on Friday morning, signifying the Summer season is pretty much underway. Prices have been frozen since 2006, with adults paying €6.50, children €4, and OAPS and under 4’s allowed in free. There are group discounts also available. Last year during the Summer season, around 60,000 visitors were admitted, the best year ever. I am looking forward to reaching 65, for the fact that I will be able to get into Aquapark without paying. I bet they don’t see many pensioners on those watershutes, or in the black hole, but I will be thereevery day  when my time comes, I promise.

(16^th May). ‘Crisis Equivalent To 11 Hotels Without Customers During 3 Months’. Madeira has lost 45 thousand tourists, 208 thousand hotel nights, and €12.5 million of revenue in just 90 days. Madeira was however the best performer in tourism terms, in Portugal, during March … “that signifies that the region is recovering from the crisis” (!?!?!). To judge by the indicators of air traffic at Madeira Airport, the evidence is clear that there are less tourists landing : from the United Kingdom (-25.5%), Germany (-9.3%), Denmark (-33.4%), Sweden (-29.6%) , France (-31.3%), Netherlands (-21.6%) and Spain (-51.1%), with the only incidence of numbers of passengers increasing coming from Portugal (+4.2%).

(16^th May). The cruise ship ‘Atlantic Star’ is to be replaced by the ‘Pacific Dream’  at the end of this month. The cruise ship will transfer its crew across to the more modern and economical vessel, which has become available after the cancellation of all cruises to Mexico, because of the Bird Flu epidemic (I just translate, so don’t write in complaining that I have got it wrong please). The ‘Pacific Dream’ has never been to Funchal under that name, but has visited before as the ‘Island Star’. It was built in 1990, has a gross tonnage of 47,000, is 208 metres long and 29 metres wide.

(17^th May). Today’s main headline : ‘Ship Owners Return To Bringing Cargo Into Funchal – Portuguese ship owners demand conditions equal to the Naviera Armas ferry. APRAM prepares limitations for the Spanish and is not going to authorize the operation that would bring back to the city 50 thousand lorries a year and increase the freight’.  The National Association of Ship Owners has formally requested permission to unload in the port of Funchal, like the Madeira – Portugal ferry does. It would mean the return of 50 thousand trucks a year to Funchal.  The request comes with the message that they want the right to offload “on equal terms with Naviera Armas, in order to stop an illegal and discriminatory situation, which is a source of serious damage”. This includes 5 shipping companies that cover the ‘Madeira line’, Empresa de Navegação Madeirense, Transinsular, Vieira & Silveira, Portline and Boxline. The president of the Board of Administration of Ports of Madeira (APRAM) confirms the receipt of the proposal, but makes it clear that “the port of Funchal is a port especially designed for cruise tourism, with a complementary service for the operation of ferry vessels … it makes sense that we allow situations for the process of loading and unloading”, referring to the exception made for the ferry cargo. “The transport of goods is to be carried out in the port of Caniçal, since any and all movements occurring in the port of Funchal will always be intended primarily for the carriage of passengers and related to tourism. The Government will do everything to safeguard the interests of passengers in this port, and in this context, preserve all the conditions and all the logistics involved”, he adds. This might not be as simple to push away as it seems, as the Diário points out that the Armas has special financial terms which other shippers do not get, creating a situation of unfair competition.