Motorbike sales race ahead ; Porto Moniz to audit past expenditure ; More air routes needed
Today’s Photo : Thanks to Jon … another hand-coloured old picture postcard view
Today’s main headline. The new mayor of Porto Moniz wants to know exactly the accounts Gabriel Farinha has left. The newly elected mayor of Porto Moniz wants to know the real situation of the accounts of the municipality. The claim of Valter Correia surprised the two Socialist councillors, that the financial situation is equally or more worse than he imagined and because of that there would be an audit. Victor Correia confirmed that he wants a detailed report of the economic situation but played down the alarm raised by the Socialist Party. "This is not a full audit. That is not what we are talking about." "We are obliged to divide the two accounts and have a new account within a period of 45 days, so let’s add a line to tell us the state of the accounts." The mayor wants previous financial years and financial resources rigorously established, especially the liabilities, loans, the current monthly expenditure of the municipality and other accounting details that allow the new town council to schedule a program of feasible initiatives. The relationship between the former mayor, Gabriel Farinha and Valter Correia has been deteriorating in recent months, so the decision might be directly related to suspicions or doubts of mismanagement during the previous eight years of office. Valter Correia denies that he has ever thought that way, ensuring that it is just and only a tool for the development of the municipality. "I really need to know the state of the accounts and what I can do in the future." He took the opportunity to criticize the opposition and admits that the financial situation of the council" is complicated, but is not as onerous as they might be saying."
Nearly 400 125cc motorbikes sold since August. A legislative amendment for holders of ‘Category B’ driving licences has led to a race for bikes, an average of five sold per day, tripling the number sold in the same period last year. The demand for bikes of 125cc per cylinder has been such that there are brands that have waiting lists for certain models, e.g. Suzuki, Honda and SYM. Some customers have to wait for three to four weeks. Models of the Chinese SYM have sold well as they are cheaper, from 1,700 Euros upwards. Yamaha bikes have also tripled in sales and the small stock of used Yamaha bikes was exhausted in July.
Pico dos Barcelos – for tourists (not) to see. The view over the city of Funchal is as beautiful as ever, but the frame that surrounds it is not pleasant. For years, a scenario of degradation took over the Pico dos Barcelos, one of the most iconic and sought viewpoints of Madeira, with a daily circulation of hundreds of tourists. As beautiful a landscape as it is, they cannot remain alien to the poor condition of the area, the abandoned buildings located nearby, turned into garbage dumps and shrub that grows uncontrollably on the southern side. Those that live and earn their living in the immediate vicinity of this area to be redeveloped, scheduled for early next year, see it as a ‘light at the end of the tunnel’, the last hope to bring back the dignity to that important tourist spot in the parish of Santo António. The 8,489 square metre area will probably have to be fenced off, like Santa Catarina Park, to prevent vandalism and an area for drug addicts. Two nearby abandoned buildings are garbage dumps and act as shooting rooms for drug addicts. These situations cause concern to those living in the area and leads to questions about public health, not least because of the proliferation of rats in the neighbourhood. The two areas have been cleared of rubbish in the past but are soon filled again with household waste. The enclosure of the viewpoint leaves a lot to be desired. The pump for the ornamental fountain has failed and the street vendors fear the stagnant water becoming a breeding ground for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The gardens are reasonably well tended but are not as nice as they were, and plants have been illegally taken. There are also safety concerns due to holes in the floor, broken glass and a broken bench. The degradation is from both wear and tear and vandalism.
Funchal has no room for some Christmas activities. Amusement parks, circuses, fairs and even an ice rink. Funchal Council have received nine applications to install such equipment during the Christmas and New Year, but the companies were told the municipality does not have suitable spaces with regards to safety, infrastructure and noise levels. If a company can find a privately owned area and has the owner’s consent, the council will evaluate and decide whether it is possible to license the operation. Other councils might have suitable areas. Funchal Council have had 76 applications for street vendors; 11 for foliage, 20 for toys and 45 for Market Night. They prefer traders who already hold a licence and will not make decisions until December.
Firefighters without the means to help animals. On Porto Santo, the bombeiros do not have the means to help animals requiring assistance. A cat was frightened by dogs and took refuge on top of an electricity pole. Unable to descend, and being too high for the owner, the owner asked for help from the bombeiros who said that it was not a matter for them but the Electricity Company. The Electricity Company carried out the rescue. After complaining to the bombeiros, who were unoccupied at the time, they apologized but said that due to lack of manpower they could not risk leaving the post to rescue an animal, in case an emergency call came and people are their priority.
Man hit by falling eucalyptus. A 34 year old was under observation at the hospital last night after being injured at work. He was hit in the leg by a falling eucalyptus he was cutting, and was rescued by the bombeiros.
Failures in the treatment of hazardous waste. The Communist MP Leonel Nunes showed photographs of liquids escaping from containers at Meia Serra waste treatment plant. These were organic hazardous waste, especially of hospital origin, and remained in the area for months instead of a maximum of seven days. He wants a parliamentary inquiry into the operation of the unit that had been presented as the "best in the world". The Social Democrats accused him of exaggerating since it was only "a single failure" and the vote went against an inquiry. A malfunction of two incinerators for bio-waste forces the company to export hazardous waste to the mainland. The Department of the Environment said there is no link between the export of medical waste to Spain and the company of Manuel Godinho, the suspect in the ‘Hidden Face’ inquiry. Valor Ambiente has no relationship with either Godinho’s business group or the waste management company Resatlantico, recently licensed in this region.
Opposition with greater powers in Santa Cruz. Revolution. For the first time in the history of democracy in Madeira, the approval of subdivisions and award of public contracts above 250,000 Euros will not be managed or delegated by the mayor. This is the conclusion of the Socialist Party and Movement Together for the People (JPP), as the PSD executive has no majority but the mayor rejects the notion that these two parties will have greater powers.
Business Centre could double IRC receipts in the region. As early as 2012, the International Business Centre could double the current revenue from IRC (€80 million). Last year, the revenue was €94 million but has fallen due to the economic crisis. The companies at the centre contribute to economic globalization, financially contribute to the region and help to promote Madeira. A large Brazilian steel group has just opened a branch in the centre and companies in the group mine ore and export ore and steel. Jardim wants the Portuguese Constitution to be revised so the free zone can continue to exist and be internationally competitive.
More air routes needed to stem the loss of British tourists. The British tourists are flying to destinations outside the euro zone (e.g. Turkey and Egypt) due to the recession and the devaluation of the pound. The Secretary of State for Tourism at the World Travel Market in London suggested more air routes to Portugal would offer a wider choice of flights and prices may fall to attract more tourists. There was an increase in the number of routes (198) after a change in legislation and the Secretary wants to increase them further. Next May, Jet2 fly to Faro from Edinburgh, and Funchal to Manchester. Ryanair might extend its presence in Portugal, with more flights to the UK and other destinations.
Social Marketing Plan in 2010 to alert Madeirans to poverty and exclusion. Developed by the Department of Social Security to extend the effect of the four plans implemented this year. There will be messages disseminated through the media using advertising campaigns, symposia and conferences with local experts and outsiders and various initiatives. These are to make people aware of the problems and think about them, especially social exclusion, and help to resolve them.
Computerised help when deciding on a hair style. A new hair salon, Hair Boutique, in Rua 5 de Outubro in Funchal, will offer personalized advice through a computer program showing ‘now and after’. For example, cut and colour, for both men and women. The hairdresser also specializes in hair extensions and wigs essential for health reasons.
Region has 1,600 immigrants from Eastern Europe. In the auditorium of the Municipal Gardens in Funchal tomorrow at 20.00, there will be a Meeting of the Peoples of the East. There are 1,600 people residing in Madeira from both EU and non-EU parts of 18 countries of Eastern Europe. There are 363 Romanians and 736 Ukrainians. There will be a culinary display and a traditional group from Caniçal and the Ukraine Group Budjane.
An attempt to judicialize the political process. Funchal Council (PSD) approved a private construction project in Santo António for a set of town houses. A PND councillor said this is contrary to the Municipal Plan which provides for the construction of detached houses, and he is taking the matter to the Administrative and Fiscal Court. The council said the decision was based on advice from expert opinions and this "threat" was an attempt to "judicialize what is the political process". The councillor also complained that as regards another subject, he had difficulty in obtaining information he should be entitled to. The council replied that he had not gone through the correct channels. —– Corruption?
Discontent in SESARAM. The Union of Nurses and the Independent Union of Doctors met today. The doctors are still unhappy about the ‘legal vacuum’ related to medical careers that exist in the continent and the nurses are discontent about career structure, and reforms implemented by the management which have led to demotivation and dissatisfaction. The decision to strike has not been ruled out by both professional bodies.
Many thanks to Elaine again for all the above, from yesterday’s newspapers.
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Pink Christmas trees in fashion this year. Expensive but selling well, according to the manager of ‘Bazar do Povo’ (Sa) in Funchal. They have been selling Christmas decorations since September. —- You heard it first here. Of course. © Toranja Poncha © is also pink, so have yourself a very pinky Christmas time with a tree as well. Der
Tribute to combatants. On Monday 2 November, there will be a ceremony commemorating combatants who lost their lives on overseas missions. It will be in Nazaré at the Monumento de Homenagem dos Combatentes do Ultramar (in photo). Appeal for serving combatants and the general public to attend to make the greatest possible tribute.
Club Med 2 in port today. A five-masted luxurious cruising yacht joined three other ships to make another full harbour. She sailed from Casablanca and is going on to the Caribbean. The Club Med Portugal visited the ship. The yacht has recently been renovated with 10 new suites of 36 square metres and it can accommodate 392 tourists.
A large picture shows a graveyard with some estrelicia flowers : No one dares to mess with the rules of the cemeteries – The 40 year old regulations provide great breeding conditions for the mosquito that spreads dengue disease. The health authorities prefer to respect the cult and its rituals.
First seal cub to be born in 2009. Population of seals (Monachus monachus) in the region is now 39. On the 25th October, the rangers at the Desertas Islands observed the first cub of the year. The colony has at least seven breeding females and the majority of births occur in October and November, so they are hoping for more. The conservation project was begun in 1988, with three main guidelines: monitoring, protection and education. Monitoring is increased at this time of year to identify the mothers, observe the behaviour of the animals during the breeding season and be attentive to the emergence of new individuals. The local seal population is increasing, whereas worldwide the number of seals is decreasing and its range too. The world population is 500.
Second false distress alarm. Maritime Police and SANAS yesterday morning responded to a distress flare in the bay of Funchal. This flare was fired during training carried out by the Regional Directorate of Fisheries. The Port of Funchal had authorized the training but the location was not as expected, hence the Port Captain decided to launch a rescue.
Still lack of fuel on Porto Santo. Lack of petrol and diesel causing problems especially for public transport, tourism and rent-a-car sectors. It is worse at the weekends resulting in queues of cars and motorbikes at the city centre filling station. GALP is the only supplier and they say they are unaware of the problems and it is the petrol station managers who are liable.
Madeira is studying new fishing areas for Black Scabbard fish. Due to the reduced fishing haul, the Secretariat for the Environment and Natural Resources is looking for new fishing areas. Want to innovate and develop the fishing industry of the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands. Shrimp and crab are other species with economic potential in Madeira. Whoops a bit of duplication there, sorry Elaine, but your piece has a photo. Der
