Notes from the Meeting on March 26th

The latest in our long line of regular meetings for Ciudadanos Europeos (‘European Citizens’) was held on Saturday 26th March at the newly decorated Hotel Continental. Ángel Medina spoke first of our approach to ‘small p’ politics with energy towards local concerns, together with day-to-day operations and management. We have a history of small-issue management, which we aim to continue, together with some larger plans, including the building of a residence for the elderly (the land and the project are both in place) and a multi-use centre for social events. We would also finalise bus-routes between Mojácar and the airport as well as Mojácar and the Huercal Overa hospital. Ángel also promises a municipal bowling green and to build more roundabouts on the beach road to help keep traffic fluid. He admitted that the Junta de Andalucía would not allow continuation of the Paseo Marítimo ‘beach promenade’ (Mojácar missed that opportunity many years ago).

He also dwelt on the current and recent state of the Ayuntamiento, including the mayoress’ plans for the underground car-park by the church, as well as her sudden and various completions of projects, such as the new municipal art gallery (lacking certain key elements, it can’t be opened as it stands as a museum) for Monday – the last day that Town Halls can legally open a new attraction before the election countdown. Ángel said that the project, entirely managed by him, was never given the final funds or the ‘green light’ until after he was sacked from the coalition in January, leaving the mayoress a clean field. Another project of his, a bi-lingual municipal radio, turned out that it was blocked in Seville by order of the ayuntamiento de Mojácar!

Some of the things achieved by Ángel as a councillor: the English Language Library brought to Mojacar from Garrucha; the installation of a bathroom in the Anglican Church (at the Aguas de Enmedio chapel); making premises available to the British Legion and the Dames of Spain... He has repaired much of the La Parata roads (the first time in twenty years); has removed most of the unsightly cranes looming over empty building sites; has mounted electric information displays with bilingual texts; has given opportunity for all British artists to exhibit in the Castillo Municipal Gallery; has ensured that all Town Hall publications are in both languages ​​and many other things besides which will be noted in the manifesto that we are putting together.

Lenox spoke of the thirteen parties of 2007 now being reduced to nine – or even eight – for 2011. He also noted that our party supporters' group and eventual list (‘papeleta’) differs from the established parties in not having any desertions from our party to other formations. In fact, of the eight party leaders who survive from the 2007 elections, only two remain in the same party as before.

Ciudadanos Europeos, he said, is about integration and working together, rather than issuing threats of confrontation between forces.

Questions from the floor included one about our approach to tourism. We consider that the tourists are very welcome to share our town – not the other way around.

We shall publish our manifesto (‘programa’) shortly as well as our party list of candidates. We shall hold a final meeting, including a gala presentation in two languages, and notice of all this will be sent to subscribers.

Lenox will also publicise ‘how to vote’ and ‘the postal vote’ in due time, both here and on his webpage The Entertainer Online.

Ciudadanos Europeos are particularly focused on residential tourism which is, after all, the daily bread for local business. Among our goals are to improve communications, health, care for the elderly, transportation, public safety, public cleaning, lower taxes and anything that makes living in Mojácar still more interesting.

Ciudadanos Europeos has continued to meet with supporters regularly during

these past four years. The other parties are talking, just for now. Then, it will be another four years of silence.

We were joined by Crispin Welby from the Ciudadanos Europeos branch in Arboleas. Crispin told us that his party meeting on Friday had agreed the list for the elections. The candidate in Arboleas is Lorenzo Rodríguez with Crispin (a fluent Spanish speaker) as Nº 2.

Our thanks as always to Alan Sykes for the microphones and sound system and to Virginia Heyward for the translations.

Angel Medina

Lenox Napier