My email jiminysimpson@gmail.com

My email jiminysimpson@gmail.com

Friday, October 29, 2010

Friday 29th October

Managed some time with Candido this morning and the following is a resume of our discussions,

1. The meeting which the AUAN had with the Consejeria de Andalucia last Monday, and which Candido was informed of too late to be able to attend, transpires was a bit of a waste of time. The main reason for this being that the person chairing that meeting, Rosa Aguilar, the big boss, was, two days later appointed by Zapatero as a minister, and therefore anything she committed to would have to be renegotiated by her successor. Candido asked me if I would attend any future similar meeting as he had discovered that what was said to the expat community was different to that which was told to the Spanish politicians. As I could sit in on the one hand as a councillor and in the other as an expat resident they would not be able to do the same thing next time. He has a meeting arranged with the new Consejeria on the 2nd November (he showed me the invite) and promised to let me know how it goes.

2. Jose has been unable to provide me with either the electoral list or the CD of the plan. Candido asked the architect if we had a copy of the plan which he could let me have but, it transpired that the only ones we have in the Town Hall are old ones and of little value. The architect has said he will try and get a copy from Almeria or see if they can do one for us. In relation to persons checking whether they are on the voting list for next elections we will try and issue some advice soon. We need to get the telephone number in the public domain although anyone wishing to check may need to be able to speak Spanish. We could alternatively get one of the Town Hall staff to ring up on the individuals behalf and whilst this may be time consuming for the Town Hall I think it may be the way forward. Will let you know.

3. The state of the road entering Cucador is now getting quite serious and I told him that the work done, by the Spanish family who built the house, to install their pipework etc stretches about 100 yards and is a real mess. We agreed to send the Polizia Local to speak to the people and tell them to put it right immediately or we would get it done and bill them for it. The case regarding the illegal erection of this house is obviously still going through the process.

4. A rumour that the Gun Clb has permission to open from 31st October. Candido checked with the secretary and no such permissions have been given.

5. The untidy mess around the Aurora homes in La Alfoquia. Candido said this was the same houses that we had discussed before, which were built by Dizu, but that, due to the Court orders, we could not do anything with it either. However, he said that because it was such a mess he may risk the wrath of the courts and try and get the area tidied up.

6. The lighting for Cuesta de los Pinos. He said there was a slight delay as we have to await the signing off by Endesa and the publication of the boletin, which should occur in the next couple of weeks.

7. I asked if I could put a link from this blog to the Town Hall website and after discussions it was agreed that we need to await clearance from the Diputacion who pay for this site. Andreas will make enquiries over the next few days.

8. Work to start on organisng our papers to process the IBI bills. We are still awaiting the files from the Catastral office. Salvadore has asked for them 3 times now and we are still waiting. Candido said he thought we may need a lorry to bring the paperwork back!

9. Reminded Candido of the British Legion church service on the 11th and he said he would be attending. I undertand you are all welcome. Service starts at 10.30am on the 11th.

10. other information. a) I have to chase Francisco re the Parabolic mirror and the traffic calming measures for Cuesta de los Pinos. b) I gave Paco the list of street signs missing wthat we need to order and erect. He said he would do that in November. c) Also asked Paco to look at the tree which is causing an obstruction to exiting traffics view from Palaces. He sadi he would look at that today. d) the Correos is considering reducing the hours that Zurgena Post Office is open to one hour a day and is also considering moving the best staff. Mike Foulkes has organised a petition copies of which are at al the usual locations including the Town Hall. e) A new Spanish bar is opening tomorrow night in La Alfoquia next to Bar Trabalon (it is in what was to be the front office for the big developement in Llanos del Peral) and is called 'bakkama'.

Finally a great bit of news and that is that the Town Hall have won another case in the High Court just this Wednesday past. The case was the one in relation to Los Cabreras and Los Puntales and the High Court ruled that the Junta were too late in bringing the action and it was thrown out.

As usual any questions or clarification just email me at jiminysimpson@gmail.com or ring 661147554.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Drugs Raid

For the information of those who were aware of something happening yesterday about 3.0pm in Zurgena it was a huge Police anti drugs raid. They were targeting suspected cocaine dealers from the houses at the top of Zurgena. Apparently they used an elite group of Police Officers armed with sub machine guns. They closed off the topmost part of the village whilst they carried out the raid. The local Spanish described the action as like something out of a movie.

I was unable to see Candido today firstly he was in a meeting with Jose and Isa and then dashed out with the solicitor. I asked Jose about the Censor list and the CD of the plan. He still does not have it. I will keep asking until I get it or until we decide how else to manage the checking of peoples names on the electoral roll.

Road Progress

On my morning walk this morning I noticed that the tarmac road surface is being put down on the new road. There were 10 lorries loaded with tarmac and two road laying machines all busily working. Looks like they are starting at the Cucador end and then working towards Arboleas.

Candido has been with solicitors all this week but I am hoping to see him today. I am also taking in a few queries and the list of street signs names that we need to order. Thanks to those of you who informed me of the ones that are missing.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Los Carasoles Correos

We have now got confirmation that the new bank of post boxes can go in at Los Carasoles.

Anthonio of New Horizons has said that we can place it behind the bus stop outside his offices and the Town Hall have agreed that that is a suitable location.

This post is to inform anyone who may be interested in having a box, and who has not yet let Carole Doran know. Carole can be contacted by email on doran-carole@hotmail.co.uk or by telephone on 950432021

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Macael Meeting and List

I called into the Town Hall this morning to give the Polizia Local details of the latest stuff from NHW. Whilst there I took the opportunity of seeing Jose the secretary to ask him for the censor list and the CD rom of the plan. He said he had been off work ill last week and that he needed to go in person to Almeria to get the list personally. He said he would do that in the next week or two, or by a week on Friday. I will chase him up for that. regarding the CD rom of the plan he said he would have to see the architect. That he had forgotten all about it but would try and get it this week.

I also then asked how the meeting had gone at Macael (this was the meeting which the Junta were trumpeting between Ana Vinuesa and the Mayors to help progress the PGOUs) but as Candido was not there (he was at the Solicitors office in Vera) I thought I would have to wait until later in the week. I set off home and then got a call to say Candido wanted me to see some papers regarding this meeting. So I returned to the Town Hall and Andreas was copying an article from La Voz newspaper and a letter from the Office of the Dept of Public Works and Housing. The meeting was held at 11.30am Monday 18th in Macael. The letter informing Candido of the meeting was stamped as having been received at the Town Hall at 11.29am Monday 18th October (a bit too close to help attendance). Closer examination of the letter shows that it was typed up on the 11th October. Left the Dept of Works on 13th October and probably posted on the 14th October. Huercal Overa Post Office was closed over the weekend 15th 16th October which was why they did not receive notification until it was too late.

Will try and meet with him late this week to see if he has heard anything further although the other councillors suspect that it was more of a,publicity stunt than a working shop we will have to see.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Street Signs & Lists

Firstly I tried again to get the Censor List from Jose today but again he was not in. I asked if there was any other way we could ensure people were on the voting list well before the elections and was told that there is a telephone number for people to ring but it has to be the individual and they would need to speak a bit of basic Spanish as the person at the other end would have to ask questions to ensure who they were talking to. The next way would be for each individual to call into the Town Hall and for Jose to ring on their behalf. Both these options seem to be very laborious and so I said I would advise people to wait until I can see if we can get the list which the Secretary promised. I said I would give it until next week. Same applies for the CD of the plan.

Regarding the missing street signs Paco has informed me that he has checked their store and they do not have any signs for the streets named below and we will need to re order them. Before I compile this list I want to make sure I only do this once. I have listed the streets which people have told me do not have signs and if there are any others please let me know by 20th October when I will compile the list for them to order.
Calles Hungria, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Grecia, Letonia, Islandia, Montinegro, Moldavia, Pedro Salinas, Nalon, Segura, Odiel, Ulla, Rafael Alberti, Juan Ramon Jiminez, Avenida de Aracen y Picos de Aroche.
Added Calle Reino Unido and Calle Carl Von Linneo.

I had fun trying to find documents this morning, AGAIN. It was the case that someone had asked me to check if they had been granted a Licence of 1st Occupation. When I checked the computer it showed that they had but, when I checked the file, all the other papers were there but no Licence of 1st Occupation. It was explained that this was amongst the many files removed and subsequently returned by the Guardia Civil They (G.C.) did not do an inventory of what they took and therefore the Town Hall does not where this paperwork could be. They also cannot issue a new one as the signatories to the original paperwork would have been different. So I am afraid this was another case where the owner will have to await further developement before a new certificate could be issued.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Heurcal Overa Fiscal.

The below entry is a translated copy of a blog entry fom http://elsilencionoesbarao.blogspot.com which is a blog run by a local man Juan Pardo Navarro, who was born and lives in Zurgena, he is married, two children (Ana and José E) Ana is a lawyer, Joseph E. says he is studying. He is obviously not frightened of sticking his head above the parapet given what has happened to him in the past. The entry relates to Juan Sanchez Martinez (referred to in post a few days ago) who for the past few years has held the post of Fiscal at Huercal Overa. I have put my possible interpretation in brackets after each paragraph. These summaries may not be accurate. It seems that as time goes by we are identifying more of the people behind our problems.

There is an evil and corrupt fiscal dean for the courts of the Almanzora, Juan Sánchez Martínez, of which only I will relate some of their outrages, all, all, NO .... hit me or put me on his knees. If nothing else, for parents who have children legal practitioners, not afraid that you have "coconut" and sole benefit of what little remains of Justice in Spain.
(Self explanatory, mostly)

Just act 1.-tax appointment Huércal Overa Area, without being the son of the town, or seen, or Catholic, and apostolic people only lose, he was appointed "official crier" is unusual in this town.
(Summary Unusual that he be appointed to the post with no local qualifications)

Act 2 .- Shortly after being appointed judge of the No. 2 Huércal Overa, David Alvarez Villagra go evening element, Juan Sanchez and the unique and determined to "make" their territorial domain, CAGARAN CONTROL THAT IN THE OFFICE OF ...... judge, Villagra. This sent my eggs
(Summary Through control of the courts to gain control of the area. The eggs bit is, I believe, an insult)

Act 3.-It is unusual to appoint a substitute judge Degree in Law to be the daughter of people much more if the population is less than 25,000 inhabitants. But using their machinations, the judge appointed replacement Esperanza Collantes, Eye to the data on August 8, 2006-August-The judge, of course, at his request, ordered the stoppage of all works of Zurgena where worked more than 4,000 people, normal is that awaits in September and is the holder to order such cessation. What is original sin committed Zurgena? Not have a socialist mayor, have a person in front of the consistory, honest and efficient and firm whose sole purpose was and is "growth and prosperity of its people." Of these outrages emanating famous SEWING OPERATION.
(Summary The unusual way that he waited until all staff were on holiday in August 2006 to make an appointment of a substitute judge from whom the actions against the Town Hall of Zurgena were initiated, including Operation Costurero.)

4.-As act these vile, they often rely on professionals regardless of their clan, orders, commands, and formalized his wife, clerk of the court instruct THAT IF THIS OPERATION. For them, the Incompatibility Act is an assumption that say the law, or tax law clerk, officer and interim judge of the same clan. Do you know the name of his wife?, CHARITY. SEND EGGS
(Summary How strange and against the laws of compatibility that he appoints his wife as clerk to the court, which I understand is against the law)

Act 5 .-
Judge Marina Hidalgo filed a complaint of harassment against the Attorney Dean Huércal Overa, Juan Sánchez Martínez.
The Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Andalucía has opened an investigation into the criminal courts. Two prosecutors have asked to go to Lorca.
Contents
"They stole the robe, he slashed the tires of the car and flooded the court copies of bad taste ... until his father had come to protect." Do not put in doubt the authorship, is engraved: Yes, John Smith, but his true vocation is to subtract the cash flows of the court.
(Summary This is a short resume of that referred to in an earlier post regarding the investigation initiated by the Judge from HO Marina Hidalgo and her complaints against Martinez)

Act 6 .- Knowing how I, Juan Pardo Navarro, ID 75206120F, I "launched" when committed injustices, much more if they, fall upon my people and I Zurgena spokesman in a demonstration, he ordered the local police of Huércal Overa that "where the sooner they could beat me to death if necessary, an attitude that was put into effect the night of 5 to August 6, 2008 DP 2967/08.
As such beating is "practiced on the premises of the local police, only to be presented this recording outside or inside the barracks, they were acquitted, right? No, first they say the camera was damaged, and then he had lost in court. Now it hints that when I replace "kill me" just do not let him.
(Summary. Not sure but I believe it refers to an alleged assault on the author in 2008 by Police.)

Monday, October 11, 2010

Certificates of Expedient

I had a couple of appointments in the Town Hall today and, whilst there, Andreas had been having some discussions regarding the above document and he asked if I would put another explanation on this blog.
The Certificate of Expediente is merely a form signed by the Town Hall to state whether, to their knowledge, there is any legal proceedings open or being considered. Therefore when considering whether to apply for one (cost thirty euros) you are advised to bear in mind that the certificate may not be what you want e.g. that it in fact certifies that there is a procedure open which refers to your property. This document was rarely used or asked for prior to the tribulations that the Town Hall of Zurgena have been suffering. Since the legal action was initiated some solicitors and estate agents have insisted on sellers obtaining this document, in an effort to protect their purchasing clients. On receipt of the application for a C of E it goes to the secretary who liaises with the solicitors and once checked out completes the certificate either confirming that there is or is not any proceedings that impact on that property.

The secretary was not at work again today so I will try and catch him on Thursday for Censor list and CD rom of the plan. Tomorrow (Tuesday 12th) is a National Holiday, Columbus Day.

Friday, October 8, 2010

IBI, Court Case, Dirty Tricks

Managed to get some time with Candido today and it was helpful as I needed to understand better how, and what, we were doing, regarding the roll out of IBI (Council Tax). Firstly I got another lesson in how to use the inventory computer which we are using for this process. I can now interrogate and update that software programme which will help me. It will also help me when dealing with queries from people.

I then asked about a number of areas where people had contacted me to say that they understood about the IBI bills but that they felt they needed things such as tarmac roads lighting etc before they felt able to pay IBI. I used as an example Los Menchones and Los Carasoles. Candido explained that we do have a problem in that our finances are in a dire situation he showed me a document from 2008 which showed the amount of money we had received from the Junta (415,000 euros) but that the Junta wanted a repayment due to an over calculation of 64,000 euros for that year and double that for 2009. So that, not only is our income reducing, but we are also having to find monies to repay the Junta for over calculations. Candido said they were trying, where possible, to tidy areas up and put in extra infrastructure but this was very little by little. I asked whether, if IBI was being paid, everything would be attended to and he said ,"for certain." They are applying for subsidies to do this work bit by bit and applications have gone in for every area but these only get granted in a very slow manner. For example the road which leads to Calle Albert Einstein in Los Menchones (a very short stretch), actually leads to the camino, and would need to be done in its entirety, which is not such a cheap option. We are really struggling to keep up with staff wages at the moment so I can understand the delays in trying to get these things done.

I asked what stage we were at now regarding the IBI and how the process would go forward. He explained that they had had another couple of meetings this week with the taxation people and only a couple of more signatures were needed. Once we had these we would have a lot of work to do (I believe I am to help starting next week so you may hear ) to get things ready probably by early 2011 to be able to send it off to the taxation office who, if everything was okay, would issue the IBI bills in September 2011. This is the only date when the office issue the bills, once a year. I again asked if he had any idea on how much these bills would be and he listed some of the factors that would be taken into account. Rather than fill a whole page with these factors I can tell you that every possible thing is taken into account down to distance to airport, year built, condition etc. Loads. Salvadore was there, whilst I was discussing this with Candido, and he said he thought that for my property (3 bed detached 6 year old on 1,000 sq metre plot with pool and garage) it would be in the region of 300 euros a year and Candido thought it would be nearer 200. One of the other councillors walked past and said, "zero for councillors." I thought yes like the zero expenses we get now.

So to summarise we should have all the details sent to the taxation office by January. If all okay bills would be raised September 2011 and can go back up to 4 years to the date of grant of Licence of 1st occupation.

I then wanted to know more about the court case which was due to be heard in the Almeria Court on 8th,9th,10th & 11th March 2011. Candido explained that this action was not one brought about by the Fiscal (see more below) but by purchasers of properties in Barranco de los Pinos. He said the Fiscal had failed to bring any charges, as he had failed to find sufficient evidence, but that this action was being brought by British people, who were informing the courts that their houses were illegal and summoning the entire council and the builder and architect to court. He said that he felt they would have been better advised to take an action against the Junta but that he felt the council would win the case as they had dealt with this area the same as the others. He said it was a difficult situation, as the Council would have to defend themselves but, that the petitioners would have to pay any damages if they lost. He also found it difficult to understand why those petitioners would want to record their properties as illegal when no such finding has occurred for any of the developements in Zurgena. It will be interesting to see what happens when this case appears at court. Might even go down to it myself.

Dirty Tricks: Just when I thought I could not hear anything more disgusting about politics in Spain I was told about a breaking story in La Voz de Almeria (bearing in mind that this is a PSOE controlled paper). It also impacts on the Barranco de los Pinos case. Apparently the fiscal in Huercal Overa, who ordered the stoppage of work on Barranco de los Pinos, was one Juan Sanchez Martinez (who is, I believe, the son of the Mayor of Taberno). It transpires that when he tried to do this the first time there was a female Judge in Huercal Overa (Marina Delgado) who objected and said that they should look at all the facts before making any decision. Martinez, as he is an active member of PSOE ignored her and went ahead. It subsequently transpired that Martinez had his wife working within his office as a secretary, which is against the rules as it negates the natural checks and balances of having someone independent in the Fiscal office. Also subsequently, Delgado suffered a number of strange incidents, anonymous letters, all four tyres on her Mercedes car were slit, items went missing from her office and a pile of human excrement was left on her desk. She moved fom Huercal Overa to Lorca but not before asking and getting permission for a camera in her office, on which she recorded Martinez entering her office. The case is being investigated by the Superior Court in Granada in the meantime, we are led to believe, the Court in Huercal Overa has been closed. Just another example of the level malicious politicians can go to here. Details of the allegations are in La Voz de Almeria dated 8th October.

We spent over an hour discussing the above issues, so some other matters were left but, those of you who had asked what the position was regarding the Town Hall, issuing licences of 1st Occupation please give me a ring (between 11.0am and 1.0pm any day), there was a small developement on this issue which I can only discuss by phone or in person. In general they still cannot issue these licences but there is hope for the future.

I gave an updated list of the missing street names for Paco's attention and again mentioned the state of the road into Cucador for Paco's attention.

Just a note that October the 12th is Columbas day which is a national holiday. I know this because they told me that as a councillor I could attend at the behest of the comandante, the office of the Guardia Civil. As it was too late to get Andreas to attend I will not be going. It seems some offices will be closed Monday and Tuesday next week.

Finally just another mention about voting rights. If you voted at the last election you should receive a voting paper prior to the next elections. If you did not vote at the last elections you will need to complete a form to say you wish to vote. This form can be obtained from me, the AUAN or most NHW coordinators. I am still awaiting a full election list which the Town Hall are trying to provide me.

Lengthy post if any queries as usual just email (jiminysimpson@gmail.com or phone 661147554 preferably between 11.0am and 1.0pm (definitely not between 2.0pm and 4.0pm).

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Thursday 7th Oct

Called in to Ayuntamiento to meet with some people today. Meeting was okay but no one else was about. Andreas had had to go the doctors and the other councillors were all out.

Did discover that Candido and Salvadore had met with the main man from the Tax office yesterday regarding moving the IBI thing forward and apparently it went well. I will call in again tomorrow to try and find out more about how we are going to roll that out.

We have now got the new part for the street cleaning machine and it has started cleaning the streets again. We have only waited nearly 2 years for the part!

A few people have asked me to clarify the position with regard to people using their homes as kennels when in residencial areas. I am led to believe that the process is the same as for any business but I will try and get clarification.