My email jiminysimpson@gmail.com

My email jiminysimpson@gmail.com

Monday, April 27, 2015

Apology for Last Post

Just a short post to explain why I have removed the last post.

I was a bit premature in communicating what I did as, unfortunately, the post included a number of errors and mistakes in both translation (bloody Google) and in facts. These mistakes included both the names of certain people and some of the facts. In order to not confuse you anymore I will construct a new post which is correct in all respects. 

We still have some bureaucracy to go through before the list is finalised. 

So hasta maƱana!!


Sunday, April 19, 2015

Manifesto Ideas

After many meetings over the past 2 weeks in Almeria and locally I have some interesting news about the upcoming elections to explain to you in the next day or two. Some of you who read the Spanish press may already have an idea but I will need to do a separate post to fully explain it.

However, in the meantime, I am attending a meeting next weekend at which the manifesto, for the party which I will be supporting, is to be discussed. This is therefore a request for you to all send me your ideas as to what you think should be included in the manifesto. So please give it some thought and if you have any ideas that you would like considered please send me an email and I promise I will put it on the table, for consideration.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Carboneras Trip

Well from the general feedback I received I think that on balance most of the 38 people present on yesterdays trip to Carboneras, enjoyed it.

This being despite the usual hiccups of trips in Spain, such as the windmill museum not being open due to a dispute between the builder who renovated it and the Town Hall, and the fact that the english speaking tour guide, did not speak english!!

However we managed and visited the unique historic windmill on the front. A tour of the Castle where there was a great exhibition of old photographs of the area which most people found interesting and then on to lunch in Donde Caparros. This restaurant on the Paseo Maritime at Carboneras served us a good meal with plenty of wine and beer flowing.

Thanks to those who came along and made it such an enjoyable day.

I hope to be able to reveal the result of the political negotiations after the weekend.





Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Not Here for the 24th May?

If for any reason you are not going to be in Spain on election day, Sunday the 24th May you can register to have a postal vote.

All that is required is that you call into any Post Office here with identification and explain that you want a ¨solicito el voto por correo ¨. They will hand you a document which you need to complete and return to the Post Office. If you wish to make your voice count and I can assure you this election may be the most important of all our time here, then please ensure you can vote. Once you get the document if you want any help in completing it just let me or Andreas in the Town Hall know. Once the application is complete you will receive at your Spanish address the necessary paperwork. There will be pamphlets for each party and a slip for each party. You place the slip of the party you wish to vote for in the small envelope and that goes inside the big envelope with a form of accreditation (also included) and send in.

The closing date for applications is 14th May but earlier the better.

Any problems or queries please email or ring.

Monday, April 13, 2015

Election Negotiations

At this time there are numerous negotiations going on in advance of the local elections in May.  These discussions involve all the main political parties.

I am not at liberty to disclose what, or how, these negotiations are going, but, suffice it to say, they may have a big bearing on our main concerns in this municipality. I should know more clearly how the negotiations have gone and what the outcome of these is in a few days and rest assured, as soon as I can publish any facts, I will do so. So its watch this space.

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Tuesday 7th April

Well I am sure many of you will have noticed the increase in obvious works going on across the municipality. And in all other municipalities! Some of this is due to the completion of projects which Partido Andalucista (P.A.) promised at the last elections but also others are (as is usual prior to an election) completed to garner support.

It would appear that despite all the discussions we, by that I mean the party which has supported the expat community for the past 8 years by listening to it and involving myself on the council and others in decision making processes, will be contesting the election as our own party P.A.

There was consideration being given to our forming various alliances with other political parties but, when we looked at what was best for our community the only really good option was to continue as Partido Andalucista and to involve ,as much as is possible, the best people to continue the work. I hope to be able to stand on the Partido Andalucista list but in a position out of the top 5 or 6. I also hope that those persons, who I have found, worked hardest to achieve things for our community also put themselves forward to be included again on the list for P.A. That way we can be sure of good progression on all fronts. It would be great to see that the party which has achieved so much over the past 8 years enjoy a period in power when they actually have a bit of money! The first tranche if the IBI money from the Junta should be arriving soon.

We do have one problem and that is a lack of ladies to support the party. We could ideally do with 2 ex-pat ladies who are willing for their names to be added to the party list. The amount of work involved is (dependant on the individuals desire, minimal), possibly attending a couple of meetings. If anyone would like to consider this and wants any clarification please give me a call 661147554 or drop me an email. It would be really worthwhile for our part of the community to have such support. 
Please give this really serious thought as it could have a big impact on our Town Hall and its services.

In relation to the works going on, we have a number of projects nearing completion and obviously as and when they are completed we will publicise the fact. I also went round with my open list of issues which need attention and made sure that the workers know of what and where these issues are and they will work them all as they can. I am quite hopeful that all will either be completed or nearly completed within the next 3 to 4 weeks.

I have asked that when they start the work on Calle Finlandia if there is a necessity to block the road that the workers inform the residents. So hopefully if it is necessary they will!

One of the projects nearing completion but not yet there is the sewerage paperwork from Los Llanos down to the dipuradora below Cucador Norte. The main pipe are in but the connections and tarmac remedial work will take place over the next 2 to 3 weeks. This includes connecting the pipe in Calle Abderraman to the new junctions.

As usual any questions do not hesitate to ask.