Doctors Appointments

Just to reiterate that whilst the Zurgena surgery is being revamped we are adbised by ghe Health Authority that all patients will be seen at Alfoquia until the work is complete. This obviously makes the surgery much busier and patients can only be seen by appointment. To make an appointment please ring Maribel on this number +34 658 394 584

Andalusia Day

Next Tuesday 28th February is Andalucia Day. At 1.0pm there will be the procession of the Virgin Carmen round Alfoquia. This will be followed by free migas for all attendees and there will be unflatable bouncy castles. There will also be bar service at the new Bar Mandragora (next to argentinian panaderia) and there will be a bar in the Renfe building.

Water Interruption. UPDATE 1500. FURTHER UPDATE 1845

Parts of Zurgena and Alfoquia (areas including Zurgena pueblo, Alfoquia and Los Carasoles) are suffering from an interruption tontheir supply of water. This is due to a burst pipe near the park in Zurgena. they are working to repair it but itbis likely to be off all day. Galas send their apologies i ️ Work has continued since early in the morning to replace the section of the supply network that is broken and caused an interruption that affects the vast majority of the Municipality of Zurgena. The problem has occurred under the soccer field, where the pipe has burst,. This section of network has already caused various problems over the years, as it is a very old network. The City Council in collaboration with GALASA have decided to install a new network instead of patching it up again, as that solution would not ensure an end to these problems. The GALASA technicians tell us that they will try to have the work completed to restore the water supply tonight, but they still cannot guarantee the time. We show you some images of the work that is being carried out. GALASA operators together with machines hired by the City Council to expedite the work necessary to solve the water break as soon as possible, are finishing setting up the new supply network. It is hoped that late in the afternoon the water supply should be running The supply will gradually reach the different affected areas at differing times. But all hopefully later today

Train Project

Today in the Interpretation centre Gines Parra just past the Bar La Union at 1900 there is a presentation of as book about the Water Horses but also a presentation on the Tourist Train project by the amazing Rafael Garcia de la Mata. Rafa is the man who is doing the most to progress the idea and development of the Railway in SAlfoquia. If you have the t8me please pop along and give him your support and you may learn more about this great project.

Water & Update on other projects

We are receiving a number of complaints about the colour of the drinking water today. We have been in touch with Galasa and is a non hazardous chemical which they occasionally have to introduce to the water supply to eliminate iron particles. They will be sending out a communication but, as we sai, it would have helped if they had thought to do that prior!!! In addition to the detail given in the bridge project the mayor also informed people about the development of two other projects. There is a project to create a widening of Avenida Europa with a cycle lane and footpath. Also a project to tarmac the track which runs below La Vida up to Llanos del Peral. This is expected to be completed this summer. The upgrading of the street lighting to the newest solar powered type has also been agreed for most areas in the municipality. To be completed during this year. The installation of a new CCTV system to cover the main parts of the municipality, a project I did a lot of work on, has now been approved and equipment ordered so this also should be completed soon.

Carnival

Sorry about late reminder. The annual carnival parades from the Sports Pavilion at 1830 today.

Todays Bridge Meeting & More Police Equipment

There was an excellent attendance at meeting in La Vida for the Mayors presentation on the bridge project. I was asked by some of you who could not make the meeting to give an update on the plans. Basically the project as planned by us in 2019 has now been drawn up by architects, costed and agreed in priciple with the Junta. All that remains is the final push to get the funds signed off, which it is hoped will happen in the next few months. I attach below photos of the project as completed for your information

From today the Local Police of our municipality have a new police vehicle. The vehicle in question is a Ford Kuga-Hybrid SUV, acquired through leasing by our City Council, it has advanced technological systems such as emergency braking, rear camera and detainee kit, to aid the work of municipal agents. For the same reason during this last year they have been equipped with a Taser device, two body cameras, a tablet with access to the Appolo database, a digital printer, a defibrillator, signals and beacons for static vehicle control. Now we can add a new vehicle. We want our agents to work in the best conditions, because that is the way to guarantee the best service to the neighbourhood. It should be noted that the agents of this municipality are at your disposal 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to attend to any emergency that may arise for our neighbors. ✍️ We will once again provide you with the telephone number of the Zurgena Local Police: 664395513. 📲

Spanish Legion Base visit

As some of you know we have developed a great relationship with the Spanish Legion based in Viator near Almeria. As part of our relationship we regularly host exercises by the Legion in our municipality. Another exercise is to be held later this year. Quite a number of our residents have visited the Legions base in the past and i can confirm, from my personal experience, it is a visit that I highly recommend. My contact with the the legion is Andrew Mortimer who is an honourary member of the Legion and he teaches the officers english language. Andy has advised me that the Legion are having a Parade day on the 6th May at the base. and he has said he will invite anyone I know who wishes to go. It normally includes a tour of their museum, which is very interesting, a good view of the parade and lunch in the officers mess. the benefit to Andy and the Legion is to have their officers practice english on you! If you are interested in going to the base on this date please drop me an email to jimszurgena@gmail.com inckuding your NIE and passport numbers (for security) and your contact details and i will ensure you are on the invite list.

Rubbish Campaign

Another attempt by us to control the deposits of rubbish is as below Citizens awareness campaign for the depositing of waste and rubbish in different areas of the municipality. Taking care of nature, preserving biodiversity, depositing waste correctly in its containers, etc... These are noble causes that we should all share and work towards. From this morning, signs are being placed on the containers to remind citizens of what type of belongings and waste are not allowed to be deposited in the organic matter containers, and the collection days on which the Consortium's collection truck comes round to take furniture and the items allowed. From the Hon. Zurgena City Council we request that our citizens collaborate to maintain a clean town without uncontrolled illegal tips.

Trip to Benidorm Over 65s

📢📢TRIP TO BENIDORM FOR THE OVER 65S‼️🌴☀️ From February 27 to March 1. Activity Within the 6th Provincial Plan of Community Social Services. The objective is the participation of the elderly in leisure activities and free time of a cultural nature. Maximum registration period is up until the 15th at 2:00 p.m. but as usual you will have to be quick!in theTown Hall There is only space for 14 people and their companions do a total of 28 Cost is €20

Meeting re Bridge over Rambla

As many of you may remember Luis, Fran and I included the idea of a bridge over the Rambla below La Vida in our manifesto of 2019 and is one of very few promises we have not yet managed to achieve. We felt it was necessary to build a bridge as the road surface is frequently washed away in heavy rains. This was included in our manifesto in 2019 and is one of the few promises not yet kept. However we have been working on the project and our Mayor would like to inform everyone about the state is the project.

In an effort to inform as many as possible about the project and how it is progressing he is holding a meeting at Bar La Vida at 1100 on Friday 17th February.

As this road is the main access for residents of Cucador Norte (previously known as Cuesta de Los Pinos) and Los Llanos del Peral all residents of these areas may wish to attend and get 5he latest news.

Almanzora Rally Road Closures

 The annual car rally will  be passing through our municipality this Saturday 11th February and the following road closures will be in effect from 0753 until 1443;

Avenida 19 de Octubre from the junction with Calle Mina to the Plaza Del Olmo and to the exit of the A1101 by the cemetery.

Candidates for Election

 I am a little disappointed in the response for people to get involved.

Throughout the past 16 years, by having representation on the council, a great deal of attention has been given to the issues and concerns of the ex pat community (even to the point where each year I was asked what the expat community wanted their share of the budget spent on) and I seriously doubt whether the same level of support will be available without some sort of representation even if  just a person on the list supporting the party. 

I know people tend to be critical of Town Halls but, if no one takes an interest in what the TH is doing then you  cannot expect the officials to be more mindful of that part of the community! As I previously explained, to become involved, can be as little as adding your name to the list or as much involvement as you want.

So if you feel you might be interested drop me an email at jimszurgena@gmail.com or call my uk phone +44 7368 990809 to have a chat.