THE COAST IS CLEAR IN ORIHUELA
As we approach the end of the year, we often look back at things that have been memorable and a few things we might have forgotten. In fact, we have done just that in The Leader this week, looking back at some of the headlines that we covered this year. However, as we go through our daily grind, it is often a time when we don´t appreciate the work that some people do to try to improve our lives.
One of the significant changes of 2011 in Spain was a change in government. Nationally, the country is now run by the Partido Popular, under the lead of Mariano Rajoy. Locally, things changed too. One of those major mileposts was the Partido Popular losing their majority government of Orihuela, paving the way for a coalition team, with a ‘Green' mayor, and members of minor parties also taking seats in office.
One of those seats was the post of Councillor for the Coast, which was given to a newly elected British politician. This in itself was a huge step in politics, allowing the expat community to not only have a voice, but also an elected representative who could actually have to power to make the difference.
Irrespective of anybody´s personal feelings about any individual, it is quite clear that this must be seen as a positive move. There is perhaps nowhere else on the Costa Blanca at least where expats have this position to master change.
There has been trouble towards the end of the year in the council of Orihuela, political infighting, accusations of corruption and coercion, strikes and budgetary issues, huge debts, educational let downs etc, and it would not be fair to single out any single person to that end, other than to point out the uniqueness of the political position of the Orihuela Costa.
Many people in the town halls are working for the good of the citizens the serve, people who have elected them to office, and there is no doubt that the politicians collectively have the good of the people in their minds, even though 2012 may well prove difficult in terms of controlling the debt that Orihuela carries. The budget for next year will soon be presented to council and is expected to be based on a policy of no tax increases, and not spending more than the income allows, thus causing a reduction in investment, but allowing for a better future.
We will also find out shortly if the Valencia government have included the portacabin school in Orihuela in their budget for 2012, and see if it will be this year that the building is converted to a brick school. Councillor for education Rosa Martínez has been in Valencia this week, trying her best to ensure that it might actually happen.
We know that Valencia has vowed to replace all schools of that type within a four year period, but we can only hope that Orihuela is boosted up the list. We will also find out if the work on the second school will continue, as it needs to be put out to tender once more, following the bankruptcy of the builder who was awarded the contract. The same applies to the new emergency centre.
We know that the La Zenia Boulevard Shopping Centre will open this year, likely to be in September, bringing thousands of jobs to the area and, subsequently, millions in revenue as excited shoppers flood through the doors. We also expect there to be more diversions in place as the road network is revised to ensure that the best access and egress to the centre is provided. An inconvenience no doubt, but with a greater goal.
As we look back at the year, we know that Orihuela Costa featured on the Vuelta a España cycle race. We know that the people who followed the entrants of Miss Intercontinental will have a great opinion of the hospitality of the area.
As we look to the streets, we see a huge improvement too, although we may well take it for granted.
Businesses are now being threatened with fines for posting flyers on cars and posters on street furniture, all of which inevitably end up as litter or unsightly eyesores for residents and visitors alike. The ´Clean Up The Coast´ campaign has been a huge success. Almost daily it is possible to see major cleaning crews taking down posters, graffiti and the like, reporting back to a central base, where the process of action starts.
Internally, this too was a huge hurdle to get over, with central government being responsible for the bridges, local council was powerless to act, until an agreement was reached that allowed the action to now take place. All negotiations that were taking place without the blaze of glory, but for the benefit of the coast.
The town hall also got directly involved in the negotiations with refuge collectors to try to avert industrial action. The award of the cleaning contracts in Orihuela is a complex situation anyway, without the complications of workers refusing to clear the streets of rubbish in the run up to Christmas. But the town hall were instrumental in preventing that action and ensuring that service was maintained for the citizens of the municipality.
Perhaps having an environmental influence in council is the reason why more attention is being given to protecting areas of natural beauty. Areas which have been decimated in recent years now see action to turn back the clock of decay, protecting some of nature´s own, and sometimes rare, creations.
Now, at Christmas, we see even more twinkling lights on the streets, focussing on giving the residents something to enjoy, and in the hope that commercial areas will join in and create their own displays in future years, complimenting the efforts from the town hall. There is a tree at La Zenia, dressed in lights and a Christmas program that the coast has never seen before. With the councillor for tourism, Pedro Mancebo, having his own interest in the coast, the diversity that the schedule brings will make a huge difference this year.
With buses taking residents to a concert in Orihuela, a much sought after location for any carol concert, activities for young and old alike and the first time that the official countdown to the New Year will be celebrated with grapes and Cava in an organised event on the Orihuela Costa.
The coast really is clear for the Orihuela Costa, no doubt without more battles, complications and arguments, but all with the same goal, to make the area great for us all.
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