Where have all the (new) trees gone?

In my previous article 'PAU 26 has been Saved – We've Won!' I reported that Clr. Abadía on behalf of the PP controlled council confirmed that

'All refuse will be cleared from the PA 26 green zone and that the land will be restored to it's previous natural state, with the replanting of pine trees and plants.'

The Round Town News in it's 18th December 2009 issue published an article entitled 'The Illegal Tip Has Gone!' in which the editorial says;

"We have to give credit where credit is due........... the illegal rubbish tip which has been situated in PAU 26 has been removed and what’s more, last week, as promised, the Town Hall planted 300 new trees in the area,"

Reference was made to the commitment given by Clr. Abadía on behalf of the Council and the paper comments;

"And true to his word, within six weeks it has happened. Well done Orihuela Town Hall!"

Well done for what? I visited the site today (21st December 2009) and could not see any sign of these '300 new trees' The only thing the Council has done is to abandon the site!

Can anyone see any of the 300 new trees? Click on any of the photographs to enlarge it to help you find those (invisible/imaginary) Council planted trees!

Who's misleading who?

Copenhagen Climate Conference Failure

The result of this conference is a disaster. The country leaders and politicians should be ashamed of themselves, they have let the world and future generations down!

BBC - Copenhagen summit battles to save climate deal

The Mail - World leaders reach 'toothless' late Copenhagen climate change deal - but officials admit it's 'not enough'

Telegraph - Copenhagen climate summit: Barack Obama risks China's anger over satellite monitoring

Guardian - Low targets, goals dropped: Copenhagen ends in failure

Catalonia to become first Spanish region to ban 'sadistic spectacle' of bullfighting

The Catalonia Regional Parliament today took a major step towards outlawing the tradition.

It voted by 67 votes to 59 (with five abstentions) to draw up a law calling for fighting bulls to be protected in the same way as other animals.

The proposal, which will be voted on in April, is expected to be passed as a majority of deputies in the regional parliament are thought to favour a ban.

Catalonia, whose capital Barcelona has a 19,500 seat bullring, is the second most populated region of Spain with 7.5 million inhabitants.

In 2008, 12 bullfights took place in the province, all of them in Barcelona's Plaza de Toros Monumental.

The Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the coast of west Africa, banned bullfighting in 1991.

More details in the Mail Online

Spanish region set to ban bullfighting

Bullfighting looks set to be banned in part of Spain as the Catalan parliament prepares to vote tomorrow to prohibit one of the country's most emblematic, and bloodiest, traditions.

The Catalan parliament prepares to vote on law giving fighting bulls the same level of protection from cruelty as other animals.

Manuel Cases, of the Catalan Animals Rights Association said "Everywhere in Spain the majority of people say they do not like bullfights," he went on to say "Over time, this will have to be prohibited. Otherwise we will be back in the stone age."

guardian.co.uk

The sooner this barbaric act of 'Bull Baiting' is banned the better.

Thousands of prisoners have satellite TV in their cells

More than 4,000 prisoners have satellite television in their cells, the Government admitted.

Criminals in privately-run jails are being offered the perk as a reward for good behaviour. However, MPs described the disclosure as “absolutely revolting”.

Maria Eagle, the Justice Secretary, admitted that prisoners could watch their own satellite television service in a written Parliamentary answer released just hours before MPs left for their Christmas break.

Criminals in privately-run jails are being offered the perk as a reward for good behaviour. However, MPs described the disclosure as “absolutely revolting”. Maria Eagle, the Justice Secretary, admitted that prisoners could watch their own satellite television service in a written Parliamentary answer released just hours before MPs left for their Christmas break.
Daily Telegraph

What a convenient time to annouce this appalling fact. Society has definitely got it wrong to allow this.

Philip Davies, a Conservative MP, has certainly raised a valid crticism when he said: “No end of my constituents would love to have Sky TV but they cannot afford it, so it is a bit galling for them - through their taxes - to be paying for prisoners to be watching it in their cells.
"This isn't in communal areas, it is in their cells. It has got nothing to do with rehabilitation but is a prime example of how conditions in our prisons are far too cushy."

In the Mail Online Dominic Grieve, Tory justice spokesman, is quoted as saying: 'The public will be shocked to learn that while there aren't enough prison places and drug rehab is woefully inadequate, thousands of prisoners have Sky TV in their cells. It speaks volumes about this government's warped priorities.'

Iberdrola Chairman says Comsumers should "Pay more and consum less"

Ignacio Sanchez Galan, Chairman of the electricity production and distribution company Iberdrola when speaking to the Fiancial Times at the Climate Change conference in Copenhagan said that consumers should "pay more and consume less"

The bills that consumers pay will have to increase in order to generate the funds necessary for companies to invest into the technology that politicians want to reduce CO2 emmisions he said.

In respect of costs for consumers in Spain and the UK he said ""We are now in discussion in Spain about the prices for next year, and we are talking about one euro per month per family. What is that?" For the UK he said "In the UK it is the same thing as well: what is an increase of 3 per cent? It is a pound per month per family!"

It is his opinion that energy costs are still a small proportion of household budgets.

I wonder if the householders would agree.

More information:

El presidente de Iberdrola advierte de que las energías 'verdes' subirán las facturas - Elmundo.es
Iberdrola chief warns on cost of green power - Financial Times

British 'Expats' demonstrat in Alicante against the removal of Free Healthcare

Approximately three hundred British 'Expat' residents living in the Valencia Region marched through the streets of Alicante to protest about the recent withdrawal of free healthcare provision for early retirees.

They marched to both the British Consulate and the Valencia government offices in Alicante.

The residents believe they have been badly let down by both the British and the Valancia Regional governments.

The Valencian government withdrew a scheme offering free healthcare to those British residents who are not covered by the British government's E106 or E121 healthcare reciprocal scheme in Spain. In its place a pay for insurancce based scheme is being offered. Many of the residents claim that they cannot financially afford the 270€ per quarter payment to join the scheme because of their fixed incomes and the additional effect on their funds because of the current low £ to € exchange rate.

More details:
Healthcare demo declared a success - The Leader
Brits March on Alicante Consulat - The Coast Rider
PUMA 22 Organisation

Intoxicated by power, Blair tricked us into war

In an article in the Times today Sir Ken Macdonald, QC, Director of Public Prosecutions until last year, says:

"The degree of deceit involved in our decision to go to war on Iraq becomes steadily clearer. This was a foreign policy disgrace of epic proportions....

It is now very difficult to avoid the conclusion that Tony Blair engaged in an alarming subterfuge with his partner George Bush and went on to mislead and cajole the British people into a deadly war they had made perfectly clear they didn’t want....

Mr Blair’s fundamental flaw was his sycophancy towards power. Perhaps this seems odd in a man who drank so much of that mind-altering brew at home. But Washington turned his head and he couldn’t resist the stage or the glamour that it gave him...

Since those sorry days we have frequently heard him repeating the self-regarding mantra that “hand on heart, I only did what I thought was right”. But this is a narcissist’s defence and self-belief is no answer to misjudgment: it is certainly no answer to death".

Sir Ken Macdonald, QC, practises at Matrix Chambers,the same London Chambers as the former Prime Minister’s wife, and is a visiting professor of law at the London School of Economics. He was appointed 'Director of Public Prosecutions in 2003, under the Blair government, and served until 2008.

British involvement in Iraq war blamed on Blair’s ‘sycophancy’- Times:

Ex-DPP: Tony Blair's attitude to Iraq war 'a disgrace'- BBC

'Sycophant' Tony Blair used deceit to justify Iraq war, says former DPP - Guardian

Britain misled into Iraq war by Blair's 'sycophancy to U.S. and alarming subterfuge with Bush', says former DPP - Daily Mail

The real cost of “budget” flying

Checking a bag into the hold and using a credit card could add almost thirty per cent onto the advertised price of some “budget” airline tickets, shows new research from Which? Holiday.

The price of a flight to Paris with BMIBaby increased by around 25 per cent when one piece of hold luggage was checked in and the ticket was booked using a credit card, and the price of a flight to Malaga increased by 23 per cent.

Ryanair charges £50 extra across all its routes for checking in a hold bag and paying with a credit card; an increase of between 8 per cent and 29 per cent on the advertised cost of the fare. The cost of a ticket on a Ryanair flight between East Midlands airport and Malaga increased by 29.1 per cent when a bag was checked into the hold and the ticket was paid for using a credit card. (£121.98 to £171.98).

Although Jet2 were found to add the most to the cost of a flight for the charges - £92.16 – this was an increase of just 10 per cent on the advertised ticket price.

Easyjet consistently had the lowest luggage and card charges of the four airlines Which? Holiday looked at, ranging from £26 - £38 extra. However, in one case this still amounted to a 17 per cent increase on the advertised price. On a flight between East Midlands airport and Faro, the cost of an Easyjet ticket increased by 17.6 per cent when a bag was checked into the hold and the ticket was paid for using a credit card. (£121.96 to £147.96).

Rochelle Turner, Head of Research for Which? Holiday, says:
“It’s hard to believe that any airline could justify increasing the ticket price by almost a third just for checking a bag into the hold and paying on a credit card – two services that not too long ago were included in the headline price. Airlines argue that they are being fairer to customers who don’t use these services. But, in reality, how many people don’t use a credit or debit card to pay for their flights, or travel without luggage? These aren’t extra services. They are part and parcel of taking a flight.”

Telegraph, Guardian., ThisisMoney.co.uk

Why eco-light bulbs aren't what they seem

Save the planet, switch to eco-light bulbs. So goes the refrain. But are these as bright, long-lasting and energy efficient as is often claimed?

The traditional incandescent bulb is on the way out. European law means people will be encouraged to use longer-lasting, energy-efficient lights instead.

But many remain unconvinced that the common alternative - compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) - are up to the job.

Are these bulbs quite as good as is claimed?


Read the article by Ruth Alexander of the BBC's More or LessMagazine

PAU 26 has been Saved – We've Won!

Double click on picture to enlarge
Plan Key:
The Red shading shows land owned by the Council for its use.
The Blue shading shows land designated for Commercial purposes.
The Green shading shows Green Zones.

The Red area above the words PAU-26 is the area that was proposed for the Ecoparque and the land to the right (east) of this, between it and the Autopista, is where the illegal rubbish transfer dump was being operated.

Representatives of the urbanizations that surround the location of the illegal PAU 26 refuse transfer depot and the proposed site for the household rubbish recycling depot attended the meeting, called by Councillor Abadia on behalf of the PP ruled council, at 10:30 hrs on Saturday 31st October 2009 in the local Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) in Orihuela Costa that I previously mentioned.

There were three of the Partido Popular ruling government Councillors present, Snr. José A Aniorte Grau, Snr. Manuel Abadía Martíz, and Snr. Antonio Rodríguez Barberá.

The residents waited with apprehension to hear whether the promises given by the Mayoress (la Alcadesa) Monica Lorente during the Town Council Meeting on the 27th October would be honoured. There had been articles in the Spanish media (Diario Informacion and La Verdad) which indicated that they would be, but until it was officially confirmed it could only be hopes. The fears were still there

Clr. Abadía on behalf of the PP controlled council confirmed that:

• The PAU 26 parcel of land would cease to be used as an illegal refuse transfer depot with immediate effect.
• The proposed Ecoparque will not be sited in the PAU 26 area.
• All refuse will be cleared from the PA 26 green zone and that the land will be restored to it's previous natural state, with the replanting of pine trees and plants.
• The Council is seeking to find a permanent site for the Ecoparque and Planta Transferencia (refuse transfer depot) which is not within or close to any residential area.
• As a temporary measure, until the final site is chosen, an area of land in the undeveloped area of PAU 7 will be used for a planta transferencia. This location does not have housing close by.
• The Council is in discussion with several land owners of possible suitable sites for the development. It was explained that the plots of land owned by the Council were close to or within residential areas and that these were now considered as unsuitable.
  

A copy of the General Plan for Orihuela Costa was presented and explained to the meeting so that the community representatives could understand more fully the situation.

Clr. Abadia (centre left) explaining to the residents

The residents were very pleased to hear the confirmations given by the Councillor.

As a direct result of the presentation of the petition signed by more than 400 property owners to the Council, and the presentation of the 'Motion' in the Town Council meeting, the PP governing group has been forced to change it's previous decisions on this matter.

It is a resounding success for the power of the people in the urbanizations surrounding the PAU 26 Green Zone, with the assistance of the Central Liberal Renovador (CLR) party Councillor Pedro Mancebo, and Bob Houliston and Antonio Cerdan of the CLARO Party.

The residents have not only saved PAU 26 but they have also help to save other urbanizations within Orihuela Costa from having the mega rubbish centre (planta transferencia, ecoparque and transport depot) as a very close neighbour.

PAU 26 has been saved from a disaster – We won!

Edit: 2nd Nov:
Articles about the meeting have appeared in Diario Informacion and La Verdad , there are probably others as well.

Edit: 3rd Nov
The CoastRider paper publishes an article Victory for Rubbish Dump Residents .

Edit: 6th Nov.
The Round Round Town News publishes an article Victory for Dump Protestors

High Noon for PAU 26 Residents

The meeting promised by Monical Lorente, the Mayoress of Orihuela, to discuss and hopefully finalise the site for the development of the Planta Transferencia and the Ecoparque in the Orihuela Costa area is being held at 12 noon today (29th October) as reported in the Diario Informacion .

Included in the article is the following photograph of the PP Councillor Abadia showing the proposed layout of the developement. It is to cover an area of 14000 square metres.

El concejal Manolo Abadía, tras el proyecto de la planta de transferencia
E. G. BROTONS - Diario Informacion

How could the PP governed council even consider putting such a massive development as close as 50 metres from peoples' homes and in the centre of a substantial residential urbanized area?

Let us hope that common sense prevails, that the words of Monica Lorente mean what she said during the Council Meeting, and that a site is chosen within an industrial area, where such a development should be, away from residential property.

The Mayoress, Monica Lorente, promised to seek an immediate alternative site for the present illegal waste rubbish transfer point located in PAU 26

Following on from the presentation of the PAU 26 petition on the 22^nd October the subject was raised for a second time in five days with the presentation of a 'Motion' by the Central Liberal Renovador party Councillor Pedro Mancebo in the Town Council meeting (Pleno) held on the 27^th October.


A brief view into the Council Chamber, showing some of the Oposition parties councillors.

Over 40 residents, representing the urbanizations affect by the PAU 26 illegal tip and proposed 'ecoparque' development, and members of the Orihuela Costa CLARO party made the 30 kilometre journey to be present in the meeting to show support for Clr Mancebo.

As expected, the Partido Popular governing party used their outright majority to reject the proposal put forward in the motion, by Pedro Mancebo, to immediately close the illegal rubbish transfer point and dump.

However, before the vote on the motion which was rejected by the P P, the Mayoress, Monica Lorente, promised to seek an immediate alternative site for the present illegal waste rubbish transfer point situated in a green area in the middle of PAU 26 urbanisations. The debate on a Motion confirmed that the future 'ecoparque' will not be located on this site and she made a personal commitment that a meeting would be held between the Town Hall technicians and the political groups on Wednesday 28^th October to identify an alternative site for the waste rubbish transfer point.

She acknowledged that the residents in the PAU 26 area had been subject for too long to the noise, smells and disruption associated with the transfer point.

This work would proceed independently of the decision on the location of a future 'ecoparque'.

There was an unexpected turn of events later in the day when an invitation was made by PP Councillor Abadia, within whose remit of responsibility this problem lies, via Stefan Pokroppa a representative of the PP, to the residents to attend a meeting with him to discuss this matter.

A rather belated gesture on his part, brought about one assumes because of the commitment given in the Council Chamber by the Alcadesa (Mayoress).

The meeting has been arranged for 10:30 hrs on Saturday 31^st October 2009 in the local Ayuntamiento (Town Hall) in Orihuela Costa.

The residents have asked that Clr Pedro Mancebo (CLR) attend to help represent them at the meeting.

However having first received acceptance of his presence at the meeting, by Snr Pokroppa on behalf of Clr Abadia, this was later withdrawn by the PP. This is unacceptable to the residents and it is their wish that Snr Mancebo must be allowed to attend . It will be interesting to see what happens on the day of the proposed meeting.

Is this another twist and turn by the ruling PP in their failure to honour their commitments to the residents affected by the illegal tip?

PAU 26 Petition is Presented to the Town Hall

I have previously written about problem with the proposed Recycling Collection Depot - Entre Golf/PAU26 and the continued use of the PAU 26 parcel of land for a rubbish transfer depot. It is also referred to in other articles entitled Los Verdes Continue to Mislead , Los Verdes should read what I've actually written , and "If you want to find a solution, you need Los Verdes... .

As a direct result of the failure of Los Verdes, the Green Party, the environmental party, to support the residents in their campaign, we (the residents) looked for support and assistance from other political parties, namely the CLR (Central Liberal Renovada) who have Councillor Pedro Mancebo in the Town Council, and the CLARO party who whilst not having an elected representative on the council continue to work to help the residents of Orihuela Costa.

As a direct result of the help of these two parties today my wife, Natalie, and I were amongst representatives of 10 urbanisations surrounding the PAU 26 area of Orihuela Costa that presented a Petition in the Town Hall of Orihuela signed by over 400 residents and property owners protesting against the continued operation of an illegal organic waste rubbish transfer point, the threatened location of a huge solid waste dump and possible rubbish vehicle parking area, all in the middle of their urbanisations.

The present transfer point which has been operating illegally for many years is situated in an area designated as a Green Zone. The site operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The noise from the constant flow of dustbin lorries which transfer their contents to huge containers during the night and early hours of the morning, when the majority of the current activity takes place, allied with the often toxic smells, is a source of major disturbance for neighbours. In an official letter dated 25 September, 2007, Sr. Abadia, the Councillor for Infrastructure in Orihuela Town Hall, confirmed the illegality of the transfer point and gave assurances that it would be closed very soon and the area restored to its natural state.

Two years later and a new concessionary for the rubbish collection service – NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE.

There is also a current proposal by the Town Council to site a household refuse recyling depot on land adjacent to the plot currently used for the illegal transfer point. In Spain they like to call the recycling dump a 'Ecoparque' as it sounds better than what it actually is. The residents of the urbanizations surrounding area, some within 50 yards of the site, are asking the council not to allow the use of the land for a what would become a 'mega rubbish dump'


Presentation of the petition in the Ayuntamiento in Orihuela.

Anti-smoking Law Helps Waiters To Quit Smoking In Spain

Researchers from the Catalan Institute of Oncology have studied the impact of the law banning smoking in public places such as bars and restaurants on those working in these places. The results are positive - 5% of waiters have stopped smoking, and the number of cigarettes smoked by those who still smoke has fallen by almost 9%.

On 1 January 2006, a smoking ban came into force in public places in Spain. More than three years later, these health measures against tobacco smoking have borne fruit.

ScienceDaily (Oct. 20, 2009)

My name is Martina Scheurer - Los Verdes are re-organising the coastal group and I have taken over some duties again!

On the17th Oct. 2009 Los Verdes of Orihuela sent out an email from Martina Scheurer introducing herself to recipients of the Los Verdes mailing list in Orihuela Costa.

She began 'I am member of the Green Party of Orihuela (Los Verdes) since it was founded in 2003 and was nº 5 on the list for the last elections.
Some of you will remember me; others don’t know me at all.'

She goes on to say 'For private reasons I could not be very active during the past 2 years, but still followed the work of Los Verdes'

To say that she has not been very active is in my opinion an understatement in the least. In the two years prior to my resignation from Los Verdes on the 15th June 2009 I am not aware of Martina taking any active part in the work of the party in Orihuela Costa, in fact there was no mention of her involvement at all. The last time I am aware of her involvement was on the 27th May 2007 when Los Verdes failed to receive enough votes in the local election for Martina to be elected as a Councillor. As a member of the Orihuela Costa Working Group the only comments I heard about her from my erstwhile colleagues in the group were in my opinion less than flattering!

Martina continues 'At the present moment we are in the process of re-organising the coastal group and I have taken over some duties again'.

This must be an interesting time for Gérard Perret & Ulla-Britt Perret Lundberg, the remaining members of the Los Verdes Working Group in Orihuela Costa (after the resignation of myself and Natalie my wife) considering their fractious dealings on occassions in the past with Martina and their views about her as expressed to us on several occassions.

I have to wonder if this is a voluntary re-organisation of the coastal group or an imposed edict from the Executive Committee in Orihuela!

I am please to read that Martina will be carrying on the principle of the work I initiated and maintained, up to my resignation, through the Los Verdes in Orihuela Costa Blog; with her making the point 'I would like to create a Newsletter on a basis of may be twice a month (or more if necessary) to be sent out to all interested persons. The objective of this Newsletter would be to inform in short terms about: The activities of Los Verdes: The Agenda of the monthly Plenum of Orihuela (last Tuesday of each month): The decisions taken and who voted for/against the different matters: Initiatives created by Los Verdes: Forthcoming events etc'.

It's sad to see that since my resignation in June there have only been 7 news items (including 2 related to my resignation) posted for the readers of the Los Verdes in Orihuela Costa Weblog up to this date (19.10.2009) by the current editor (Ulla-Britt Perret Lundberg).

Has Los Verdes had so little to say to the English reading electorate in Orihuela Costa in the last three months?

I have to wonder about Martina's comment above (paragraph 3) 'but still followed the work of Los Verdes'(assuming she meant in Orihuela Costa) as to whether or not she was aware of the presence of the Weblog, the modern medium of news dispatch, or is she re-inventing the wheel with her newsletter idea..

What a pity that during her two year period when she 'could not be very active' Martina didn't feel able to act in any small manner in a similar way to her own current suggestion, 'Whoever wants to let me have information, complains or ideas to forward or wants to cooperate is more than welcome to contact me', by contacting me as the English Spokesman for the Orihuela Costa Working Group, and Editor of the Weblog. To me, her silence says a lot about her involvement or interest in the work of Los Verdes in Orihuela Costa during the last two years.

What is the true reason behind this return from the wilderness?
Has the Orihuela Costa Working Group of Los Verdes ceased to work properly?
Is Martina looking to be included on the Los Verdes election list for 2011, in a position higher than previously, in the hope of being elected as a Councillor?
Have Los Verdes of Orihuela began to realize their reputation and support on the Coast is beginning to ebb away?

UK Enjoys highest net income in Europe, but quality of life is poorest

Having read the article 'Britain has worst quality of life in Europe, study says' by Harry Wallop in the Telegraph, and a similar article entitled 'Britain is the worst place to live in Europe (despite our big pay packets)' by Laura Clark in the Mail Online, I thought it best to read the actual report by uSwitch.com entitled 'UK enjoys highest net income in Europe, but quality of life is poorest.

The opening paragraph reads, 'The UK and Ireland are the worst places in Europe to live, according to the latest uSwitch.com Quality of Life Index. While the UK enjoys the highest net household income in Europe, quality of life is the poorest, proving that there is more to good living than money. Long working hours, lower holiday entitlement and a high cost of living all contribute to a poor quality of life in the UK – and it’s not much better for the Irish either:'

As a current resident in Spain I'm interested in the comparisons of it and the UK. Out of the 10 countries included in the index Spain is ranked number 2 with the UK in last position at number 10.

In her comments about the report Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, says: “There is more to good living than money and this report shows why so many Brits are giving up on the UK and heading to France and Spain. We earn substantially more than our European neighbours, but this level of income is needed just to keep a roof over our heads, food on the table and our homes warm. It’s giving us a decent standard of living, but it’s not helping us achieve the quality of life that people in other countries enjoy.

“For too long the focus in the UK has been on standard of living rather than quality of life. As a result we have lost all sense of balance between wealth and well-being. The recession could prove to be a turning point, forcing us to re-evaluate our way of life, get back to basics and to the things that really count. Consumers are already beginning to do this – the Government and its policymakers would do well to follow suit.”

It would seem that the decision of my wife & I to retire to Spain is the right one at this time.

Fruit Juices Contain More Vitamin C Than Their Labels Indicate, Spanish Study Finds

ScienceDaily (2009-10-07) -- A team of pharmacists from Spain has established that the levels of vitamin C in many fruit juices and soft drinks are far higher than those indicated on their labels by the manufacturers. This finding has been possible owing to a new technique developed by the researchers to determine the content of vitamin C in these kinds of drinks.

Ascorbic acid or vitamin C is a natural antioxidant in fruits and vegetables, but the European Commission permits its use as an additive in juices, jams, dairy products and other foods. The involvement of this substance in the immune response and other biochemical processes such as the formation of collagen and the absorption of iron is well-known. However, high levels of ascorbic acid can cause diarrhoea and gastrointestinal problems, as a result of which scientists are attempting to determine the content of vitamin C in foods with greater and greater accuracy.

Mediterranean Diet Associated With Reduced Risk Of Depression

ScienceDaily (2009-10-06) -- Individuals who follow the Mediterranean dietary pattern -- rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains and fish -- appear less likely to develop depression, according to a new report.

Failure To Tackle Climate Change Spells A Global Health Catastrophe, Experts Warn

ScienceDaily (2009-09-16) -- An editorial and letter, published simultaneously by the BMJ and Lancet, warn that failure to agree radical cuts in carbon dioxide emissions at the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen this December spells a global health catastrophe.

The scientific evidence that global temperatures are rising and that man is responsible has been widely accepted since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's report in 2007, write Lord Michael Jay and Professor Michael Marmot in the editorial. There is now equally wide consensus that we need to act now to prevent irreversible climate change.

Romantic, Candle-lit Dinners: An Unrecognized Source Of Indoor Air Pollution

Is this every man's let out?

ScienceDaily (2009-08-21) -- Burning candles made from paraffin wax -- the most common kind used to infuse rooms with romantic ambiance, warmth, light and fragrance -- is an unrecognized source of exposure to indoor air pollution, including the known human carcinogens, scientists are reporting.

We shouldn't have candles 'My Darling' for your health and safety!

An Apple A Day Keeps Kidney Stones Away: More Fruits And Veggies, Less Salt Prevents Stones From Forming

Researchers have found another reason to eat well: a healthy diet helps prevent kidney stones. Loading up on fruits, vegetables, nuts, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains, while limiting salt, red and processed meats, and sweetened beverages is an effective way to ward off kidney stones, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN).

Because kidney stones are linked to higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, increased body weight, and other risk factors for heart disease, the findings have considerable health implications.

Eric Taylor, MD (Maine Medical Center) and his colleagues at Brigham and Women's Hospital conducted a large study to determine the effects of healthy eating habits on the formation of kidney stones.

Dr. Taylor's team assigned a score to each participant based on eight components of a DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) style diet: high intake of fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes, low-fat dairy products, and whole grains and low intake of salt, sweetened beverages, and red and processed meats. Individuals with higher DASH scores consumed diets that were higher in calcium, potassium, magnesium, oxalate, and vitamin C and lower in sodium.

ScienceDaily (Aug. 14, 2009)

Organic Food Not Nutritionally Better Than Conventionally-produced Food, Review Of Literature Shows

There is no evidence that organically produced foods are nutritionally superior to conventionally produced foodstuffs, according to a study published July 29 in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.



(Credit: iStockphoto/Jack Puccio)

Consumers appear willing to pay higher prices for organic foods based on their perceived health and nutrition benefits, and the global organic food market was estimated in 2007 to be worth £29 billion (£2 billion in the UK alone). Some previous reviews have concluded that organically produced food has a superior nutrient composition to conventional food, but there has to-date been no systematic review of the available published literature.

Researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine have now completed the most extensive systematic review of the available published literature on nutrient content of organic food ever conducted. The review focussed on nutritional content and did not include a review of the content of contaminants or chemical residues in foods from different agricultural production regimens.

Full article; ScienceDaily (July 30, 2009)

More Evidence In Favor Of Healthy Lifestyle In Prevention Of Cardiovascular Disease

As the ESC Congress 2009 draws ever closer, the evidence in favour of a healthy lifestyle for the prevention of cardiovascular disease grows ever stronger. Prevention is the highlight theme of this year's event, which will take place in Barcelona from 29 August to 2 September. Lifestyle factors are heavily on the agenda.

Full article: ScienceDaily (July 27, 2009)

Sra. Pura Peris is NOT an MEP

In my article Los Verdes Continue to Mislead I referred to the claim by Los Verdes de Orihuela that "We commit to monitor the work at the European level of our Spanish (based in Valencia) MEP Pura Peris during the legislative period 2009 - 2014." and my rejection of their claim.

I pointed out that - 'Los Verdes de Orihuela is a member of the Los Verdes de Pais Valencia region which in turn is a member of the Confederation of Los Verdes in Spain. In the European elections campaign the Confederation joined the Europa de Pueblos – Verdes coalition.' - and that - 'The coalition received sufficient votes on the 7th June 2009 to elect ONE and only one MEP and that automatically in a “closed list” is the first candidate Sr. Oriol Junqueras. He is the MEP not Pura Peris as stated by Los Verdes.'

On the European Parliament website is published the current list of the 50 MEPs for Spain for the 2009 to 2014 parliament period.

The list clearly shows that there is only one MEP elected for the Europa de los Pueblos - Verdes coalition and that is Oriol Junqueras Vies .

No where on the list of Spanish MEPs is Pura Peris as claimed by Los Verdes de Orihuela.

Sra. Peris is not an MEP.

This I believe clearly justifies my point that Los Verdes have a tendency to be economical with the truth when it serves their purpose; thereby misleading the public. They are very quick to criticise other political parties for doing the same.

"If you want to find a solution, you need Los Verdes" !!!

In my article Los Verdes should read what I've actually written I made the comment that "as at 13.30hrs 3rd July 2009 Mr Wally Stewartson, Chairman of the Community of Owners R6B, confirmed that he still has not received any communication from Los Verdes about the recycling collection depot since the meeting on the 4th May 2009.

This situation changed when on the 5th July 2009 he received an email (quoted in green) from Mr & Mrs Perret the Orihuela Costa Working Group of Los Verdes. A two months delay after the only meeting they have had with the residents.

"Hola Wally, Please find enclosed the Los Verdes press release about the Council Plenary meeting on th 30th of June 2009

In the press release Los Verdes state that "On the 27th of May, the responsible Councillor, Mr. Abadía, undertook to hold an informative meeting regarding the illegal transfer plant of rubbish and the Eco-park, with those affected residents, allowing a period of fifteen days to elaborate on the project that will be presented to those affected." It is worth noting that this alleged meeting was reported to me by my erstwhile Los Verdes colleagues as having been discussed during a telephone conversation on that day between Los Verdes Councillor Monserrate Guillén and PP Councillor Abadía. As I understand it there was no written confirmation given by Clr Abadía to Los Verdes of a proposed meeting.

Is it just a wishful aspiration of Los Verdes or will it become a reality?

"The ruling PP, with the company of rubbish collection, has not yet prepared the project for the meeting with the affected residents. After rumours from the Townhall, the PP is not in a hurry to take a decision about this matter."

On the 4th May 2009 Los Verdes told the residents of Entre Golf that a decision had been made.

"NEVER EVER Los Verdes have accepted the possibility to put an ILLEGAL TRANSFER PLANT OF RUBBISH (PLANTA DE TRANSFERENCIA) nor that trucks with rubbish are allowed to enter in the area, nor are they going to allow it; and you know it, because we informed about it in our last meeting on the 4th of May 2009."

This clearly indicates naivety on the part of Los Verdes. Their experience of the workings of the PP government in Orihuela has shown them time and time again that the PP are capable of anything.

"Please contact with us if you want the brand-new information from the Townhall (and not unchecked information from anywhere)".

Shouldn't it be the responsibility of Los Verdes to report back to the residents? Certainly they (residents and property owners) don't want "unchecked information from anywhere" such as they received from Los Verdes on the 4th May!

"Don't forget that PSOE, Centro Liberal Renovador or CLARO never bothered about this matter and if you want to find a solution, you need Los Verdes who are inside the Townhall".

The PSOE party has 7 Councillors on the Town Council, the CLR has 1, CLARO has none, and LV have 3. The PSOE and CLR are "inside the Townhall".

So only Los Verdes can find a solution, is that true? Delusions of grandeur by Los Verdes or arrogance?

"We don't have your telefon number. If you want to contact us, please call : 686 717273 Los Verdes in Orihuela Costa".

Mr & Mrs Perret know where Mr Stewartson lives, having been to his home on the 4th May, so wouldn't it be courteous of them to visit him at his home? Or are they too embarrassed as a result of the unfounded assurances they gave during the meeting on the 4th May and their actions, or should I say lack of, since then?

"Best regards, ............, Working Group in Orihuela Costa"

It doesn't seem to me that Los Verdes have had the "Best regards" for the residents up to this date!

• No consultation with the residents before submitting the Los Verdes proposal.
• Misleading the residents at the meeting on the 4th May 2009 with unconfirmed assurances reportedly of decisions made by the PP government.
• No contact between the 4th May and the 5th July to update the residentes with current information of changing situations.
• No mention in the email of the 5th July to say they are sorry to tell the residentes that the information they gave during the one and only meeting with them was unconfirmed and now looks almost certainly to be incorrect.

If the residents of the area hope to find as best a solution as possible to the problem, of the location of the recycling collection depot and the rubbish transfer dump, I believe they should look for help, as they currently are, from other sources and political parties as alternatives to, or additions to (which LV could have no objection to), Los Verdes.

Los Verdes should read what I've actually written

Los Verdes have published an article on the Los Verdes in Orihuela Costa blog entitled CONTESTACIÓN AL SR. ELLIOT SAMPFORD in reply to my recent articles about the proposed recycling collection depot, in the main article Recycling Collection Depot - Entre Golf/PAU26 and mention of it in Resignation from Los Verdes de Pais Valencia and Los Verdes Continue to Mislead.

In reply to Los Verdes let me first of all clarify that I stand by my opinions expressed in the articles and the facts and supportive documents that I have included in them.

I suggest that Los Verdes read in full detail what I have actually written.

News stories have appeared in the local English press as a result of the content of the articles on this blog and comments made to the reporters by myself and other residents. I have no control over the editorial content and interpretation of the situation given in any of the newspaper articles.

One of the major claims made by Los Verdes is that I stated that they proposed, or agreed, or will agree, to the continuation of the functioning of the illegal 'rubbish transfer depot' (illegal tip) on the PAU 26 plot of land.

I have made no such claims or statements.

In fact on several occasions I make reference to the fact that Los Verdes, naively in my opinion, believed or hoped that the PP would remove the illegal rubbish transit depot from the PAU 26 plot.

I use the term 'naively' because in their article CONTESTACIÓN AL SR. ELLIOT SAMPFORD Los Verdes say; "Nunca, jamás, este Grupo Municipal ha contemplado la posibilidad de que se instale allí una Planta de Transferencia, ni que se consienta que allí entren camiones con residuos," which I translate as meaning 'Never, not ever has this Municipal Group contemplated the possibility of the installation there of a transfer depot, nor that there was consent for lorries with rubbish'. In paragraph two of the article Los Verdes say "Desde Los Verdes de Orihuela hemos intentado, sin éxito por la actitud del P.P., que se devolviera la zona verde a su anterior estado" which I translate as ' Los Verdes have tried without success, because of the attitude of the PP, to get the green zone returned to it's previous state'. Did Los Verdes really believe that the PP were going to suddenly stop allowing the use of the PAU 26 plot of land, that had been illegally used for many years, as a convenient rubbish transfer depot?

As an aside it's worth a mention that in neither the press release issued by Los Verdes on the 22nd April 2009, and the article OTRA BARBARIDAD MEDIOAMBIENTAL DEL PP on the 'Los Verdes de Orihuela' blog or the article Another Environmental Barbarity by the PP on the 'Los Verdes in Orihuela Costa' blog (a translation by me and approved by my erstwhile colleagues) is there any mention of a proposal for the rubbish transfer depot to go from the site. (This was an oversight I'm sure)

In the article Recycling Collection Depot - Entre Golf/PAU26 I added a note to the copy of the minutes of the meeting held with the residents on the 4th May 2009 as follows; "(Note: The reference to domestic and garden rubbish was based on the unsubstantiated assumption that the illegal refuse transitional dump being carried out on the PAU 26 plot of land would cease and be moved to another location)". Further on in the article I quote an email I sent to my erstwhile colleagues in the Orihuela Costa Working Group it reads as follows; "Hi, Is Monserrate going to issue a press release about the change of location of the ecoparque and the removal of the illegal tip to a new site, or are you going to write something for me to put on the blog? Elliot". In the closing paragraphs of the article I ask; Is the intended action of the PP Council to locate the rubbish transfer dump and the recycling collection depot on this site the thin end of the wedge?

If Los Verdes believe I have said that they proposed or agreed to the continuation of the functioning of the 'illegal transfer depot' (illegal tip) on the PAU 26 plot of land, I would suggest they quote the extracts from my articles, on this blog, where I have stated that I believe it to be Los Verdes policy.

On the matter of the assurances given by Mr Perret to the residents during the meeting on the 4th May 2009 my point is that those given were unconfirmed and Los Verdes knowing how the PP work should have known not to give them without confirmed proof.

In my article Recycling Collection Depot - Entre Golf/PAU26 I quote my email of the 15th May to Los Verdes and the reply on the 16th May from Clr. Guillén which said "No. No hemos tenido todavía esa reunión. El Sr. Abadía es un concejal muy "ocupado" y no me ha recibido aún. Espero que el lunes podamos tener la reunión. Hasta que no sepamos cuáles son sus verdaderas intenciones no heré un comunicado de prensa; quizás es lo que él está esperando, pero no podemos caer en su juego". with a translation of 'No. We still have not had that meeting yet. Sr. Abadia is a very 'busy' Councillor and he still hasn't met with me. I hope that on Monday we can have the meeting. Until then we don't know what their true intentions are, we will not issue a press release, perhaps that is what he is waiting for, but we cannot fall into their game."

If Los Verdes supposedly knew on the 4th May what the PP's intentions were how is it that on the 16th May they didn't?

( Additional note: I would make the point that as at 13.30hrs 3rd July 2009 Mr Wally Stewartson, Chairman of the Community of Owners R6B, confirmed that he still has not received any communication from Los Verdes about the recycling collection depot since the meeting on the 4th May 2009.)

In their article CONTESTACIÓN AL SR. ELLIOT SAMPFORD Los Verdes say "Otra cosa muy distinta es que quienes gobiernan este Ayuntamiento cambien de opinión de un día para otro" which I understand to mean 'Another very clear thing is that those who govern this Town Council change their opinion from one day to another'. In that case why state something to the residents, as 'fact', that had not been confirmed in writing?

In conclusion; I reiterate my opening statement that I stand by my opinions expressed, and the facts and supportive documents that I have included, in my articles on this blog mentioned above.

It's time to move on now because the important battle has to be to stop the recycling collection depot, and/or the rubbish transfer depot, and whatever else, to do with rubbish collection, the governing PP have planned for the PAU 26 and I-EG-1 plots of land within this residential area.

Los Verdes Continue to Mislead

Los Verdes de Orihuela issued the following press release, dated the 24th June 2009, following my resignation statement.

"The Los Verdes (The Green Party) of Orihuela and Orihuela Costa are very surprised by the recent resignation of Elliot Sampford as English spokesperson of Los Verdes and as a member of the Los Verdes of Orihuela Costa. We regret his decision but we respect it as a democratic decision freely taken on his behalf. We are very grateful for the time he dedicated to the Party.

As most people living in Orihuela Costa realise, there are many issues and problems that require solutions. Most, if not all, of these will not be solved overnight and Los Verdes will continue to press both the ruling party and other interested organisations to ensure a satisfactory outcome.

Los Verdes will continue fighting and proposing those improvements that the citizens transmit to us, in order that Orihuela Costa gets the services and quality of life that it, and they, deserve. In this sense, one of our present concerns is the negotiations taking place regarding the proposed recycling depot adjacent to the Entre Golf urbanization, since no decision has been taken by the Ayuntamiento until now. We are involved in an ongoing discussion process with the neighbours/owners and the authorities about this issue, in order to advance and emphasize the Los Verdes environmental principles.

In addition, we would like to highlight that at the European Parliament, the Group European Greens advanced from 43 MEPs in 2004 to 47 MEPs in 2009; this is also as a direct result of our commitment at local level according to our policy " think globally, act locally ". We commit to monitor the work at the European level of our Spanish (based in Valencia) MEP Pura Peris during the legislative period 2009 - 2014.

Los Verdes are presently the third political force in the Ayuntamiento of Orihuela, and we will continue to serve those who live in the district; this is our main goal. Our 3 Councillors and the Orihuela Costa Working Group are at your disposal for any requirement.”

There are three main points in the document that need clarification.


"are very surprised by the recent resignation of Elliot Sampford”

If they were surprised they obviously didn't read the emails I sent them properly and in addition chose to ignore the views I expressed to the other members of the Orihuela Costa Working Group and Councillor Monserrate Guillén (in relation to the recycling collection depot).

On the 3rd June I sent them the following letter in relation to the European elections and the meaning of the penultimate paragraph is quite clear.

"In answer to the email from Valencia about the article on the blog. At least it shows they read it.

I wrote and posted, as the editor, the article onto the Los Verdes in Orihuela Costa blog.

Nowhere in the article do I suggest people vote for another party. The 'Europa de los Pueblos - Verdes' is an electoral coalition list of candidates, from different parties, who want to become MEPs, it is not a single party list. It is not a Los Verdes list. I am not suggesting people vote against the Green Party in Spain or the European Green Party. I am pointing out that if people want to vote for a list of only Green Party members then 'Europa de los Pueblos - Verdes' is not the answer.

What is Valencia afraid of, if they are right.

At the request of Ulla y Gérard I have removed it. I do not want them to suffer any consequences as a result of my action in expressing my views, as a member of Los Verdes, on the Los Verdes in Orihuela Costa blog. There is no other reason.

The article will continue to appear on my personal blog as my right of free speech in a democracy.

On a personal basis I will not be supporting or recommending the coalition of Europa de los Pueblos-Verdes in the European elections for the reason stated in my article. I am not aware that I stated any facts that were untrue.

It is all very well Valencia being absolutely outraged, but so am I. As a member of Los Verdes my opinion was not sort by any representatives of the party either locally or regionally in the making of the decision to form this coalition.

I note that you say that Los Verdes de Orihuela is not campaigning for 'Europa de los Pueblos - Verdes'. Why not?

It is not logical to maintain a prudent silence. If you believe in the coalition then you should be speaking out to promote and support the coalition list, as I understand Torrevieja is..

I do not believe in the coalition and have said so, and will continue to say so if asked. I support the European Green Party principles and policies. I do not and will not support policies of the other parties in the coalition list. I will not ask voters to cast their votes to help to elect members of the other parties as MEPs.

I have been asked personally and by email several times how Orihuela Costa voters can vote to get Los Verdes (The Green Party) candidates elected as MEPs. In my opinion I have answered them truly. I will not mislead them into thinking they are voting purely for the Green Party if they vote 'Europa de los Pueblos – Verdes'.

I believe in the Green Party policies and principles, I believe in telling supporters of Los Verdes the truth, I do not believe in misleading them by omission of facts. I will not compromise my principles to support the aims of the coalition.

I will be reviewing any future involvement and membership I may have with Los Verdes de Pais Valencia. This may naturally have an effect upon my future work with Los Verdes de Orihuela here in Orihuela Costa. Before the suggestion is made that there is any "chantaje" intended on my part, there is not, it is fact.

I trust you will pass on my comments, including your statement that "Una cosa es que no hagamos campaña a favor de "Europa de los Pueblos-Los Verdes", to Valencia”

In a further email on the 5th June I wrote:

"We are not in agreement on this matter. If Los Verdes Orihuela are not in agreement with the coalition then we should make this known to the public of Orihuela municipality and not just keep quiet. We should not let them think our silence is a sign of approval.

I believe the best action is to close this debate and move on to whatever the future holds, I hope you agree.”


"proposed recycling depot adjacent to the Entre Golf urbanization",

At least Los Verdes now state that "no decision has been taken by the Ayuntamiento until now” whereas during the meeting with residents of Entre Golf R6B on the 4th May 2009 they stated through Gérard Perret that "The proposal to exchange the two areas of land has been put to the PP party and it has now been accepted,” which misled the neighbours/owners.

Los Verdes state that “We are involved in an ongoing discussion process with the neighbours/owners”. This is not true. I have spoken to Mr Wally Stewartson, Chairman of the Community of Owners R6B, today (29th June 2009) and he confirmed that there has not been any communication from Los Verdes since the meeting on the 4th May 2009.

How is this an ongoing discussion?

Los Verdes have not bothered to communicate with the residents even just to say 'we are sorry to tell you that the information we gave you during our one and only meeting with you was unconfirmed and almost certainly wrong'


"our Spanish (based in Valencia) MEP Pura Peris during the legislative period 2009 – 2014."

Los Verdes de Orihuela is a member of the Los Verdes de Pais Valencia region which in turn is a member of the Confederation of Los Verdes in Spain. In the European elections campaign the Confederation joined the Europa de Pueblos – Verdes coalition.

The following shows the first ten names of the 50 prospective candidates of the EdP-V coalition election list.

EUROPA DE LOS PUEBLOS-VERDES

1. Don Oriol Junqueras Vies (ERC).
2. Doña Ana Miranda Paz (BNG).
3. Don Inaki Irazabalbeitia Fernández (ARALAR).
4. Doña Pura Peris García (LOS VERDES).
5. Don Sabin Intxaurraga Mendibil (EA).
6. Don Miguel Martínez Tomey (CHA).
7. Don Ramon Àngel Quetgles Ramis (ENTESA PER MALLORCA).
8. Doña Marta Rovira Vergés (ERC).
9. Don Alberte Souto Souto (BNG).
10. Doña Leticia Crespo Mir (CHA).

The coalition received sufficient votes on the 7th June 2009 to elect ONE and only one MEP and that automatically in a “closed list” is the first candidate Sr. Oriol Junqueras. He is the MEP not Pura Peris as stated by Los Verdes. A point to note is that the candidates in position 2 & 3 would be elected before Sra. Peris.


These three examples clearly show that Los Verdes have a tendancy to be economical with the truth when it serves their purpose; thereby misleading the public. They are very quick to criticise other political parties for doing the same.


Edit update 3rd July 2009: As at 13.30hrs 3rd July 2009 Mr Wally Stewartson, Chairman of the Community of Owners R6B, confirmed that he still has not received any communication from Los Verdes about the recycling collection depot since the meeting on the 4th May 2009.

Longer Life Linked To Specific Foods In Mediterranean Diet

Some food groups in the Mediterranean diet are more important than others in promoting health and longer life according to new research published on the British Medical Journal website.

Eating more vegetables, fruits, nuts, pulses and olive oil, and drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, while not consuming a lot of meat or excessive amounts of alcohol is linked to people living longer.

However, the study also claims, that following a Mediterranean diet high in fish, seafood and cereals and low in dairy products were not indicators of longevity.

ScienceDaily (June 24, 2009)

Recycling Collection Depot - Entre Golf/PAU26

Following my article announcing my Resignation from Los Verdes it seems further clarification is needed in respect of my stance on the subject of the establishment of a recycling collection depot on land next to the Entre Golf residential urbanization and the policy and actions of Los Verdes.

What I find unacceptable is the policy decision of the Executive Committee of 'Los Verdes of Orihuela' to put forward a proposal that is based on the continuation by the Ayuntamiento, and its new contractor UTE-SUFI-LIASUR-GOBANCAST, of the use of land in sector PAU 26, which was agreed in writing in 2007 by PP Councillor Abadia as being illegally used for a rubbish transfer depot. The land in question is designated in the Plan General for Orihuela as a Green Zone, not for industrial or Town Hall use. In order for the location of the recycling depot to be moved to the illegal tip site there would have to be a change of use of the land agreed by the full Town Council. I do not believe that Los Verdes should have suggested or be part of this action. Under no circumstances should the party be prepared to accept either a recycling depot or rubbish tip or both being sited in the centre of a residential area.

In addition to this I believe that the treatment of the residents of Entre Golf R6B, who will be drastically affected by the location of these facilities, by Los Verdes is not acceptable. The basis for this view are as follows.

On the 22nd April 2009 an article was posted onto the Los Verdes in Orihuela weblog announcing the proposed action of the Town Council and the alternative proposal put forward by Los Verdes. I was asked to post a translated version of the article onto the Los Verdes in Orihuela Costa blog which I did under the title Another Environmental Barbarity by the PP . This article was picked up by some of the local English press and published the following week.

On learning of the proposal for the first time through the article on the 22nd April I asked who was the originator of it. It was confirmed to me that it was Gérard Perret, Coordinator of the Orihuela Costa Working Group. As a member of the group I was surprised! (The significance of who originated the idea is relevant when considering the first meeting with the residents of Entre Golf R6B on the 4th May)

On Sunday the 3rd May 2009 the President of the Entre Golf R6B, Wally Stewartson, called at my home to seek clarification of the information on the weblog and in the papers as this was the first the residents had been made aware of the future problem. He asked if representatives of Los Verdes could attend a community meeting to be held the following day to explain the situation to the residents. I confirmed that Los Verdes would attend.

On Monday the 4th May 2009 I, my wife Natalie, Gérard and Ulla Perret, as members of the Orihuela Costa Working Group, attended the meeting on behalf of Los Verdes. The following is a copy of the relevant section of the minutes of the community meeting.

"Visitors: Elliot & Natalie Sampford and Gerard & Ulla Perret (from the Los Verdes party);

The President opened the meeting at 7.30pm by welcoming and introducing the four representatives of Los Verdes (the Green Party), who had been invited to address the committee following the recent press announcement that the ruling PP party on Orihuela council had approved the construction and installation of an ‘ECO-PARK’ on a parcel of tree-covered land, registered as I-EQ-1, on the East side of Calle Ebro, and only a road’s width away from our urbanisation. The building and operation of the Eco-Park is to be carried out by the council’s new refuse contractor, UTE-SUFI-LIASUR-GOBANCAST, who have contracted to have the facility operational within 6 months of their commencement of contract, i.e. by November 2009.

Gerard, ably assisted by the translating capability of his wife Ulla, first explained that the Eco-Park was a municipal facility for the recycling of unwanted household items such as furniture, white goods, television sets and the like, and NOT a refuse dump for domestic and garden rubbish, as had earlier been feared by many people. (Note: The reference to domestic and garden rubbish was based on the unsubstantiated assumption that the illegal refuse transitional dump being carried out on the PAU 26 plot of land would cease and be moved to another location)

As it was now a virtual impossibility to obtain a reversal of the council decision, the way forward was to achieve the best possible situation available to all concerned which, Gerard explained, was to try to get the PP to agree to ‘swap’ this parcel of land with an adjoining area of similar size next to the motorway AP-7, which has already been ecologically destroyed by the illegal activities of the previous refuse contractor, Colsur SL. The proposal to exchange the two areas of land has been put to the PP party and it has now been accepted, much to the relief of everyone. This now means that the site will not be visible from Entre Golf, as it is at a lower level than the original area, and the trees and associated wildlife can remain.

Whilst the detailed plans have not yet been made available to Los Verdes, they understand that the entire site will be fenced and secured at night, with daytime operations during normal working hours only.

The representatives of Los Verdes answered several questions from the members and, after being thanked for their time by the President, left the meeting at around 8pm."

I said in my resignation letter; "During a later meeting with some of the concerned residents, unconfirmed assurances were given by Los Verdes that the Ayuntamiento had accepted the suggestion. This led the residents to believe that the sighting of the recycling collection depot would not have the high level of detrimental effect on their lives they feared and that the illegal rubbish transfer point within PAU 26 was to cease. This I believe gave them a false sense of hope." and the highlighted quotes in the minutes of the meeting clearly show that the meeting was given unconfirmed assurances by Gérard Perret, originator of the Los Verdes proposal, on behalf of the party. Natalie and I were only informed of the supposed decision of the PP a few minutes before the start of the meeting. Had we been given greater notice and the opportunity we would have strongly advised against stating uncomfirmed information to the meeting.

On the 5th May 2009 I sent the following email to Gérard and Ulla Perret (members of the Orihuela Costa Working Group);

Hi, Is Monserrate going to issue a press release about the change of location of the ecoparque and the removal of the illegal tip to a new site, or are you going to write something for me to put on the blog? Elliot

No press release or draft article was ever received. I was not prepared to personally write an article based on unconfirmed information.

On the 15th May I sent an email to my erstwhile colleagues asking them if;

• Los Verdes had had a meeting with PP Councillor Abadia about the recycling collection depot;

• had he confirmed the change of location from the I-EQ plot of land to the PAU 26 sector and the removal of the illegal rubbish tip / transitional depot;

• does Los Verdes have a letter of confirmation or only a verbal assurance (noting that in September 2007 Clr Abadia wrote a letter stating that the illegal tip on PAU 26 would be closed and yet is still open);

• are we going to issue a press release with all the details yet, so that I can write an article for the weblog. We don't want to say something that isn't the truth

On the 16th May 2009 I received the following email from Councillor Monserrate Guillén, spokesman for Los Verdes de Orihuela in reply to mine of the 15th May 2009.

¡Hola Elliot!

No. No hemos tenido todavía esa reunión. El Sr. Abadía es un concejal muy "ocupado" y no me ha recibido aún. Espero que el lunes podamos tener la reunión. Hasta que no sepamos cuáles son sus verdaderas intenciones no heré un comunicado de prensa; quizás es lo que él está esperando, pero no podemos caer en su juego. El lunes te diré cómo ha ido.

Un abrazo.

This translates as:

Hello Elliot!
No. We still have not had that meeting yet. Sr. Abadia is a very 'busy' Councillor and he still hasn't met with me. I hope that on Monday we can have the meeting. Until then we don't know what their true intentions are, we will not issue a press release, perhaps that is what he is waiting for, but we can not fall into their game. On Monday, I will tell you how it went.
Regards.

This clearly shows that 12 days after the meeting with the residents Los Verdes still did not know what the actions of the Town Hall would be. Yet the minutes of the meeting with the residents states; "The proposal to exchange the two areas of land has been put to the PP party and it has now been accepted" I believe that statement should never have been made to the residents during the meeting by Gérard Perret on behalf of Los Verdes.

As far as I am aware at this time it would seem that the Ayuntamiento has not accepted the Los Verdes proposal and is intending to continue to operate the illegal rubbish transfer depot and the planned recycling collection depot from the land currently occupied in the PAU 26 'Green zone' land. With the two functions being carried out at one location this will result in a 24 hour a day operational site not as the residents were told "daytime operations during normal working hours only."

In conclusion the reasons for my dissatisfaction with Los Verdes de Orihuela on this matter are:

1. Los Verdes should pursue the closure and removal of the illegal rubbish dump and transfer point in the PAU 26 sector.

2. Los Verdes should have discussed the planned site of the recycling collection depot on the I-EQ-1 plot of land with the property owners of the Entre Golf urbanization, and others close by, who will be affected before putting forward their alternative proposal. It is their (residents) lives that will be directly and drastically affected and they weren't consulted.

3. Los Verdes should have rejected outright the planned site of a recycling collection depot (industrial site) on land next to peoples homes.
   

4. Los Verdes should not have told the residents at the meeting on the 4th May that the PP Council had agreed to their proposal, and other assumptions, without factual confirmation. This led the residents to a conclusion of a false sense of hope and security.

5. Los Verdes should not be adopting a 'prudent silence', as they did with the European election campaign, but should report back to the residents to warn them that they (Los Verdes) have reason to believe that the PP Council is in fact looking to operate both the rubbish transition depot and the recycling collection depot from the land close to their properties 24 hours a day. (As at the 16th June Los Verdes had still not warned the residents that the information given on the 4th May was most probably, in my opinion almost certainly, invalid. On that date, having resigned from Los Verdes, I was free to inform the President of the community the latest information I had received from my former colleagues.)
   

There is an additional question to be considered; why Los Verdes, through Gérard Perret, were so anxious to tell the residents that the alternative proposal had been accepted when they really didn't know whether it had or not? Is this the way to treat the electorate? I sincerely believe the answer is NO and for that reason amongst others I resigned as a member of Los Verdes and local English contact and spokesman in Orihuela Costa.

Is the intended action of the PP Council to locate the rubbish transfer dump and the recycling collection depot on this site the thin end of the wedge?

Once a precedent has been created to use this land in the middle of residential areas for industrial use will it become a MEGA RUBBISH COLLECTION AND HANDLING CENTRE for Orihuela Costa?

I most sincerely hope my fears for this area are wrong but knowing how the PP Council works I don't believe I am! Please let it be that I am wrong.

Resignation from Los Verdes de Pais Valencia

Yesterday was important in my life in Orihuela Costa. I have worked on a voluntary basis for the Los Verdes de Orihuela (local Green Party) since early 2007 and a member of the party, and for approximately the last year and a half I have acted as the English contact and spokesman for the Orihuela Costa Working Group of the party. I now find that I am unable to continue to offer my time and work for the party because of recent policy decisions made by the local and regional executive management committees. I have therefore resigned as a member of the Los Verdes party.

The following is the wording of my resignation email.

Further to my recent correspondence in relation to the appalling actions of the Executive Committee of Los Verdes de Pais Valencia, and the ineffective campaigning decision of the Executive Committee of Los Verdes de Orihuela, in respect of the European elections, I have had to re-appraise my future involvement with Los Verdes.

In the light of the recent policy decision of the Orihuela Executive concerning the proposed location by the Ayuntamiento of a recycling collection depot within the plot of land registered as I-EQ-1 within the PAU-26 Sector 2 of Orihuela Costa, and the continued functioning of the illegal rubbish transfer point within PAU 26, I have had to re-appraise my future involvement with Los Verdes.

I find it extremely difficult to be a member of a regional Los Verdes party whose Executive Committee was prepared to damage the Green Party policies, principles and name throughout Valencia and Spain for I believe various dubious, unsustainable reasons by joining the Europa de los Pueblos – Verdes, (leftist, separatist and nationalist) election coalition. If they wanted to promote the Green Party as a credible political united force in Spain then they should have been part of the Los Verdes – Grupo Verde Europeo campaign. A truly Green Party movement campaign.

I find it extremely difficult to be a member of a local Los Verdes party whose Executive Committee whilst not being in agreement with the Edp-V coalition, was not prepared to speak out to the electorate, but was prepared to make a decision to sit on the fence, do nothing and say nothing, so as not to upset the regional leaders. The policy of 'prudente silencio' was unacceptable. It was a non-policy. Los Verdes de Orihuela failed, through fear of contradicting the Mesa de Valencia, to promote the European Green Party policies during the election campaign. It was the action of an ineffective Executive Committee.

I do not agree with the alternative location proposal for the recycling depot put forward to the Ayuntamiento by Los Verdes, without I would point out any prior consultation with the residents that will be directly affected, for the recycling depot. The proposal fails to protect either the quality of life of the residents or the environment of the area. It is an unacceptable compromise of principles. During a later meeting with some of the concerned residents, unconfirmed assurances were given by LV that the Ayuntamiento had accepted the suggestion. This lead the residents to believe that the sighting of the recycling collection depot would not have the high level of detrimental effect on their lives they feared and that the illegal rubbish transfer point within PAU 26 was to cease. This I believe gave them a false sense of hope. Time has now indicated that the Ayuntamiento has not accepted the LV proposal. I believe, as I stated at the time of learning of the proposal to fellow members of the Orihuela Costa Working Group and to Monserrate Guillén, that Los Verdes should have rejected outright the placing of the recycling depot within a residential area, and should be insisting that the rubbish transfer point is closed and the environment restored to its natural state, in accordance with the letter received in September 2007 from the Ayuntamiento.

I believe that the work I have carried out with Los Verdes of Orihuela since early 2007 in Orihuela Costa has in the first instant, which was the main objective, improved the quality of life for the residents and in the second, as a consequence, built a reputation in Orihuela Costa of Los Verdes as a party whose work and word can be respected. I believe all the policy decisions mentioned above contradict this view of the party.

I have come to the conclusion therefore that as I am in strong disagreement with the decisions of the current Executive committees at both the regional and municipal levels in recent times there is no alternative but to inform you of my decision to terminate my membership of Los Verdes de Pais Valencia and therefore Los Verdes de Orihuela. I am no longer prepared to offer my time and voluntary work to the current Los Verdes party.