Oh, goody, another segue. You can tell that elections are looming large in the minds of all our worthy local leaders. We’re not yet at the stage where those annoying cars with Tannoy speakers are cruising the town, disturbing one’s lunch, but the positioning has definitely started, with a spate of ‘good-news’ announcements. Here’s a sample:
* It is announced that the paving (or re-paving) of twenty streets in the Town will now be funded, to the tune of about €290,000.
* A further €96,000 has been allocated to a new phase of improved street lighting in the Old Town.
* The Ayuntamiento is now starting a new initiative to boost both local businesses and tourism, with the creation of an Internet, inter-active site. This will apparently allow the creation of web pages, blogs (they’d better be careful!), social networking, etc.
All good stuff, and clearly the opening salvoes in what will surely again be a close-run election contest. Don’t forget the Mayor has a majority of precisely one on the local Council – and he only obtained that by canvassing the vote of one minority party member. Now, far be it from me to suggest that the aforesaid minority member was offered any important Council position in return for his support. No, not I. But, he was, so there! All the more reason to make sure you’re enrolled to vote, don’t forget. You just have to get yourself down to the Town Hall and do it!
All humour aside, we are blessed in our town with a pretty good administration, lacking the corruption we sometimes see in neighbouring municipalities – details of which I’ll leave to the Ed. He takes great joy in exposing that kind of stuff.
In other news, we have to report that the Eco-Rastro continues to go from strength to strength. Held on the first Saturday of each month in El Parque de la Fuente, this event, featuring about 40 stalls selling all kinds of goodies, is co-sponsored by the International Club of Salobreña and the Town Hall. In fact, it now has its own e-mail address. If you want to get in touch with questions or if you would like to donate items to the International Club’s own stall for charity, or even book your own ‘pitch:’ email to: culturalencuentro@gmail.com
Among the stalls you’ll see there is one run by those nice ladies (Linda and Jo) to benefit their Paws-for-Thought animal rescue operation. This enterprising duo now has another string to their bow, in the form of an outlet selling Books, CDs, DVDs and videos.
The store is located at Arnolds Removals (next to the Post Office) and will be open every Monday morning from 10 – 12. All proceeds go to their programme of rescuing, neutering, inoculating and finding homes for the ever-increasing number of abandoned pets they find. Donations for either the stall or the shop are, of course, always welcome. To find out more, contact number is: 628 643 235. And now the English bookshop in Almuñécar, Delfin Books, has closed its doors, you’ll have a local source for entertainment for those long winter evenings.