The main opposition party, the PA (formerly the CA; i.e. Benavides) accuses the Mayor Trinidad Herrera of eliminating plaques bearing ex-Mayor Benavides name.

It has been the custom all across Spain, even in the times of Franco, to erect a plaque when inaugurating a public building or square, etc: This square was inaugurated in 1995, under the Mayor Fred Blogs, for example.

It appears that at least three plaques bearing Juan Carlos Benavides’ name have either disappeared or have been replaced by a new one. For example, when the Velilla underground car park was inaugurated, a plaque was erected on brick column. Now, the column remains but the plaque is no more.

Another example is the plaque in the Casa de la juventud (the old Coliseo cinema). The Mayor, Trinidad Herrera has recently dedicated the facilities to a deceased PP councillor, Pedro Torres Zurita. So down came Benny’s plaque that read: Casa de la Juventud. Fue inaugrada por el pueblo de Almuñécar siendo el Alcalde Juan Carlos Benavides.

In its place is a new plaque that reads: Pedro Torres Zurita para que siempre queda en nuestra memoria su trajectoria y su dedicación a varias generaciones de jovenes. followed by the date and nothing else.

The Mayor says that she is surprised by the PA’s claim that she is attempting to eradicate traces of Benny’s heritage. She says that public buildings should be dedicated to normal members of society that have contributed to the community.

She concluded that the practice of mentioning who was mayor at the time of something being inaugurated is irrelevant and is merely an attempt by some politicians to perpetuate themselves.

Editorial comment: one would be more than likely to agree with the lady, but perhaps she should mention her thoughts on the matter to the Mayor of Motril, a member of her own party, next time that Mayor of Motril inaugurates something.

(News: Almunecar, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)