jiminy’s blog

NHW Meeting 30.11

2009-12-01T16:43:15Z

We held the AGM for the NHW last night in the Renfe building in La Alfoquia and I was very pleased that we had such a good turnout on such a cold evening. Just short of 100 people attended and I hope they went away happy with the way their scheme is going. It the last night under the chairmanship of Mike Foulkes, after four years. Without Mike the scheme would not have got off the ground and he was heartily applauded for his time and work. Many of the attendees made donations to the schemes fund and heard what and how the money is used for. My, and the committees, thanks to those who did.

As I had hoped Candido did come long and spent over an hour answering questions from the floor about the PGOU, IBI and other matters.

I had thought long and hard about asking him, because of the fact that this was not a Political meeting but a NHW meet. However, I felt that it was going to be a good opportunity for our members to question and assess the responses from the Mayor himself, rather than the answers I give on here, in personal discussions and emails. I hope people found it informative.

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Inventory Dates and Flamenco Changed

2009-11-27T15:27:50Z

This being Spain I thought I had better warn anyone thinking of going to the history of Flamenco show in the theatre in Zurgena tomorrow night that it is now to be held at 8.0pm tonight. Hey Ho!

Regarding the inventory we had the first day of viewings at my house yesterday and had a reasonably good turn out which did, in fact, prove the worth of doing it, as we found many examples of homes not on, plots missing, pools missing etc. So at least I can make sure that over the next few weeks Salvadore incorporates all these features and facts into the document and makes it as accurate as possible.

I then went to a Pleno meeting today and after the meeting, which was primarily to do with administrative things I talked to Candido and Salvadore about the errors. They said that that was good as the more accurate we can make it the better. They did compile it from developers/builders plans but they were aware that there would be bits missing. I had a very seriious request to change the name of one of the streets, due to the only occupant having a very good reason for such a request and they told me I could make the change but that this was an exception.

We then had a lengthy discussion about the way I had altered the numbers on the plan and after the discussion we agreed a way forward. It is my intention (provisionally) to do the following dates at the following locations,

Wednesday 2nd December Palaces (at the home of Ken Cross)

Thursday 3rd December Llanos del Peral (at the home of Brian Reade)

Monday 7th December Los Menchones ( at the home of John Chalmers)

Wednesday 9th December Los Carasoles (at the home of Bernard Dyson, not yet confirmed)

Thursday 10th December Mena houses and Cucador (at the home of Derek Weeks)

Monday 14th December catch up day at my house in Cuesta de los Pinos

If necessary a further catch up day at the Town Hall during that week but I will see if that is needed.

Start time 10.30am each day and I will stay until between 1.0pm and 2.0pm depending on what is needed.

My thanks to those (mostly NHW coordinators) for allowing me the use of their homes.

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Meeting with Residents & Cuesta de Los Pinos Numbering

2009-11-24T15:22:31Z

I was present this morning at a meeting between the Mayor and the residents association from La Alfoquia and there were a few things that came out worthy of passing on.

Firstly as we roll out people's new street numbers they are strongly advised to use them. The Town Hall have said that they will give people until the end of the year to renumber their properties before they will put stickers or tiles up with the correct numbers on. Apparently it is causing confusion in the areas where they have already assigned the new numbers and some house are showing the correct new numbers an others only the old plot numbers. Please, if you have new numbers display them.

The reason the street cleaning machine hasn't been out is die to it waiting a new part. It has been bust for 6 months!

The problem of street lighting in La Alfoquia should be resolved in the next 2 weeks.

The gymnasium in La Alfoquia should be finished in the next week or two but water and electric will have to be applied for but it is hoped to be completed by Xmas. The gym will be open to the public but the council need to agree the entry prices etc in pleno.

The redirection of the main road traffic through the town will persist for about 6 to 7 months. As an aside the mayor informed us that the motorway A92 was supposed to be finished in 1992 (hence A92) but that it wasn't finished until 2003 so he didn't want to try and guess when the works will be finished!

Outside of the meeting with the residents I discovered that the new picnic area up near the spring past Llanos del Peral, by the turning for Limaria, is to be inaugurated in a week or two. The detail of how that will be celebrated will be communicated.

Candido, and the man he met yesterday from the Land Registry at Huercal Overa, are to jointly approach the Junta in an effort to be able to raise IBI bills. The financial situation for the Town Hall, as is known by readers of this blog, is getting increasingly dire and into 2010 without extra funds we will have to lay off even more staff.

Regarding the house numbering I have had clarification from the Town Hall as to how they want this rolling out and how they can try and register people against the correct properties. I am proposing doing a few hours a day at each location. I will start with my own developement at Cuesta de los Pinos this Thursday 26th from 10.30am until 1.30pm. Anyone wishing to obtain their house number should call down at my house between the hours shown and they can a) get their house number and b) ensure that what is shown on the inventory is correct. I have already found a few inconsistencies. If you know of any of your neighbours who may not get this message please let them know.

I will try and organise dates to visit each of the other areas and do likewise over the next few weeks. I am hoping to use the coordinators (from NHW) houses and will be contacting them to sort out. I do not have NHW coordinators though for the following areas Los Menchones and the Mena houses near Cucador. If anyone reading this blog is willing to let me use a bit of their house for a couple of hours please let me know.

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Success - Only Partly

2009-11-23T16:38:29Z

Following my discussions with Candido last week I went and bought a new USB Flash drive, with which to obtain the full inventory from Salvadore. I foolishly thought it would be an easy matter to get the information.

I called into the Town Hall at 11.0am but I was told Salvadore was not yet in his office, round the corner from the Town Hall. He said he would be back in half an hour. I was advised to treat that as an hour and a half. So went home and rang back at 1.10pm. He was in his office so I drove back to the Town Hall. Firstly waiting for Candido but he got tied up with another official so I went myself to Salvadores office. Downloaded the full inventory onto my flash drive and identified the programme used as Auto Cad. Followed him back to the Town Hall where I hoped I could get a copy of the programme but missed my opportunity as Candido and Salvadore then became involved in what I was told was a more important meeting with a representative from the Huercal Overa office of the Land Registry. Apparently they are trying to reach agreement on how the Land Registry notifies the Town Hall of house sales so that the Town Halls can collect any taxes due and this official was only available today. I asked Andreas how much this tax was and he said it was very complicated (why am I not surprised) and had to be calculated on various factors.

So I returned home one stage closer. I have the full inventory on a flash drive and I will try and find a programme to allow me to view Auto Cad but if any of you, out there, has a copy, I could use, I would be grateful. It may be necessary for me to work on this in the Town Hall but if I can find a way to do it at home I will and, as soon as I do, I will post on here and we will be able to issue everyone's house numbers and for those who wish to check what is shown I will try and find a way to do that. The other complication is I run an Apple Mac as my main computer but I do have an old laptop on Windows XP.

UPDATE>>

I have managed to get a programme which allows me to view all the maps and so I can start to issue people's house numbers. It may be more difficult than I thought as I have not yet found a way to print the pages on the trial version software I am using but if in the meantime if you need your street number please email me with sufficient information to enable me to identify your property and I will try and supply it. I am not at liberty to provide copies of the maps as they have to remain the property of the council at this stage.

The maps cover all the municipality.

I will try and find a way of rolling out the information,probably by doing a few hours in each locality. I will post when I have thought it out.

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Budget Plans etc

2009-11-20T12:32:39Z

The first opportunity I had to meet with Candido this week was this morning but I had to wait over an hour and a half because Andrew was so busy.

Firstly I asked if we had agreed to fund any of the things I had been asking for and it has been agreed that the resaltos will be included, the barriers on the road between Cucador and Llanos del Peral have also been agreed together with one or two of the other suggestions such as strategic mirrors to improve road safety. The issue, of the street lighting in Cuesta de los Pinos, has not been included as a survey revealed that a lot of work digging up the roads would be required. It was felt that solar powered street lights would be a better option and there is an available grant from the Junta for that under there green plans. So an application will be made for that to be funded that way. Isa is now applying for the loans in order that we can issue the work orders for these plans.

On behalf of some of the residents of Los Menchones I asked if it was worth while them applying for certificates of expediente and I was told that there is no way of knowing without actually applying for them. Individuals will have to make their own minds up as to whether it is worthwhile applying or not. Personally unless I desperately needed one I would not bother yet.

I again asked whether we had got a way forward for the placing of the transformer for the Socribo houses but I was told that Candido does still need to discuss with Isa which he said he would do. I will remind him again next week!

I again asked for a copy of the inventory and Candido made some very annoyed sounds and said he had been asking for it for the past few weeks. He was of a mind for us to go to Salvadores office and take it but he didn't think the office would be open. We agreed to go and try and get a copy on Monday. He asked if I had a pendrive which we could just stick into Salvadores PC and download the inventory. I don't have one yet but I will go and get one tomorrow.

I asked if we had a copy of the new road layout. Candido said that we do have one from years ago of the bit between La Alfoquia and Cucador but not the bit from Cucador to La Concepcion.I said I would ask Isa for a copy on Monday.

I asked if Francisco had organised the plumber for the old school house in Llanos Del Peral which had a leak and he said he would be going there on Monday.

I asked how we were going with the new aerials for people wanting the WiFi. Candido had a list of 10 names and he said that they were going to be installing them over the next couple of days. I was resent while they contacted some of the expats who wanted the Airmax ones. They are also going to see if the slightly cheaper ones will reach from where Francisco lives (Llanos del Peral) and if as they suspect it does get a good enough signal they will be able to fit a few more.

I also asked about the pensioners card and whether it is available to expats. I was informed that anyone over 65 can apply for it. If anyone wants one they should cll into the Town Hall and ask Andreas for an appointment with the Social Security man who attends at Zurgena on Tuesdays and La Alfoquia on Wednesdays. They then just need to attend with their NIE, residence and passport. They can then make their application and it should be granted within a few weeks.

Candido has agreed to attend the NHW AGM which is to be held in the Renfe a week on Monday, although Andreas won't be able to make it, he will organise another interpreter.

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WiFi Security Questions

2009-11-17T17:58:36Z

We have had many questions about the security of the Zurgena WiFi and after discussing this with the engineer the following is a synopsis of where we are,

The system is as secure as any other general internet service provider. In other words everyone is at risk of an attack over the internet, however, with a good firewall and antivirus and the use of good passwords that provides 90% of your security.

This system provides an even higher level of security for those who utilise the Airmax aerials as these have to be programmed directly to the antenna and therefore only they can be identified by the system.

The Airmax aerials are 1) loco2 costs 45 euros and 20 mbits or 2) nanostation M5 of 75 euros.

I am told that the Town Hall have 5 of each of these this week. I don't know if they are all ordered but I will ask as I have requests from a few people for them. They can also be purchased online at www.ubnt.ca/home?page=shop.product_details...1

Details of this and other issues are on the Zurgena wifi forum at http://zurgenawifi.foroactivo.net/

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Street Signs Missing

2009-11-17T12:14:13Z

Called into the Town Hall this morning for a few issues. Could not see Candido as he had to go to Almeria today and he will out until at least Friday.

One thing I was chasing was street signs for those streets which do not have any yet. I was told by Paco that about 14 streets were not signed as they were deemed to be too small. I said thought this was silly as people still needed to be able to identify street locations. It seems we will need to do anew order for those streets and I will have to chase that up when I can.

I had been contacted by people interested in whether the secretary's job was open to the general public. Unfortunately it is not an it is not even in the hands of the Town Hall it is a governmental a ttempts ppointment from Sevilla and the applicants have to undergo exams in the law as relate to Town Hall legislation. Isa did tell me that they hoped to fill the vacancy by February.

Still no news on when we can issue all the street house numbers. I just keep pestering!

Also no date yet for the Pleno to decide when to start charging for the WiFi. Talking of which it seems that the transmitter has been subject to attempts at sabotage. They are having to try and beef up the security on the system to counter that.

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Flamenco & Staffing Problem

2009-11-13T12:35:23Z

I was in the Town Hall this morning assisting a couple to get their certificates of empadronimiento when I was involved in a conversation about the amount of work which the Town Hall clerical staff seem to have to do. It transpires that when Isa took over the official role of Secretary to the Town Hall she was only to take this post temporarily. It was understood by her that they we would be getting another full time secretary and that she could return to her normal duties thereafter. However, no one has yet been recruited (after 10 months) and she is still having to do both jobs which is why many administrative things are not dealt with efficiently. I will be pushing Candido to get on with the process of trying to recruit a new secretary as soon as we can. I do believe a gentle man with the appropriate qualifications has made contact but it is not yet know if he is interested in taking the post.

Andreas also showed me how he has another task to perform and that is the work of the Unemployment office. They have sited a machine in the Town Hall where those who claim unemployment benefits have to use this machine to confirm they are still unemployed each month. It is supposed to be simple but of course the elderly find it confusing and so he has to spend a lot of time assisting them completing the requirements. It does seem as if everyone is a bit overworked at the Town Hall at the moment.

The reason this subject came up was because I was asking about whether we had sorted out the situation for the residents of the Socribo houses to get their transformer sited. It was a task which should be done by Isa but she had not been directed to sort it out but she will try and do so in the near future.

I had hoped to have a discussion with Candido but he had to dash out with the Polizia Local to deal with something. So it will have to wait until next week.

I was able to book the Renfe for the NHW AGM on 30th November and hope to have Candido attend this as well.

I was informed that there was to be a Flamenca show of its history in Almeria at the Municipal Theatre at 2030 hours Friday 27th November. I believe it is to be free of charge and I have not been told of any need to have tickets. Should there be any change to that I will post.

Also found out that we were going to have the payment structure for the WiFi included in the last Pleno but that Isa had not had sufficient time to check out all the legalities so it should be included in the next Pleno.

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Pleno 11th November

2009-11-11T17:16:02Z

Just to inform you that the budget for 2009 was agreed in Pleno tonight. I have full details of the figures for the income and outgoings if anyone is interested. No agreement was reached on any future expenditure yet due to the small surplus in the accounts. If savings are made or discovered later then consideration can be given to any of the suggested future actions.

We also agreed all the articles which would apply to establish and regularise the appropriate norms and conditions for the Town Halls work and those who work for it. This was a lengthy rehash of previously agreed processes and figures covering everything from marriage licences to workers holidays and monies for students and the nursery etc. Fortunately I was handed a paper list of all these issues as there was no way I could have followed the verbal outline of all these things covered as they were by Candido at a phonomenal speed. Again if anyone wishes to see these details just let me know.

To ensure I didn't miss anything I will try and clarify through Andreas and Candido by Friday.

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Remembrance Day

2009-11-11T11:03:05Z

Just returned from the 1st Remembrance Day service ever held in Zurgena church (San Ramon Nonato).

For a first occasion it was quite well attended although I suppose I was a little disappointed at the numbers.

The service was led by the local priest, Padre Manuel Harada, who came across as a very friendly and affable person who extended, to all, an invitation to use the church at any time.

I was grateful that Candido agreed to attend but I think he was a bit nervous about it as I got a call on my way to the service from him asking if I would meet him at the Town Hall prior to going to the service. He showed a lot of interest in what we were doing as in Spain they do not quite have the same remembrance service. They do have a day in the year for remembrance but it is primarily for the military and the chiefs.

I didn't bother him about other things this morning as we have a Pleno tonight at 5.0pm and I am hoping to meet with him again before the end of the week.

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