TOWN HALL FRAUD CASE
The mayor of Cuevas del Becerro, Joaquín Esquina, has alleged that the secretary-accountant at the town hall has deposited cash or cheques belonging to the municipality in his own personal accounts. The mayor has indicated that hundreds of thousands of euros could be involved but has called for calm amongst residents. The Marbella corruption prosecutor is taking the case in the Ronda court. However the Partido Popular has demanded the resignation of the mayor claiming the problems lay at his door.
The mayor of Cuevas del Becerro, Joaquín Esquina, has alleged that the secretary-accountant at the town hall has deposited cash or cheques belonging to the municipality in his own personal accounts. The mayor has indicated that hundreds of thousands of euros could be involved but has called for calm amongst residents. The Marbella corruption prosecutor is taking the case in the Ronda court. However the Partido Popular has demanded the resignation of the mayor claiming the problems lay at his door.
JOB APPEAL
The former manager of the Convento de Santo Domingo meetings and exhibitions centre in Ronda, Faustino Peralta, wants his job back. His has appealed to the labour court in Málaga that his dismissal was illegal; he was only in the job for six months. In addition he is seeking 250,000 euros in damages. The judge is now studying the evidence and calling for submissions.
BENALAURÍA SPENDING
Málaga province is spending over 55,000 euros on upgrading the second phase of the calle Estación in Benalauría. The work is being carried out after strong demands from local residents and a petition from the town hall. The street lighting will be renewed, new sewage and water pipes laid and the infrastructure laid for other services such as electricity and telephones.
TB CASES
The Spanish Legion based in Ronda is carrying out an investigation after four soldiers went down with tuberculosis in recent months. The cases broke out in July, September, November and December – whilst the first soldier has recovered the other three are still being treated. Another 150 soldiers have been tested but no clues to the cause or source of the outbreak has been detected.
HIGHWAY ROW
PSOE and the PP are at odds over the planned toll motorway to link Ronda with the Costa del Sol. It was announced before the last general elections but now the delegate for public works has heralded delays because it is a “complicated” scheme. The spokesperson for the PP, Begoña Chacón, believes “the project has now died” and was only an election ploy.
MARKET MOVE
From Sunday February 8 the highly popular Sunday market in Ronda will have a new venue. It is moving from the old feria ground across the road to the new feria site by the Hipersol supermarket. The move will allow more stands and better facilities. The stalls will be set up in the parking zone and preparation works are currently being carried out.
SURFACING WORKS
The work to surface the new road that will link the Venta del Cordobés with the municipality of Ardales is underway. Progress has been delayed by the weather but it is scheduled to be completed in April. This will see the end to a 15-year project to upgrade the poor road link with travellers from Ronda being able to reach Málaga is an hour.
