RONDA’S MAYOR ACCUSED OF OBSTRUCTING JUSTICEBy David Eade
The legal cases are starting to stack up against the mayor of Ronda Antonio Marín. Already involved in court action over the plans to build the controversial Los Merinos golf course he now has been denounced by the Málaga environment prosecutor accused of obstructing justice.
The case starts in March 2005 when the mayor presented to the council a motion seeking the approval of a detached house on land that was zoned as non-urban. In December of that year the regional government stepped in and asked the town hall for the information surrounding the application and then in June 2007 issued a report rejecting the development.
However in October of 2007 various councillors at Ronda town hall approved the project after the municipal architect gave it his approval. Then in May 2008 the town hall issued the licence for the works. The environmental prosecutor has now taken the issue to court and it will be for the judge to rule on whether the mayor and some of his councillors have acted illegally.
Although a number of councillors have been implicated in the action they have not been named. Back in March 2005 Marín’s Partido Andalucista was in coalition with the Partido Popular and that situation remained till after the 2007 local elections. In 2008 Marín broke the partnership with the PP and installed councillors from PSOE instead.
The situation has now been complicated because Marín along with eight of his party’s councillors have left the PA and now sit as non-aligned on the council but all have joined the socialists or are in the process off doing so. Marín’s coalition with PSOE still stands but it remains to be seen whether it is PP or PA councillors that will be joining him in the dock.
AVE PROMISE
Former minister of public works, Magdalena Álvarez, who is now a Euro MP, made a private visit to Ronda last week. Amid visits to wine cellars and the Ascari race track she stated that the promised AVE high speed rail link, which she had instigated, was now a reality as 4.5 million euros had been allocated for initial studies in the State budget.
NEW CHRONICLER
Manuel Garrido has been appointed as the new official chronicler of Ronda. He was conferred with the votes of PSOE and the former PA councillors who now sit as non-aligned. There was an element of jobs for the boys as Garrido is the organization secretary of PSOE in Ronda. However he is also the son of the rondeño historian and writer Francisco Garrido.
STILL HERE
The Partido Andalucista that has strong historic links to Ronda has been badly hit by the decision of the PA mayor Antonio Marín to lead colleagues out of the party and into PSOE. The PA secretary general, Pilar González, has visited Ronda to rally the party. She promised there will be a new local organization that would fight the next local elections.
BENAOJÁN FIRST
The small council chamber in Benaoján was packed as the members of the Diputación Provincial de Málaga held its meeting there. This is the first time that the body that administers the province’s affairs has met outside of Málaga city. The main points of discussion were the allocation of 3.7 million euros in funds for infrastructure projects in the Serranía de Ronda region.
HARVEST DOWN
Bad news for the farming sector in the Serranía de Ronda. The annual cereal harvest has dropped by 30 per cent but Manuel López, president of the area’s co-operative has reported that the quality has risen. Over 8,000 hectares have been harvested for various cereals but the 18 million kilos will go for a “ridiculous” price that will not cover the farmer’s costs.
SALES GLOOM
Shops in Ronda put the discount posters up on July 1 but the response has been disappointing. Price cuts of up to 70 per cent are being offered but the money going in to the tills has been at its lowest level for ten years. The average spend is 85 euros and businesses say the economic crisis means people have less to spend.
FLAMENCO FEST
Gaucín celebrates its “Del Corcho Valle de Genal” flamenco festival on July 24 - 25. The event was declared of major tourism interest by Málaga province in 2004 and for the second year running the poster has been designed by a foreign resident, this year British artist Jennifer Waterhouse. Each night top flamenco artists will perform in the municipal pavilion from 22.30.
