DATELINE RONDA MONDAY 2, 2012

BLUE JÚZCAR BIDS TO WIN BASKETBALL COURT


By David Eade – Costa del Sol News

The small Serranía de Ronda village of Júzcar has already achieved international renown by being painted blue and becoming the Smurfs’ village for last year’s launch of the latest Sony movie. In the six months it has been the ‘Pueblo Pitufo’ some 90,000 people have visited the village, an average of 4,000 a week. Those people could now be vital in helping Júzcar win a basketball court.

With the support of Málaga province Júzcar is participating in the Endesa – Liga ACB competition. It has now passed the first hurdle judged by representatives of the power company and basketball league. Now it is in the second round and here it needs the votes of its new found visitors.

The voting is via the Facebook page link www.actitudazul.com/ligaendesa. Júzcar is currently in fourth place behind Gordeloxa, Vilagarcia de Arousa and San Miguel de las Dueñas. Log on and give Júzcar your vote as it could see the village of 219 residents acquire a state of the art basketball court.

That is the prize in the ‘Actitud Azul’ competition. A regulation sized basketball court, fully equipped and with flood lighting. It would be placed in an accessible site in the village for the use of everybody. The isolated community does not enjoy all the facilities of more central villages or towns hence the basketball court would a major asset for the young people.

ALL CHANGE FOR RONDA BUS STATION

Ronda’s bus station in the centre of the town is antiquated and not easily accessible for the coach traffic. The plan was it would be relocated as part of the proposed Eroski commercial centre scheduled for the former soccer stadium and fair ground off the San Pedro – Sevilla by pass. However the new administration seems to have its own plans.

The Eroski project and the former socialist mayor Marín Lara are all caught up in the Acinipo town planning corruption case so it could be the new PP – PA administration has decided to move on. Mayor Mari Paz Fernández is seeking submissions of ideas from architects for a bus station to be located not far from the existing one on El Fuerte industrial estate.

The idea seems to be to site the bus and tourist coach hub opposite the sports complex. Not only would it be a bus station but also a commercial development with the management company having a contract to exploit both. It would also be opposite a busy Mercadona supermarket and it is yet to be revealed whether this would be relocated in to the hypermarket – bus station site.

PAYMENT CHECK

An unhappy new year is looming for municipal workers employed by Ronda’s Soliarsa cleaning company. The administration is determined to cut its costs and the two extra payments made in the summer and at Christmas are due for the chop. In addition an investigation is going to be carried out in to the legality of productivity payments awarded to managers of the company.

BODEGA AID

The regional government has given a grant to the Morosanto bodega which is located on a Roman site at La Cimada between Ronda and Setenil. A million euros has already been invested in the vineyard with four million euros scheduled. Owner Ángel Céspedes said the grant was a lifeline adding that the wines produced in the Serranía were amongst the best in Spain.

WINE CHOCOLATE

Cortijo Los Aguilares is a famous Ronda wine maker whilst the Confitería Daver is celebrated for its cakes so it is logical both should come together to create a special chocolate sweet to celebrate New Year. The delicacy has been widely tasted and received much acclaim but David Verdú says commercial viability will be difficult because of the high cost of the wine.

BRIDGE WORK

Ronda’s councillor for the outlying districts, Manuel López, took mayor María de la Paz Fernández to Llano de la Cruz and Los Frontones to discuss bridge work. Both have bridges on busy roads that have deteriorated from the storms of recent years and lack of maintenance. Now 10,000 euros is to be spent meeting residents’ demands they should be repaired before they collapse.

LAST PHASE

Whilst the regional government’s projects to construct major new road connections in to Ronda stand abandoned waiting funding the town hall is entering the last phase of its own scheme to create access off the San Pedro to Sevilla road in to the San Jorge area. It is being constructed with 1.8 million euros of ICO funding and will be operational before Easter.

ACINIPO RAIDS

The Roman archaeological site of Acinipo just outside Ronda has again been the target of thieves seeking valuable historic remains. The security guards are only on duty in the morning but they have detected signs of people searching inside the complex for metallic Roman artefacts. Acinipo is one of the most important historic sites in Andalucía but suffers continually from poor security measures.

DATELINE RONDA THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2011

JÚZCAR STAYS BLUE AND HITS WORLD HEADLINES


By David Eade – Costa del Sol News

Júzcar is a small municipality in the Serranía de Ronda. On Sunday its residents voted for it to stay blue. The news was flashed around the world and appeared on many TV news programmes as the village of the Smurfs lives on.

This remarkable story started earlier this year in June with the Sony film company. They wanted a village, somewhere in the world, to be painted blue and to be the home of the Smurfs for the promotion of the new movie – The Smurfs 3D. They decided on Júzcar, just one of the many famous white villages of Andalucía, and in so doing changed the life and wealth of the entire valley.

Júzcar and the other surrounding villages of the Genal Valley are not on the main road but off the beaten track. So the fact the mayor of Júzcar had to hire three additional local police officers to control the increase in traffic shows just what an impact the promotion of the movie had. People came to see the village with its nameplate ‘Primer Pueblo Pitufo’, eat in its bars and restaurants, stay in its hotels and guest houses, buy its local produce and take part in Smurf themed events.

The PSOE mayor, David Fernández, decreed that once the Spanish general election was out of the way villagers would vote on whether to stay blue or revert to white. Sony had made it clear it would pick up the 60,000 euros bill for the repaint. The debate was should Júzcar stay as the village of the Smurfs or revert back to being a sleepy backwater.

On Sunday 141 people voted to stay blue with just 33 saying they wanted to be white. Six people sent in blank votes. A total of 250 people were allowed to vote; those who are on the town hall census along with people who own businesses in the village. Voting was from 10.00 to 18.00 and 73.6 per cent of those eligible to vote turned out.

Speaking after the vote David Fernández pointed out that his village had been transformed into an example of sustainable tourism in the Ronda region. “We have been visited by around 80,000 people. We are in times of crisis and these initiatives are very necessary, the village can remain blue during this time.”

So if the children are bored over the holiday season or you just fancy a drive, why not head up to the village of Júzcar for a unique blue day out.

CHARITY SLASHED

The Catholic charity Cáritas which helps the homeless and those in need in the parishes throughout Spain has seen a dramatic collapse in its income in Ronda. Up to the end of November 48,600 euros had been received compared with 131,000 euros last year. Seventy per cent of the funds are used to purchase food stuffs and necessary household items for needy families.

JOBS STIMULUS

The regional government is investing seven million euros in developing projects to create employment in the Serranía de Ronda. This will see the formation of at least a dozen employment schools and workshops next year. Funding will go to the municipalities of the Genal – Guadiaro – Serranía consortium which excludes Ronda. It is hoped that over 220 unemployed people will benefit from the schemes.

PROVINCIAL CASH

Málaga province is handing over 510,000 euros to eight municipalities for projects that have up to now been put on hold. Those to receive the cash are Algatocín, Benarrabá, Gaucín, Jimera de Líbar, Jubrique, Montejaque, Parauta and Ronda. In Ronda funding will be made available to finish the roundabout and road resurfacing on the industrial estate. Elsewhere schools, tourism and infrastructure will benefit.

DATELINE RONDA THURSDAY DECEMBER 15, 2011

CONCERN OVER PROPOSED AVE ROUTE


By David Eade – Costa del Sol News

The town of Ronda has wanted the AVE high speed rail system to come to its station for years. Now the ministry of public works has finally announced the project has been approved there is anger amongst residents who suddenly find themselves living alongside the proposed route.

Around one hundred residents of Llano de la Cruz have formed an association to have the route changed. Its president is Cristina Piek who owns the Hotel Fuente La Higuera which instead of currently being in open countryside will have the twin tracks going past its door.

Cristina Piek says there are up to 100 properties in the valley along with 200 houses and four rural hotels. Some 2,500 people live in the zone and their lives will be disrupted by the AVE rail track that will link Antequera with Algeciras via Ronda passing through their midst.

The association points out that the economic and environmental consequences for Llano de la Cruz with its numerous farms and vineyards as well as rural tourism bases will be very negative. Piek also stated that the noise from construction and the trains will generate a high degree of stress.

The ministry is proposing that the majority of the line will follow the existing single track which currently just carries local and freight trains. This will go from Antequera via Almargen, Alcalá del Valle, Setenil then through Llano de la Cruz to La Indiana.

A new AVE station will be created at La Indiana just on the outskirts of Ronda. However the service will pass through Ronda itself and the town hall wants this section placed underground. It argues not only will this not divide the town but will create useable space where the present rail track exists.

JÚZCAR VOTES ON STAYING BLUE

The Serranía de Ronda is famous for its white villages but Júzcar is now known around the world for being blue. The buildings were painted by Sony as part of its international promotion for the new Smurfs movie in which Júzcar was transformed in to their home.

This has brought thousands of visitors to the Valle del Genal to see blue Júzcar and the town hall has had to employ an additional three police officers to control the traffic. Local businesses have prospered, Júzcar has been placed firmly on the map but should it stay blue?

Now the general election is out of the way the residents will go to the polls to decide the future colour of their village. Mayor David Fernándéz says everybody over 18 years of age who is registered at the town hall along with business and property owners will be able to vote.

The mayor has written to everybody to explain how it is important for them to vote. However he stresses he is not stating any preference and whichever way the vote goes that is fine by him. He adds that if the village goes back to white it will regain its tranquillity and be visited just by the lovers of nature and those seeking rural tourism.

It will cost 60,000 euros to repaint Júzcar white and the bill will be paid by Sony. However the village has been enjoying its moment of fame and it may well be that this Saturday – December 17 – the residents vote to stay blue and enjoy the fame of the Smurfs for a while longer.

HAVE A GAY ST VALENTINE’S DAY

The Serranía de Ronda village of Montejaque is staging a unique event to boost rural tourism to the area. It has announced the first Encuentro de Solter@s Gays which will run over the 10 th – 12 th February weekend with the objective of celebrating St Valentine’s Day, which of course is on the 14 th.

It is organised by the tourist office and as the title suggests is for single Gays although a look through the programme suggests they should also be donkey lovers. The town hall says the objective is to encourage visitors to the stunning beautiful Montejaque area as well as encouraging singles to meet their perfect partner.

DRINK THEFT

Thieves have started returning to the industrial estate in Ronda. The latest robbery was at Distribuciones Cantero which handles alcoholic drinks and general food stuffs. On this occasions the thieves made off with 500 boxes of drinks and cash. The value of the stolen items was 80,000 euros and a van was taken from a nearby chicken product company to remove the booty.

JOBLESS UP

The number of unemployed in Ronda has risen again. In November another 28 workers went on the dole bringing the total to 4,756. However whilst the total of women out of work has risen to 2,478 the number of men has dropped by 11 to 2,289. In November 941 new work contracts were signed of which 915 are temporary and the rest permanent.
INDY ADVANCE
The move to make the outlying enclaves of Ronda into separate municipalities continues. Serrato and Montecorto will be the 102nd and 103 rd municipalities in Málaga province. The regional government has issued for public inspection information on the transition which should be completed in the next two years. One problem: the law says they must have a population of 2,500 whereas its 600.
GET WALKING
The Andalucía project ‘Por un millón de pasos’ which encourages people to walk for the benefit of their health has been launched in Gaucín and El Colmenar. Residents are being encouraged to take exercise and to eat a sensible diet to prevent illnesses and cancer. Currently 161 people in Gaucín and another 98 in nearby El Colmenar – Estación de Gaucín over 6,200 kilometres.
PLANNING PROTEST
The PSOE group on the Málaga provincial authority have protested at the cancellation of the scheme which saw town planning assistance given to the rural municipalities to draw up their local development plans. The cuts say the socialists leave these town halls without any support, have thrown dozens of people on to the dole queue and have put a break on development projects.

HORSE SCHOOL

The equestrian school in Ronda now has 50 pupils. The school is located next to the municipal stud. The lessons are open to all at the basic level and include various styles of riding. There are special sessions for the handicapped where working with the horses is used as a therapy. The Andalucía government pays 60 per cent of the costs with the town hall the balance.

DATELINE RONDA THURSDAY 8 DECEMBER 2011

MONTEJAQUE TO HAVE INDEPENDENT WATER SUPPLY


David Eade – Costa del Sol News

The residents of Montejaque and Benaoján have been able to use their water supply again since last Wednesday. The regional government had halted the use of water for drinking from the Molino del Santo well because of contamination.

Since then Montejaque has been looking for an alternative supply of potable water that would not leave it dependent on its neighbouring municipality. Now Málaga province has come up with the answer through its delegate for the environment and sustainability, Juan Jesús Bernal.

Bernal has proposed a new water deposit for Montejaque. This will increase its reserve capacity and store around one million litres. The deposit will have a capacity of 500 cubic metres and will supply the municipality alone.

The funding required for the water deposit will be 250,000 euros plus 3,000 euros more to improve the filter system. The water will come from a source in Benaoján that is currently not utilised and a pipeline four kilometres long will have to be laid to bring the supply to Montejaque.

Málaga province will provide the funding for the new deposit. It will mean the 2,600 residents now have an independent water supply. It will also be important for Montejaque’s large meat industry and the developing rural tourism.

GROWING UP

According to figures from the National Institute of Statistics the population of Ronda has increased by 1073 people between 2006 and 2010. Hence the population has risen from 35,836 to 36,909. However the councillor in charge of statistics, María del Carmen Martínez, says because so many people have not registered on the padrón the true figure is nearer 50,000 drawn from nearby villages.

HOUSE BREAKERS

The Guardia Civil in Cortes de la Frontera have arrested two people aged 29 and 32 years of age accused of forced entry in to properties. In addition officers arrested a 21-year old who is alleged to have received stolen goods. The arrests were made after officers stopped the 29-year old, a known criminal, who had a large bag with stolen items in.

LESS OLIVES

The harvest of olives in the Serranía de Ronda has dropped dramatically this year. Overall the crop is down by 15 per cent but the co-operative stresses the actual size of the decrease varies between areas. It’s estimated that 6.5 million kilos of olives will be gathered, over half a million kilos less than last year. The picking has been delayed by rains.

DATELINE RONDA THURSDAY 1 DECEMBER 2011

DOUBLE VOTE AND PSOE VICTORY


As the voting statistics for the general election are analysed it’s emerged the Partido Popular achieved double the votes in Ronda compared with the May municipal poll. Marí Paz Fernández came to power with 5,406 votes for the PP but 9,897 backed Mariano Rajoy. The difference between PP and PSOE in Ronda was 14.57 per cent, one of the lowest recorded in the province.

The Serranía de Ronda has always been a bastion for PSOE. In last week’s general election 13 municipalities backed PSOE with the highest vote 1,015 in Cortes de la Frontera. Izquierda Unida took traditionally communist Arriate where PSOE came second with the PP trailing third. However the Partido Popular managed to win majorities in Benalauría, Benarrabá, Gaucín, Igualeja, Jimera de Líbar and Júzcar.

ROBBERY APPEAL

Asaja, representing the young agriculture sector in the Serranía, has held a meeting at Ronda town hall with officials and representatives of all the police forces. They’re concerned at the number of robberies from farms. Whilst Asaja appreciates it is difficult to patrol such a wide area they asked police to investigate scrap metal merchants, the sales of machinery and stolen olive oil.

NOT GUILTY

The former president of the Asser association for the deaf in Ronda has stated that he is not guilty of misappropriating funds between 1997 and 2008. It is alleged that at least 17,000 euros are missing much from member’s fees. The investigation is now in the hands of Ronda court and whilst it continues the ex-president says he maintains he’s innocent.

HOLA! HONOUR!

On Saturday a ceremony was held in the form of an extraordinary session of Ronda’s council at the Convento de Santo Domingo convention centre. It was to confer the status of Hijo Predilecto on Antonio Sánchez Gómez at which famous bullfighter Francisco Rivera was in attendance. Sanchez Gómez is famous throughout Spain for founding ¡Hola!, the most popular gossip magazine in the country.

CORTIJO RENTED

When the Partido Popular came to power in Ronda is announced it intended to sell one of its prize assets, the Cortijo San Juan covering 77 hectares. However when offered at auction there were no bids. Now it’s agreed a rental that will bring in 85,240 euros a year which will hardly dent the town hall’s debts but does remove its running costs.

ANGRY RESIDENTS

Those living on Ronda’s calle Los Remedios are hopping mad. Road works started in September but have been idle for a month. The street is dug up, machinery lies abandoned and rats run free. “They say it will be finished by Christmas but we are not mad, Easter is more likely,” said one resident. Red tape over the constructor’s documentation is to blame.

GOING CATALAN

Ronda’s famous Hotel Reina Victoria, which is designed in the English style and was built for the railway line connecting the town with Algeciras where it has a twin (Reina Cristina), has a new management company. Catalonia has taken over from Husa and it is the Catalan company’s fourth hotel in Andalucía. Next year will see a major investment on refurbishing the interior.

WATER ROW

Back on October 28 the villages of Benaoján and Montejaque had their water supplies turned off because of contamination detected at the Molino Santo well. Now the Partido Popular has raised the issue at the Andalucía parliament demanding an immediate statement on the issue. The regional government says there was a danger of gastroenteritis and since then the taps have been dry.

DATELINE RONDA THURSDAY NOVEMBER 17, 2011

WORK STARTS ON RESTORING CASA DEL REY MORO


By David Eade – Costa del Sol News

The German businessman who fronts the company that owns the historic Casa del Rey Moro in Ronda has started work to prevent the deterioration of the property. Jochen Knie has commissioned urgent works to ensure the passage of time does not take any further toll on the palace overlooking the Cornisas del Tajo.

The building dates from the 18 th century and the initial work is being carried out on the roof and walls to ensure the winter rains do not filter in to the structure. The project has the approval of the Andalucía government and 2.5 million euros will be spent in the various phases of the scheme.

A company that specialises in conserving old buildings and wooden structures is carrying out the project. Four people will be engaged in protecting the ornamental features such as the cornices. As part of the first phase a survey is being carried out to determine what needs to be done in the latter stages.

It is intended that the Casa del Rey Moro will become a five-star hotel although the owners are looking at other possible uses. It could be the embolic building will be used for events, meetings and reunions.

Knie says his company wants people to be able to visit the palace. Curiously it sits alongside and above Los Jardines de Forrestier and La Mina that was excavated from the rock below. The complex is one of the main monuments in Ronda but whilst the gardens and La Mina have been protected as being of cultural interest since 1943 the building has no protection what-so-ever.

EIGHT YEARS FOR KILLING MARTA

The trial of the youth who was alleged to have murdered María Esther Jiménez in Arriate at the end of January is over. The Málaga youth court has handed down a guilty verdict. He has been sentenced to eight years of internment and a further five years of supervised freedom. The local lad also has to pay the girl’s family 220,000 euros in compensation.

The trial behind closed doors started on November 2 and over five sessions the prosecution and defence gave their evidence. The prosecutor and the lawyer representing the family of the murdered girl demanded the maximum sentence for a minor and that is what the judge gave them.

The father of the victim, Juan Jiménez, said they were content with the judgement and believed their own lawyer and the prosecutor had done a good job. He added he was always confident that they would produce this result.

The lawyer acting for the family said the court had taken in to account the findings of the DNA tests, the results of the post mortem, the statement from witnesses and the physiological reports on the accused. The judgement against the youth is not yet firm as the defence can lodge an appeal with the Málaga Court but the family’s lawyer is in no doubt the correct decision has been reached.

The accused had insisted on his innocence and the defence lawyer had asked he be released without trial questioning the whether the investigation had been handled correctly. He had been held for the maximum period in detention of nine months and was released for the trial in to supervised care.

DATELINE RONDA THURSDAY NOVEMBER 17, 2011

AVE LINK REPORT OPENED TO THE PUBLIC


By David Eade – Costa del Sol News

The ministry of public works has announced through the State Bulletin (BOE) that it is making public the findings of its study on bringing the AVE high speed train connection from Antequera to Ronda.

The objective of the study has been to select the best route for the track to run from Antequera-Santa Ana to Ronda at La Indiana. Those involved had to take in to account the geography along the possible routes, technical conditions, planning implications and any adverse affect on the environment.

The current line to Ronda and on to Algeciras is used by diesel trains. The AVE would require dual electrified tracks with dual use for the existing diesel freight train service to the busy port.

The proposals are the line should connect with the service at Bodadilla as it currently does. It would then follow the exact same route as the current line to Ronda. From there it would go to La Indiana where the future AVE station for Ronda would be constructed. The plans are open for public inspection for 30 days during which time suggestions or complaints can be lodged.

The cost of bringing the AVE to Ronda is set at over 711 million euros. It will mean the town of the Tajo will be connected with Ronda in two and a half hours. It is also proposed the service will be extended to Algeciras. The project would open up Ronda and the Serranía and bring increased economic and tourism activity to the region. Via the AVE network Ronda would also have improved access to other cities in Andalucía.

MAJOR FUNDING FOR BIRD WATCHING TOURISM

Málaga has allocated 214,000 euros to the provincial network of ornithology tourism. Bird watching is seen as a popular activity that can be offered alongside traditional tourism and will help boost the current static market on the Costa del Sol.

The network of bird watching zones is being coordinated to promote the pastime with 43,000 euros being spent on information panels throughout the Serranía de Ronda. Another 60,000 euros is being assigned to the migratory zone to be found at Ventorrillo de las Corchas in Benarrabá, 42,000 euros for a viewing zone in Cortes de la Frontera and 70,000 euros for observatories in Villaneuva del Rosario’s Laguna de Hondonero, Cuevas de San Marcos on the Genal river and the artificial Laguna at Cuevas Bajas.

Major investment is also destined for Cañete la Real which sites on the major migratory routes from the Straits of Gibraltar. Here there is to be a viewing platform to see the Leonardo Vultures which have nearby one of the most important breeding sites in the south of Spain. This viewing area is handily placed as it is alongside the Cañete slaughter house and the carcasses can be used for feeding the vultures.

Also nearby are the breeding ground for a species of eagle that is protected and highly valued by bird watchers. Numerous small birds live in the woodlands around Cañete with other habitats including the Royal Eagle and Eagle Owl amongst a number of noteworthy predators.

TOURISTS ROBBED

Guardia Civil arrested two people who broke into a car and stole items whilst the vehicle was parked at the Cueva de la Pileta, Benaoján. Officers were alerted by a neighbour who’d seen the pair acting suspiciously around the car. Sadly this is not an uncommon occurrence at the popular caves and visitors are advised not to keep any valuables in their vehicle.

OLIVE JOY

For the last three years the harvests of olives have been very poor indeed. This year it is the turn of the chestnut crop to suffer but the expectations for olives is a high yield. No figures have been given for Serrania de Ronda but the co-operative predicts the total crop for Málaga province to be 65,000 tonnes, 11,000 more than in 2010.

LOW BUDGET

Ronda held an urgent council meeting to set its budget for 2012. The councillor for the economy, María del Carmen Martínez, set the total at 25.5 million euros which is over seven million euros less than this year hence major cuts in all departments. In addition the town hall is paying out 1.3 million euros to suppliers thanks to an ICO government loan.

WINE CENTRE

The project has been aging like a mature wine but work is now underway on a wine centre for Ronda to be created in the buildings of ironically the old water deposits. The scheme has a 1.2 million euros budget; should take 18 months to complete with a bodega plus an information and exhibition area and will be used to train wine professionals.

BLIND THEFT

Police and Ronda court is investigating the case of the former president of the ASSER association dedicated to helping the blind over the misappropriation of 17,000 euros between 2007 and 2008. It is also believed monies may have been taken from 1997 to 2000. The accused was president from 1997 to 2008 and investigations are remaining open whilst the exact amount is calculated.

QUALITY TOURISM

The plan to promote quality tourism in the Serranía de Ronda has seen 4.5 million euros invested in the past four years with the financing of over 100 projects. These include the creation of visitors’ centres in Pujerra, Cortes de la Frontera and Júzcar. The working group also studied 65 establishments; if they meet quality standards they receive major promotion nationally and internationally.

GETTING THIRSTY

Anger is mounting in Benaoján and Montejaque where residents still cannot drink the potable water. The mayor of Benaoján is considering issuing an official complaint against the health delegation saying the situation is damaging tourism and the pork product industry. PSOE claims the contamination of the Molino del Santo well has been caused by sewage. Drinking water is being supplied by the Legion.

PAY DAY

Mayor of Cortes de la Frontera, Antonio Granero, has confirmed all the municipal workers have been paid for July including those involved in collecting the cork harvest. This still leaves August, September and October to be settled. Cortes banked 1.2 million euros from the cork sales and Granero says the due salaries of the 100 town hall staff will be settled this month.

DATELINE RONDA THURSDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2011

MURDER SUSPECT FREED AS TRIAL STARTS


By David Eade – Costa del Sol News

The parents of 13-year-old María Esther Jiménez Villegas received a shock when they arrived at Málaga court for the second day of the trial of the alleged killer of their child last Thursday. The judge ordered that seventeen-year-old Rubén ‘El Vaca’ be released from detention as minors can only be held for a set period of time. For the period of the trial he will live in a supervised apartment and is banned from visiting Arriate where the murder took place and his family lives.

María Esther was murdered at the end of January and Rubén ‘El Vaca’ was arrested in February. He was held in preventative detention for six months by order of the court and that was extended for another three months. The lawyer representing her family says they are now satisfied with the arrangements and that he cannot approach them or any witnesses.

The prosecutor and the family lawyer are both seeking an eight year jail term for the accused, the maximum allowed by the Ley del Menor. They are also seeking a further five years during which he will be free but his movements and actions will be monitored.

Rubén ‘El Vaca’ declared his innocence at the start of the trial on Wednesday. However the prosecutor says he is guilty and more and more evidence proving his guilt is being provided all the time. He was arrested by police just two weeks after María Esther was found battered to death in the pump house of a swimming pool on rustic land behind the village of Arriate on January 20.

BENAOJÁN RESCUE

On Saturday the fire service had to undertake a rescue when a 27-year-old climber was involved in an accident in Benaoján. He had slipped and fallen leaving him suspended some 70 metres in the air. His climbing companion called the emergency service who rescued the climber from the site on the Vía Ferrata some 100 metres from the village.

ECONOMIC CRISIS
Ronda is in economic crisis. Unemployment now stands at 4,728 people. In addition the Mercedes Benz concession has closed down and the SEAT dealer has not paid its staff since August so they are protesting in the street. The municipal radio station’s staff are unpaid with many other companies in difficulties and laid off workers say the town hall isn’t interested in them.
PIGGING OUT
Guardia Civil have arrested four people in Gaucín, Benaoján and Cortes de la Frontera for stealing pigs. They’re also accused of forcing entry into the premises of a pig centre in Benarrabá where the animals were housed. They were arrested in the company of a fifth person after the van used in the thefts had broken down after being involved in an accident.
BAD STATE
Rural development agency CEDER has carried out an inventory of scenic areas in the Serranía de Ronda that have been left to deteriorate. It found that 109 areas are in a poor state and is allocating over 800,000 euros to have them restored. In many cases rubbish including builders’ waste has been dumped there. The project will take a year to be completed.
CORTES ACCOUNTS
The socialist group at troubled Cortes de la Frontera town hall has cast doubts on the accounts presented by the mayor Antonio Granero. After an external audit, the former Partido Andalucista mayor who has been dumped by his party says the deficit is over 9.4 million euros. PSOE says that in 2008 the municipal accounts were positive and cannot have deteriorated so quickly.
TOP PARADOR
Ronda along with Jaén have been voted on the internet as the best two Parador hotels in Spain. The Ronda hotel was singled out because of its stunning views of the Tajo gorge, one of the most visited sites in Andalucía. They also appreciated the fact the hotel created in the shell of the former town hall is in the centre of town.
LEGION HONOUR

Ronda, home to the Tercio Alejandro Farnesio 4 regiment of the Legion, has been named a “Legionnaire of honour”. The military unit has been stationed in Ronda for 30 years and various commemorative events have been held. In the presence of the mayor a street within the barracks was named after the town and a statue with both coats of arms was unveiled.

DATELINE RONDA THURSDAY 3 NOVEMBER 2011

FORMER GAUCÍN MAYOR GUILTY OF TOWN PLANNING OFFENCES


By David Eade – Costa del Sol News

The former mayor of Gaucín, Francisco Corbacho, who had first sat as an independent then as a member of the Partido Andalucista, has been found guilty of town planning offences. He was in the dock along with the municipal architect, three current councillors and two ex-councillors. They were accused of between 2000 and 2003 granting planning licences for land which in some cases was protected.

All the accused except one councillor were given a fine of 12 euros a day for 21 months plus are barred from holding public office for nine years. The other councillor has a lesser sentence of 12 months of fines plus seven years ban from office because he only participated in one of the cases involved with the licences.

This is one of the first cases that has involved a municipal architect. Francisco Arenas had worked at the town hall from 1988 and had given permission for the projects to proceed whilst fully aware that to do so was against the planning law. The plans had been signed by his daughter.

The three sitting councillors barred from office are Francisco Medicina, Francisco José Macías and Carmen Cantudo. All currently are independents but had previously been associates of Corbacho in the Partido Andalucista. The two former councillors also represented the PA.

Ex mayor Francisco Corbacho already has a previous conviction for embezzlement and obstructing justice plus planning to misappropriate public funds dating back to 2008. The Supreme Court had suspended his employment in public office, handed down a nine month fine and also barred him from office for seven years.

BENAOJÁN AND MONTEJAQUE HAVE NO DRINKING WATER

Málaga province has stepped in to give urgent aid to the 2,600 residents of Benaoján and Montejaque who have no drinking water.

The Serranía de Ronda villages discovered last Friday that their water supply was not fit for human consumption. The president of the Málaga province authority, Elías Bendodo along with the deputy for the environment, Juan Jesús Bernal, met on Monday with the mayors of the two communities.

The regional government says that three tests have been carried out in recent days on the Molino Santo well and serious contamination was found. At present this contamination has not spread to the water supply.

Whilst the problem is sorted out the residents are thankful that their neighbours are the Spanish Legion whose barracks are nearby. The military have offered three vehicles that can carry 2,000 litres of water each to supply the 1,600 people in Benaoján and the 1,000 in Montejaque.

GHANA VISIT

The Ambassador of Ghana in Spain, Fidelis W Yao Ekar, last week visited the town of Ronda and met with the mayor Marípaz Fernández. He had travelled to the town of the Tajo with his wife to offer thanks for the work of the Associación de Cooperación Internacional Solidaria ‘Sierra de las Nieves’ which gives aid to hospitals in the West African country.

WORKER BATTLE

Ronda recently declared war on its workers in the municipal companies cutting their budgets, suspending agreements and withdrawing social help. Now it is the turn of those employed at the town hall to feel the heat as the Partido Popular –PA administration attempts to slash costs. The unions are furious at the announcement that municipal employees either accept cuts or will be sacked.

DRUGS TRIO

Guardia Civil from Ronda have seized over 30 kilos of marijuana found at three dwellings in Benaoján. Officers have also arrested three people from the village who have been charged with owning the drugs, cultivating the plants, preparing them for sale and trafficking. They also confiscated 800 euros in cash and the equipment used in weighing the marijuana and running the sales outlets.

POOR HARVEST

Lack of rain and the summer heat has badly affected the chestnut harvest in the Genal Valley and elsewhere in Málaga province. Growers predict they’ll only gather half the crop of chestnuts this year compared with last of 3.9 million kilos. The chestnut is a major source of income in Igualeja and 70 per cent will be exported to Italy, Germany and France.

A CORKER

Celebrations amongst the 210 town hall workers and those employed in gathering the annual cork harvest in Cortes de la Frontera. Their last pay packet was for June but now the town hall is to settle the salaries owed for July, August and September. This has been made possible as 1.2 million euros has been banked from the sale of the cork collected.

WAR HOMAGE

On All Saints Day families visit the cemetery to pay tribute to their deceased relatives. However in Ronda it was also the day the Asociación Memoria Hístorica paid homage to those who were killed during the Civil War. The association is campaigning for all those buried in common graves in Ronda to be identified and then given the dignity of a proper burial.
HURRY UP
The mayor of Ronda has called on the regional government to speed up the process of making Serrato and Montecorto the 102 nd and 103 rd municipalities in Málaga province. In May the green light was given for the villages to pass from ELA self administrating entities to full municipalities but it could take up to two years them to become totally independent.
CHURCH THEFT

On Saturday night one or more thieves broke in to San Antonio’s church in the Dehesa area of Ronda and stole 200 euros. Damage was also caused to the church building. The raid was discovered on the Sunday morning when the priest arrived to say mass. Police are investigating and believe the culprits tried to make off with some of the religious images.

DATELINE RONDA THURSDAY 27 OCTOBER 2011

PICUDO ROJO ARRIVES IN SERRANÍA


By David Eade – Costa del Sol News

The Picudo Rojo beetle that has caused devastation amongst the palm trees on the coastlines of the Mediterranean has arrived in the Serranía de Ronda.

Ronda biologist Andrés Rodríguez says temperatures of around 30 degrees have attracted the beetle to the zone as they are cold blooded and need heat to survive.

He has found examples of the insect at the Cerro del Almendro urbanisation on the Ronda to Campillos road just five kilometres from the centre of the town of the Tajo.

The first red beetles were found in a privately owned palm tree after it had been pruned by specialists to treat it against the plague. Now Ronda’s delegate for the environment, Rafael Flores, has confirmed the same specialists have traced other examples of these beetles on the urbanisation.

The owners of the trees have now been advised of what courses of action they should follow and the required treatment for each of their palms. The treatment has to be applied to the centre of the palm where the beetle’s larvae attack and the removed fronds have to be burnt.

It is not believed that the deadly beetles have yet infected the palm trees in the urban areas of Ronda. However it is suspected some of the palms in the historic centre have been attacked and new methods of prevention are being examined.

THIRTY YEARS OF THE LEGION IN RONDA

The Unicaja foundation along with the Tercio ‘Alejandro Farnesio’ Cuarto of the Spanish Legion has inaugurated an exhibition in Ronda dedicated to the 30 year of the military force in the town of the Tajo. It features over 120 photographs showing the life and times of the Legion between 1981 and 2011.

Chronicled in images are the Legions' participation in a large number of social, political and cultural events in the town as well as the traditional festivals such as the Semana Santa parades. The activities at the barracks are also shown as well as the force’s work on numerous peace keeping missions overseas.

The exhibition is part of the celebrations for the 30 th anniversary of the re-founding of the Tercio de la Legión and is open to the public in the Sala de Exposiciones Fundación Unicaja. Opening hours are 10.00 – 13.30 and 18.00 – 21.00

ANGRY WORKERS

Discontent at bankrupt Ronda town hall where officials and employees have been told they face cuts in their productivity payments and social help. Unions have threatened protests in the coming weeks. Those employed in the sports delegation are the worst hit and have been told there will be no extra payments for October and their November and December salaries are not guaranteed.

TAX FREEZE

Ronda’s to freeze its local taxes and charges for 2012. The move was announced by the mayor Maripaz Fernández who says it will be put to the vote this week. The mayor said that at a time when many families were suffering from the economic crisis it was not right to increase their burden. Her administration hopes to improve management to save costs.

RONDA MOTORWAY

One of the main proposals in recent years from the Partido Popular has been a motorway to connect Ronda with Antequera. PP president in Andalucía Javier Arenas was in the town of the Tajo last week and said there was a lack of access and communication in Ronda. He also pledged his support for Ronda’s application for UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

PLANS CRITICISED

Izquierda Unida has roundly criticised the announcement of two plans for tourist reception centres in Ronda. IU councillor Rafael Ruiz says it was hypocritical to ask the regional government to declare Ronda a natural monument and at the same time present it with these proposals. Ruiz said there are far better locations for such a centre which the IU says is certainly required.

RESIGN CALL

The Partido Andalucista in Cortes de la Frontera has called on the mayor, Antonio Granero, to resign. Granero is a member of the PA but the party says it no longer has any confidence in him. Cortes is in financial crisis, Granero has sacked two councillors and there are court cases against him. He may stay as mayor and join the non-aligned councillors.

NO INTERNET

Andalucía PP MP, Mayte Domínguez, has protested that the school in Jimera de Líbar does not have an internet connection despite numerous complaints. The mayor has offered to pay for the service herself and also offered the facilities of the Guadalinfo centre. Domínguez said it should have been a minor problem to solve but the lack of action has created a major headache.

PAY DAY

The PP mayor of Gaucín, Pedro Godino, says he has now paid the 34 municipal workers their salaries for July of 47,000 euros. This still means he has to find 85,000 and 90,000 euros for August and September. Godino said he did not know the total municipal debt but the town hall’s main problem in making the payments was the lack of liquidity.

BLOCKED PAYMENTS

Many of the small town halls in Málaga province are now in crisis with Gaucín and Cortes de la Frontera being the first to leave their workers unpaid. Worse news is on the way as the tax ministry in Madrid has blocked the October payments to Gaucín, Cortes, Atajate, Genalguacil and Ardales because of the money they all owe to the central government.

GOING SWIMMINGLY

Málaga province is funding two projects in Serrato and Montejaque. Serrato will have a municipal swimming pool. Work has already started and it will be finished by the end of the year co-financed by the province, regional government and the municipality. Next year a day centre for both handicapped and elderly people will be built in Montejaque again financed on a three-way basis.

DATELINE RONDA THURSDAY 20 OCTOBER 2011

JÚZCAR COULD STAY BLUE


By David Eade – Costa del Sol News

Júzcar is one of the famous small white villages of the Serranía de Ronda. However all that changed earlier this year when Sony Pictures selected the hamlet as the Smurfs home. In Spanish Júzcar became the “Pueblo Pitufo” and was transformed with 9,000 litres of blue paint as part of a worldwide publicity campaign for the latest Smurfs movie.

The painting of the homes was meant to be a temporary measure but it has been such a success for the village that the residents are going to vote after the general election whether to stay blue or revert to white. The odds are on staying blue because whilst the hamlet has just 221 residents over 3,000 people now visit each weekend.

The world media descended on the Smurfs blue village and they were followed by thousands of people, of course including many children, who wanted to see where the Smurfs lived. This has resulted in an economic boom for Júzcar; the town hall has even had to recruit three local police officers to control the traffic.

A Merca Pitufo now opens at weekends and sells the products that Júzcar and the wider Valle del Genal have always been famous for. In addition there are souvenirs produced by Sony Pictures for the Smurfs movies and enterprising people have even organised Smurf tours of the locality.

Iván Sastre, owner of the Hotel El Bandolero, has welcomed the increase in trade both in staying guests but also to his restaurant. He said the large majority of juzcareños want the village to stay blue – after all he says all the Andalucía villages are white, so there is no problem if one is blue.

HAPPY ENDING TO SEARCH FOR 82-YEAR-OLD MAN

A search was held over the weekend in the area around Cortes de la Frontera after an 82-year-old man, Isidoro Vázquez Vega, went missing on Friday.

The alarm was raised at 15.45 when a family member called the 112 emergency number. The search over 100 strong was led by the Guardia Civil, Protección Civil plus Infoca fire teams and centred on the zones of La Perdiguera and La Retamar.

Isidoro was finally found at 17.30 on Sunday at Llanos de Líbar. He was disorientated, very thirsty and showed signs of dehydration but otherwise was in good health after his ordeal. He was taken to the local health centre for a check up and later discharged in a wheelchair to the care of a relieved family.

They described his discovery safe and well as a “miracle”. He had been found on a mountain side by a goat herder. Isidoro story is on Friday he had bought a small bottle of water and then set off on his walk but couldn’t find his way off the mountain and got lost.

TOURIST WELCOME
Last week two consortia presented plans for visitor reception centres to Ronda town hall. The first would see an investment of 17 million euros in the castle area involving an escalator to take tourists up into the historic town. The second of 37 million euros would be by the San Francisco quarter petrol station. Both would involve parking for cars and tourist coaches.
INSTALMENT PAYMENTS
Ronda’s former mayor, Antonio Marín, has now paid the 150,000 court bail fee in instalments including a charge on his own house. His two co-accused PSOE councillors Rafael Lara and María José Martín de Haro have also lodged their 50,000 and 80,000 bail monies. Marín and three councillors have resigned their seats and also from PSOE in the Acinipo town planning corruption case.
FEW LOANS
Ronda’s new PP – PA administration has been criticized for only seeking 2.4 million euros in loans since it took office. The coalition has complained the coffers are bare and the money borrowed will be used to pay off suppliers. However the regional government has made it clear it will only offer large scale finance if the town hall has an economic rescue plan.
I’M INNOCENT
The former police chief of the National Police in Ronda has protested his innocent in the corruption trial involving him, three fellow officers and a Guardia Civil. Between 2003 and 2007 they are alleged to have offered protection, indulged in sexual activity and taken drugs at three local brothels. The police chief says he was manipulated and the protected witnesses have framed him.

DEFENCE DEAL
Marípaz Fernández, Ronda’s new mayor, has opened contacts with the Ministry of Defence in an effort to acquire the lands of the now demolished La Concepción barracks which are being used as a car park. The ministry wants 3.6 million euros which Ronda says it cannot afford. The plans drawn up by the previous administration include underground parking, a plaza and cultural centre.
MILL HOSTEL
There are plans to convert the old mills of Ronda’s Tajo gorge into a tourism complex with a hostel for visitors which would be the second in the town as the youth hostel near El Fuerte will be finished next year. The mill buildings are being restored by various workshop schools. It’s hoped also to create a visitor’s centre, hotel plus country restaurant.

DATELINE RONDA THURSDAY 13 OCTOBER 2011

FILED CASES AGAINST MARÍN TO BE RE-OPENED


By David Eade – Costa del Sol News

When the former mayor of Ronda, Antonio Marín, was released after his arrest for alleged corruption in the Acinipo case he proclaimed his innocence stating he had seen off numerous other court challenges in the past and would this one too. However his confidence may have been misplaced as those very same cases are now coming back to haunt him.

The prosecutor and investigators in the Acinipo enquiry are now to re-open the files of all the cases brought against Marín that were filed by the judges. There were numerous official complaints over the years and although Acinipo is primarily linked to irregularities in the construction of the proposed Eroski commercial centre it has been anticipated that the investigation would be widened.

The Efe news agency has been reporting that all these past cases will now be looked at anew by the Acinipo team. Officers of the organised crime squad (Udyco) will be examining at all the documentation relating to town planning projects approved by Marín whilst mayor along with the terms of the contracts and payments.

Little is likely to emerge in the near future as the judge in the case has imposed a veil of secrecy. Marín and the others accused including three former PSOE councillors and two executives of Eroski face charges of obstructing justice, bribery, trafficking in influence, misappropriation of public funds, forgery and money laundering.

The trawl through past cases will go back to 2003. Almost certainly under close scrutiny will be the accords drawn up for Los Merinos development of 800 luxury homes, golf courses and luxury hotels which was given the green light only after Marín issued a mayoral decree. The former mayor is already in the dock over permission being granted for a development in the protected Tajo gorge and no doubt investigators will take a close look at those proceedings.

NOT STANDING

The resignation of the ex mayor of Ronda, Antonio Marín, plus three other PSOE councillors because they are implicated in the Acinipo corruption investigation has led to their former fellow Partido Andalucista colleagues who defected to the socialists opting not to take over their seats. These include Josefa Valle the wife of Marín. Instead PSOE candidates new to the council will be co-opted.

TWENTY ROBBERIES

National Police in Ronda backed up by a forensic team arrested three people who are alleged to undertaken a wave of forced break-ins in the town. Twenty official reports to the police were made in one week involving homes in the town centre, industrial units and other businesses. The trio forced the locks with break-in equipment and stole various items especially agricultural machinery.

MURDER TRIAL

Málaga’s juvenile court will start the trial in November of the 17 year-old local youth accused of murdering 13-year-old María Esther in Arriate on January 19 of last year. He has been held in detention since his May arrest. The trial has been slotted in for November 2, 3 and 4. The prosecutor and her family are seeking an eight year jail term.

NO WORK

The jobless total rose in Ronda in September over the previous month by 201. The total for the town of the Tajo is now 4,562. Of that total, the majority 2,360 are women, but just 80 women and 121men joined the jobless queue in September. The PP – PA coalition at the town hall has agreed an IU proposal giving work to 35 people.

SIXTY PERCENT

The Andalucía health authority reports that the work to construct a new regional hospital in Ronda is 60 per cent completed. The 40.8 million euros project is scheduled to be completed sometime in 2012. It was due to be finished next April but now the end of the year seems more likely. When operational the hospital will have single room occupancy for patients.

PROTEST MARCH

La Plataforma en Defensa del Tajo and environmental groups in the Serranía de Ronda held a protest march on Sunday against plans to build 22 homes and a luxury hotel at Casa Rúa at the foot of the Cornisas. The land is meant to be a protected site and the protestors argue the construction would harm Ronda’s bid for UNESCO heritage site status.

NO OFFERS

Ronda’s plan to sell off the Cortijo San Juan to raise badly needed funds has fallen flat on its face. The cortijo covers 80 hectares given over to vines and is located on the Sevilla road. Ronda was seeking bids of two million euros but none were made and there may be a second auction or the land may be rented out instead.

TOP MAN

The Consorcio Genal – Guadiaro - Serranía de Ronda, the association of the 21 municipalities covering this region, has elected the mayor of Júzcar, David Fernández, as their president. The mayor of Benarrabá is his deputy and those of Algatocín and Benalauría make up the commission. Fernández said the consortium was entering a new era with fresh ideas for creating jobs and promoting tourism.

PAYMENT PLAN

The demonstrations in Cortes de la Frontera, Cuevas del Becerro and Gaucín continue over the non-payment of municipal employees because of the lack of town hall funds. Now PSOE on the Málaga provincial delegation is proposing these authorities could be given interest free advances on allocated funding as long as it was used to pay salaries and paid back in a set period.

GOING DIGITAL

Málaga province has presented 15 town halls in the Serranía de Ronda with the models for creating a digital administration. This means that from next year the residents of Alpandeire, Arriate, Atajate, Benaladid, Benalauría, Benarrabá, Cartajima, Faraján, Gaucín, Igueleja, Jubrique, Júzcar, Montecorto, Parauta and Pujerra should be able to access their town halls online to make enquiries and to enact licence applications 24/7.

DATELINE RONDA THURSDAY 6 OCTOBER 2011

PSOE AT WAR


By David Eade – Costa del Sol News

Whilst the arrest of Ronda’s former mayor Antonio Marín with three of his fellow PSOE councillors was all about town planning corruption there is now a major political fallout. Indeed the socialist activists in the town of the Tajo have demanded the resignation of Málaga province’s two PSOE chiefs. Not the news the party needs in the run up to the general election.

For Antonio Marín his political career is over whether found innocent or guilty. He had been elected Partido Andalucista mayor but then after being in coalition with the Partido Popular broke the pact, signed a new one with PSOE, abandoned his party and led his PA councillors in to the socialist ranks. He headed the PSOE list at the last election.

However although PSOE secured the most votes a coalition was formed between the PP and PA to keep Marín from power. Also there was anger in the PSOE ranks as the PA newcomers had bumped many long term socialist councillors off the list. Marín has now been suspended by PSOE and the PP, PA and Izquierda Unida, who have brought many court cases against him, would not touch him with the political barge pole.

All this has led to 52 of the PSOE activists in Ronda to demand the immediate resignation of the provincial secretary Miguel Ángel Heredia and the secretary of the party’s organisation, Francisco Conejo. The letter was signed by six former PSOE councillors including Briton Charlotte Wilmot and the current PSOE MP Ana Fuentes. They are furious the pair did not listen to their unease over Marín and his fellow councillors acceptance into the party and point out that had they done so these sad moments for Ronda could have been avoided.

Back at Operación Acinipo itself former mayor Marín, who was arrested last Tuesday along with fellow PSOE councillors Cañestro, Lara and Martín plus two advisors to Eroski, was released by the court on 150,000 euros bail two days later. Martín has to find 80,000 euros and Lara 50,000 in surety. The four councillors have all resigned their seats on the council and been suspended by PSOE.

The wide ranging charge sheet includes obstructing justice, bribery, misappropriating funds, money laundering and trafficking in influences. Acinipo revolves around the development of a site for the proposed Eroski commercial centre but could well yet encompass the controversial Los Merinos golf development and other town planning developments.

CORTES DEMO

Around 200 people demonstrated outside Cortes de la Frontera town hall last Friday demanding the salaries owed to municipal workers be paid. The wages for September are due but they still haven’t been paid for July and August. The cork harvest will generate 1.2 million euros for the town hall’s coffers which can be used to pay workers. muleteers and cork harvesters.

ROAD WORKS

Cuevas del Becerro is carrying out major improvement works to the calle Nueva. The 63,400 euros project is being financed by an agricultural workers employment scheme giving work to three managers plus 25 labourers. The work will start at the beginning of September and continue for four months. It will see the road surface and pavement renewed plus water and sewage piping replaced.

MOVE ON

The Partido Popular president in Málaga province, who also heads the provincial authority, Elías Bendodo, visited Ronda on Saturday backing PP mayor María Paz Fernández in the wake of the arrest of the former socialist mayor Antonio Marín on town planning corruption charges. He offered his unconditional support to Ronda and promised to introduce measures to help it achieve its true tourism potential.

HASHISH BUST

Guardia Civil in Cortes de la Frontera have carried out a series of raids, one at a person’s home and another two on rural farms. They confiscated 24 marihuana plants of a very large size. Two locals aged 19 and 34 years were arrested. In another operation 225 medium sized plants being dried in a house in Cuevas Bajas resulted in two arrests.

NO MOVIES

Ronda has cancelled this year’s political film festival due to lack of funds. The festival, on a theme unique in Europe, was the brainchild of former mayor Antonio Marín. The first festival honoured British director Ken Loach but the town hall says none of the prize monies have yet been paid. Oliver Stone and Julian Assange were due to take part this year.

TWO BLAZES

A fire broke out on Montemayor in Benahavís on Saturday covering 30 hectares and because of the strong winds took six hours to bring under control. The presence of irrigation lakes in the area made the fire fighters task easier. On the same day another blaze in Cortes de la Frontera was quickly contained as fire crews have been assigned to the area.

BABY CARE

The Serranía de Ronda health authority has carried out improvements in the premature birth unit at the hospital covering the region. The Ronda hospital has seen a 15,000 euros investment which has been spent linking the specialist feeding unit with that housing the incubators. It guarantees a more intimate and comfortable space for the babies, mothers and families and also ensures greater security.

RONDA GOURMETS

The Gourmet Food and Wine fair was held in Paris at the end of September. Two Rondeños took part on the stand of Casa Pedro Ojeda, a local company dedicated to fine foods. One was Alberto Corbacho who is one of Spain’s master jámon Serrano cutters. Antonio Ojeda presented a wide range of high quality wines and foods from the Serranía de Ronda.

MARIN’S WIFE

The resignation of four PSOE councillors from Ronda’s council because of corruption charges has left the party in chaos. Four on the PSOE list will now move up but one of those is the wife of the former mayor Antonio Marín, Josefa Valle. It is yet to be determined whether she will take the post as her husband is one of the accused.

DATELINE RONDA THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

ARRESTED FOR CORRUPTION


By David Eade – Costa del Sol News

To Malaya, Ballena Blanca and Astapa can now be added Acinipo – the Roman name for Ronda. An apt choice by the police leading latest municipal corruption case that saw a wave of arrests on Tuesday including the former mayor of Ronda Antonio Marín Lara.

Roads were sealed off as at least three police raids swept in to operation at the town hall, municipal offices and the homes of those involved. Yet it caused little commotion in the town of the Tajo because after years of rumour few would have been surprised that arrests had now been made.

As in Marbella and Estepona the case revolves around town planning corruption. Apart from the ex mayor who in turn was Partido Andalucista then socialist, three other PSOE councillors were also detained plus former associates of the previous administration.

Having their collars felt were Francisco Cañestro, the secretary of the local PSOE who is also a provincial deputy; María José Martin de Haro, the former town planning councillor and Rafael Lara who was in charge of local contraction and security. According to judicial sources the others detained were a lawyer and people associated with the Eroski commercial centre development to be built on the former football ground. A seventh person also involved in this project has been questioned by police. Two of these latter arrests were made outside of the province.

The anti-corruption prosecutor Valentín Bueno, who was the mover behind the Astapa and Arcos cases, ordered in 20 officers of the Udyco organised crime unit from the Costa del Sol and a dedicated group dealing with money laundering. The judge of Ronda’s number 2 court is in charge and sources say those involved have been under investigation for around 12 months. Indeed if the charges are proved then the ecologists in Ronda deserve much of the praise because it was they who prodded the forces of law and order in to action.

Taken by surprise was the new Partido Popular mayor of Ronda, Mari Paz Fernández, when the secretary of the court, the anti-corruption prosecutor and plain clothes police all entered her office. They had arrived at the historic town hall located in the plaza de la Duquesa de Parcent in silence.

Then started a search of the mayor’s suite previously occupied by Marín, the various former municipal departments of the other councillors arrested in this case and their private homes and offices. Taken away were town planning documents, various files and the hard discs of computers. The operation that had started around 9.00 finished at 18.00.

The charge sheet against those involved is lengthy but now all too familiar in such cases. Corruption, bribery, embezzlement, falsifying documents, money laundering, traffic in influences and obstructing justice.

Police are said to have taken away a large amount of documentation relating to the sale of the former football stadium on which is to be constructed a mega commercial centre under the name of Eroski. They were also looking for information on the construction company involved Ruiz Jurado.

Both the ecologists and Izquierda Unida had brought a number of cases against the then mayor Antonio Marín. These centred on the controversial Los Merinos golf development close to the boundary with Cuevas del Becerro in the Serranía. Although the development is halted because of the economic crisis the plans are to build 800 luxury homes, a golf course plus hotels and the company involved has paid millions of euros to the town hall on and on-going basis as laid down in its town planning agreement. There are also current cases before the courts involving illegal construction in the Hoya del Tajo – a supposedly protect zone. Whether these make up part of the Acinipo investigation remains to be seen.

Marín and the others arrested in Ronda were taken from their homes and offices to various municipal locations, all were looking very nervous. They were then transported to the police HQ in Marbella and spent the night in police cells in Málaga. Their respective wives, including that of Marín who had been a fellow councillor in his administration, were not seen.

The anti-corruption prosecutor is understood to have ordered the tapping of the phones of those involved for some time. There have also been rumours circulating around Ronda for the past week that something was afoot. However all were surprised when Valentín Bueno swept in to town with the police raiding parties.

NO PAY

The neighbouring municipalities of Cortes de la Frontera and Gaucín cannot afford to pay their workers. Thirty-four employees are involved in Gaucín they have not paid for July and August and the total is around 75,000 euros. Over the same period 224 workers have not been paid in Cortes nor have those collecting the cork harvest. Cuevas del Becerro is also in arrears.

JEWELLERY THEFT

The Guardia Civil in Cortes de la Frontera have arrested a 28-year-old local man accused of stealing jewellery from another person in the village. After an official report was made of the theft officers found the items being sold in a gold dealing shop in Cortes. It appears the culprit was known to the victim and even had a key to the property.

BRIDGE REPAIR

The small dilapidated road bridge at Llano de la Cruz which marks the boundary between Ronda and Arriate is to be repaired. It was recently visited by Manuel López the Ronda councillor responsible for outlying areas. After requests from local residents the town hall is to completely replace the crash barriers and upgrade the structure with work starting within the next 15 days.

GOING ALONE

Residents of El Colmenar – Estación de Gaucín are to be granted a degree of autonomy. Currently the area is part of the municipality of Cortes de la Frontera. Local people have been campaigning for independence and Málaga province has now granted them ELA status which means they will have management of local affairs. El Colmenar will be the fourth ELA in the province.

TOREROS WAY

Ronda has inaugurated the Paseo de los Toreros, a walk way in the Blas Infante zone by the bullring. There will be spaces dedicated to the famous bullfighters Pedro Romero, Niño de la Palma and Antonio Ordóñez. It will honour people closely associated with the world of bullfighting with one being immortalised each year by being commemorated along the route of the pathway.

PARK RESTORED

Ronda is to restore the urban parkland in La Dehesa. The large wooded area has been neglected in recent years. The councillor for the environment, Rafael Flores, has announced a major clean-up operation involving collecting the accumulated rubbish, replacing damaged equipment in the children’s play area, installing new access signs to show entry points and there will also be a track for cyclists.

DATELINE RONDA THURSDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2011

WORLD HERITAGE BID UNDERWAY


By David Eade – Costa del Sol News

Ronda’s application for UNESCO World Heritage status will get underway shortly. The architect José Seguí, who is developing the local development plan for Ronda (PGOU), will be in charge of drawing up the documentation to be presented to the UN organisation.

Last week the regional government’s minister of culture, Paulino Plata, visited Ronda and indicated that the starting of the process was “imminent”. Indeed the Andalucía authority and Ronda town hall had already begun the task of planning the documentation.

Ronda will be making an application along with Antequera. In Ronda the Plataforma Pro Ronda Patrimonio Mundial is representing the various local associations and political parties supporting the project. The ministry of culture has offered to pay the costs of both towns making their applications which are estimated at least 90,000 euros each.

The Partido Popular, which now governs Ronda in coalition with the Partido Andalucista, had presented a motion to the Andalucía parliament in support of the World Heritage recognition. It was passed unanimously.

In its submission to UNESCO Ronda will present the Roman ruins at Acinipo, the world famous bridge over the Tajo, the Arab bathes which are the best preserved in Europe, its churches and palaces plus the oldest bullring in Spain. In addition it will highlight the rich and stunningly beautiful natural environment of the three nearby national parks, the Genal Valley plus the 21 villages to be found in the Serranía.

Plata called for the people of Ronda to get behind the application. Once the documentation has been drawn up it will be open for public inspection and people can then register their support. The granting of World Heritage status will bring employment and wealth creating opportunities to Ronda and the surrounding area.

MORE AID

The number of families that need basic foodstuffs and supplies to survive in Ronda has increased by 40 per cent since the new PP –PA coalition came to power in May. The councillor for social welfare, Antonio Arenas, said there were now 160 families receiving this aid whereas in May the figure was 60. The continuing economic crisis had led to the increase.

CHESTNUT ACCOLADE

Chestnuts form the main source of income for many families in the Serranía de Ronda; four million kilos are expected to be gathered. Expectations are the harvest will be the same as last year but the quality is exceptional. Valle del Genal has suggested a denomination of origin is sought to distinguish the high quality of its chestnuts from others on the market.

ASSET STRIPPING

The controversial decision by Ronda’s PP – PA administration to sell municipal assets to raise cash is underway. Last week the provincial bulletin (BOP) carried the conditions for the sale of the Cortijo San Juan 18 kms from the town centre. Also up for grabs is the building housing the wholesale market although the town hall says another will be built to replace it.

TIMELY ARREST

Ronda’s National Police arrested a 38-year-old local man accused of stealing a watch and wallet. His victim reported to police that at 23.20 on September 4 he was robbed at knifepoint in the calle Zahara de la Sierra. Officers took a couple of days to identify the culprit who is said to have 21 previous convictions, 10 of them for robbery with violence.

LEGION ANNIVERSARY

The Spanish Legion celebrated its 91 st anniversary on September 20. To commemorate the event the Tercio Alejandro Farnesio 4 de La Legión based in Ronda held a parade last Thursday followed by a concert. In addition an exhibition was held at the Unicaja gallery displaying material from missions in the Congo, Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan amongst others since its inception in 1920.

FERIA FIGHT

Ronda’s councillor in charge of security, Fernando Corrales, has been giving the facts about police action during the period of the Pedro Romero feria. The worst incident was at 06.00 on the final Sunday when a fight at the fair ground led to the arrest of ten people with one person receiving a serious knife wound. There were 16 arrests for drunk driving.

IBI ANGER

Fury in the Serranía de Ronda village of Igualeja where a revision of the land values by the Ministry of the Economy means a 700 per cent rise in the IBI tax in stages up to 2017. The council is made up of five PP and two PSOE councillors and they were united in passing a motion demanding the IBI rise be reviewed.

NO ADMITTANCE

Around 56 per cent of the operations carried out at Ronda’s regional hospital in the first six months of this year did not require the patient to be admitted to the medical centre. It is thanks to a scheme Cirugía Mayor Ambulatoria which saw 1,198 minor operations performed on out patients which in turn provided a more rapid recovery rate at their homes.

DATELINE RONDA THURSDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2011

RONDA WANTS TO BUY THE CORNISAS


By David Eade – Costa del Sol News

The land of the Cornisas del Tajo make up one of the most embolic sights in Ronda yet they are under constant threat from developers. One such project that has had to be approved after court rulings are for 16 hectares known as Casa Rúa where a luxury hotel and 22 houses are scheduled to be built.

This case involving the Sánchez Robles family goes back to 1980 and after modifications were made a revised construction plan was approved as it had been backed by the courts on the basis of the local development plan (PGOU) that was in force at that time.

However the scheme has met with stiff opposition from ecologists who are angry at the negative visual impact it will have on one of the most famous scenic areas in Ronda. The Partido Popular –Partido Andalucista administration agrees and is now hoping to purchase the lands from the Sánchez Robles family.

The development project for the Cornisas was always opposed by Izquierda Unida and Silvema – Ecologistas en Acción and support has now also come from the Plataforma en Defensa del Tajo. They all argue the construction of the hotel and houses will have a major negative impact on a rich natural zone much of which is meant to be protected.

This has led the Ronda administration to open negotiations with the Sánchez Robles family to see what can be agreed. Mayor María Paz Fernández says purchase will be difficult because the town hall is deeply in debt. However it is hoped the Spanish or Andalucía governments may step in or indeed the EU to protect one of the most valued historic landscape scenes in Spain.

In past years the town hall had sought to purchase the lands to prevent the development going ahead and nine million euros had then been mentioned. Negotiations are now proceeding between the mayor’s team and the family which are said to be carried out on good terms with the preserving of Ronda’s natural beauty as the objective.

WON’T PAY
A shock for companies who’ve provided services for the former administration in Ronda and are waiting for their bills to be settled. Many have received letters from the town hall saying they’re not paying the invoices which were not authorized by the PP. The companies have carried out the work or supplied the goods and are now taking the town hall to court.
BIKER DEATH
A 34-year-old motorcyclist was killed last Sunday on the A-397 San Pedro de Alcántara to Ronda road. The tragedy happened at km 19.5 in Igualeja around 11.00. The Málaga 112 emergency centre reports the Guardia Civil and ambulance service attended the scene but could do nothing to saver the biker’s life. The road is the major black spot in the province for motorcyclists.
TOUT ARRESTS
Police arrested an employee of one of Ronda’s leading hotels for re-selling tickets for the Pedro Romero Corrida Goyesca on the black market. Three different guests at the hotel reported his activities to the police. When detained by officers he had 14 tickets he was trying to sell. The popular bullfight is sold out every year but it is illegal to re-sell tickets.
MAYOR ACCUSED
More controversy in Cortes de la Frontera where PA mayor Antonio Granero recently sacked his deputy and another councillor. Now Granero has been denounced before Málaga court by a PA supplementary candidate accusing him of cheating and fraud. Manuel Gallego says he has a signed letter in which the mayor promises him the post of delegate for security but he was never appointed.
PACT BROKEN
Málaga’s Izquierda Unida has broken the pact with the Partido Andalucista under which both governed Cortes de la Frontera. This follows the sacking of an IU councillor by the mayor after he accused his PA deputy of signing contracts in his name, one of which favoured his son. The IU councillor protested his innocence and the PA could face a no confidence motion.
DOCTOR’S DEATH
Recently the researcher and scientist Dr José Manuel Rodríguez Delgado died at the age of 96 in San Diego, Texas. The Ronda-born doctor moved to the USA accepting a scholarship at Yale in 1946. He dedicated his life to the study of the human brain and has an institute named after him. Ronda is now to honour him posthumously as a favoured son.
ON FOOT
Following on from its famous Pedro Romero feria Ronda has been celebrating another major tradition its annual cattle market held on the same fair ground. Around 500 mules, horses and donkeys were at the event which attracted 5,000 people from throughout Andalucía and Badajoz. This year 100 animals came from Pruna in Sevilla province accompanied by the local mayor all travelling on foot.
SEED EXCHANGE

Genalguacil in the Serranía de Ronda celebrated last weekend a special event in which plant seeds were exchanged between residents of the rural municipality. Under the banner ‘Enzemillate Canijo’ the objective is to preserve the traditions of the Serranía and the rural culture by swapping plant seeds plus holding a series of events including workshops, a craft market and activities for the children.

DATELINE RONDA THURSDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2011

SPAIN UNBLOCKS GADAFI’S SERRANIA ASSETS


By David Eade – Costa del Sol News

Last Thursday the Spanish Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, announced that his government is putting at the disposal of Libya’s interim government, the National Transitional Council, 16 million euros for humanitarian aid and also 18 tonnes of medications.

Government sources said the 16 million euros was an advance on the Libyan States assets held in Spain which would be returned when the UN authorises it.

One of the prize assets that the Libyan dictator holds in Spain is an estate in Benahavís valued at around 45 million euros. One of Gadafi’s sons also has an account in Spain with half a million euros. In addition Aresbank is owned by Gadafi’s regime and has assets of 300 million euros including deposits owned by private individuals. The activities of the Spanish oil company Repsol in Libya remain blocked for the time being.

Back on March 2 the Spanish government blocked the town planning projects Gadafi has had in this country since 1969. There exists an estate of 7,200 hectares in Málaga province that is owned in the name of the Libyan Foreign Bank and Banco Exterior Libio but which are in effect State owned. The land covers five municipalities: Benahavís, Estepona, Igualeja, Júzcar and Pujerra.

The largest part is in Benahavís with 3,500 hectares where the Spanish representative of the Libyan bank requested planning permission in 2007 but has never followed up the development project. The plans were for a hotel, golf course and 1,915 homes spread over 1,915 hectares.

The initial request for planning permission was denied by Benahavís town hall as according to the 1993 local development plan part of the land is zoned for urban use but the proposals put forward would have amounted to over building on the area designated.

Since then the Libyan bank has authorised 60 kms of fencing to be placed around the entire estate of 7,200 hectares. The main entrance to La Resiner as the estate is known has two notices one saying it is private property and the other a hunting zone.

WOMAN RESCUED

At 8.45 on Friday a 29-year-old woman skidded in her Peugeot 206 60 metres at km 21 on the A-374 Ronda to Sevilla road. The vehicle went off the road and down a rocky slope towards a dry river bed. The Ronda fire brigade had to free her from the car then carry her to safety on a stretcher to receive medical attention.

MERINOS ROW

Merinos golf development currently on hold is controversial enough but now Ronda has been arguing over what to do with the latest 700,000 euros payment. The previous PSOE administration had allocated the funds to development projects, now the PP and PA governing team, backed by the IU, say it will be used to pay salaries and social security instead to the socialist’s ire.
HORROR CRASH

Three people were killed at 4.45 last Wednesday when their BMW crashed against roadside works with the impact splitting the vehicle in two with one woman being decapitated. The tragedy happened on the normally safe A-371 between Villamartín and Las Cabezas de San Juan. The man was from Las Cabezas and two women were Moroccan: one of the women was resident in Ronda.
DEPUTY FIRED
Cortes de la Frontera PA mayor Antonio Granero, has fired his PA deputy Antonio Guerrero Márquez plus an IU councillor Manuel Carasco Ríos. Granero says his deputy signed two contracts one favouring his son in the mayor’s name without authority. The councillor is accused of being implicated in the signing although he says he was assured it was authorised. Guardia Civil are investigating.
CHESTNUT DAYS

The Serranía de Ronda village of Júzcar depends in a large part for its financial viability on the annual chestnut harvest which provides many families with their incomes. On September 9 – 11 Júzcar’s holding a conference on the development of the chestnut industry in a biosphere reserve. Many national and international experts are taking part and full information is on the website http://www.castanardelgenal.com/

DATELINE RONDA THURSDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2011

DAMAS GOYESCAS TO TREAD GRAPES


David Eade – Costa del Sol News

The Damas Goyescas who preside over Ronda’s annual Pedro Romero fair, which is currently underway, have a very special engagement on Friday. They will be visiting the Museo de Vino in the old town where they will press the grapes from the latest harvest in their bare feet.

The fifth edition of this colourful event takes place at 11.00 in the old bodega which now is the Centro de Interpretación del Vino. It is timely that Ronda’s annual feria coincides with the gathering of the grapes and their pressing by foot is a ceremony that been carried on for hundreds of years.

The wine pressing is a collaboration between Ronda town hall and the Bodegas la Sangre which is associated with the museum and produces a range of award winning wines. Indeed those who attend the pressing will not only see the glamorous court ladies in action but will also be invited to taste the Bodegas’ wines free of charge.

RONDA TO SELL OFF PRIZE ASSETS

When the Partido Popular and Partido Andalucista came to power in Ronda in a coalition after the May elections they declared the municipal coffers to be empty. Now to the fury of the socialist opposition they have announced the solution is to sell of Ronda’s assets to raise badly needed funds.

The first to go under the hammer seems likely to be the extensive Cortijo San Juan. The town hall believes this could raise around two million euros. The councillor responsible for finances, María del Carmen Martínez, said this would be the start of selling some of the properties of the town hall to generate funds.

The Cortijo San Juan is expected to go on the market very shortly under a public auction to see what offers are forthcoming. The prime site is on the Ronda to Sevilla road and overlooks the road leading off in the direction of Grazalema. Part of the land is given over to vines and it is reported it has been a problem for the town hall to maintain it.

It is ironic that a former councillor for the environment who is now the PA’s first deputy mayor in the coalition, Isabel Barriga, had been a strong defender of the estate in which the town hall had invested a large amount of money. Now she seemingly approves of the sale.

Currently the Cortijo San Juan is the only municipal property that has been named as being for sale. Without a doubt other town hall owned buildings are also being readied to be put on the market. The administration argues that the monies raised will be used to construct modern buildings better suited to their purpose and located in areas where they are needed.

In this category comes the present Mercado de Mayoristas. The councillor for agriculture wants to construct a new wholesale market at the entrance to the industrial estate and the cash from the sale of the existing premises would fund such a development.

Needless to say these proposals have met with the stiff opposition of the former PSOE administration which have labelled the proposals as a “barbarity”. It states that up to now the town hall has always purchased assets and never sold them in this manner.

The socialists have called upon the ruling coalition and the PP mayor Maripaz Fernández to seek subventions from other public administrations and investments in Ronda and not to buy their way out of the town’s financial problems by auctioning off the family silver – by selling the very future of Ronda.

NEW CHIEF



Ronda has a new chief of local police. He is Manuel Castillo and he took office in front of a large number of councillors. New PP mayor Maripaz Fernández dismissed the previous chief soon after taking office. Castillo previously was a sub-inspector with the National Police. He takes charge of 70 officers; his first task with be security during this week’s annual fair.



BIG LEAP



Hotels in Ronda have experienced the biggest leap in five years in the number of nights spent in hotels in the town of the Tajo in July. According to the tourist office the increase is 63 per cent more than in the same month last year. The total of room nights was 2,414 but does not include camp sites, rural tourism or apartments.



TAJO MILL



Residents of Ronda’s Molino del Tajo are pleased with the state of the works to improve the local infrastructure. The rural road has been cemented, a collapsed wall by the river has been repaired and the area below the bridge over the river has been cleared. Mayor Maripaz Fernández says it is a promise kept and works will be completed in mid September.



RADIO CLEANSING



The Partido Popular administration in Ronda has been angrily accused of political cleansing of Radio Ronda and the municipal communications unit SOMUCSA. Six members of staff have been made redundant and the company has been contracted to PP supporting hotelier Carlos Ruiz without it being offered out to tender. PP says it has taken the action because the financial situation was simply unsustainable.



NO BIKING



The plan to get residents and visitors to Ronda to take to bikes was launched last year as a town hall and regional government initiative. Now it has been stopped as the sports department says it does not have the money to service the bikes which are parked at key points. Users of the service have been told to collect their deposits back.

POPULAR RONDA

The first deputy mayor and councillor for tourism in Ronda, Isabel María Barriga, has revealed the number of visitors using the local tourist office. In the first seven months of this year there has been a 32.46 per cent increase on 2010. In April, which included the Easter holiday, 35,448 people used its facilities, the highest number since it opened 11 years ago.

BETTER CONNECTED

The mobile telephone company Movistar has announced it is strengthening the wide band service for its users in all the municipalities throughout Andalucía. This will also apply to rural areas such as the Serranía de Ronda which are particularly dependent on mobile links. The local director, José González, said it was doubling its capacity to handle both voice as well as data transmissions.