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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 22 MARCH 2010

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Contributor / 2010-03-18 15:29:23

A BRIDGE TOO FAR

Dear Sir,
We live two streets back from the N332 at Altos Mariblanca near Rocajuna bar.  There is no way of crossing the N332 to the beach or for getting into town, unless you are agile enough to walk right up to the bar area at Rocio del Mar. In fact, that is the only crossing for the whole of Orihuela Costa from the Ayuntamiento to Torrevieja.
People are still risking their lives crossing the new dual carriageway where the traffic is now moving faster and when the tourists start arriving at Easter and in the summer months it will be even worse.  We want more bridges or subways!!

Paula & Tony Jones, 
Los Altos

We’ve had a lot of letters on this subject and especially concerning the area that you are talking about guys, perhaps someone at the town hall will have  a read of this and let us know what they plan to do about it…or not? ED.

YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU

Dear Editor,
7 years ago when we moved to San Javier we registered on the padron & were sent our voting rights in the post  for the Spanish  local & euro elections ,in English.    
We have since voted in 2 local & a euro election receiving our election address from the PSOE in English. The Spanish take their new found democracy seriously.

Recently in the Leader there was an article on our voting rights in the next UK General Election, we were given 2 contact numbers to register on the Electoral list.
“www.myvote.co.uk”, our sender was unable to contact & it took 2 E mails to
press@electoralcommission.org.uk  before receiving 2 replies on the same day from 2 different sources & eventually the 3 registration forms.

There are 55,000 expats eligible to vote but only 13,500 have bothered to register & apart from the Leader article we have seen no information on our voting rights in the media. We phoned the British Consulate but were only given the same the same E mail addresses. Considering that the DSS & the British Consulate have our details why has the UK government & political parties made no effort to inform expats of their voting rights before what we consider to be the most important election in recent years. 

Does our ill tempered  prime minister & his New Labour  cronies fear a protest vote from  the expat community  because of the fall in the value of our pensions  over of their mishandling  of the  UK economy, reference my letter “ Gordon Brown´s  Paupers” . 

We were instructed to register our voting rights in the last constituency where we had voted in the UK. The limitations on using a postal post were restrictive, the voting forms could be sent out as late as 4 days before polling & had to be returned within that time period. An impossible task unless the use of E mail facilities was allowed by both sides.

The alternative recommended was a proxy vote so we nominated a friend to act on our behalf. Unfortunately we were then informed that due to boundary changes our old address had been moved to another constituency, our friend who had been a local councillor for many years was unable to find out the procedure in this case.

To decide the future UK situation the expats should register their protest vote in the coming general election, their participation could make a difference to the final outcome, it’s in all our interests!  To all Brits, instead of using your expensive Broadband internet facilities to contact the relatives & order off Amazon use your computer for something useful, YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU!
 
Philip T. Humberstone.

But I’ve got to ask Phil, should we really still have a full say in how the UK is run…when we’ve decided to leave the country behind to come to another, and we want a say in how that place is run so we register to vote their too? ED.

DOGGY ID’S

Dear Sirs,
In her letter entitled "Doggy IDs" in your paper this week, Sharon asks why it is necessary to register all dogs in the area local to Rojales Police Station.  I picked up a multi-lingual leaflet only the other day which has been issued by Rojales Ayuntamiento promoting this campaign to register dogs. 

From what I see, the campaign is to bring to the attention of residents, new local regulations for pets.  Its purpose seems to be for owners to take responsibility and fulfil their obligation as dog owners.  Briefly, for example, if dogs are registered with the local police station, it should help to cut down on dogs living in poor conditions or causing neighbourhood disturbances.  It should protect dogs from being mistreated or abandoned, and should help to locate owners of lost dogs. 

Registration obviously makes it easier to enforce the owner's responsibilities.

I have seen the leaflets (in Spanish, English and German) in quite a few of the ayuntamiento buildings around Quesada and Rojales, so they shouldn't be hard to find if your readers want to find out more.  The Local Police number quoted in the leaflet is 966 715 129.
 
Julia Walton
Quesada

Thanks for that too, and even if you think it is unnecessary folks…just register the dog and make life easier for all. ED.

HELP4HEROES CHARITY EVENT

My name is Ruth Reid and I run a 50+ Solos group. Over the past 2 and half years we have been sending parcels to soldiers in Afghanistan, 450 to date. The latest groups have been 2 Rifles and 3/4 Rifles who are having a very bad time at present.

The event is on Saturday 3 April at Sacko’s Bar2 pm.  Four Entertainers have offered their services for free during the afternoon. There will be lots of stalls from afternoon scones and tea to homemade cakes, and tombola. Play your cards Right and a sponsored wax will also take place.

There will be a large raffle with many of the prizes being donated for the cause. All cash raised by the 50+ Solos will go to support the Help4Heroes Charity Further information Ruth Reid 966 78 6320

Yours sincerely    
Ruth Reid    

Right, lovely people! Stand up straight backs to the wall and hands in pockets – let’s help out our boys and girls and get down there and do OUR bit for them. Dismissed… ED.

A THANKLESS TASK

Dear Sir,
How many community presidents would take it upon himself to welcome new owners and residents, explain everything that a new arrival needs to know, be on hand to help with projects and improvements, learn basic first aid and be there when you have a medical emergency?
Not only that, but also taking a caring interest in people who find coming out to Spain to start a new life, daunting.

Having read your articles and letters about the criticisms of presidents, I write to commend ours in La Florida.

He and his wife have been so very helpful during our five years as owners, coming out to Spain for holidays and now spending a few months each year after retirement. Without their help and support our time in Spain would have been far less enjoyable and far more stressful.
On our long conversations we have gained an insight into how difficult it can be acting as a community president, obviously dealing with conflicts between residents and holiday-makers/rentals is one, but just as difficult and time consuming is chasing up the many debtors and residents who don't bother to maintain their homes and their look after their investment and let properties become eyesores.

Another trouble spot are those residents who have dogs in small apartments and cause annoyance to neighbours.

Just a thought, perhaps the Leader might like to organise a reader competition to choose the best president!

A thankless task and our hope is that he never decides to throw in the towel.

Tony & Eileen Mayes

Hi guys,
I wrote last week about how I and many others would be extremely reluctant to carry out the role and that those who do (and do it well) should be appreciated – personally I’d rather move than do it. ED.

SKY HIGH

Dear Editor,
 
All seasoned travellers know to expect drink prices in bars at departure lounges to be higher than that in resort bars etc.

Indeed on a recent holiday in Cabo Roig it was obvious that local bars and restaurants were aware of the ' credit crunch' and had slightly reduced their prices to encourage business.
Not so at Alicante Airport: - Completing check-in remarkably quickly my wife and I decided - since it was our wedding anniversary - to have a last drink on Spanish soil.

Imagine my surprise on checking the bill (copy attached) to discover that a 20cl bottle of ginger ale cost €2.60 yes €2.60. Must be a mistake I thought - checked with the barman (David) only to be informed that €2.60 was the correct price.

What a rip of - at that price a litre of ginger ale would cost €13.00. How can anyone justify that price? After all a litre of Soberano Brandy in the Duty free was €9.50!
Perhaps you should advise other travellers?
 
Many thanks
Yours sincerely
Alistair Wallace
 
PS
Price of the Gordons looks a little high also.

Hi Alistair, I used to work at the airport so I know what you mean, but come on, where’s the romance – your wedding anniversary and a last drink in Spain and you begrudge paying for a drink? I bet the Mrs. was happy when you questioned the bill… ED.

ON THE MOVE

After many years of trying to sell and move back to the UK and reducing the property price by €160.000 we packed up our few precious belongings. After choosing a British company we had to make a last minute change due to timing. We found a company locally on the Costa Blanca. 

The gentleman doing the Spanish side of their business was very reassuring and told us it would be sent over to England then transferred up to Scotland and not to worry as  it would be well looked after. They carefully put it onto a smart new vehicle all seemed well at this point. When it arrived at our new home it came on a clapped out transit van and my husband was horrified when he saw the condition of the box's we had so carefully packed. Most were wet and falling apart my husband asked the driver how they had come to be so wet and they denied any knowledge of the matter. 

My husband then asked them to get their boss on the phone. He too was at a loss as to how it had come about but reassured us that any damaged would be taken care of and some monetary payment would be made. After 40 or more phone calls to his mobile he now denies that things were broken and we are still waiting for recompense. After unpacking we found our china was smashed. It had all been bubble wrapped and rested on shredded paper so it had been thrown about to get that badly damaged.

All my table lamps were in the same condition and everything was very wet. As we unpacked I realized a few things were not there so a box must have gone astray too. We were so glad to be leaving and this was the last sting in the tail for us. It’s always the Brit's that rip their own off. So beware of who you choose. Ask around if others have been satisfied with their move. It’s a lot of money these people are charging, probably money you can ill afford.
 
Mrs P Morrison
By Email

I know it’s too little too late, but for others, try and get references of any business or tradesman – especially if they have access to your possessions. ED.

THOUGHTS ON SMOKING

Cigarette smoke is the Residue of YOUR PLEASURE,
It permeates the Air, my Hair and Clothes, not to mention my lungs,
And this all takes place WITHOUT MY CONSENT.
I too have a pleasure; now and again I like a drink,
The residue from my pleasure is Urine,
Would you mind if I stood on a chair, and Pee'd all over you without your consent?
THINK ABOUT IT! 

Have a nice day,
Coleen Bryan

It’d have to be a big chair I’m 6’3’’ ED.

SINCERE THANKS

Dear Editor,
 
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the leader and all your readers also Nick at Excite FM and all his listeners for the overwhelming response we had to our Christmas 'Make A Child Smile Campaign' .

We delivered bikes, books, toys, clothes, games and many other gifts to the children of Emaus Residential Care Homes Elche & Altea. Today these children are playing with many beautiful gifts blissfully unaware that all of you are their Three Kings.

We also want to thank Adrian with his van for doing the charity run to Altea he is a very patient man especially with a lot of pensioners like us and a very special mention to David Wilson's mother for her really thoughtful gift on behalf of her son. We hope we can rely on all of your support in the coming year. So on behalf of the children of Emaus Many, Many thanks to all of you.
 
David English
Chairman Costa Blanca Rangers Supporters Club

Ok, enough already… I know they do good work but Nick and the gang will be walking around with their chest puffed out and looking smug – oh hang on…they are already…ED.

I LOVE EXITE RADIO

Hello.
 I work in the office of a small firm, all day I spend at the computer, often listen to your radio station, and the whole staff of our organization is listening to you, we are almost the fans of your radio, really like your music, leading programs.

Hard working days, your radio is helping ordinary office manager to work out all week and on Friday evening when labour weekdays have been completed, your radio is helping to distract from the work and calmly to the weekend with his family.

Sincerely your fan and admirer.
Thank you.
Stanislav Barabash

Hi Stan?
Thanks for all that and its nice to know that the incredible work that goes in to producing the very best radio around is acknowledged…but they are also mad…it needs to be said. ED.