San Miguel de Salinas - the official rough guide of San Miguel de Salinas, Costa Blanca, Spain

30 July 2008 - Neighbours of Villas Maria, Torrestrella and other parts of Ciudad de las Comumnicaciones are urged to attend the Council Meeting on Thursday 31st July at San Miguel Town Hall at 8.30pm when their objections to the change of use of communal land in Calle Leon to facilitate the development of the illegal business Mar Azul School will be discussed... a silent protest is planned
28 July 2008 - THE NEIGHBOURS ASSOCIATION REQUESTS THE VALENCIAN GOVERNMENT TO ASSUME THE COMPETENCES URBANISTICAS MUNICIPAL OF THE URBANIZATION OF CIUDAD DE LAS COMUNICACIONES TO FINISH THE PLANNING... MORE

23 July 2008 - The monthly PLG Meeting at Cheers took place on 8th July 2008 at Cheers Bar Eagles Nest. Chairman Terry Watson tells the meeting that the Councillor responsible Senor Correas has made himself unavailable to anyone therefore meeting with him to discuss the growing list of outstanding issues resulting from PLG meetings could not be arranged, despite numerous visits, phone calls and emails. Little interest or action seems to be happening lately after issues are brought to the attention of Town Hall, there is always some “emergency” taking place, currently 300 properties in El Galan with electricity problems, 10 year “plan” for San Miguel being discussed, lack of maintenance staff, funding etc.. If owners and Presidents see no progress on issues being raised by going through PLG then faith in system will dissolve and return to much more Town Hall time being used to deal with individuals - View Minutes

15 July 2008 - The Territorial Consellería of Education of Alicante confirms that the business 'Mar Azul School' "is not authorized by the educational administration" and is therefore illegal and orders The Administration of San Miguel de Salinas to take all legal measures to enforce the closure that is has already ordered.

Territorial Direction by the Consellería of Education of Alicante has sent in writing to the Administration of San Miguel of Salinas a communiqué to the effect that Mar Azul School has no legality nor authorization. In the communiqué, the educational authority recalls that "for a school to legally function in Spain educational standards must be in place that provide levels of education for students in the Spanish system, and that to be a school an opening authorization for Education and operation must be granted from the Consellería. The present arrangement for 200 children of diverse ages is a totally irregular situation that has been denounced on various occasions by the neighbours before the local administration, with demonstrations and in the mass media. Opposition Party, The EU, has also presented initiatives to The Full Council Meeting, asserted by the representative of EU, Luis Torró in the Valencian Parliament in February of this year, confirming effectivelt 'Mar Azul School' does not have authorization and is an illegal school. The EU Party challenges the Administration on knowingly allowing and endorsing an illegal operation and breaching its own decrees for the closing of the activity that has not continued with any type of license. The EU expects that from now on the Town Hall will comply with its obligation and with the instructions of the Consellería of Education to proceed to the closure of the installations and to impose the corresponding sanctions, returning the tranquility to the neighbours and safeguarding the interests of the vulnerable students in this irregular schooling. The Municipal Administration must comply with legal municipal obligations.

Arthur Potts and Neil Burman of Balcon de la Costa Blanca on how The CV95 Causes More Frustration
see article below
foto courtesy The Leader Online

Terry Watson, Chair of The Presidents Liaison Group says 'we do not have the liaison we expect... The Administration is not performing in the way it promised'... more on this soon

This website is not political but as always we will publish any submission from a democratic and registered group that represents the interests of any part of the community of San Miguel de Salinas and we herewith publish an open letter from Residents of Ciudad de las Comunicaciones, Villas Maria and Torrestrella - the open letter is published verbatim as circulated to the community.

Costa Blanca Samaritans - Join us!

From 24 July 2008 and for the first time ever in Spain, Costa Blanca Samaritans will be offering a telephone listening support service to anyone who feels in distress, or is despairing and who might be suicidal. Initially our phone lines will be open for a few hours each evening but our aim is to eventually offer a 24 hour telephone listening/support service. In order to offer these services we need volunteers and in return for your commitment, we will train you to the highest standards.

If you feel you have the qualities to be a Samaritan listener and could offer a few hours a week to man the phones, please send your CV to joinus@costablancasamaritans.com or call Michael on 966 795 801 to start the ball rolling. If you have questions regarding our organisation or would like to volunteer to help us in areas other than telephone listening, please contact us on info@costablancasamaritans.com Costa Blanca Samaritans is a legally registered, 100% not-for-profit organisation, staffed entirely by volunteers.

Local businessman Naresh Bhundia lambasted San Miguel residents in the June 2008 issue of his own Insight Magazine over their protests about Mar Azul School. In declaring another company of his, Sitara, as being a technical advisor and builder to Mar Azul he objected to Sitara being a target for demonstration. Bhundia also claimed that protestors did not represent the views of the community and furthermore that they were being manipulated by the Communist Party. Selective articles of The Insight Magazine are published online but not the article referred hereto.

"Following a recent open letter to the Residents of San Miguel from Naresh Bhundia published in the Sitara marketing magazine, Insight, representatives of the residents would like to have an opportunity to voice our side of the story concerning the protests against Mar Azul school. As a registered non-political group representing the neighbours of Ciudad de las Comunicaciones, Villas Maria and Torrestrella we take up the invitation offered by Mr. Bhundia to prepare this public statement and we look forward to it being issued in the July edition of the Insight magazine.

"Our community of Ciudad de las Comunicaciones, Villas Maria and Torrestrella consists of approximately 400 detached villas all standing on their own plots of land. The community has grown to this size through a number of phases of development over the last three decades. The residents are predominately retired pensioners who settled in the area for its beauty, peace and quiet. We have the usual mix of nationalities that can be found on any established urbanisations, Spanish, English, German, Dutch and Scandinavians plus others. There are parents with young children who use the local public schools provided for them by the State. Four years ago developers tried to put a hotel on an area set aside for recreational use within our community. We fought against the developers and won. Now we are having to fight again to protect our community. In September 2007 part of our community centre was taken over, unannounced and unwelcome, by Mar Azul, a private business operating an illegal school. Furthermore, building work was undertaken, without planning permission to enable the whole of the school to relocate there over the following months. Now the additional land that we fought to keep recreational has been reclassified, at an extraordinary plenary meeting, so that it can be used for educational purposes. This land can then be sold off or leased for use by a private school. Our communal land will be taken from us. This is why we are protesting.

"The first point that requires clarification is the legality of the protest and who the protestors represent. Mr. Bhundia and Mar Azul have both claimed that the protestors are a small minority. So to clarify the position of all parties and eliminate any confusion in the mind of the public we can categorically state that we represent the Urbanisation of Ciudad de las Comunicaciones, Villas Maria and Torrestrella. We have a democratically elected committee voted in by the majority of the residents and property owners. We have held numerous meetings to discuss the protest and voted by show of hands on every action taken. We have raised petitions, signed by the residents and owners, against the misuse of our communal areas. We have written to the Education Authorities in Valencia and the Government in Alicante. We represent 400 villas, we are not a minority. We are the majority and we do not want this business in our community.

"It is understood that Sitara is not a political entity but it has been evident that there have been representatives of the company present at all the recent protests and council meetings. If the company chooses to broadcast itself as being the ‘technical advisor and builder’ of the Mar Azul school and adopting a high profile stance in favour of that school then unfortunately it also makes itself a target for some of the criticism too.

"No submission has been made to any of the residents of Torrestrella, Villas Maria or Comunicaciones by the town administration, Mar Azul school or the builder to explain what exactly is wanted, required or proposed for either the social club or the land in Comunicaciones. We are baffled as to why we are being treated with total disregard and ignorance by all these parties and can only speculate as to the motives for this. It is regrettable that we have had to resort to noisy protests in an attempt to get our feelings known. We are respectable people and also part of the local community which Mr Bhundia prides himself on being a part of.

"On the subject of the school at no time has there been any ‘fight against children’ as is stated in Mr Bhundia’s letter. Unfortunately, it is true that when youngsters are involved, the subject becomes emotive and rightly so. However this does not justify using those same children to further a cause as and when it suits. We understand that many of the children have difficulties coping with the Spanish system and we know they must be educated but we also know that an illegal business occupying the top floor of a bar/restaurant or a portakabin is not appropriate for achieving this. We too would welcome a solution to this very grave situation and we too believe we have a just cause.

"One section of land owned by the Ayuntamiento did have planning consent for a nursery school and the other section in the same area had consent for a sporting area. However, as a developer who has been living in Spain for 21 years, Mr. Bhundia will be aware that as there was already an existing school in San Miguel for both infant and older children, this area would have been earmarked for a school which would benefit the younger children in the immediate community of Comunicaciones and when they reached 11 years or so they would relocate to the school in San Miguel. Because of the demographics of our community this was never required. There is no requirement for a new school in San Miguel. We are well served by the public education facilities and there is an excellent International school at El Limonar.

"The protestors are absolutely clear about why they are protesting. In San Miguel de Salinas we have problems with dangerous road junctions, poisonous water supplies, an inadequate sewage system and now illegal businesses all of which ultimately have an impact on the community as a whole so it is in everyone’s interest to keep these at the forefront until the problems have been resolved. Mr Bhundia claims that the protests are organised by the Communist Party who are using us for their own political gains.

As already stated, we are the democratically elected committee of our community. We are not Communists but sensible, rational people who have been pushed one step too far by what appears to be an insensitive and uncaring administration and business owner.

"Please do not moralise with us over the situation with the school. This business started in Mar Azul, Torrevieja, and was planned to expand there, where land was available and allocated for its location. However, it seems that planning permission was suddenly refused and the school is no longer welcome in Torrevieja. We are now expected to welcome it with open arms into our community because there is no other land available. Our actions have nothing whatsoever to do with ‘throwing children on the street’ they have everything to do with protecting our environment, our properties and our future and standing up for our rights as citizens of the town. If San Miguel desperately wants this business could it not find room on Los Invernaderos for a school or perhaps, more sensibly, reuse the old school opposite the fairground?

"The mayor of San Miguel de Salinas may have been elected into office by a fair vote but he was voted in by the residents of San Miguel de Salinas. These are the very people whom he has now chosen to ignore in favour of others coming mainly from other municipalities. It is difficult to express in words our feelings of betrayal and we would ask that our very vociferous opponents take a little time to consider how they would react should they find themselves the victims of an unscrupulous administration at some time in the future.

"The children at Mar Azul never have been targets for the protestors and never will be, but the owner of Mar Azul, the administration and all those involved in the project ARE the targets of the protestors. We do not dislike children. We dislike those persons who use them to gain their own way whether they are the school’s owners, builders, developers, parents or councillors.

"We too, hopefully, have a future to look forward to and we intend to do what is best for us – everyone has a right to be happy."

CV95 Causes More Frustration, an article published by Sally Bengtsson of The Leader Newspaper - sally@theleader.info - (Published: 15/06/2008 Edition No.: 216) The residents of Balcon de la Costa Blanca in San Miguel de las Salinas were flabbergasted last week when one unfortunate driver was fined 70€ for crossing a few white lines when turning out of the urbanisation and towards the town. The trouble is, this is the only safe way to go from the urbanisation into the town of San Miguel. The indicated route involves turning right, onto the CV95, then doing a U-turn, at a very dangerous junction, which means placing your life in the hands of the Gods... for The Leader Online article - click here

The Bumpy Road to La Cañada - an article compiled with the assistance of residents.
Many years ago, a development started in La Balsa an area of San Miguel de Salinas designated as ADU 18, which includes Cerro del Sol, La Cañada, Villas Maria II, Paola IV and maybe others. As one would expect there is a lot of building activity and with many hundreds of new houses built or under construction, new residents and heavy lorry traffic need access to the development. But, for the last two years the planned entrance from CV 941 has been closed and the only way to get in is by a dirt road – the Bumpy Road to La Cañada, one that is barely usable by non terrain going vehicles, especially when the recent rainfall turns it into a river.

The planned entrance from CV 941 includes a roundabout that stands only half built. It should be possible for residents to use it as it is, but for some reason piles of earth block it. Every effort by the inhabitants to dig a way through has quickly been thwarted by the addition of tons of more earth, sand and scrap material. A pity such effort to repair the Bumpy Road to La Cañada was not extended to this single access route with the same vigor.

There have been several different explanations as to why this roundabout has not been completed, after all, further down the CV 941 the roundabout to Las Colinas (without any residents) is a model entry. Everybody blames someone else, as one has come to expect, and currently residents understand that the blame lies with the landowner on the west of the road for not selling the required land to complete the roundabout. Good planning for a major urbanization? No, and why could the roundabout not be built entirely on one side of the road by developers. Another question - why does ADU-18 – La Balsa need a roundabout from CV 941? Between the Pueblo and La Balsa, there are five connections to CV 941 without roundabout!

Walking or biking to the Pueblo is difficult. It is a possible to climb out to the main road CV 941 and some residents have tried to make a footpath to the neighbouring Residencial Los Pinos but have been denied access by their neighbours. Soon, quip locals, the only option will be to call in the army to help residents to get in and out of their urbanization.

A lot of representation from the inhabitants in La Cañada resulted recently with a meeting with Town Hall and Villamartin Quara, its developer, who between them, and other developers, are responsible for the road works. The information provided to residents was that Town Hall had now resolved the land dispute that would enable the roundabout to be finished – but a further two months was required to sort out the paperwork and begin work to complete the roundabout. This work would commence in middle May (2008) and would be ended in September 2008.

Now in the last day of May, nothing has happened and it is raining – at times the Bumpy Road to La Cañada is almost impassable. Fortunately there is a fairly flat area nearby that could be used for urgent helicopter rescue or aid distributions. Residents, whilst being patient, are angry that the developers only think about access for more building materials in heavy goods vehicles and not the residents who have bought their houses, and is a Bumpy Road to La Cañada the sort of glamorous entry that inspires further investment by prospective clients.

29 May 2008 - Mayor Ángel Sáez Huertas and Councillors will have no doubt about the strength of feeling amongst residents as they demonstrated at the bi-monthly Pleno - Council Meeting.

More than 100 demonstrators formed a reception for councillors with placards demanding both a solution to the unacceptable water supply to the Urbanizations of Las Filipinas and also the closure of the illegal school Mar Azul. Many placards also expressed objection to the recent change of designation to land from 'communal recreational' to 'educational' arguing that the change was designed to favour speculation and unsuitable use. Most residents also expressed the view that the administration was taking no notice and making no comment about the views of residents.

All the demonstrators entered the Town Hall, filling the Council Chamber and the stairs, and remained silent during the Pleno. One resident said, "We showed The Mayor that we have respect for democracy, it's a pity he shows no respect for the views of his electorate".

100 PROTESTORS AT THE BI-MONTHLY PLENO 29 May 2008

Another resident said, "Many problems are coming home to roost and The Administration is simply burying its head in the sand. Instead of disregarding the foreign community The Mayor should be actively talking to them". It should be noted that many Spanish residents were also demonstrating. Protestors vow to continue demonstrating until the issues are addressed in an open and honest way.

THE ISSUES RAISED BY PROTESTORS WERE MENTIONED IN THE PLENO (as reported to this website from a reliable source):
ON THE WATER OF BLUE LAGOON - The mayor reported that the proposal, prepared by the municipal technicians, had been submitted to Valencia and that when it had been studied he would ensure that all the political groups and the presidents of the urbanizations effected would be consulted to ensure total agreement.

ON THE SCHOOL ISSUE - The mayor said that Education Department is investigating the school to ascertain how many children there are and where they live, which are their contact telephone numbers to ensure they exist. Answering the question of a councilman of the opposition on the closing of the school The Mayor said that if it must close it will close but that this is not the administration's responsibility, that lies with Valencia. On the question of the plot of land, The Mayor said that many people had been interested in acquiring it and the change of use was made so that the owners can achieve some performance in it; for more than 30 years it has only 'raised bushes' and has been without any 'performance'.

The Presidents Liaison Group met on 13 May 2008 for its regular monthly meeting at Cheers Bar, Eagles Nest. Councillors Sergio Correas Ferrer and Jesus Ballaster Sáez attended the meeting to provide updates. For the minutes of the meeting
click here (pdf)

15 May 2008 - President of Liaison Group Terry Watson asks, " Does the President of your Urbanization attend the 'Presidents Liaison Group' meeting at Cheers Bar on the second Tuesday of the month at 1030am, IF NOT ASK HIM WHY NOT? Presidents Liaison Group are there to ask the Town Hall questions and represent the interests of every urbanization in the municipality of San Miguel de Salinas - The Next Meeting is at 11am on Tuesday 10th June 2008 - Cheers Bar at Eagles Nest

5 March 2008 - Demonstrations by residents of San Miguel de Salinas on the same issues seem to be weekly events and appear to result from a frustration that the Town Hall Administration is neither responding to the community nor, apparently, has any concern by representing and supporting their petitions with la Generalitat Valenciana.
The strength of feeling appears to be growing amongst the community that the administration has no will to resolve any community problems. No statements have been made by the Mayor or his administration to this website or indeed any media, including the Spanish Press, which tends to support residents claims.
Outstanding issues: The illegal operation of Mar Azul School, The Roundabouts for The CV95 Accident Black Spot... and let's not forget 1000+ days without potable water for Las Filipinas - that's possibly 3000 residents!


To all the neighbours of Ciudad de las Comunicaciones - Villas Maria and Torrestrella The associations of Neighbours San Miguel 'Arcángel' Villas Maria and Torrestrella inform you that the area adjacent to the Los Carteros restaurant / Social Centre is being developed, presumably without licence into a sports and play area for use by the illegal school Mar Azul. We are gathering to make an act of protest on Saturday, March 1st at 11.00am at the Social Club, Ciudad de las Comunicaciones. Your presence is important - Don't fail to attend.		An alle Bewohner der Ciudad de las Comunicaciones, Villas Maria und Torrestrella Die Asociacion de Vecinos SAN MIGUEL `Arcángel` und das Komitee Villas Maria und Torrestrella informieren Sie, dass das Grundstück in der Nähe des Restaurants LOS CARTEROS widerrechtlich bebaut worden ist. Hier ist in einer „ Nacht- und Nebelaktion „ ohne rechtliche Grundlage ein Sport- und Spielplatz auf dem Grundstück des Club Sozial entstanden und wird von der illegalen MAR AZUL SCHOOL genutzt. Wir wollen uns zu einem Protest dagegen am SAMSTAG, 1. März um 11.00 Uhr vor dem Club Sozial , Ciudad de las Comunicaciones , versammeln ! DIE TEILNAHME ALLER IST WICHTIG , denn hier ist ein weiterer Schritt zur dauerhaften Einrichtung der illegalen MAR AZUL SCHOOL gemacht worden. Bitte fehlen Sie nicht!

19 February - The Association de Vecinos Villas Maria and Torrestrella submits a further request to The Mayor concerning Use of the Land...more 17 February - Notice of AGM for Ciudad de las Comunicaciones on Monday 25th February 2008 at 6pm in Los Carteros Restaurante 12 February 2008 - The Presidents Liaison Group met today at Cheers Bar Eagles Nest. There was a good representation of Presidents and Representatives of the Las Filipinas Urbanizations as well as those from Balcon de la Costa Blanca and Ciudad de las Comunicaciones. Chairman Terry Watson followed the same agenda that had been covered in the meeting on 24th January with Councillor Sergio Correas. This included the all important water issue. Below is the plan for supplying water to those urbanizations that currently have an unacceptable supply unfit for human consumption. Whilst the details of funding the project, the contractor undertaking the work and the exact time scale the Chairman told the meeting that he believed there it was being treated as a priority. Time will tell. Click here to view the proposed water route in .pdf format + PLG Minutes from this meeting
Other issues - urbanization signs, the potential use of two shells of buildings for community use, a regular bus service to link SMdS with the outlying areas, the continuing program of maintenance of green areas, the legalization of a number of properties in El Galan and finally, the completion of the football pitch were all covered.


December 2007 - Minutes of the Presidents Liaison Group held at Cheers Bar Tuesday 11th December 2007... view (.pdf format) 23 December - Mar Azul School - Phil Bacon, The President of the Residents Committee of The Villas Maria and Torrestrella, has released the following information. I realise that some of you will already be aware of how far things have progressed in respect of the secretive development of our area and the illegal Mar Azul School. However, so that I can insure that all effected neighbours are aware of the current situation, I am detailing the events following The Committee’s request for everyone to join us last Monday 17th Dec. in the process of submitting two denuncias. To begin with, let me just say that the two denuncias submitted on 17th December had a total of 116 signatures on them. This was a very good response considering many of us were away from the area on pre Christmas visits. Also, that these two denuncias were different from the original two a few weeks ago, which were submitted to the Ayuntamiento of San Miguel de Salinas. The originals denounced the Mar Azul School and the builder responsible, for illegally developing and modifying buildings in the area, without a licence and using the buildings for a purpose it is not licensed for. This meant it was the responsibility of the Town council to progress the denuncias. These two latest denuncias have been submitted to the court in Alicante, through the Guardia Civil, who police the Alicante Provence. There are two routes they can proceed along, Administrative or Criminal. The Committee chose to submit the denuncias through the Criminal system and they will now be passed to the Provincial Court for judicial review by a Judge who will make a decision or may request additional evidence. Briefly, the denuncia against the Mar Azul owner was for not complying with the order to close the Illegal School in compliance with the closure order issued by the Mayor of San Miguel de Salinas and cease all building work they were undertaking. The denuncia against the Mayor of San Miguel de Salinas was for not ensuring that the closure order was complied with and allowing the School to continue operating on more than one occasion without a licence as a School; for Building modifications, and using a building for purposes the building is not licensed for. The Committee is not sure how long this process takes and is advised that it will depend on how loaded the judicial system is. However, they consider that the issue must be kept in the public eye and urges residents and neighbours to pass on any relevant information so that it may be followed up and investigated. NOTE: Website Forum Members have posted a number of entries on the subject of Mar Azul School - we urge members to to factual on this emotive issue; personal opinions expressed and information posted on the forum do not necessarily represent the factual reporting of this website.

5 December - MAR AZUL SCHOOL - The Villas Maria and Torrestrella Residents Committee met yesterday to discuss the latest situation and considered that rather than accepting a meeting with the Mayor it would register a formal response - see document The Asociación de Vecinos “San Miguel Arcángel” reports: THE ILLEGAL MAR AZUL SCHOOL REMAINS OPEN IN SPITE OF THE ORDER OF CLOSING DECREED BY THE CITY HALL THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRE SAYS THAT THE SCHOOL IS AND WILL REMAIN OPEN... more

	4 December - WATER - EU asks for intervention of the Valencian government to bring drinking water to Blue Lagoon and the Popular Party is opposed. The EU motion proposed to negotiate with the Valencian government to get the works undertaken so that drinking water can be guaranteed in 2008. The majority of government of the Popular Party has voted against this urgent way of solution. \| More on these stories
CV 952 Roadworks - THE Popular Party REJECTS THE objecton OF EU, who claim that the works to CV952 SMdS - Rebate have an affect on The protected area of The Sierra Escalona At The Full Council Meeting 29 November The mayor tries to manipulate the proposal by stating that the neighbours of Torrestrella "...remain without highway". The proposal of EU refers to the 300 meters that go beyond the entrance to the urbanization and enters the protected zone.

HEADLINES - 22 November - LOS VECINOS VOLVERÁN A MANIFESTARSE SI NO SE PROCEDE AL CIERRE INMEDIATO DEL ESTABLECIMIENTO
The neighbours will demonstrate again if the Town Hall does not proceed with the immediate closure of Mar Azul...MORE
14 November - INFORMATION FROM THE MONTHLY MEETING OF THE PRESIDENTS LIAISON GROUP - see minutes of 7 November 2007
9 NOVEMBER - Report on demonstration re MAR AZUL SCHOOL
8 NOVEMBER 2007 - THE MAYOR'S RESPONSE TO RESIDENTS ON THE ISSUE OF MAR AZUL SCHOOL...MORE
The Mayor Ángel Sáez Huertas and Councillor Sergio Correas Ferrer with Mª José Costa Medrano and Neil Burman, a representative and resident of of Balcón de la Costa Blanca discuss the issue of CV95

Announcement of The Councillor for Foreign Residents - Inmaculada Hernández Valero
The Provincial Town Hall of Alicante, in conjunction with the Town Hall of San Miguel de Salinas, is holding an “Information lecture” under the series “Did You Know…?”
This talk will be on two subjects:-
Housing: The rights and duties of the home buyer.

The last will and testament in Spain.
The meeting will be held on Monday 19th November commencing at 5.00pm, in the Casa De Cultura, Plaza Jaume No.1 San Miguel de Salinas.
REPORT ON THIS MEETING: This meeting was attended by 13 people and the content was predictable. We attach the following information that was provided to the assembled...more
See also FORUM

Grabbed - Full story and picture courtesy of Rebecca Griffin CoastRider - see below

Terry Watson, Chairman of The Presidents' Liaison Group appeared on The Monday Show on Radio San Miguel 107.4fm Global - where are we now? - see below

Residents of Villas Maria and Torrestrella on Ciudad de las Comunicaciones now have support for their campaign to question the illegal plans to build a private school on land designated as recreational - see below

News that the Asociación de Vecinos Arcángel will be holding a meeting in support of residents of Balcon de la Costa Blanca and the PETITION concerning CV 95 - This meeting is on Thursday 8th November 6pm.
La reunión sobre seguridad vial accesos a la CV-95 será el jueves 8 de noviembre a las 6 de la tarde en el local de la Asociación de Vecinos.

If you have not yet signed the PETITION ABOUT THE CV95 - SAN MIGUEL DE SALINAS' DEADLIEST BLACK SPOT -SIGN HERE

No, the mayor decided to go to Valencia today rather than face a demonstration of more than 120 residents of Villas Maria, Torrestrella and Ciudad de las Comunicaciones. Demonstrators were armed with a petition signed by 260 residents objecting to plans by the private company Mar Azul School to move to San Miguel de Salinas. The school currently occupies premises at the social club Los Carteros, on their urbanization, and propose to create a Portakabin school complex on an unsuitable area, currently designated as ‘polideportivo’, a recreational sector.

Residents argue that secret negotiations between the proprietor of the Mar Azul School and The Administration of San Miguel de Salinas have taken place, and that the latter has given no consideration to use of this land, has not consulted residents on a matter that would have a significant effect on the nature of the urbanization, as required by law, and has not considered the infrastructure, sewage and increased traffic. Furthermore it is claimed that the Mar Azul School does not have a licence from The Valencia Education Authority to operate as a school and therefore cannot be considered as a lawful business.

After an address to the significant group of residents at the doors of The Town Hall, in Spanish, English & German, they all entered and officially registered their petition. The only councillor present, clearly amongst only skeleton staff, was Da. Bienvenida Campillo of The EU-Verdes Party who ensured protestors that the document would receive proper attention.

A number of residents expressed regret that The Mayor had not been present, nor seen fit to have a statement prepared and read in his absence; he had been aware that protest would take place.

The press corps from Spanish TV and National and Regional Newspapers together with reporters from The Costa Blanca News, Round Town News, Coastrider and The Leader, plus other media are all covering this story.

Have your say - Join The Website Forum

8th November 2007 - THE MAYOR'S RESPONSE TO RESIDENTS ON THE ISSUE OF MAR AZUL SCHOOL

In a meeting today 12:00 at The Town Hall with The Mayor, Ángel Sáez Huertas, Councillor Sergio Correas Ferrer, Neil Burman a representative and resident of Balcón de la Costa Blanca and Mª José Coast Medrano, Group President of Asociación de Vecinos por San Miguel de Salinas, the matter of The Mar Azul School was discussed.

The Mayor was quick to accuse the Asociación de Vecinos “San Miguel Arcángel” of causing undue public alarm amongst residents of the Urbanizations Villas Maria, Torrestrella and Ciudad de las Comunicaciones over the proposed location of Mar Azul School within the Urbanization.

In the first part, the current occupancy of privately owned premises by Mar Azul School within the social club of Los Carteros is subject to licences, both on the suitability and completion of works and on the matter of the business intended.

In the second part, The Mayor confirmed that an application had been made for the Mar Azul School to occupy land within the urbanization, an area, in part, privately owned and in part owned by San Miguel de Salinas Council.

The Mayor and councillor made it quite clear that the matter would be dealt with having total regard to any relevant legal requirement, and they were, as with all matters, bound legally by ‘due process’. The procedure allows the applicant, in this case Mar Azul School, 15 days from acceptance of the application by their Administration to provide relevant company licences and any other information that the application required. No decision could be made until the end of the expiry of the legal period. A failure to provide relevant documents or other necessary information within that time would adversely effect the application.

The Mayor and councillor stated that they had been in contact with the Ministry of Education of the Valencian Government and were aware that no licence to provide education existed for The Mar Azul School. They confirmed also that they had been in contact with The Administration of Torrevieja. The information derived from these sources did not affect the due process.

The Mayor and councillor were made aware of the strength of feeling of residents in this urbanization, on the suitability of the use of the land for the purpose proposed and also the lack of consultation on an issue that was likely to effect the nature of the urbanization. The Mayor and councillor were also reminded that by failing to consult and failing to provide information, on their part, led to rumours and very unnecessary confrontational action, like the demonstration planned for 1pm on Friday 9th November 2007. The Mayor again stressed that he has an open door policy and any matter, such as this, could be raised with him at any time. He pledged to provide information on this issue as and when he had anything to report.

We ask 'HOW LONG ARE WE ALL GOING TO KEEP LETTING THIS HAPPEN?'
Grabbed - Full story and picture courtesy of Rebecca Griffin CoastRider - Ed.197 - 30th Oct 2007

For the last seven years, the Wesenauer family has been fighting against a decision which will see the garden of their property in Lomas de Don Juan, Campoamor completely destroyed by developer, San Jose, and a three storey apartment block erected right next to their 150-year-old finca. To add to this family’s misery, the constructor is demanding 44,000 euros to cover the infrastructure costs of the new development. Daughters, 14-yearold Kimberley, and 10-year-old Love, attend school in San Miguel de Salinas.

1st November 2007 - The Neighbours Association of San Miguel “San Miguel Arcángel” invite you to a meeting to discuss safety measures on the CV 95 road with regard to the construction of two new roundabouts at the entry of San Miguel and the entrance of the urbanisation Balcon de la Costa Blanca.

On Thursday 8th.November, 6.00pm in the office of the Asociacion de Vecinos "San Miguel Arcángel".

Plans have been approved but no action is being taken in their construction. If you're concerned about our road safety, please come to this meeting to discuss what measures to take to pressure the construction of these roundabouts.

30 October 2007 - The Asociación de Vecinos por San Miguel de Salinas has taken up the case of the petition by residents of La Plaza de la Libertad and The Manhattan Bar and will be demanding a response from The Administration

Terry Watson, Chairman of The Presidents' Liaison Group, has been continuing dialogue with The Town Hall on the issues important to the outlying urbanizations. Since the May 2007 elections there has been a period of inactivity due to the lengthy constitutional process of appointing councillors. The Mayor has now instructed new councillor Sergio Correas Ferrer to take responsibility for The Urbanizations.

We have dedicated Sergio with his own page on this website

In a meeting with Sergio on 24th October, Terry went through his outstanding issues including the longstanding water problem. This continues to remain the greatest single issue and Sergio confirmed that a number of Public Utility Water Companies had been asked to submit reports/ tenders for the work necessary to bring potable water of legal limits to the people. It would be at least another six months before a schedule of work could be established.

Green Areas - Town Hall teams have made some progress with the improvement of these areas with clearing and rodent control.. the programme continues. Anti-social behaviour continues to remain a problem largely due to the fact that there are no facilities for a growing number of disaffected young people.

Issues like the homes deemed as illegal on Urbanization EL GALAN are being addressed according to Sergio and he has pledged to be more forthcoming with updates of information.

1st November 2007
MEETING CIUDAD DE LAS COMUNICACIONES - MAR AZUL SCHOOL

More than 100 residents of Villas Maria, Torrestrella, Ciudad de las Comunicaciones attended a meeting at 11am Thursday 1st November 2007 at the offices of The Association de Vecinos San Miguel Arcángel. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss information that Mar Azul School, now operating in the social club of this urbanisation, intends to move its operation from Torrevieja to a site on the urbanisation.

The meeting held in Spanish, English & German was told that the school, which claimed it was moving by the end of this year, is currently operating without licence, in residential Los Orca and catered for children of all ages. Many complaints had been made in the last three years concerning it’s conduct and the quality of the education provided.

The Mar Azul School has been refused a licence from the Valencian education authority and there is no licence from the Torrevieja town hall. It is alleged that the school continues to operate illegally because it does not fulfil legal requirements. Why should it now operate illegally in San Miguel de Salinas?

The meeting was told that in January 2006 talks commenced with the administration of San Miguel de Salinas to move the school to the town; there is documentation and statements have been made on the schools website to corroborate this.

The meeting discussed a number of residents’ objections to the school, including the continuing lack of licence, the proposed location being inappropriate by virtue of this use of the land, designated as recreational. There is no current requirement for any new public/state school in San Miguel de Salinas, a private school requires planning consideration and would be in conflict with the quiet residential area proposed.

The question of ownership of the land or the developer could not be ascertained and to date the town hall has made no indication that it is in talks with Mar Azul School to utilise this site; it is understood that the Council owns a third of this parcel of land.

Phil Bacon, a president representing some of the residents, told the meeting that he had made enquires with the Town Hall to no avail. Further, he had invited Mar Azul School to be represented at the meeting but no response was forthcoming.

The decision of the meeting was:

To use the press and other media to publicise the situation
Write a letter to the Minister for Education in Valencia
Inform the administration of residents concerns, ask the town hall for a comment and copy letter to Valencia
Stop building works by denouncing alterations being made at the social club for an illegal business
Reclaim the area for the neighbours of this community and oppose its use for an illegal school
To demonstrate at the town hall on Friday 9th November at 1pm

see map of this location | Protestversammlung der Bewohner von Ciudad de las Comunicaciones , Villas Maria und Torrestrella gegen die Errichtung einer illegalen englischen Schule. | Forum Comment soon

Today - 2nd October 2007 - another serious accident on one of the treacherous junctions to Urbanization Balcón de la Costa Blanca
photo courtesy of Louise Clarke RTN.

Arthur Potts and Neil Burman presented Mayor Ángel Sáez with a petition on the issue of roundabouts on the busy CV95 at The Town Hall on 4th July 2007.

NEWS: 2nd October 2007 - Another serious accident on the CV95, and with two fatal traffic accidents and scores of others since June 2007 - it is time the authorities acted... we previously reported.

It has long been recognised that entry and exit to this urbanization is decidedly dangerous and following a fatal accident at the junction Arthur and Neil prepared the petition. Signed by 138 residents, including local businesses Martinez Ford Garage, The Nissan Garage and Ironworkers SELMA, the Mayor accepted the formal document. He assured Arthur and Neil that he would lobby Valencia on their behalf. He also told them that their information would be added to the proposed plans for the extension of The Ronda to the CV95, a project set to be completed within this period of office. It is likely that there will be two roundabouts, one at the junction of Avenida del Mar and the other at the junction of Avenida de Levante, this site of the fatal accident.

Postcard Home for Karen & Judith - funny who you bump into in the Pueblo - Meet Brian Dale and Mick Shaw who are at the halfway stage of a two week - 3000 mile round trip thru Spain on their matching Pan European Hondas and had SMdS on the route. Setting out from Santander, they have travelled through the Mountains of Leon south to Sevilla, Gibraltar, Almeria and Lorca along the deserted motorways and lesser campo roads staying with friends and acquaintances along the way. Brian found SMdS about 15 years ago and thought he ought to include it in their route. They now travel north to Moria then onto The Pyrenes. The Motorways are hot, they told me, but the campo is beautiful and little pueblos like SMdS are why they do the trip.

The Old Town Hall at San Miguel de Salinas - 2 July 2007

Both Brian & Mick are connected with The West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service - Brian a serving Officer - Mick is now retired. They left the ladies, Karen & Judith, at home in Bingley & Cullingworth for this boys-only-road-trip but text home daily. They got all excited when David said he would post an internet postcard on the website - and they even got to dedicate a tune for the Ladies on Radio San Miguel before heading on! Nice people are always attracted to San Miguel de Salinas - nice to bump into you Boys!

MADELEINE McCANN - Please remember that the search for this little girl is subject of an international investigation. Madeleine McCANN went missing from Praia Da Luz in Portugal on 3rd May 2007. If you have any information or suspicions call CRIMESTOPPERS in the UK on (+44) 188 373 1336 - they are waiting for your call. This poster was displayed in Maribell's Tobacconist in the pueblo.

San Miguel de Salinas, like every village, consists of a group of people living in a particular local area with some shared element interacting or depending on each other for existence. We launch this new open page for the people that form this community. On this page we will also run a new series of unusual stories about characters in our community - Ritchie Turner | Jez Avery | Joan & Alan Bird


	The CoastRider Pride of Spain Awards 2007...more

9 May 2007 - Residents in San Miguel de Salinas are petitioning the Town Hall about the conduct of the Manhattan Bar in La Plaza de la Libertad - The pueblo's Church Square. They claim that since it opened it has caused a social nuisance to residents with late nights of drinking, music, and unsocial behaviour by its clientele. A copy of the petition can be seen here

Website comment: This website is not the instigator of this petition but it tends to support the complaint on the grounds that this type of premises is not in keeping with what the majority believe the Church Square in a small pueblo should be used for; we also provide a platform for local information.

"Documento de Trabajo" que ha realizado la Comisión Europea que investigó los casos denunciados en la Comunidad Valenciana, Madrid y Andalucía relacionados con el urbanismo
"Working Document" of The European Commission into complaint of urban abuse in the Valencian, Madrid & Andalucian Regions - April 2007

NOTICES

4 May 2007 - The New Association of Neighbours for San Miguel of Salinas claims that it will supervise the development of the covenant approved to carry water to Blue Lagoon and Eagle Nest...more
22 April 2007 - Minutes of The Presidents Liaison Group Meeting of 18th April 2007...view
NOTES ON THE MEETING OF REPRESENTATIVES OF PRESIDENTS OF SATALITE URBANIZATIONS AND THE MAYOR OF SAN MIGUEL de SALINAS THURSDAY 22ND MARCH 2007...more - (pdf)

Ciudadanos Europeos Weekly Report dated 30.03.07 including a devastating report from the 3rd Investigating Commission of the European Parliament...more (pdf)
ASOCIACIÓN DE VECINOS VILLAS MARIA & TORRESTRELLA AGM 24 FEB 2007...more (pdf)
NOTES ON THE MEETING OF REPRESENTATIVES OF PRESIDENTS OF SATELLITE URBANIZATIONS OF SAN MIGUEL de SALINAS 8TH FEBRUARY 2007 HELD AT CHEERS BAR, EAGLES NEST... more- (pdf)

Joan & Alan Bird live in The Balcon de la Costa vicinity of San Miguel de Salinas. They were walking home on Saturday 21st April 2007 when, as they passed The Nut House, this feathered friend swooped down and said hello.

It was an African Grey Parrot and was friendly enough to pick up. They made enquiries in the area but could not find an owner so they took him home. Realising that the parrot's owner was most likely looking for him they thought the website might help and contacted us for help.

BARNEY, as they nicknamed him, turned out to be a real character and he soon made himself at home being spoilt rotten by Joan and Alan.

Meanwhile, here on the website, the feature attracted many potential owners - but because of BARNEY'S unique identity ring, the true owner Paul from Los Altos was tracked down. He told us the the cheeky bird had escaped on 19th April. and thanks to the website he was finally reunited with his owner. But BARNEY/CARLY had flown to San Miguel de Salinas - so he must be a pretty smart bird!


	We like different little stories that are connected with San Miguel de Salinas, this one sent in by Mervin Roberts... Meet Radio San Miguel's Steve Chenery's parents Peter & Jean Chenery, pictured with Anthony Fell - a paramedic with the Lincolnshire Air Ambulance; the occasion was Peter & Jean's recent Golden Wedding Anniversary when as part of their celebration they made a donation to this vital local service. Steve’s father served five years in the Royal Air Force and then headed for civvy street and got married to Jean. Steve arrived after a while and his father promptly rejoined for a another nine years..."That must tell you something", says Mervin. He also tells us that Steve is actually a 'swede basher' rather than a 'yellow belly' because he was born over the Lincolnshire border in Kings Lynn, Norfolk. (Editor: We like all this sort of inside information)
They all tune in to Radio San Miguel on 197.4fm to hear Steve on his 'Playing a lot of what you Fancy' Show. Mervin says they are all his greatest fans - thanks for the story Mervin...we'll tell Steve, he doesn't know yet!

Editors Note: Issues relevant to the Community can also be found in the Press Releases from The Town Hall, from Asociación de Vecinos and from the new page of Councillor Bienvenida Campillo of Partido Izquierda Unida (EU)
Maureen Thorley provides information about the Veterans Lapel Badge that ex servicemen and women can apply for. Anyone who served in the armed forces up to the end of 1969 and is interested in obtaining one simply has to apply – it is free.
Email Christine Simeon at The Veterans Agency and she will then send an application form via email which is simple to complete. Return the form and they will deal with the application and send the badge.
If the internet is not available to the ex service person, then they can apply via post to the following: Veterans Agency, Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire FY5 3WP Tel: +44 1253 866 043 www.veteransagency.mod.uk

HOT NEWS: NOTICE FROM REPRESENTATIVE GROUP - Full Notes (pdf) - 17 January 2007 - Representatives of The Presidents of all Urbanizations met with The Mayor Ángel Sáez to establish a dialogue on matters needing attention in the Municipality. Pictured with the Mayor - Terry Watson and Carol Sear the elected representatives, together with Chloe McSherry who did a great job bridging the language barrier and Martin Sear. David Hardy (SMdS) also attended the meeting.

Terry Watson and Carol Sear, acting as selected representatives of the large demographic group of residents from the outlying urbanizations presented the aims and proposals of the group to The Mayor. All their points were discussed:

A current update on the Water Supply

Roads - re-surfacing, traffic calming measures, marking and street lights

The Postal Service and Post Boxes

Waste collection and re-cycling

Rats - Feral Cats - Dog Fouling

Addressing Anti-social behaviour and improving facilities for youth

Completion of Green Recreational Areas

The Mayor gave a general progress report on his priority - the new water main network. Work is in progress and a number of obstacles have been overcome. He will be providing full details for publication on this website.

He was pleased to report that work had already started on his roads re-surfacing programme - he has since released the following report.

A number of points raised, notably based on poorly managed recreational and green areas that have become vermin-ridden, overgrown and rubbish dumps, prompted The Mayor to agree on 'BLITZING' them by sending large teams to deal with these areas.

The Mayor told representatives that he was as sick of complaining about the postal service as the residents themselves. He would try again. Anti-social behaviour of the type raised is a new challenge for The Town Hall. In the pueblo it has it's own character and has been dealt with in traditional ways. New problems from foreign residents are hard to address but the Mayor did tell the group that if they have ideas he will listen, if solutions are found he will implement them.

In fact we summarise this congenial meeting as a beginning and an acceptance by the Mayor of the representations made. He was pleased to set regular meetings with the group and listen to the priorities identified by the People. Effective dialogue is one thing but it requires achievable requests by the Presidents and a resulting appropriate response by The Town Hall to deal with the problems that have been identified. "Working together is the only way", said The Mayor. Let's see whether it's just words - let's hope for the actions!

NOTICE - 24 January 2007: The next meeting of the Representatives of the Presidents of the Urbanizations will be on Thursday 8th of February 1000 for 1030 at Cheers Bar Restaurant.

Before then representatives are asked to walk around their own Urbanisations and note faults, discrepancies and things that they would like to include in the schedule for works.

Please remember it is the aim of this group to be selective to identify priorities and not request things that are simply long-term requirements.

Could some thought be given to the Mayor's request for possible solutions to incidents of anti social behaviour.

At the next meeting the group shall be looking for a Spanish speaking representative to attend the next meeting with the Mayor.

SUNDAY 19 December - residents take Water issue to Valencia...more 19 November - THE European PARLIAMENT WILL DEBATE MONDAY THE MATTER OF THE CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER IN THE URBANIZATION BLUE LAGOON IN SAN MIGUEL OF SALINAS...more TOWN HALL respond: The works to improve the quality of the water in Blue Lagoon will begin before end of year...more 25 NOVEMBER - THE TERRITORY IS ASKED TO ORDER THAT WORKS ARE STOPPED ON THE NEW URBANIZATION OF “LOS INVERNADEROS” BECAUSE OF INFRINGEMENTS OF THE APPROVED STATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. THE TOWN HALL BREAKS THE LAW BY DEFYING THE STATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT TO TERRITORY AND DWELLING AND TO THE HYDROGRAPHIC CONFEDERATION...MORE
	SOLICITAN A TERRITORIO LA PARALIZACIÓN DE LAS OBRAS DE URBANIZACIÓN DEL PAI “LOS INVERNADEROS” POR INCUMPLIR LA DECLARACIÓN DE IMPACTO AMBIENTAL EL AYUNTAMIENTO INCUMPLE LA LEY, PLANTA CARA Y DESAFÍA A TERRITORIO Y VIVIENDA Y A LA CONFEDERACIÓN HIDROGRÁFICA...más

Karen Landon's long-awaited meeting of San Miguel de Salinas' Urbanization Presidents took place at the Cheers Bar Restaurant on 6 November.

Karen Landon se reunió tras una larga espera con los presidentes de la urbanizaciones pertenecientes a San Miguel de Salinas, que tuvo lugar en el Cheers Bar Restaurante el 6 de Noviembre. Los presentes representaban al Balcon de la Costa Blanca Villas Maria y Torrestrella, Ciudad de las Comunicaciones, Eagles Nest, Miramar y Monterrey, El Galán, Blue Hill, Lomas de Golf, Blue Lagoon y Aldea del Monte.

Este grupo colectivo representa a varios de los miles residentes de todas las nacionalidades.

La reunión estableció los problemas compartidos de la mayoría de las urbanizaciones y la nueva iniciativa es diseñar un trabajo juntos para el beneficio de todo el municipio con el Alcalde y su Administración.

No se pasará la oportunidad de crear un cuerpo único en el que haya una mejor comunicación y sea más responsable.

Este grupo no es político.

Esta reunión de todos los representantes tienen la oportunidad de hacer una lista con todas las necesidades de las comunidades arriba mencionadas, como son:

Modernización de infraestructuras del abastecimiento de agua.
Asfaltado de carreteras, colocación de badenes, señalización de viales y farolas.
Servicio de correos y buzones.
Recogida de basura y reciclado.
Problemas con la Ratas, gatos callejeros y desechos de perros.
Comportamiento antisocial y mejorar las facilidades de los jóvenes.
Terminación las zonas verdes.

this info in German

Karen Landon's long-awaited meeting of San Miguel de Salinas' Urbanization Presidents took place at the Cheers Bar Restaurant on 6 November. Amongst those present were Representatives from Balcón de la Costa Blanca, Villas Maria & Torrestrella, Ciudad de las Comunicaciones, Eagles Nest, Miramar and Monteray, El Galan, Blue Hill, Lomas de Golf, Blue Lagoon and Aldea del Monte. This group collectively represented several thousand residents / expats from all nationalities.

The meeting established that most of the urbanizations share the same problems and the new initiative is designed to work together for the benefit of the whole municipality with The Mayor and his Administration. There will be no opportunity for The Ayuntamiento to 'pass one urbanization off against the other' and the creation of a single body is a responsible attempt to improve communication. This group is NON POLITICAL.

Terry Watson from Blue Hills, Carole Sear from Miramar, and Pete Herbert from Lomas del Golf agreed to form a representative group with Karen Landon of Aldea del Monte and they will be meeting with the Mayor to outline the initiative.

At the meeting all the Representatives had an opportunity to list the issues that need addressing and they include:
A current update on the Water Supply Roads - re-surfacing, traffic calming measures, marking and street lights The Postal Service and Post Boxes Waste collection and re-cycling Rats - Feral Cats - Dog Fouling Addressing Anti-social behaviour and improving facilities for youth Completion of Green Recreational Areas	If you wish to contact the group you may do so via this website. We operate a group mailing system to all the representatives of SMdS Urbanizations. You will find updates and reports from this group on this page. The Next Meeting of the group is scheduled for Monday 10am 8th January 2007 at Cheers Bar.
This initiative is about the community working together to make San Miguel de Salinas a better place to live.

Meet JEZ Avery – stuntman and a new resident of SMdS. He started riding BMX bikes when he was aged of 12 and soon won local indoor and outdoor BMX races. In 1989 he moved onto mountain bikes and was soon winning all sorts of competitions including The National Trials, The Bunny-Hop World Championships, and The British Lake-Jump Championships. Jez was The UK Downhill Dual Slalom Champion for two consecutive years and has appeared on various action sports videos including BLUE PETER, London Weekend Television U BET, and BBC RECORD BREAKERS.

Jez holds the world record distance jump from ramp to ramp on a mountain bike 9.7 meters - over 6 parked cars, using pedal power alone. Jez just moved from strength to daring strength and it wasn’t long before he embarked on a stunt career and over the last 8 years he has developed a spectacular mountain bike and motorbike stunt show travelling all over the UK and Europe putting on shows for large and small events and private companies alike.

Jez married Kelly in April this year and Daughter Olivia was their bridesmaid. It’s Kelly who sent in the story and she’s no softie…she played Rugby League through her teenage years and was in The United Kingdom under 21s Team. She has been a competition groom for 12 years and horses are passion after daughter Olivia. The Avery Family are renting property in SMdS whilst they look for the ideal home in the pueblo. They plan to spend 6 winter months here and return to The UK for a summer season of Stunt Events.

Meet Ritchie Turner or should we give him his full title Lt.Col. Retired Richard Gallagher Turner, MBE.

Website regulars have nominated their friend for a feature and here is our exclusive on this resident of SMdS - Ritchie Turner or more correctly Lt.Col. Retired Richard Gallagher Turner, MBE. He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire MBE in the 2006 New Years Honours and invested by The Queen in Edinburgh on 5 July 2006 for his services to The Edinburgh Academy.

Ritchie, originally from Glasgow, joined the Cameron Highlanders in 1957. In 1961 The Regiment amalgamated with the Seaforth Highlanders to become the Queens Own Highlanders, who are now The 4th Battalion of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, He served in Borneo, Hong Kong, Northern Ireland and Germany during his army career and was also an instructor at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

	On retiring from active service in 1981 he was appointed School Staff Officer Instructor at The Edinburgh Academy, the prestigious private school, where he was responsible for the Academy’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) , and it was for his work there over 23 years that the award was made. 2 years commitment to the CCF is compulsory for all students at The Academy, with disciplined military training, The Edinburgh Academy Pipes and Drums, its military band, and summer camps with their rigorous matches and orientation exercises.
Over the years he also trained the Academy’s student entries for the gruelling internationally renowned Nijmegen Marches (100 miles).

During Ritchie’s long military career he has collected much memorabilia which he was proud to show us, including his campaign medals and those from 16 Nijmegen Marches and his record of photos.

Pride of place however was rightly given to his MBE medal and its citation, which was awarded in recognition of the great service to the young people of The Edinburgh Academy. Ritchie retired from his post in 2005 and came to live in San Miguel de Salinas.

The Edinburgh Academy's CCF has Army, Navy and Air Force Sections where cadets learn the rudiments of shooting, drill, navigation, fieldcraft, self reliance and first aid. Adventurous activities including scuba diving, rock climbing, canoeing, skiing and camping are all part of this character building process and cadets also go flying and sailing to complete their first year's training. Senior cadets learn to teach, give 10 minute talks and cope with leadership through initiative exercises.

So it does not take much imagination to realise what great responsibility Ritchie had with this important post and for the young people in his charge.

Ritchie's proudest moment was when he was invested by Her Majesty The Queen
at the Palace of Holyrood House, Edinburgh on 5 July 2006

Ritchie and Dee have ten Grandchildren

Ritchie married Edinburgh lass Dee, in 1999: they were both widowed and had actually met many years before in Singapore. Dee and Ritchie have ten grandchildren between them – most have visited SMdS since they chose to move here. They say they love the quiet Spanish village life that SMdS offers and have everything at their doorstep. Ritchie says he has good neighbours, both Spanish and amongst the foreign community. He tells us that he has now taken up golf, and keeps busy as The Hon. Treasurer of his Residential, proving that you can never keep a ‘good man’ down. Editor...now we are not talking about some pompous brigadier-type here! This quietly spoken and unassuming Scot is, dare we say, justly the sort of character that is recognised for years of dedicated service and we congratulate Ritchie on becoming a Member of the Order of the British Empire and allowing us to feature him on SMdS. ...And if you bump into our celebrity there’s no need to salute – a beer will do!
exclusive story - www.san-miguel-de-salinas.com © 2006

This website is non-political but with the elections coming up in May 2007 we have written to all the Parties in San Miguel de Salinas to ask 'What are your policies? What are you going to do for the Town? How are you going to deal with us?' We count too! We will publish their responses. For the latest communiqués for the Town Hall look at Press Release/Gabinete de prensa

It's not so happy for everyone during The Fiesta Time...Meet Lea Webb who is 3yrs old and lives in SMdS. Tragically she has recently been diagnosed with Leukemia and friends in the community are holding fund raising events to provide support for her and her family...see how you could help call Debbie on 687 976 643.

Karen Landon, The President of Urbanization Aldea del Monte - San Miguel de Salinas, chooses the Programme in English on Radio San Miguel 107.4fm on 26 June 2006 to launch her campaign for the unification of all the urbanizations within the municipality of San Miguel de Salinas.

Karen's aim is to form a single body representing the Presidents of all the different Urbanizations and Residencias bringing order to the current chaos and self interest that has been ineffective in addressing many issues that effect the lives of SMdS residents.

pictured on Radio San Miguel are George, Grandson Matthew, Karen and Maureen


1 NOVEMBER 2006 - Karen Landon calls for a meeting of Presidents, Vice Presidents and Vocal Residents to discuss Community Issues - 10am on Monday 6th November 2006 - Cheers Bar Restaurant, Eagles Nest. She outlines the details for discussion as follows: To know the ‘chain of command’ in the current Ayuntamiento set up so we all approach the correct person on individual as well, as group community matters. To delegate amongst ourselves, 2 or 3 representatives, (one of whom at least, is bi-lingual) to deal with that person in the Ayuntamiento for matters pertaining to ALL communities. To agree a system of feedback from the chosen representatives to other Presidents and members of the community. To work with the information we obtain to get the best possible results for our communities. To tackle such issues as ~ Water, Community repairs and interconnecting roads, services, green areas and fiestas (I am sure that there are many others!) and get them dealt with! The aim of this group is to try and work WITH the current Ayuntamiento. It has become increasingly frustrating for the satellite communities to try and deal with matters close to home. We are frequently left in the dark as to where to turn to for help on repairs; boundaries issues and so on and are frequently misdirected within the Ayuntamiento with the result that nothing is ever achieved. We want to try and put an end to this. We can understand the assumed, equal frustration of the Ayuntamiento when trying to deal with similar issues from different communities. They must have a great many to deal with and it is often hindered by a lack of the Spanish language. A meeting to discuss the above will be convened on Monday 6th November at 10am in the Cheers Bar. It is hoped that as many Presidents, Vice Presidents and Vocals can attend from the communities under the wing of San Miguel de Salinas. THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL PARTY! Karen Landon, President Aldea del Monte, San Miguel de Salinas There is no need to respond to this email but should you wish to contact Karen - karenlandon21@hotmail.com

'There is no conflict with The Mayor or his administration', says Karen, 'they need to know what ALL the residents want to create the 'better place' he pledges to deliver...and the residents want to know exactly when they are going to get it. It is about communication.'	Eagles Nest, Balcón de la Costa Blanca, Balcón de San Miguel have responded - what about your Urbanization?

The first stage will be to inform all in the municipality of the proposition and information will appear in all the free newspapers, including Round Town News, CoastRider, The Leader and EuroWeekly - see newspapers
Presidents Unite - most Urbanizations have the same issues and continued and persistent representation has had little effect. Each Urbanization to take stock and present a ONE REPORT FOR ALL, creating a schedule for work in order of priority for the whole municipality and the whole Community.

Karen Landon told us, "This is going to be no easy task, there are some urbanizations that have disinterested committees, some that think parochially and are not concerned with other peoples problems...those problems are actually everyone's because we are all part of one community"

To contact Karen Landon call 966 791 926 - mobile 677 110 972 0r email karenlandon21@hotmail.com

ISSUES: Website visitors will have seen our map pages...the Town Map is just one of a dozen or so... the others are maps of the urbanizations where up to 60% of the population of SMdS reside. The rapid growth of SMdS, like every town in the Vega Baja, has created many problems with unfinished works, the responsibility of both developers and our local authority - The Town Hall. These urbanizations have a high proportion of foreign residents and there is a justified feeling that resources are reserved for the pueblo at the expense of the places where the foreign community resides. It's time to address the inbalance.

Фактът: това 88 български поданика там са ли регистрираните за преброяването на SMdS.

Today we notified The Town Hall of Karen Landon's intentions. We have explained the reasons for this unified approach and have invited the Mayor to respond to Karen Landon. In future this page will be published in Spanish German and English

San Miguel de Salinas
Email: info@san-miguel-de-salinas.com