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PRESS RELEASE 14 JULY, 2008
RAINY DAY AND SECOND SEWAGE SPILL OF THE SUMMER IN ORIHUELA COSTA
We did not have to wait long for the second sewage spill of the summer in Orihuela Costa. On 14 July, a week after the Barranco Rubio beach incident, the pressure of rain entering the sewage system, instead of being separated from it, once again broke one of the famous metre high drains in Calle Lapuslazuli. It disgorged raw sewage. A mixture of rainwater and sewage subsequently spilled into the nearby dry river bed (barranco), flowed down Calle San Antonio past the restaurants, whose terraces were abandoned due to the spectacle and the awful stench, and finally down to La Zenia beach. The recent works in front of the beach to cope with the regular floods of rain and sewage were unable to prevent the contaminating mix reaching the beach.
On top of the electricity cut in La Zenia the night before, which lasted over 2 hours, holidaymakers have been given a very bad impression of the quality of tourism in Orihuela Costa. After so many protests and knowing what would happen if there were rainfalls during the summer, the Town Hall has done nothing to prevent these appaling scenes which are a danger to the health of both residents and holidaymakers.
Press Release: 4 July 2008 = WITHDRAWAL OF VALENCIA HEALTH CARE CONCESSION
At a joint press conference with C.L.A.R.O., Bill Bridges made the following statement Press Statement –
Bill Bridges This issue first came to my attention when I read about it in the local English Press. I am one of those affected by the decision of the Valencian Authorities to suspend healthcare for certain classes of people, including early retiree expats. It immediately seemed to me to be fundamentally and morally wrong, not to mention indefensible, to suddenly and without warning, withdraw the medical cards from so many people. Valencia did say at the time that existing SIP cards would be honoured up to their expiry date (which could be anything from days to one year).
My next reaction was to contact some medical insurance companies. I soon found out that as both my wife and I had “Pre-existing Conditions”, and were undergoing long term treatment, none of the companies would accept us except for “new” illnesses, provided that they (the insurers) did not deem any new illness to be related to any previous condition, and provided that any new illness did not occur within the first six months of any policy.
The net effect would have been that, once my SIP card expires, I cannot receive any healthcare for my ongoing complaints unless I pay the full amount of the cost of the treatment personally, and like a lot of others in this situation, there is no way that I can afford to do so, let alone afford any necessary drugs.
My next contact was with the Department of Work and Pensions in England, where I was told “Sorry, we cannot help you, this decision was, and is, nothing to do with us”.
I then contacted Bob Houliston, President of the local, independent political party, C.L.A.R.O., who undertook to find out what he could for me. As a direct result of this contact and C.L.A.R.O´s statement in the press, I and all others affected were advised to e-mail the British Embassy in Madrid outlining our difficulties. The Embassy’s unhelpful first response was that we should all seek private medical insurance! At around this time another of those affected, Mr Gwilym Floyd, started an on-line petition to 10 Downing Street. To date this petition has almost 300 signatures.
I have since been in touch with the UK Minister at the DWP, the shadow Minister for Health, Mr David Cameron MP, Mr David Davis MP, The EU Commission and some MEPs. Sadly, here have been no positive responses as yet. I have also contacted the Conservatives Abroad organisation who co-ordinated when a similar situation arose in France, and which was reversed for those already resident in France, and I am awaiting their advice. Thanks to C.L.A.R.O´s contacts with the British media, there have been two articles on this matter in the Observer and the Daily Telegraph, and I have been interviewed, on air, by the BBC World Service programme, ‘Europe Today’.
This last week, I have written to the local British press here, and as a result have started a database of all those, so far, who have chosen to respond to my published letter. There are currently 114 responses on this database, which I hope to use to further our joint aim of having either this Valencian decision overturned, or, with the help of the British and/or European authorities, obtain some direct positive intervention by the British and/or European Authorities. As a group, we are disgusted that ANYBODY (including our Spanish friends) can enter the UK as a migrant and instantly receive all the benefits of the British Social Security system, without paying a penny. Whereas, in the vast majority of our cases, we have paid into that system all our working lives and after just 2.5 years of leaving the UK, have lost entitlement in the UK and could be about to lose it here.
Earlier this week, we saw a chink of light when I was informed by the Alicante Consulate that the Valencian Authorities had had a re-think. They are apparently now prepared to extend, for those affected, free health care with the SIP Cards until 31st December of this year. After that date, we would all, on paying a contribution into the Spanish system (amount yet to be decided) once again receive state health cover. This decision has now been set out in a press release dated 2nd July 2008 entitled “Clarification on Free Healthcare in Valencia”.
Whilst these moves are welcomed, and we are grateful to all those who have been involved in this positive development, it does not go far enough! Particularly when it is realised that offering free healthcare was obviously also an inducement, on the part of the Valencian Government, to attract immigrants just such as us to this Region where we spent, and continue to spend, millions of Euros on buying properties and living here, contributing enormously to all parts of the economy.
It is my own view that the provision of free healthcare by the Valencian Authorities, to people such as us should be restored completely, and that the whole matter should be thrashed out between the Spanish, UK and European authorities to ensure that this unjust situation is urgently remedied, and that nothing similar can happen again.
I should add, that I, along with almost everyone else who has had, or is having, healthcare here in the Valencian Region, have nothing but praise for the standards of care and treatment that we have received.
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PRESS RELEASE - 25 JUNE, 2008
TOO FEW CHEMISTS IN ORIHUELA COSTA AND NO DUTY CHEMIST
The number of Chemists in Orihuela Costa with 28,000 registered residents is 3 (THREE)
The number of Duty Chemists in Orihuela Costa is 0 (ZERO)
Orihuela city and outlying districts with some 62,000 inhabitants has 23 (TWENTY THREE) Chemists
And a Duty Chemist scheme
Pilar del la Horadada with 23,000 registered residents has 9 (NINE) Chemists and a Duty Chemist scheme
For years people in Orihuela Costa have complained about having too few Chemists and having to go outside Orihuela Costa, to Torrevieja or Pilar de la Horadada, to find a Duty Chemist.
With Orihuela city nearly 30 kilometres away from its coast it has been too easy for the governing Popular Party, in power for over 20 years, to forget and ignore the needs of Orihuela Costa residents.
C.L.A.R.O. has therefore taken the initiative to write to the College of Chemists in Alicante and to the Mayoress of Orihuela calling attention to these shortcomings and insisting that:
The College of Chemists at one of its next fortnightly meetings considers and takes action concerning the law (Ley 6/1998 Ordenacion Farmaceutica de la Comunidad Valenciana) governing the provision of Chemists
Article 21 states that there should be 1 (ONE) Chemist per 2,800 inhabitants
Article 32 concerning the hours of opening of Chemists states that Municipalities with a population of over 20,000 inhabitants and a fully functioning Health Centre authorised by the regional government, should have at least 1 (ONE) obligatory Duty Chemist.
We hope that the Mayoress of Orihuela and her Councillor for Health will support C.L.A.R.O’s demands before the College of Chemists of Alicante and ensure that the citizens of Orihuela Costa have their rights respected in relation to the number of Chemists and a Duty Chemist scheme.
PRESS RELEASE - PRESS STATEMENT 12 JUNE, 2008
WITHDRAWAL OF VALENCIA HEALTH CARE CONCESSION
The withdrawal of the Valencia Health Care concession enabling certain British and other European Union citizens to benefit from health care in Valencia under the Spanish Social Security system will have serious consequences for many whose decision to live in Spain was partly based on the existence of this concession.
The advice of the British Embassy in Madrid that those affected should consider taking out private health insurance does not satisfy the situation of those who cannot afford private insurance and in some cases, an existing medical condition would exclude them from the scope of private insurance.
The British Embassy in Madrid states that it is in close contact with the Valencia government regarding the issue. C.L.A.R.O. hopes that solutions are being sought to avoid hardship for those who will be affected.
The decision of the Valencia regional government is no doubt based on financial considerations and it is appreciated that the withdrawal will be phased out so that those with SIP health cards will continue to benefit from access to health care until the expiry of their present cards. The withdrawal of the concession does not affect either pensioners or those employed in but essentially early retirees. The number will not therefore be great. In the case of British citizens, most early retirees would still be eligible for health care under the National Health Service if they were living in the United Kingdom
It should surely be possible for the United Kingdom and Valencia government authorities to find solutions for the relatively small number of British citizens living in Valencia who could otherwise face real hardship.
C.L.A.R.O. suggests all those who will be affected should contact the British Embassy in Madrid informing them of their situation and urging the Embassy to take a lead in defending their interests and finding a solution to the problem.
British Embassy, Madrid.
Telephone 91 700 82 00. E-mail: enquiries.madrid@fco.gov.uk
RAIN AND SEWAGE IN ORIHUELA COSTA
10 MAY, 2008
Blessed is the rain in May, for the farmers. But not for the people living in Orihuela Costa where prolonged rain on 8 May and short but intensive rain on 9 May wreaked havoc.
RAIN
The unplanned development of Orihuela Costa has provided no proper drainage system in the streets to cope with the area’s surface water resulting from the admittedly occasional but often intense rain. This was all too evident on the two days in question which left flooded roads, stranded motorists and amazed spectators. Eventually, the rain found its way in torrents through streets, down the normally dry river beds (barrancos) ending up on the beaches and in the sea – what a waste for a part of Spain which is experiencing a critical shortage of water. Instead of fields and countryside which previously absorbed much of the rain, as more and more houses are built, cement and tarmac predominate and provide runways to carry away the rain in violent, damaging and potentially dangerous torrents.
SEWAGE
In Orihuela Costa this water is not a blessing. Because the rain water and sewage systems are not separated, which there is no doubt legally they should be, the huge amounts of water entering the sewage system result in breakdown of pumping stations and sewage overflows into the streets.
C.L.A.R.O. members were actively following the chaotic scene at several points including the now famous Calle Lapuslazuli with its metre high manhole covers. As to be expected, this was the first area to blow causing an outpouring of raw sewage into the street, down the neighbouring barranco and to the La Zenia beach. C.L.A.R.O. helped a long suffering house-owner to lodge a formal denuncia with the Guardia Civil and the local police, who came to photograph the scene, for the offensive deposits of sewage and water in front of his house and which constitute an obvious health hazard. For the past year this victim of one of the most evident and well known points of breakdown in the sewage system has been complaining to the Town Hall and in particular to the so-called representative for European residents. He has had promise after promise that a solution would be found but the promises have never materialised.
C.L.A.R.O. will add this further denuncia to the case it has lodged with the Prosecutor for the Environment in relation to the sewage system in Orihuela Costa and in order that urgent action be taken to come to the rescue of this individual, his neighbours and the many who suffer from this unacceptable situation which should not be permitted in a modern European country.
Another area which suffers regular sewage spills is in La Solana near the Cuculos restaurant where there is a sewage pumping station. C.L.A.R.O. has been told by maintenance technicians that when it rains significantly or when the population jumps in the summer, the pumping station cannot force the quantity of water and sewage through the under-sized sewage pipes. As a result, the pumping station breaks down and torrents of sewage pour out of the nearby manholes. The pumping station is next to a barranco and the foul-smelling sewage courses down the barranco, reaching streets and eventually the same La Zenia beach which is the deposit of the water/sewage mix from Calle Lapuslazuli.
 
Another pumping station which repeatedly fails to cope with the mix of rain and sewage, which would not happen if there was a proper sewage infrastructure system is in Horizonte just behind the Civic Centre.
The failure of this pumping station on 9 May released floods of sewage from the pumping station itself which poured down the streets surrounding the Playa Flamenca Commercial Centre, down the Las Piscinas barranco, under the N332 and eventually down to the Cala Mosca beach. This happened on a breathtaking scale on 9 May as can be seen in the photos of the barranco and beach as well as the pumping station. The small beach was devastated and much of its sand which was swept into the sea. Clear traces of contamination can also be seen in the photo of the beach.
 
It is now clear for all to see that unplanned, greed-driven development, for which the ruling Popular Party is responsible, has left Orihuela Costa without adequate sewage infrastructure. The people living in Orihuela Costa want to know when we will get solutions to prevent the environmental disasters and disgraceful health hazards which are the consequence.
PRESS RELEASE ON RESULTS OF MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
C.L.A.R.O. WINS IN ORIHUELA COSTA - CONGRATULATIONS TO C.L.A.R.O.!!
C.L.A.R.O. the new, independent party formed only 8 months ago, emerged as the strongest party in Orihuela Costa in the municipal election on 27th May 2007.
C.L.A.R.O. won the largest share of the votes, more than the Popular Party and the Socialist Party together.
C.L.A.R.O. thanks all it Supporters and Voters for the fantastic result, which we will use for the benefit of all those living in Orihuela Costa. C.L.A.R.O. succeeded in winning the largest share of the votes in District 5 which includes both Orihuela Costa and the neighbouring, separate district of Torremendo, as follows:
C.L.A.R.O. 39.52% = 835 votes. P.P. 20.30% = 429 votes. P.S.O.E. 18.17% = 384 votes.
C.L.A.R.O. is very happy with this victory in Orihuela Costa and is determined to maintain its position as the most broadly supported party. In 8 short months and with virtually no resourses, compared to the big parties which have spent an enormous amount of money in failed efforts to buy votes, have changed the political landscape What is more, C.L.A.R.O has attracted wide, international media interest in its struggle to correct the wrongs which have been committed in the development of this area. C.L.A.R.O has featured in BBC prime time television and a special programme on the French/German international television station ARTE. International newspaper coverage has included Newsweek, the Daily Mail and the Sunday Herald. C.L.A.R.O is here to stay and all those living in Orihuela Costa will begin to see the benefits of having an Independent Party, uninvolved in the intrigue and infighting which takes place 30 kilometrs inland. The Popular Party will unfortunately continue to govern Orihuela Costa despite the vote of NO CONFIDENCE they received. But on behalf of all those who voted for change and a much needed improvement in the services and quality of life on the coast, C.L.A.R.O will hold them to account for all they do or do not do in future. C.L.A.R.O will work for a safer cleaner Costa with the services we need and respect for the environment. C.L.A.R.O. will ensure that future elections will be fair and that the thousans not able to vote on 27th May 2007 will have their right to vote respected. C.L.A.R.O. will work for local Autonomy, (Entidad Local Menor) to enable Orihuela Costa to be governed directly by its own representatives who will spend our taxes on the services we need. C.L.A.R.O. will open a permanent office in the Asturias Restaurant in Playa Flamenca to help deal with the problems and complaints of all those living in Orihuela Costa.
C.L.A.R.O. Workshops are being held every Friday 11.30am at The Asturias Restaurant (on N332 by Go Karts) where you can ask for information.. C.L.A.R.O. Members will be happy to help you, Click on C.L.A.R.O. web site to find out how you can exercise your right to vote in the next Local Elections in May 2011. Do you want a voice in Spain and get the services you are paying for with your Taxes, you need to be registered on the Padron at the Town Hall. C.L.A.R.O. Your Party - Join Us!
Contact: www.claro-orihuela.eu, e-Mail: info@claro-orihuela.eu,
Tel: .0034 966 76 07 82 English / Spanish, 966 77 52 08 English / 966 77 52 45 German, Fax:/ 966 77 52 45
If you have a gripe - concerns or just plain had enough of the lack of support to our communities by the Orihuela City Town Hall, join
Who are we? What do we want ? Democratic participation in decision – making and responsibility for all to protect the human rights, having equal rights and social protection.
The representation of the entitled interests of our members.
The correct expenditure of our tax payment and contributions according to the will of the majority.
The protection, enlargement and maintenance of green areas, cleanliness of Public Gardens and Institutions.
More personnel for security and emergency services.
Improvement and co-ordination of public traffic system.
This Party is open to all Europeans, who are living on the Orihuela Costa. The founding committee and active members are of different Nationalities and a few of the Members are also multi lingual.
Judging by the enormous growth in the construction market of the last few years, it is quite clear that there is a need for a power to take steps and measures to improve all needed infrastructure in the region of the Orihuela Costa to every residents benefits.
As a new Party we DO NOT intend to take over the Power, but we DO WANT to have representation with clear objectives for Orihuela Costa region by representing the interest of our Members. We want to correct the mistakes which have been made in planning, execution and control of measures for the benefit of all those Residents living on Orihuela Costa.
Especially among the ex-patriots there are a large number off experts, who could use their knowledge for the whole region of the Orihuela Costa, with the objective to enrich the quality of our lives on the Orihuela Costa, that is why we want to nominate our candidates for the next Municipal Election in May 2007.
In the current Municipal Government there are 25 Councillors. For the next election in 2007 we need 20 interested persons (Residents) who would want to be nominated for election.
For all necessary expenditures, such as Notary, Lawyer, Rent for Venue, Poster, Flyers etc. We need your modest financial support.
The monthly fee for membership is 1.50 Euros and needs to be paid yearly in advance as a one-off payment of 18 Euros. Please remember that your joining our Party not only would reflect your interest and support (Strength in numbers) but also in the long run, it will secure your quality of life on the Orihuela Costa which so far so badly been undermined.
The group of C.L.A.R.O. is the amalgamation of women and men of all Nationalities of the Orihuela Costa, who share our principles.
C.L.A.R.O. This is your Party!! Join us!!
THE ALTERNATIVE POWER ON THE ORIHUELA COSTA www.claro-orihuela.eu
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