On Sunday 12/7, the day of our first Protest, several of the posters around El Alcolar were defaced with claims that the demonstration was of a racist nature, similar to the top one you can see. We   know this was done by Gypsies.

Similarly, the report of the demonstration in the newspaper “LA OPINION DE MURCIA”  (local newspaper), indicated that our protest was of a racial nature. This is totally untrue as we have been very careful not to make any remarks or demands that could be interpreted as racist as we know that this would be extremely counterproductive to our cause. We can only presume therefore, that the Newspaper has chosen to take this angle as this makes for more sensational reading and sells more Newspaper. It could also, of course, give the Council grounds to try and ignore or reject our demands.

In August this year, we made our first approach to the Council. Our demands related to the lack of general maintenance and services being provided by the Council despite the fact that residents pay their taxes. We indicated that we felt abandoned by both the Developer and the Council. No reply has ever been received from the Council; in fact we believe that the request was put to an incorrect department so that it was ignored. Our lead banner at the protest clearly indicated this feeling of Abandonment by the Council.

As you know, we have recently approached the Council with questions relating to the area of land owned by the Council on our Urbanization. They have recently carried out substantial work on the land and we felt that the Residents of the Urbanization had a right to know what the Council intend to do with the land – preferably in writing. We have not received anything in writing and no one is able to give us an answer to our questions as “nothing has been decided yet”.

We are not protesting against the rumoured proposed location, temporary or permanent, of a group of citizens of Gypsy origin, but on the methods employed by the City Council and the lack of information that they are willing to give us. We fear that the Council wish to change the use of this plot of land, which was originally, designate for a school, and feel that they have an obligation to submit to the rule of law as to how to proceed. We wish to be advised and consulted before any proposed plans / change of use for this land and for the law to be followed in full.

The Neighbourhood Association asks everyone, please do not deviate from the topics of our complaints / demands, which simply relate at this point in time to : -

1) the lack of maintenance,

2) the lack of services and

3) the lack of information provided by the Council.

This is NOT a racist issue and MUST NOT become one because of a few misplaced or inappropriate words. It would cause enormous damage to our cause for it to become so.

(Thanks to Alison Thorpe for her help on translation)

First to take the floor was D. Jose Molina, the President elect of our Association proceeded to explain to those present (including the Newspapers) the necessity to conform to the law relating to the protest and the reasons for the protest to be held i.e. the demands submitted to the Council relating to the lack of maintenance and services provided to the Urbanization. Finally D. Ruben Castrillo (Secretary to the Association) read to the meeting, the manifesto prepared by the board of Directors of the Association. He then advised that even though we were unable to proceed with the march to the roundabout, the Police confirmed that we were able to march on the Seafront of the Puerto de Mazarron as there would be no interruption to traffic. This was done and due to the Fiesta, a large number of people were on the paseo to witness our protest.

(Thanks to Alison Thorpe for her help on translation)

Next, we reproduce in full the manifesto read during the protest on Sunday 7/12/2008:

“With the approval of the Partial Plan” EL ALCOLAR “, back in December 1998, first steps were done on the creation of one of the best residential areas of Puerto de Mazarrón. After that legal establishment, there was the creation of the urbanization, with the initial cleaning work and splitting of the plots on which today our homes are settle.

Ten years on, the Urbanization in a state of total neglect. Nothing has been done to preserve or maintain the various components of the Urbanisation in order to maintain its initial standard. No road cleaning and no maintenance, watering or pruning of the gardens. We have been totally neglected by both the developer Mazalia (formerly Duran Granados S.A.) and by the City Council of Mazarron. For the last three years they have argued between them who is responsible and both has refused to accept any responsibility for our Urbanization.

Given the situation, the residents of the Urbanization decided to take action by writing to the City Council, once and for all, and shout out loud: ENOUGH!!!

Four months after the presentation to the City Council of a letter signed by representatives of 94 houses on the Urbanization, complaining as to the deplorable state of the Urbanization, no response has been received.

Therefore the Residents felt that there was no other choice but to personally undertake some of the maintenance to the Urbanization’s gardens etc, in order to preserve the living environment to an acceptable standard. It is felt that despite paying our taxes the Council have chosen to ignore us.

Despite the fact that the Council does not appear interested in our Urbanization, when it comes to its maintenance, they are aware of the parcel of land which they own in accordance to the Project compensation adopted 10 year ago. This land was designated for Educational use in this plan, but rumours have been circulating that the Council have other intentions for this land.

Therefore, the neighbours of Urbanization “EL ALCOLAR” ask the City Council of Mazarrón the next several questions;

1. The City Council has to decide effectively to take over the Urbanization, fulfilling its obligations concerning maintenance and cleaning. Or, if not assume the urbanization, has to call all owners to constitute an effective Urban Conservation Entity.

2. Until, such time as the City Council decide to accept or not our urbanization; the developer have the moral and legal obligation, to continue in charge of preserving the environment. An environment that shows an image of modernity and is an example of model of urban development of Mazarrón in the twenty-first century, which integrates a multitude of cultures, races and nationalities, living together peacefully, as has been demonstrated here today.

3. The Mayor has to meet with representatives of the Urbanization, personified in the board of the Neighbourhood Association of our urbanization; during which he should give explanations relevant to the claims of the residents.

4. The City Hall, must report publicly on its intended use for the plots, which it owns within the urbanization. If they whish to deviate from the current legal use of those plots, either provisional or definitive, The Neighbourhood Association will continue to demand that correct legal procedures for amending the land-use plan be undertaken by the Council and we are given the right to make claims and challenges to them in accordance with the Law.

5. We want equal rights as the rest of Mazarrón’s neighbours, as we have the same obligations, but we do not have same services.

Neighbours of “EL ALCOLAR” Urbanization support this manifesto and we are determined to end the injustices that we have endured over the past few year. We are committed to ensuring that the Council adopt the above points.”

(Thanks to Alison Thorpe for her help on translation)

This year Christmas gifts come earlier. Now is easy to access to our site, just type http://www.elalcolar.com to get all information avaible.

Cualquier constituida u organizada conforma al derecho aplicable, tenga o no fines de lucro y sea de propiedad privada o gubernamental, incluida cualesquiera sociedades, fideicomisos, asociaciones, empresas de propietario único, conversiones y otras asociaciones.

Acosta Roca, Felipe. (Enero, 2002 Grupo Editorial ISEF) Glosario de Comercio Exterior. Pág. 47.

by an Obama Who? Writer;

Let’s start out with this;

Statement from Campaign Manager Maggie Williams on New Vote in Michigan

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=6768

In the wake of today’s court ruling regarding Michigan’s January 15th primary, we urge Senator Obama to join our call for a party-run primary and demonstrate his commitment to counting Michigan’s votes.

Senator Clinton has consistently urged that the 600,000 votes cast by the people of Michigan be counted and if that is not possible, that a new election be held.

Michigan voters must not be disenfranchised and the Obama campaign must not continue to block Michigan’s efforts to hold a new vote. Rather it should move quickly to announce its support for a party run primary.

Michigan will be a key battleground state in November. Disenfranchising Michigan voters today will, in the heat of a general election, provide Senator McCain with a powerful argument to use against the Democratic nominee. We cannot allow this to happen.

The people of Michigan must be counted and their voices finally heard. What the people of Michigan need now is just action, not just words.

This is the link to the court decision

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/greenparty_v_land.pdf

On March 26, 2008 the United States Supreme Court declared the Primary in Michigan Unconstitutional.  The Green Party sued the state and won on a violation of the 14^th amendment and the 1^st amendment.  Hillary Clinton has called on Senator Obama to do something to make sure that these voters are heard.  Obama has gone out of his way to make sure they are not heard. 

The problem here is without the states of Florida and Michigan there will be no White House win in November for the Democratic Party.   It just can’t happen.  The people of these two states are very angry, many of them are threatening to jump ship and vote for McCain, myself included. 

People are saying it should be the person with the popular vote who wins the nomination.  Here is the thing with this.  Hillary Clinton has had more actual Democratic votes casted for her than any other Democratic candidate ever before her.  If they remove the Republican votes and the Independent votes from the equation, Hillary is ahead in the popular vote.  Then people say the super delegates should back the winner of their state, ok so Kerry, Richardson and Kennedy have best change their allegiances since Hillary won their home states. 

The bottom line here is that no matter how much people scream about what will happen, by the end of this NEITHER one of them will have gained the votes they need to make the election count.  Michigan and Florida must NOT be left out because Obama thinks this will help him win, he is WRONG.  Even with or without these states he can’t make the mark in pledged delegates to win the election.  Another bit factor here is that he has not won a single one of the large states except his own state of Illinois.  These large states are crucial in an election.  People keep calling for Hillary to step down?  I don’t think so.  Does she need the delegates from Michigan and Florida to win? No, actually she doesn’t as this race will land in the laps of the super delegates no matter how it is played out.  Does the DNC need Michigan and Florida to win the General Presidential Election in November, you bet they do.  The delegates and the super delegates can all change their minds as they do not have to follow the will of the people.  They can vote any way they want to. Though there is a problem with them now since it has been discovered that some of them may not even be registered voters in their home states.

http://www.seattleweekly.com/2008-03-26/news/your-delegate-may-not-be-registered-to-vote.php 

It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that the Democratic Party is in trouble.  There is so much fighting going on between the two candidates that it has gotten way out of hand.  An example is how Obama throws a fit every time someone says something about him and how he is constantly trying to get Hillary into trouble.  The latest example is trying to block Elton John from having a fundraiser in New York for Hillary because he is a British Citizen.  Elton John has DUAL citizenship and lives in Georgia, USA. 

http://washingtontimes.com/article/20080327/NATION02/615066787

Then last night I heard on the news that the people of the United States do not hold Obama responsible for what his Pastor says?  I do !! They called it “guilt by association.”  And their point?  The simple fact is that Obama stands by Rev. Wright, the man is his spiritual advisor, he will not leave the church and will not leave the friendship with Rev. Wright.  I’m sorry this is NOT built by association this is guilt by CHOICE.  Obama made his choice to stand by this man and to back him therefore he stands by what the man preaches and accepts.  How can you object to what a person says and stands for then not object to the person?  You can’t.   There must be some form of agreement here or you would distance yourself from the person and their value system, not retain them for a spiritual advisor. 

I am sick of seeing how people are so upset over Hillary’s story of her visit to Bosnia.  Big deal, she gets a few facts off.  Obama on the other hand can’t get a story straight to save his life and it is passed over.  If the only thing we have to worry about with Hillary is the fact she got a couple of facts wrong then hey if this is the worst she does then I can handle this.  Obama’s lies are a matter of record. The new one, Obama is again back to saying he never heard his minister say any of these radical things in church when he just publically stated he did.  I think he lies so much that actually believes his own lies.  People argue it is just a few sound bytes out of hundreds of sermons.  Still more of these sound bytes keep coming up and more printed material keeps coming up and those few sound bytes in my book say it all.  What possibly can be said to correct “God Damn America” or the white folks created aides to get rid of the blacks or we deserved 9/11 as “Americas Chickens have finally come home to roost,” or any of the other racist, hateful remarks Obama’s spiritual advisor made?  In my book, these sound bytes say it all for both Obama who supports this man, accepts Wright as family and still attends this church where this pastor spoke such radical things in a place of worship.