Keys to the future
There was an article from a few years ago that is still relevant today regarding the state of our council and mayors. Below is a short extract, which again is still relevant today as there are investigations underway into past and present practices.
Extract:
Regardless of what happens in the coming weeks, the truth is that the garbage business has been the epicentre of local politics in Orihuela for years, and the trigger for the Brugal case, the biggest political-business corruption scandal, is precisely the garbage business and the interests of businessman Angel Fenoll, who was convicted in his day of buying votes in favour of the PP and accused of paying.
But it is also one of the municipalities that have seen its mayors systematically prosecuted or sentenced, who was once again placed at the head of the Consistory. Only between 2011 and 2015, in 2022, the Elche Prosecutor's Office initiates proceedings against the Orihuela City Council to investigate alleged cost overruns in the civic centre construction in the La Aparecia district. According to a complaint filed by the municipal group Cambiemos Orihuela, the prosecution has initiated this investigation into a possible crime of embezzlement. Anti-fraud reproaches the Orihuela City Council for its obvious inactivity in an irregular exchange with the Church.
Since 2004, the Orihuela City Council has allowed the Diocese to use some assigned plots without the latter entity carrying out the buildings to which it was obliged in the plenary agreement, says the agency.
This council is not only fighting each other but both the PP and the Ciudadanos are fighting internal battles. After the crucial votes by PSOE, Cambiemos, and c's that ousted Bascunana and the PP from power and installed a new mayor and a new coalition council, how this will affect the future of Orihuela Costa remains to be seen. We had hoped that under a new mayor and coalition, the coast could reclaim.
Orihuela Costa should and must forge its future, but to do so, we need coast councillors on the council to ensure that the coast receives a fairer share of the budget and not just scraps, to scrutinize all contracts to ensure they are won fairly and not just awarded to friends, family, or to gain votes, and not for Monterey gains. PIOC is for independence but also integration, uniting the coast to speak with one voice.
To put an end to this, which has tarnished the image of the cost, simply in May 2023, everybody who is eligible to vote must do so…no more sitting on the fence. If you don't vote, don't complain. The more votes we get, the more councillors we can present. It is that simple.
Every vote counts, every vote matters, and vote to make a difference. Vote for the independence of Orihuela Costa.