18-year-olds get a birthday present from town hall

YOUTHS who turned 18 during 2010 in Velez-Malaga will get a host of benefits. This week, Velez-Malaga Mayor Maria Salome Arroyo (PSOE) accompanied by the Sports, Culture and Transport Councillors presented the ‘Turned 18’ initiative aimed at the 862 young people in the town who turned 18 last year.

They will be presented with a ‘Turned 18’ notebook which includes a copy of the Spanish Constitution so that they can become familiar with their rights and duties as Spanish citizens.

Other information provided includes the Code of Corporate Governance for young people to know the behaviour and dedication of municipal political life as well as a guide for municipal services, spaces and facilities.

Advice on fields including employment, training, youth and sports, is also offered, according to Arroyo.

In addition they will also be presented with two cards; ‘Turned 18’ and a ‘Cinesur Class.’

The ‘Turned 18’ card will enable youths to enjoy various activities organized by the Youth, Culture, Sports and Transportation Departments and is valid for one year.

There are 10 tickets for the use of the tram and the possibility to use the BUHO bus for free, according to Transport Councillor Antonio Lopez (PSOE).

It will also be possible to practice individual sports that have a municipal fee and participate in competitions, according to Sports councillor Eduardo Hernandez (PSOE).

The card entitles the 18-year olds to enjoy concerts and events organized by the council – the program of which is also provided – for free.

The first concert will be by ‘El Pescao’ on Sunday February 27; tickets for everybody else will be on sale in a variety of shops including Base de Velez and Torre del Mar, Stara Live Music Cafe, The End, as well as the Ticketmaster.es.

The ‘Cinesur Class’ card will provide six free tickets to the Teatro del Carmen, provided reservations are made 10 days before the showing, according to Culture Councillor Sara Sanchez (PSOE).

The manager of Cinesur El Ingenio, Jose Antonio Tur, will offer those with the ‘Cinesur Class’ card discounts on cinema tickets; €5.50 down from €7.

The 750 youths who will be turning 18 in 2011 may also enjoy this offer.

By Nicole Hallett