My good news visit to the Mojacar mayor

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MOJACAR MAYOR: Rosa Maria Cano provided many answers to my questions.

I WENT to visit the Mojacar mayor, Rosa Maria Cano. I needed some answers and any glint of good news possible.

She gave me a slight frown when I brazenly announced my intentions… “Look, it’s colder than usual outside.

I am tired of listening to the village people gripe about the ‘hole in the ground’ you want to call a parking lot and the beach people bitch about their taxes going up.

Please Rosemary, tell me something GOOD”. And she did.

Property taxes

First off we discussed property taxes. “They are in an abysmal state” I attacked.

“Some large properties and developers have paid nothing, yet their lands are in ‘urbano’. Before I could shout too much my friend Carmen Fau quieted me.

The mayor agreed it was a mess. “New people have been called in to straighten it all up, it is all being redone, reorganized; rezoned”.

My heart skipped a beat.

My thunder was squelched and music brought to my ears.

“Places are being revalued, some considerably lower because of the poor economic times and low sales possibilities. Others we are bringing up to date.

So many foreigners have bought properties and have just neglected paying, thinking they are escaping taxes.

Naturally that means the entire burden of making the community work as a whole is lost. We have no choice but to begin embargos of the accounts of those people.

It is not a threat, it is an economic reality, something that we have to do to survive as a community. “Pass the word, get into the office of the Catastral on the beach in front of Marina de la Torre Golf, make sure you’re registered and get caught up so they don’t incur heavy fines”.

The argument couldn’t be simpler nor with more fairness for all. “I completed my promise to your wife” she mentioned to remind me of another promise made and fulfilled.

“I know that PAWS is elated with the new shop”, I quickly replied.

Bowling

“Look here is another project already approved by the Diputacion regarding our own development of our own public Bowling area. Some 400 English petitioned me for this and it is now in its final stages!”

It will be done on town hall land in Marina de la Torre, soon.

Naturally I had to smile.

Pathways and car parks

“And we are in the final works on finishing off the first public pathways for walkers from the Plaza Nuevo to Macenas Beach. We plan on doing five more shortly, but the first will be done by Easter”.

This indeed would please the ‘Johnny Walkers’ that meet frequently in Los Arcos.

“Work goes well on the Parking, wait until it’s done and you’ll change your tune”. Oops, she caught me there, I had been critical and she damn well knew it.

“We are also in the final stages of our ‘New Ideas’ program in which we are seeking suggestions to make our Pueblo better for all who live here.

One of our focuses has been on the Sports realm, promoting our weather for golfers, tennis players and bowlers year round. Have you seen the streets lately full of cyclists?

Plenty of famed international teams like Rabobank have recognized our area’s unique weather and are training here.

Lots of individual racers have come out to participate in training groups supported by flagged cars for safety.

Another effort to get our hotels filled. We are getting known.”

Something that can’t be denied .

What’s cooking?

“I want to re-open the culinary school again, make it larger, better and get more people in to enjoy how good it is.”

That delighted my ears as I had the privilege to eat there quite often and it was wonderful.

Rosemary’s ideas flowed as we touched on the various topics. So much to do and with such limited budgets she would have to face. She humbly didn’t mention her own growing stature in the PP party wherein it was obvious that funds could be coming.

Two phone calls from her and more good could be accomplished than many mayors before ever attempted. I am astonished from my behalf that so much is being done.

“What’s the difference between this term and your last?” I asked. “Our other party councillors come from a wide spectrum of the town.

They are more in contact with what the people want and need. We are not ruled or at least, pushed around as much before from strong vested interests like the immobilarios (real estate agents). (wink). Gulp!

On a windy and cold February morning I left the town hall with a handful of “promises made and completed”. She also agreed to meet with me as often as needed to check the completion schedule on all events.

There is much to do in Mojacar, and much lost time to make up for—but things appear to be happening—and that’s a very warming thought.

She was most gracious and invited me back soon.

By Ric Polansky

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