BALANEGRA’S recent independence from Berja is not progressing without friction.
The latest source of local irritation was Berja Town Hall’s attempt to send its own lifeguards and Policia Local officers to the municipality.
“We have asked the Almeria Diputacion and the government sub-delegate to tell Berja’s mayor to stop interfering,” said Miguel Gregoria Martinez, secretary of the Federation of Local Entities. “There is no need for Antonio Torres to act as though he were still mayor.”
Nor can the friction be blamed on ideological differences as both Torres and
Balanegra’s mayor Nuria Rodriguez belong to the Partido Popular. The town is now organising its own lifeguards and local police, Rodriguez explained.
“We are not obliged to provide this service as there are fewer than 5,000 inhabitants and we can call on the Guardia Civil in Adra, but we intend to do so,” she said.