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2010-09-03 10:33:16 Yesterday I met with Candida Verdier and I asked her to give me a date for our special meeting to talk about the electricity situation. She told me that she is awaiting the date for a crucial meeting in Seville, which should enable her to inform us about the latest advances. I have been promised a meeting with her as soon as she returns. On a lighter note I met with the councillor for international relations Mr. Joaquin Páez and he has invited ChiFRA members to visit the Cooperative Bodega next Friday the 10th, at 12 mid day, to see how the local Sherry is made and then have a taste of it, “straight from the barrel”! I have also reserved the “Casa de la Cultura” for Bob and Les to introduce our next Spanish language classes to our students. Those of you who have put their name down will be contacted shortly with more details. 2010-08-27 14:46:42 My meeting with the council that was set for this Monday the 30th has been postponed. I will let you know later on next week, when I have the new date. 2010-08-21 16:52:04 Why not come along and speak to ChiFRA "face to face". We’ll tell you exactly how we operate and how decisions are made etc. As you may already know ChiFRA are working hard, towards re-connecting electricity and establishing some sort of legality for local home owners. We are also in favour of paying for urbanisation (only where required by the law or requested by the residents), possibly as a reduced monthly quota i.e. 60€ a month. We will be having our next informal “ChiFRA Chat” on Wednesday August 25th from 6pm-8pm. At "Casa Curro" in Marquesado. I would be very happy to answer any of your questions regarding this or any other issue. The ChiFRA management committee is made up of 8 volunteers from all walks of life, with differing political views and opinions. For this reason we are politically neutral in that we do not align ourselves with or support any single political party or their views. We do however encourage our members to engage in the Spanish democratic process and exercise their right as residents to vote. To assist in this we are more than happy to engage with political parties with the aim of helping our members understand their political agendas and proposals. We are currently in the process of contacting all recognised political parties in the area (including "PVRE") with the aim of inviting each to write a short article for our web page, setting out the aims of that party and their current proposals and intended actions in respect of those issues that impact on the lives and interests of our members in the area. Best regards, Roger Alan Holmes ChiFRA President P.S. Don't forget that Membership is free until the end of the year.
2010-08-08 21:35:45
All quiet on the western front! August is the time of year when so much fun is going on, but not much else. Sorry, but I don't have any more information regarding the new PGOU; only that the meeting I would have held on the 23rd has been moved to the 30th. Please check out Dave's new Events Blog, to find out where you can go to have a great time at a reasonable price, to pass the time until August is over and we can get back to the serious stuff! 2010-07-31 07:53:50 I didn't sleep very well last night, as I was recently invited to attend a disturbing local community meeting, in an area that is already on the "AGB", which can best be described as a clip from the film "Poltergeist"; where a strong character was preventing the people from stepping into the light! Concerned neighbours who suffered from flooding this winter and were hoping to be given solutions were advised not to sign up to be connected to pipes that are already sitting just feet from their doors. The meeting was an interesting mix of facts presented in a way that would scare anyone into a panic and downright blatant lies, that were clearly politically motivated. The finger was pointed at Candida and the present government and there was talk about a conspiracy and lost money that suddenly reappeared, that could have come from any Hollywood "who dun it" block buster. The missing money that they were talking about was never lost, it just could not be utilized until the current "AGB" plan was ratified. I do believe that initial quotes to be "Urbanized" were far too high and unrealistic, but similar plans that were even higher were on the table under the previous government (fact). On a lighter note, the council are currently working on drastically reducing the costs and finding better ways of financing the works. ChiFRA will continue to support its members to get the "best deal" and give factual information, regardless of what ever government is in power. 2010-07-30 15:31:59 Regarding the new PGOU, please note that not all houses or roads appear on the new map, but that does not mean that they are not included. The important thing is to make sure whether your area is inside or outside the new urban plan. A new more detailed map will be issued once the basic map has been approved. We recommend that everyone who finds themselves outside the urban plan to send an official allegation/letter in Spanish by Tuesday 17th August asking to have their area added. For those of you now who find themselves amongst the hundreds of homes that were not on the previous plan, possibly without electricity or facing the risk of demolition and are now in an improved situation. It is equally very important for you to hand in an official letter, explaining that you are in favour of the new plan as you believe that your home deserves to be added (or words to the affect). Never the less, please ask your lawer for legal advice before handing in any letter, as individual cases may vary.  2010-07-28 23:42:11 Thank you to everyone who came along this evening. Over 25 members came to the “mini ChiFRA Chat” at the “Venta Lopez” and a good time was had by all! We attempted to answer as many members questions as possible and we had very positive feedback. For those of you who could not make it, please keep an eye on our Web page for the next one. If you are in the UK or abroad, we recommend that you send us an email with any questions about the new PGOU as you only have until the 17th Aug. To place any legal arguments with the council. 2010-07-24 09:10:25 The ChiFRA informative meeting on the “New PGOU” at the “Casa de la Cultura” had a good turn out. Juan Antonio from “Temple Cambria Lawyers” answered members questions and several copies of the plan were handed out on DVD ROM. If you were not able to attend and still want a copy, you can bring a “Pen Drive” (minimum 1Giga) to the next ChiFRA chat and Dave Fisher will help you make a copy (the files are too large to send over the internet). We are going to have an informal “Ruta de Tapa” – a get together where you can have a tapa and chat to other members; if you are interested please mail
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and we will contact you. 2010-07-20 22:40:35 Regarding the New PGOU, I will be meeting the councillor for “Urbanismo” in the morning, in representation of the residents of “Pago Melilla”. Because I was invited to this meeting, I will be taking full advantage by bringing along members of the ChiFRA committee and our lawyers, to get an insight before our special ChiFRA meeting. I hope to have the use of la “Casa de la Cultura” this Friday morning, so keep your calendar free. I will be able to confirm this sometime tomorrow. Best, Roger.. 2010-07-14 22:25:29 Sorry I have been off line for a few days. I have been having problems with my Vodafone internet connection. The latest news is that I have asked the town hall for the use of the "Casa de la Cultura" as soon as possible, to discuss the long awaited new, new PGOU. A date and time will be published as soon as I have it. I have noticed that there were several questions posted, while I was unavailable. To answer most of your questions; our lawyers are studying the very large documents in detail and as soon as we know some of the answers we will let you know. We have also asked "Urbanismo" to make the files easier to download on the internet. Best, Roger 2010-07-09 18:21:59 Hold on a minute. Here it is, hot off the press! http://www.chiclana.es/Avance-Nuevo-Plan-Ge.644.0.html We will have information on our own web page ASAP. Regards, Roger 2010-07-09 18:10:06 I have phoned "Urbanismo" several times this week, to get a copy of the new plan. They tell me that it is imminent and we will get a copy as soon as it is out, sometime next week. 2010-07-02 18:43:04 “Urbanismo” announced this morning on the local news, that next week new plans will be published to include many of the areas that are White/Green onto the AGB urban plan, allowing some residents to re-connect to electricity and services etc. ChiFRA has been promised a copy ASAP. We will have one month, from the publishing of the plan, to argue, comment, modify it, so we will be holding a special meeting in the near future. Please keep checking with the ChiFRA web page. Best, Roger. (Don't go selling your house too cheaply just yet!) 2010-06-30 15:51:45 Watch the local news this Friday! 2010-06-28 22:43:54 Well, tomorrow is the big day! So many hopes and life savings depend on the possible outcome of our meeting with "Urbanismo" tomorrow evening. We hope to have some good news to give you on Wednesday at the "Casa Blas". I will be lucky if I can get any sleep tonight, never the less, the five hour meeting I had in the Hotel Meliá last week was very positive. Candida is a human being (just like us) and she may or may not hold the answers and she is under a lot of pressure from everybody. Hasta Mañana. 2010-06-24 20:59:50 Dear Members, This morning I was at the special meeting and workshop for “Urbanismo” in Andalusia, held at the Hotel Melia in Novo Sancti Petri. There were specialists from places such as the University of Seville, and key players including several lord-mayors from all over; including Chiclana, Mijas (in Malaga), Vejer de la Frontera and Cartaya (in Huelva). “Grupo Jolly” (the organizers) and Chiclana Council, whom were the patrons, were also there, along with the press and the media. I was lucky enough to speak with Candida Verdier (Chiclana Councillor for Urbanismo), who confirmed our long awaited ChiFRA management meeting with her, next Tuesday at 7pm. Information will be put on our web page shortly afterwards. Best, Roger 2010-06-18 10:00:47 Update regarding the promised ChiFRA management meeting with “Urbanismo”. Yesterday morning I met the councillor (Candida Verdier) who apologised for not returning my calls, as she was overwhelmed with work, however she did try to contact me. She explained that she had been working hard on the extremely important issues that we will be discussing, and has been away attending several key meetings and consultations with the regional government, and could not disclose further details. She fully understood our frustration, and hopes to hold our promised meeting within a couple of weeks. On the agenda will be issues such as easier payment and reduced costs for urbanisation, the proposed restoration of some areas on white land to their previous yellow or striped classification and the implication of the new regional law regarding re-connection of electricity to some homes. I will inform you as soon as I have the date for the meeting. Best, Roger 2010-06-14 13:58:30 Because of the Chiclana “Feria” hang over, there will be no news in English today on the radio. However, we are invited to attend the viewing of a film, titled “Home” at 7.pm in the “Casa de la Cultura” (In Spanish). It is a film about the environment and promises to show dramatic photography of our planet, taken from space. Entrance is free, and afterwards, we are invited to see an exposition on the same theme. Sorry about the short notice, they only phoned me about it 5 minutes ago! “Hasta Luego Amigos”. 2010-06-08 08:30:49 Regarding the promised meeting with “Urbanismo”. Since our meeting was (once again) postponed last week as the councillor (Candida Verdier) had to urgently leave for Madrid on Wednesday, I have phoned her every day, at least 3 or 4 times, to no avail. She has not returned my calls, or tried to contact me (to my knowledge). Naturally this is extremely frustrating! However I am sure that she is working hard to inform us as soon as possible, regarding the issue of electricity and the possible new urban plan. But her work schedule is literally overwhelming, as she has inherited so many problems to resolve, that were no fault of her own. On a lighter note, I spoke with Joaquín Paez, the councillor for international relations and general secretary for the PSOE (Spanish Labour Party) in Chiclana. He asked me on behalf of the local council to welcome all ex-pats, to come along to the “Feria de San Antonio” (the local fair) and mix in with the local Spanish, as in his words, he wants us to share our cultures and hopes that we consider ourselves as fellow citizens. The fair will be officially open this Wednesday the 9th at 10pm. Starting off with the contestants from the “Chiclanera Mayor” (Miss Chiclana) competition. “See you there”! 2010-06-03 17:44:29 The text from Mondays radio news in English is now on the main web page, under the section “ChiFRA Radio News Podcast”. Just follow the links! 2010-05-31 09:03:40 Last Tuesday I sat on the Chiclana council committee for culture , representing ChiFRA.
We all voted in favour of a draft document that basically, gives us and other groups around one and a half months to draw up and submit plans for cultural events, programmed for the next 12 months, and we could be granted money.
There will probably be up to 25,000€ available to be shared out between local cultural associations, like us! Language is a barrier, but we can communicate through music, food, photography, dance and many other ways.
Please send us your ideas and let us know if you are willing to lend a hand.
Best,
Roger.
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PS The meeting with “Urbanismo” has been postponed for a week, as they are still not ready with the details.. 2010-05-25 15:32:42 INTEGRA2 SEMANAL – PROGRAMA 7 You can hear the radio broadcast at http://perso.gratisweb.com/radioonline/index3.html and then click on the date (24th May) to listen to the latest show.
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Legal Advisors that specialise in helping the English speaking community.
ChiFRA members are invited to visit the Bodega Cooperativa in Chiclana next Friday 10th September.
the Chiclana Foreign Residents Association for English speaking residents in Chiclana de la Frontera. We can offer you support, representation, information and much more. Membership is currently free 