Whatever happened to the new La Línea Hospital?

Demo in April
(Banner reads: Where's the
hospital money gone?)

LA LÍNEA  The new hospital was supposed to be operational towards the end of 2012 but building work came to a stop over a year ago. There was a massive demonstration on April 25 this year. It would seem that a facility created to take care of the health of well over 100,000 residents of Jimena, Castellar, San Roque and La Línea, in the main but in fact covering the Eastern end of the Campo de Gibraltar, has become a pawn in the increasingly shameful game of ping-pong between the two main parties, PP and PSOE. It was the former that got things started during the notorious mayorship of one Alejandro Sánchez García (the same one who wanted to establish a toll at the Gibraltar frontier), who took over from his predecessor when the latter was removed by the courts. Sánchez was turfed out at local elections in 2011 by a victory of the PSOE, with Gemma Araujo as Mayor. In the playground atmosphere of local (and national) politics*, the hospital was kicked into touch, no doubt because it had been a PP project to start with.>>>

Dog park has a hundred daily visitors

LA LÍNEA Only two months ago, an association was created with the support of Verdemar-Ecologistas en Acción, the environmental organization, and the Council, whose objective was the establishment of what came to be called a 'canine park' within the large Reina Sofía Park. Over one hundred people now use this space to walk their dogs every day. According to the president of the Asociación Canina Parque Sofía, Fuensanta Guerrero, the idea was born from the need of pet owners to have somewhere to walk their animals and to meet other people. Largely thanks to Verdemar, the park already has a drip system to water the grass, and an agility course is planned. There is also a disused bunker within the area, which Guerrero hopes can eventually be used as an office and meeting place for the association.

Pet charity: 25% down on abandonment thanks to sterilization programme

Recently adopted in Holland

LA LÍNEA Prodean, the pet rescue centre, says that they are 25% down on rescues of abandoned dogs, thanks mainly to the annual sterilization programme they carried out earlier in the year. According to Peter Koekebakker, one of the people behind Prodean, the programme is becoming increasingly effective adding that thanks to a generous donation by a Dutch benefactress, some 500 dogs were neutered, which accounts for the decrease in numbers of abandoned puppies this year. Peter also pointed out that adoptions are not free, as all animals are chipped, wormed, vaccinated, etc. and have a European passport. Most adoptions at Prodean come from Holland, where animal abandonment is practically non-existent. The Dutch arm of Prodean is Animals In Need (in English). (J.A.W.S. also has a happy story - watch this space tomorrow!)

Living at the frontier

(Photo: europasur.es)

LA LÍNEA (Europa Sur) Ana María Jiménez has become a feature at the frontier, no longer bothered by police from either side. She says she has already got 2,5000 signatures for her appeal for housing. Earlier in the year she went on a hunger strike, but had to desist on medical advice when she was taken to the hospital. She keeps her little area clean and tidy, sweeping daily. She washes at the beach showers, where she also does her washing-up. Her food comes from charity kitchens - she was refused access to one place where she used the showers because she 'didn't meet the requirements', she asserts. The authorities have offered her shelter but she refused, she says, because it was basically a detox centre. All she asks for is a small house, and has no intention of moving from her spot at the border until she gets it.

Tourism workshops scheduled for Jimena, other business sectors in other places

CAMPO DE GIBRALTAR Andalucía Emprende, a public foundation of the Junta's Department of Economy, Innovation, Science and Employment, has scheduled a series of workshops aimed at entrepreneurs thinking of entering, or already in, the following sectors: boating, active tourism, agriculture or food production, rural tourism (See where and when below). Attendance is free but limited to 15 participants each. These workshops (in Spanish) are very useful for networking, accessing useful information, expanding your business, etc. etc. (CampoPulse will be attending the workshop in Jimena). For further information, contact 856 106 329, cade.sanmartindeltesorillo@andaluciaemprende.es or the website www.andaluciaemprende.es. >>>

A good example of volunteers at work - as it should be

LA LÍNEA This is a prime example of proper volunteerism. People get together to actually DO something instead of sitting around talking and drinking. In this case it is at El Gato Andaluz, the cat rescue centre in La Línea. And it is another reason why it is so important for J.A.W.S. to have as many Spanish members as possible. We're not sure how long they've been going, but they obviously have a very active membership - not to mention sharing and working on Facebook, setting up websites (they have two: www.gatosdelalinea.com/ and www.elgatoandaluz.com/, though probably one of them is historical rather than updated) and using them, etc. etc. Of course, everything's in Spanish.

Over 3000 rally to demand completion of hospital

Meeting in the square

LA LÍNEA Over three thousand people attended a rally yesterday evening near the old hospital then marched to the main square, Plaza de la Constitución, to demand completion of the new hospital, work on which has been stopped for a year (Our item here). Heading the march were numerous mothers with prams, plus members of the Multiple Sclerosis in wheelchairs, as well as organizers belonging to the Plataforma en Defensa del Hospital. Present, too, were several area politicians, including Mayors Gemma Araujo (La Línea), Guillermo Ruiz (Jimena) and Juan Casanova (Castellar). These three municipalities are the most impacted by the lack of an up-to-date hospital that was announced several years ago and is at the 'skeleton' stage of construction. One comment from a demonstrator: "The politicians are eating it (the money) all up and then tell us there's no funding for it. How can they start something with a full budget, and then say there's no more money?"

Demonstration against work stoppage at hospital planned for April 25

(Photo: europasur.es)

LA LÍNEA The pressure group calling for work on the hospital to be finished, Plataforma en Defensa del Hospital, has called for a demonstration on Thursday, April 25, starting at 7.30 pm 'to give people the chance to come after work'. The organizers are expecting attendance from the area's political parties, politicians, consumer organizations and the general public from places such as Jimena and Castellar, from where many patients are derived to the current hospital in La Línea, which is in a 'neglected and ruinous state'. (The health service of Andalucía allows a choice of hospital and surgeons from within it, so many people choose the Punta de Europa hospital in Algeciras instead.) The demo will begin at the municipal hospital to avoid traffic cuts on Menéndez Pelayo Avenue in case of emergencies, and will walk along Gómez Ulloa, Gibraltar, Mateo Inurria and Clavel Streets to the main square, Plaza de la Constitución. The Plataforma's next meeting is on April 1 at 6.30 pm to continue plans for the demo itself and spreading information about it.

Did the earth move for you last night? (There was an earthquake!)

Jimena slept right through it

At 4.11 am and at 4.8 on the Richter scale

ANDALUCÍA / Jimena From what we gathered this morning, not many people felt it the earthquake that took place some 46 kilometres underground. The epicentre was located northeast of Jimena de la Frontera and was felt as far away as Cádiz, Málaga and Sevilla, though there are no reports of damage. Residents of Arriate, Manilva and Estepona, all in Málaga province, as well as in La Línea de la Concepción, did report feeling the earth 'move'. The 112 emergency number registered some ten calls on the subject. The media in Andalucía had full reports, to which the vast majority of Jimena residents, including Prospero, woke this morning to hear about it.

Sewage dumped out to sea - again

(Photo: europasur.es)

Pollution has been going on for years

LA LÍNEA The sewage outlet on the Poniente beach (the Western one) has once again seen to be dumping sewage into the sea. The matter was raised by local residents, who complained about an 'unendurable' smell. They also pointed out that this offered a very bad image as the promenade area is the major access to the town. This is nothing new, of course, as La Línea's sewage system is notoriously deficient and has been for years, with spillages not only at the Poniente beach, but also at Levante and El Burgo, all of which have outlets. The beaches are frequently closed in the summer, although they are usually blocked up to avoid the problem during the high season.

La Línea police patrol on foot because their only vehicle is broken down

Patrolling on foot
(Photo: europasur.es)

LA LÍNEA Members of the Policía Nacional patrolling the match between Division B clubs Real Balompédica and la Unión Deportiva Melilla yesterday were unable to do so other than on foot. They were also unable to carry their riot gear, also because the only vehicle available to them is broken down and has been for two weeks. Apparently, the central police authorities have yet to approve its repair or substitution, let alone put more vehicles into service. Fortunately there were no incidents to report.

La Línea plans nudist beach

(Illustration only)

LA LÍNEA Earlier this month, a plenary session of La Línea's Council voted on several regulations that should come into force this summer. One of these was the proposal that the beach at Torrenueva should be open to nudists. The matter -and others- was approved temporarily with all parties, except the PP, voting in favour. Another point debated but not on the agenda was the fact that La Línea owes €39million in taxes and Social Security payments. The frontier town continues to spiral downwards financially - nudist beaches may not be the solution, though. (Comment over coffee this morning: "They'll be swimming over in droves from Gibraltar, then.")

Environmentalists warn that La Línea City Port will affect the western beaches

Illustration used at presentation
the project

LA LÍNEA At an estimated investment of €40m, the La Línea City Port project has been on the books for some time as a port for mega-yachts and cruise ships. Plans are at the objection stages at present. Verdemar-Ecologistas en Acción (V-EA), the environmentalist pressure group, and Alcaidesa, the development that would be right up against the projected port, are both objecting on environmental grounds, as well as practical. V-EA alleges that the sands on the western side of the town could be displaced, causing erosion and detriment to fishing grounds. The also allege that the plans do not include any corrective measures against this possibility, which would be within the San Felipe dyke. For its part, Alcaidesa says that the projects leans too heavily on its own development at Alcaidesa Marina. Once the allegations have been studied, the project goes on to consideration by the Administration Council of the Algeciras Bay Port Authority. And then it has to be financed ...

Abandoned, starving mare's owner is denounced

(Photo: europasur.es)

She was feeding a foal somewhere · Couldn't walk, hobbled

LA LÍNEA Prodean, the animal rescue centre, last week denounced the owner of a mare that appeared the week before at their gates. She was malnourished and hobbled. As she couldn't stand, the firefighters had to be called in to hoist her into the centre. She was probably also breast feeding a foal, which did not appear at the same time. The centre's vet decided that the animal was in pain, having probably been beaten with a metal object and may have had her hip broken as she had trouble staying upright.. The hobble had bitten into her skin and she had been that way for some time. Ana Borrallo, representing Prodean, said that it was decided to put her down. "It was very sad," she said. "We hope the owner is found (she was chipped) and punished." This is not an uncommon thing: horses are abandoned frequently. It is essential that the matter be reported to the Servicio de Protección de la Naturaleza de la Guardia Civil (Seprona), so they can act.

'Honour' among thieves and smugglers

Illustration only

LA LÍNEA The vehicles full of contraband tobacco and alcohol were parked in the darker streets of La Línea, but in plain daylight local residents could see  these three men braking to cars and vans to steal the contents. But thanks to citizen cooperation, R.F.S., 23, A.M.C.V., 23, AND J.A.P.G., 27, were arrested on Thursday. A press release from the Police says that it had no notification, no denuncias, on the subject but on investigating several neighbours' reports they realised that the vehicles in question belonged to people from outside the area who left their cars and vans near the frontier with Gibraltar, and came and went with small amounts of contraband. They wouldn't report break-ins because they were engaged in illicit activities. The three are now 'at the disposal of the courts.'

Man tries to close off the frontier in 'personal gesture'

GIBRALTAR Manuel Felipe Cabezón, from Sevilla, yesterday tried to cut off the exit from Gibraltar and was roundly rebuked by Spanish frontier workers. His was a personal gesture, he said, because 'Gibraltar is Andalusian and Spanish.' He was loudly demanding that the frontier be closed, when Manuel Márquez, ACSTEG delegate on the Rock, who had just left work and was headed home, began to rebuke him. There was a fracas that was stopped by the Policía Nacional. Both men were questioned and released but may yet have to appear in court. Márquez has announced that he will be denouncing the Guardia Civil, who also intervened, because 'they threw the flags of Andalucía and Spain to the floor.'

New tobacco regulations to be taken to court

The 'loop' last night
(Photo: europasur.es)

EU and Foreign Ministry to hear protest about border queues

GIBRALTAR The Asociación Sociocultural de Trabajadores Españoles en Gibraltar (Ascteg) announced yesterday that it would be going to court over the matter of the new tobacco allowances and geographical limitations scheduled to be put into effect on January 1. The organization has hired an attorney with accreditation in Spain and Gibraltar to test the constitutionality of the measure announced by Madrid last week. Juan José Uceda, spokesperson for the Spanish workers association, said thatYOU WILL SOON BE UNABLE TO

Arrested for Gibraltar access scam

Ticket not needed

LA LÍNEA (Agencies) A man was arrested on Tuesday for taking €40 from the occupants of a British-registered car queueing to enter Gibraltar. According to the Local Police, who arrested J.L.M., 38, shortly after the incident, he asked the tourists for money to gain access to the Rock, and when he saw a couple of €20 bills in the passenger's hands, he snatched them and ran away. Local Police close by caught up with him and he taken to the National Police station, where the British tourists were filling in the complaints form, and were able to recover their cash. This kind of scam has been going on for many years, although less so now than before. If you know a tourist headed for Gibraltar, warn them that there is no charge for crossing the frontier. (You might want to warn them about 'irregularities' in the queue going in, though.)

Man arrested for posing as dentist and dental technician

Do, itifn't fuddy!

He had been practising for 3 years at his mother's home

LA LÍNEA The National Police recently arrested J.A.M.R., 50, for allegedly practising odontology without a licence. He is charged with swindling. In a press release, the police said that the man had been carrying out his illegal practice for about three years. After receiving a complaint regarding the false dentist and dental technician they investigated and found that his practice was established at his mother's residence, where a sister also lived. He was using a false name, too, and had diplomas and licences in that name hanging on the walls. However, both the Official College of Odontologists and that of  Dental Technicians told the investigators that there was nobody in either the real or the false name registered with them, so that was another reason for the man's arrest. After several weeks' watch, the police obtained a court order to check the premises, all of which led to the man's arrest.

No police control on border queue jumping

(Photo: elpais.com)

Second line gets 'plugged' · Ascteg gets daily complaints

LA LÍNEA Local media are getting an increasing number of complaints about queue jumping on the Spanish side of the frontier, a fact confirmed by Ascteg the Spanish workers organization in Gibraltar, which gets complaints every day. An article in Europa Sur this morning has several drivers complaining that cars keep trying to jump the queue headed for Gibraltar. To do so, they have to be allowed in on the lane to the right, which is rarely immediate and therefore 'plugs' the lane that is not headed for the Rock. Yesterday, the queue was all the way up Avenida Príncipe de Asturias, and there were several incidents between drivers of one or other lane, none of which, fortunately, went beyond a lot of swearing. According to the Ascteg spokesperson, Juan José Uceda, "there are measures that could be taken to make it easier, but there appears to be no interest at the Town Hall." One of these, he says, would be police presence at peak times.