• Català
  • Castellano
  • English

Newspaper library

Sewer drainage pipe overflow “a tremendous threat to Formentera's brand of tourism”

bartomeu escandel 240615Acting as spokesman to the Formentera Council cabinet, Bartomeu Escandell appeared before the public this morning to explain details behind the effluent overflows that took place Tuesday on the Formentera coastline. According to Escandell, the spillage—currently believed to have originated at the drainage pipe of the island's water treatment plant and provoked by the Stad Amsterdam watercraft—represents a “great threat to our way of life here on Formentera; a founding principle of tourism here is our crystalline waters”.

Escandell asserted: “Our demand that the Govern Balear accept responsibility for ensuring the proper functioning of both the treatment plant and drainage pipe in a way that takes into account the particular circumstances of the island” dates back “to well before our administration took office eight years ago; this is a demand first cast by preceding administrations”. The CiF spokesman affirmed that the issue would be at the top of the Council's list of priorities once the cabinet of the 2015 legislature is formed.

According to Escandell, Abaqua—the company contracted to manage the sewage treatment plant—has promised to send technicians to the island in the coming days to evaluate conditions at the facility.

Desalination plant resumes operations

Another question taken up this morning by Councillor Escandell was the proper working order of the Formentera desalination plant: “Two issues made waves on the island yesterday. One was the sewage pipe spillage and the other stemmed from failures at the seawater desalination facility, which have meant we've produced much less water than what we're consuming”.

On the heels of a meeting with desalination plant technicians from the Cadagua company and environmental councillor Daisee Aguilera, Escandell asserted: “The issue has been resolved. The equipment failures are being dealt with and between today and tomorrow the plant will regain its normal levels of output”.

The CiF spokesman asked the entire population of the island “to make a serious effort to reduce water consumption”, reminding residents that “this year, as in the two years past, we are in the middle of a severe dry spell which is effecting shortages in both the rural and urban zones of Formentera”.

CiF aims to cut scooter spills this summer with anti-skid asphalt

rotondes 230615The Council of Formentera has overseen the application of a layer of anti-slip asphalt at six of the seven local roundabouts—the two in Es Pujols, two in Sant Ferran and the two new roundabouts in Sant Francesc Xavier.

Coatings of slurry—the technical appellation of the substance—, while already applied across the principal segments of the main highway, are still missing from portions of road affected by the most recent projects to construct roundabouts.

For this reason “and faced with the imminent spectre of the summer high-season months, during which time vehicle traffic in general (and scooter traffic in particular) experiences a surge, the Council has decided to apply this anti-slip material”, explained Rafael González, councillor of infrastructure and transport of the Formentera Council.

“The goal of the action”, explained the councillor, “is to minimise the risk that scooter drivers fall at roundabouts”. Application of the road safety measure at the six island roundabouts cost the Council 50,000 euros.

Rafael González added that the end of June had been chosen for the road coating project because “temperatures at this time allow for the optimal transport of this material to Formentera” and apologised to any drivers inconvenienced by the activity.

Hall of ceremonies at the Formentera Day Centre to host inauguration of incoming CiF legislature

fi legislatura2011This Friday 12 June marks the end of the 2011-2015 legislative session of the Formentera Council ('Consell de Formentera' or 'CiF'). Then—as per the elections held 24 May—Saturday at 12 noon, an inaugural ceremony will make official the formation of the new Formentera Island Council.

The event will be held in the hall of ceremonies of the Formentera Day Centre, the title deeds of which came into the hands of the Council two months ago. The decision to hold the inauguration in the hall—a spacious, well-lit space at the ground floor level of the day centre—was based on the jump this year from 13 to 17 councillors along with the fact that the CiF inaugural ceremony is typically heavily-attended by municipal authorities, agents of the media and the general public.

The function will begin with the appointment of members of the interim bureau and move on to an examination of member credentials. Next, the ceremony will proceed to the formal appointment of the new local councillors, and immediately following, the election to the Formentera Council of a president. The person selected for this position will close the ceremony with a speech.

Jaume Ferrer introduces new coalition cabinet

politics 2015This Monday morning in the plenary hall of the Formentera Council, Jaume Ferrer put before the public the component members of his administration. Ferrer spoke of his satisfaction “with the talent, strong work ethic and mix of experience and new blood that marks this government”.

CiF president Ferrer named Susana Labrador Manchado councillor of culture, education and patrimony. Ferrer referred to Labrador's undergraduate degree in chemistry, graduate studies in early-childhood education and “the kind of familiarity that comes with years of work in Formentera's different nursery schools ('escoletes') and parent teacher associations”.

President Ferrer designated Bartomeu Escandell Tur councillor of the presidential cabinet, tax office and rural areas. With a degree in business administration and management, Escandell was lauded for what Ferrer called “a crucial role over the last two legislative sessions”. Ferrer called upon Councillor Escandell to provide “the same sharp judgement that the councillor had demonstated until present”.

Next, President Ferrer introduced Alejandra Ferrer Kirschbaum as his government's councillor of territory and tourism. In the words of the Council president, Ferrer Kirschbaum—herself a member of the island's community of business owners—“is doted with a strong work ethic and razor-sharp clarity of ideas”.

The incoming councillor of infrastructure and transport: Rafael González Ribas, civil and public works engineer. Ferrer underscored the “great talent and knowledge” of a person he described as “young and full of energy”. According to Ferrer, González's appointment is one of several that “represents this ideal of change spoken about during the campaign. We want the public works projects on the island to strengthen every part of Formentera that sets us apart”.

Vanessa Perellada Torres, a graduate in psychology, was announced as the newest appointment to the position of councillor of social welfare and human resources. Ferrer referred to Perellada's commitment to assuring “not a single person is left behind” as well as his conviction regarding Perellada's expert command of an office where she herself worked.

The latest appointment to the position of environmental councillor: graduate in marine biology Daisee Aguilera Fletcher. According to President Ferrer: “Daisee has shown herself to be committed to the environment in general and a devout supporter of Formentera's natural spaces in particular”. The president added that the incoming councillor “demonstrates a thorough knowledge of issues related to the sea and notably our local treasure, posidònia seaweed”.

The Council head went on to introduce Jordi Vidal Marí as the island's newest councillor of sport. A graduate in physical therapy, osteopath and “a person versed in the field because—whether as a member of the Societat Esportiva Formentera ('el Espalmador'), the local judo club or our celebrated surf group, el Club de Surf Formentera—he himself has formed an integral part of it”.

The CiF president named Sònia Cardona Ferrer councillor of community involvement. In the words of President Ferrer, “Sònia Cardona has got a charisma and experience that make her the ideal person to lead a field we hope gains momentum during this legislature”.

Ferrer explained that the work of the different offices would be coordinated by three separate vice-presidential positions. The first of the three divisions is 'Serveis a les Persones' (known previously as social services) and will be headed by Susana Labrador. The second division, overseen by Bartomeu Escandell and initially comprising centralised services, the tax office, rural areas and community involvement, will also englobe local safety and emergency services. Finally, the third division—territory—comes under the authority of Alejandra Ferrer.

This Sunday, theatre and music for kids 0 to 3

bitels petitsThe Formentera Council's office of culture has scheduled for this Sunday 14 June three different sessions of the production “Bitels per a nadons” (Beatles for babies), a tribute to the mythical band of British rockers that is tailored specially for children ages 0 to 3. The shows take place at 12:30, 1:30 and 5 p.m.

Bitels per a nadons, put on by the Petita Malumaluga theatre company, is one of the most ambitious productions of its kind to be released in recent years. The particular set-up was conceived to allow children in the audience to come to the stage and move freely about whilst the concert—performed against dazzling set design and complete with sophisticated musical arrangements—continues its course.

More Articles...

Page 10 of 138

10