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Issue 570
Taxing times Nueva Javea spokesman Paco Catala speaks out about the burden of another jump in property taxes – the fifth annual rise – in a Marina Alta town.
PAGE 5
Safari park closes
NORTH EDITION
17 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2010
Jack Troughton reports on the sad news that last Friday the gates to El Vergel Safari Park were closed and visitors turned away... p7
Power to the people
Consul offers advice in Lliber
British Consul Paul Rodwell visited Lliber this week and met with members of the campaign group Abusos Urbanisticos Lliber No (AULN) about the 300 illegal homes and the impending fraud case. • p3
No reservations
Jack Troughton reports on holidaymakers who, despite risking a hefty €600, fine are still laying a claim to the front line on beaches. • p5
by Jack Troughton
Purchase in Spain English and Spanish Solicitors Marc White and Carlos Baos provide general guidelines and steps to consider and take into account for anyone interested in purchasing a second-hand property. • p29
Growing autumn and winter vegetables Clodagh and Dick Handscombe continue with their helpful hints and information for your gardens in Spain • p46
Society golf: casual or formal?
Noel Eastwell’s weekly column this week asks the question of Golf Societies: Should you form a constitution and run things formally? • p63
See page 17
Bruce Willis snapped leaving his trailer
Bruce Willis filming on coast A-LIST ACTOR Bruce Willis was snapped leaving his trailer in the rear of a luxury limo heading for the film set of the action thriller The Cold Light of Day in Moraira this week. A member of Hollywood’s elite, he is starring in the joint United States and Spanish production with Sigourney Weaver and Henry Cavill. Turn to page 6 for the full story.
CAMPAIGNERS PLANNING to give expats a real voice in Spain have produced a simple guide to getting onto the electoral roll – and to the ballot box in next May’s local elections. European residents are being targeted with easy-to-follow instructions on how to get their names on the town hall register – the Padron – and the electoral roll, the Censo Electoral. People need to sign on both lists to have a vote and non-Spanish residents must also sign and return a declaration of their intention to vote by a deadline before polling day to be issued with a voting card. The campaign is non-political and leaflets in a number of languages are being distributed by volunteers and social groups along the Costa Blanca, while laminated posters carrying the information will be posted at key points. It was estimated that in the 2007 local elections something
like 80 percent of EU nationals living in Alicante Province did not vote – some because they were not on the Padron and thus not on the Censo Electoral. And residents are assured that the Padron is not a Big Brother type means of vigilance by the state but a head count – any information is covered by data protection laws – and a way of funding town halls by central government in Madrid. By signing on the Padron, individuals are complying with legal requirements, helping improve local services, and giving them access to benefits such as social care, while allowing them to carry out a number of administrative tasks – such as enrolling children at school or buying a car. Even if a person is on the Padron they must separately join the Censo Electoral to get a vote- but both tasks can be completed during the same visit to the town hall. Continued on page 3