Questions from the Audience
First debate between Mayoral Candidates organised by Xàbia Via, April 2011- Part 2 - questions from the audience. The video of this part of the debate is embedded at the bottom of this page.
From Xabia al Día: http://www.xabiaaldia.es/especial_elecciones_2011/los_candidatos_se_enfrentan_en_el_primer_debate_de_xabia_viva-4308.html
Q:Do you support the Xàbia port expansion project proposed by the Valencia Government?
Vicente Chorro Centrist-Bloc-
I have made clear from the beginning: The answer is a flat "No", and we are also against a private company making money off the public purse. On the other hand, the coalition supports the use of municipal land at the end of the canal de la Fontana to create a dry dock as the only option to accommodate nautical demands.
José Chulvi (PSPV)
Also against the proposed expansion of Jávea Port, but believes that citizens must sit and discuss what they want for the Port, and how they can improve and adapt it to the best use by fishermen and the general public, and that the Levante jetty should have decent moorings.
Juan Planelles (NJ)
Also positioned against "a project for which we don't know who benefits." A strong advocate for the development of nautical tourism, but only through a project that is "the result of consensus of the people, the people decide which model we want." But not just a port model, but an overall plan for the whole municipality with consensus among everyone without generating conflict. The issue of port must "never again become a weapon to confront the people." As for the Canal de la Fontana, their preferred option is not a dry dock, but an inland marina, like the Nou Fontana.
Oscar Anton (XD)
It is necessary for Xàbia to be able to offer leisure alternatives, so that tourists have a complete range of activities to choose from, for example, sailing and golf. XD is Against the expansion proposed by the Generalitat Valenciana and in favour of reorganising the port. Believes that we should do so in the context of a joint, non-confrontational vision of the municipality. Also proposed to leave the port for big boats and the Fontana for shallow draft craft and that both mooring areas should be coordinated.
Juan José Castelló (PP)
"No" to Port expansion by the project mentioned and that he has a project for Xàbia so that: "all feel the sea belongs to us" A project to enable the municipality to manage the resources from the Cabo de la Nao, to Cabo de San Antonio directly, promoting the development of nautical tourism, not just for big boats, but also for canoeing and traditional fishing, always with respect for the environment.
Juan Carlos Ortín (UCID)
Citizens must decide "Port or no Port; a consensus through a vote by all the people" In favour of "adapting and adjusting" the port, but "without destroying the coast or landscape"
There will be more work if the port is re-organised. The port needs to be re-organised, but always with the permission of the people. We all want Xàbia first and to be a citizen of the first."
Jaume Ivorra (ERPV)
The port is a fishing port is because Jávea is a fishing village, but nautical activity must coexist with fishing. Totally against the extension but the regional Government should be required to fix the Levante Sea Wall, and not allow it to degenerate and then present a "saving plan" which would allow the installation of "nautical companies administering revenue for our town. "
At this moment, the PP candidate, José Juan Castelló, left the debate, citing a personal commitment, and was replaced by election campaign organiser, Alicia de Miguel.
Q: What would you do with the Prince of Asturias wall?
José Chulvi (PSPV)
His group has always opposed the wall, "since it was just an outline". The first thing is to determine if it is designated as a Site of Cultural Interest in order to see what can be done with it.
Juan Planelles (NJ)
Against a "fake wall" which has only served to divide people, and believes that if there are remains, we'll see how to value them and study the best way revert this ugly item.
Oscar Anton (XD)
Categorises the wall as "nonsense "and believes it was built only to remove parking spaces. It also reflects that it "is the result of a policy that works in one direction, without listening to the people."
Alicia de Miguel (PP)
It is a disgrace what has been done in the Old Town, and together with (poor) access, dirty pavements and sharp curbs, trade has diminished. They intend to use European funds to revitalize the Old Town.
Juan Carlos Ortín (UCID)
That wall is an eyesore that has been prefabricated with bricks and stones. The Old Town is very badly done.
Jaume Ivorra (ERPV)
Commits to study what opportunities there are, and present well argued options through technical reports so that the citizens can decide.
Vicent Chorro (Centrist Bloc-)
Asserted that to him Xàbia is more agreeable now than four years ago, because of the wide pavements and pedestrian zones, and that "the only ugly things are cars". He also apologized that the project came from the regional Government.
Q: What steps will you take to communicate and integrate all citizens?
(Question by a British citizen in Castilian, Welsh and English.)
Juan Planelles (NJ)
All citizens, wherever they are, are equal to xabieros and we must recognize and acknowledge the economic, social and human contribution of foreigners, making them participants.
Oscar Anton (XD)
We have an historic opportunity to seize the city's multicultural character, the experience of residents who have come to live here to achieve a cultural fusion. He proposed the creation of a resident's council.
Alicia de Miguel (PP)
The PP party has a inclusive and participatory project. Jávea has enormous potential. So one must work to increase everything related to cater to any citizen, and cited the 5% of PB as an example of the integration of all citizens.
Juan Carlos Ortín (UCID)
We are all citizens, all are equal, and we must share our cultures. Also, the group has a website in various languages where foreigners can leave their opinions.
Jaume Ivorra (ERPV)
Xàbia has a language and a culture that can be used to communicate with everyone, and although we defend our language and our culture, everyone is entitled to express their language and culture".
Vicent Chorro (Centrist Bloc-)
(In Valenciano) "I do not think anyone has to feel different, and we treat everyone equal to ourselves. His group is making great efforts to integrate the residents, especially at school level, but it is difficult and acknowledges that there are too many ghettos, as he would like residents to ask for even more integration.
José Chulvi (PSPV)
Feels "proud to live in a town with about 90 nationalities," but stressed that rather than integration, we should talk of participation - enable the foreigners to participate in the daily life of of the town; culture and sports. In this sense, rather than a specific council to deal with foreigners, the commitment was for all departments to attend people in in several languages.
Q:What would you do with the windmills?
Oscar Anton (XD)
Exploit the local heritage to boost Xàbia's tourist attraction. It is important to restore the mills and inject value as has been done in other municipalities.
Alicia de Miguel (PP)
The PP plan is to catalogue and preserve the heritage. This infrastructure must be strengthened to compete and attract quality tourism. They know how to apply for grants which will restore these relics.
Juan Carlos Ortín (UCID)
The party has a project to restore the windmills and all our monuments. We have to be beggars, accustomed to ask. Heritage is the elixir of the people and must be preserved as if it were our own life.
Jaume Ivorra (ERPV)
Believes in the importance of recovering the artistic heritage, to give a value to tourism and it is important to learn to "appreciate our past to go forward." The church of San Bartolomé should also be recouped.
Vicent Chorro (Centrist Bloc-)
They intended to install the mill machinery in the next legislature, had asked for grants, then signed agreements and hadn't been given the grant, citing the commitment of the Regional Government and Caja Madrid to restore the church. Xàbia is long forgotten, especially by the Generalitat Valenciana."
José Chulvi (PSPV)
There is no excuse for not having completed the mill, as it could have done with the money of Plan E, which, however, has been used for pipes. He complained about how little has been restored, leaving half behind, as is the case of the Arnaud riuriau, which has only half a roof. The church, with or without subsidy is the Town's.
Juan Planelles (NJ)
Encouraged "Xàbia Viva", which had restored one of the mills, to keep goading the politicians and citizens, and lamented the state of the church and Central Cinema, which is also is falling apart. It is being used as a municipal warehouse, and nothing has ever been done to restore it. The NJ did not believe we have to be beggars, but we are the ones who should put value on our heritage, and let's start with the Old Town, which is the prettiest of the Marina Alta.
Note: Ciudadanos por Jávea was not involved in the debate, but afterwards had these words to say: "We were not in the debate, but we did ask questions. The candidate Juan Ortolà thinks all areas of the Town Hall are important, but you have to optimize resources. The mayor must earn between 3,000 € and 3,500 € per month and must have at most 6 persons of trust (grace and favour appointees) "among all." Favours the reorganization of the port, no longer supports port expansion because there inadequate access to the urban centre. "