Carnival: first assessment

Fat Monday is a day that always generates very unique sensations. The day is right in the middle of the two parades, the ripe occasion to comment the parades of the previous day at our home, work or at any commercial establishment. It is the moment in which people from Sitges make their initial assessment and review the development of parades, the street environment, weather conditions, the level of the costumes or the skills of King Carnival or Queen Carnival. It is a clear sign that the carnival is part of our DNA as a community, and plays a key role in the social fabric of our town. It is a demonstration that Sitges still is and will continue being a town for many years to come, with all positive components that it implies.

This Fat Monday we can make a first assessment of the Parade of Debauchery celebrated yesterday. The Parade was marked by the schedule change that aims to facilitate greater participation and ensure optimum security measures, both for members of the parades, public and neighbors. The reconciliation of interests of so many stakeholders (organizations, groups, people in disguise, security, economic development ...) is not easy and you can't please everybody, but I think that the change will be evaluated as positive and necessary once that enough time has elapsed to pass judgment.

The first assessments on the new schedule released today are positive, as it has achieved the end of the parade at a sensible time, with all the favorable thing it implies: more public, better schedule for those working the next day, more movement at the associations and bars once the parade ends, and a optimum global environment for the proper development of the party. However, yesterday the parade showed again one of its eternal problems: too many interruptions, which hurt brilliance and development. This is one of the challenges that must improve in the future.

Reports indicate that the safety measures were developed with absolute normality, without any important incident. Also, the Emergency Medical Service (SEM) showed a lower level of activity than in previous years. The work of professionals and the new measures were decisive in this favorable initial assessment.

The work carried out by organizations and groups also have a crucial importance. We must be grateful, and we must also point out explicitly all their efforts to make everything happen in the best way possible. It is also the case of the groups of His Majesty Carles Torres and Her Majesty the Beautiful Queen, that contributed with their imagination and ingenuity, and also the members of the parades: despite the crisis, despite financial difficulties, our Carnival retains its high level that makes it one of those with largest projection and participation.

AGNES SCHOOL OF SITGES, WE HAVE THE GO AHEAD. Last week, the budgetary approval of La Generalitat (Catalan Autonomous Government) for 2012 brought about an expected and necessary joy in Sitges: the inclusion of a specific entry for the start of construction of the school Agnès de Sitges. The news is not precisely fresh, since the Education Department informed us around Christmas and we announced the news. But in any case, it means the consolidation of the political will of Catalan minister Irene Rigau. She attended the request made by the City Hall of Sitges, endorsed by the encouraging demands made by parents of students at the school, that have been occupying the modules during too many years.

The 600,000 Euros foreseen in the budget of La Generalitat during 2012 will allow the start of the works and will solve a long and complex process which dates back to 2007. The current business year is not ripe for large investments, given the budgetary constraints needed overcome the deficit situation. For this reason, I want to emphasize my gratitude to the Education Department, since the money intended for Agnès de Sitges is part of one of the few investments made in schools during 2012. We must congratulate ourselves for such long awaited news for so many families in Sitges and the entire municipality.

It's Carnival Time

Thursday will be Fat Thursday. It marks the beginning of party time, debauchery and transgression ... but also the beginning of very special and traditional week marked by the ambience generated by groups and societies involved in a festivity marked by civility and "sitgetanisme". Carnival arouses passions, reinforces happiness and reaffirms our sense of community thanks to our groups, societies and the town itself.

This year, Carnival arrives with significant changes, especially in the schedule of parades. The new format is conceived to promote a better development of the festivity, so everybody will be able to enjoy the party more than ever. The new schedule will avoid situations like the meeting of the head and tail of the parade at Cap de la Vila, or that the last groups end past 3 am.

The good work carried out by the Carnival Commission and representatives of organizations have made possible that this festivity, despite the inevitable budget constraints, maintains its splendor and the spirit that have made this event into a manifestation of extraordinary participation. In such a magnificent event, we must highlight the collaboration of law enforcement and safety prevention agencies (Municipal Police, Mossos d'Esquadra, Fire Department, SEM, Red Cross ...) as well as volunteers coordinated by the Department of Customs and Festivals. I want to make a special mention to the sensitivity shown by the Catalan Minister of Interior, Felip Puig. He provided all the security measures needed by the Carnival.

It's Carnival time. This means it is time of Xató. In fact, Xató prepared in Sitges. Today, 13 February, we celebrate the International Day of Xató, a commemoration established by Mayor Pere Junyent in 1996 to celebrate the centenary of the oldest known documented mention of the word Xató. The quote appeared in L'Eco de Sitges referring to a Fat Thursday dinner where there was, among others, Rusiñol, which, according to research, seeing the wonderful plate of salad with cod, tuna and the pumpkin colored sauce said: "it looks like a château!". Good Xató and good Carnival!

Carnival Proclamation
To all people living in Sitges,
The Carnival has arrived, the most crowded festivity of our calendar.
All the inhabitants of Sitges are eagerly waiting for the festival of debauchery. For seven days, we will experience all the fun and festive ambience that conveys the annual Carnival celebration. On 16 February, the arrival of His Majesty Carnival or "Sa Majestat Carnestoltes" in Catalan, accompanied by all his retinue and, together with the Carnival Queen and her entourage, will spread fun to every corner of the town.
Without prejudice to the law regarding opening hours of establishments, the City Council strongly recommends to all the nightlife industry to respect the regulations set forth by the Generalitat (Autonomous Government of Catalonia) in Order 358/2011 governing opening and closing hours. Such a regulation stipulates that all businesses must abide closing times, so that everyone can enjoy the festivity.

From the City Council, we ask not to park any vehicle outside properly marked spaces, to avoid obstructing the course of the Debauchery and Extermination parades. In accordance with regulations related to illegal parking, the City Council will not be liable for any material damage that may occur as a result of Carnival events.

We also recommend that all residents living on the streets following the course of parades (both children and the evening parades), must avoid taking out the garbage Sunday and Tuesday, in order to facilitate the movement of floats. The garbage can also be deposited in waste containers, most of which will be remain open. A recommendation that we extend to all restaurants: they should refrain from removing glass during Sunday and Tuesday of Carnival.

I would like to exhort to all participants to celebrate a civil and respectful Carnival. This year, the Carnival arrives manned by a brand new Commission headed by Isaac Bielsa. I want to thank him and all the people that have helped him in this difficult task. I would like to thank them for all their efforts and dedication dealing with the organization of a festivity, an event that has also suffered the frail economic situation and that will also experience some changes in order to enhance their development.

And I also want to express my gratitude to Sociedad Recreativa El Retiro, Casino Prado Suburense, Grup dels Independents del Carnaval, and to the groups of Poble Sec, Cases Noves and Club Natació for their altruistic efforts that they develop every year just for their love of tradition. I want to thank them for their expertise and for their efforts to maintain and expand a festivity that goes beyond our frontiers.

This year, the main characters of our Carnival, His Majesty Carnival and Her Majesty the Queen of the Carnival, will arrive accompanied by the groups XisPun! and Carnivàlia, and the Queen of the Children will be escorted by the group Fantastik Show. I want to express my deepest thanks to all three.

But the Carnival would not be what it is today without each of the volunteers that help to contribute to make the Carnival one of our main hallmarks, maintaining the uniqueness and quality that has always been a trademark for our Carnival.
Finally, I just want to wish you a happy Carnival, and I also want to encourage all residents and visitors who will gather in Sitges to enjoy all the activities prepared by the Commission. Happy Carnival to all!

The example of volunteers

The Department of Traditions and Festivals of the city of Sitges has created a team of volunteers to collaborate in the organization and development of our festivals. Monday of next week, the Department has convened an open meeting in the Miramar Building to give shape to the joint operation of volunteers for the Carnival. This first group of volunteers will articulate the project, which aims to have its own presence in all the festivals of Sitges.

The proposal takes as its starting point the recent experience of the Three Kings Parade, where volunteers were fundamental to propagate the spirit of celebration among children and adults. Days later, the Half Marathon brought together over 200 people as volunteers. The vitality, energy and human wealth provided by all those inhabitants of Sitges, are now materialized among all those with a strong link with the Cavalcade and the Half Marathon and has left a markedly positive imprint. It is also the case of the Film Festival, which, for years, has volunteers for various departments: projections, public relations, press…

The initiative promoted by the Councillor Magi Almirall has a threefold purpose. First, provide the main festivals of the village with their own human structure vital for its own development. Each Festival is different, both in its magnitude and in the human resources required for their development. But beyond the respective specificities, each event has some common needs in their own support teams, either for their preparation or during implementation. The current economic situation and budget constraints often prevent the replacement of such needs by contracts or resorting to any extra expense. 

Second, volunteers allow and ensure the survival of Festivals despite the crisis, and they also bring a renewed hope that, no doubt, will benefit programs, objectives and implementation in which they collaborate.

Finally, the team of volunteers will strengthen the implementation of social events. Often, some of our most famous and significant festivities base their executive organization on a commission, which also works with the voluntary commitment of its members. This is the case of the Sitges’ Main Festival or the Carnival. It is true that groups or societies involved in festivals have their own structures, composed by a large number of inhabitants of Sitges, which also constitute indirect organizers of the festival, but by broadening the base of support teams of committees, we will approach the genesis and the inside of the festival to a wider range of inhabitants of Sitges.

Catalonia, and our town is a clear example, has a solid tradition in voluntarism. The Olympic Games of 1992 were a clear example of our voluntarism, but different organizations, NGOs or grassroots movements of the Church also have a long history of volunteer work that responds to the commitment and spirit that distinguishes an active and engaged civil society.

AN ABUSIVE TOLL The Municipal Plenary Meeting held yesterday passed a motion approved unanimously by all groups of the municipal council, whose goal is to ask the Government to review the price of the highway toll of Garraf. The construction of the tunnels of Garraf, twenty years ago, was a key factor for the economic development of the region, but the cost involved can not penalize citizens, in this case the inhabitants of Sitges. Every time we make use of the fast highway to Barcelona, we must pay the excessive amount of 6.05 Euros. I can assure you that we will be very firm with our demand, and that we will demand to whoever it may concern a change in this abuse.

Sitges Reference: a ruinous operation

The City Hall of Sitges submitted to the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor all the necessary documentation concerning the process of award, construction and management of the Sitges Reference building. The alleged irregularities that have been committed in this operation, and all the obvious errors in all the planning and management functions of the building, are the main reasons why this sad affair is now a hot item in all the media.

 The building was promoted and built by a company participated by 50% by the City Hall, with the goal of installing business offices in Sitges. The original intention of the initiative was correct, but the process was erratic from the start, both in development and in its subsequent management. Such statements can be highlighted by the fact that no company from Sitges or from outside chose the building to install their operations, among other factors, because the prices offered by the company were much higher those offered by the market (at that time Real Estate had not collapsed yet as in recent months).

 Back in the day, the groups that integrate the current government of the New Majority, back then in the opposition, denounced the relocation of most municipal facilities in the Sitges Reference building just because they did not find any company interested in installing their offices there. Such relocation was carried out under erroneous terms and dismalling economic conditions for the already floundering municipal finances. 

And the City Hall, as a result of this decision, had to assume an absurd and overly exaggerated monthly payment. This decision, taken by the previous municipal government, was the last drop in an endless a chain of planning errors (a flagrant demonstration that the goal of Sitges Reference was never achieved and was a total failure) and a disaster in economic terms (as it meant that the City Council had to pay rent for their own property). Worst of all is that now we're paying the consequences.

 As soon as we could access all information through the municipal company acting as holding company, Sitges Model XXI SA, we could perceive that the confusion did not stop there. The financial audit conducted a few months ago to know in detail the state of municipal finances, their procedures and external reports, detected a budget deviation of 2.3 million Euros in the construction of this building, and a 40% surcharge on the rental agreement signed between the sponsoring company and the city for the employment of space. For these reasons and others that show the disastrous consequences of this operation, the Board of the municipal company Sitges Model XXI SA adopted at its last meeting the decision to submit the project to the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor.

 The Governing Body has kept and maintained throughout this process, an attitude of institutional loyalty and respect for justice in their proceedings. We will not use this issue in a partisan way (if this had been our intention, the process of complaint would have been different), but obviously we will be consistent with our policy of a rational and responsible use of public money.

 The most obvious contrast in comparison with the policy of irrational spending undertaken by the previous Socialist Government was made patent yesterday, with the transfer of the Citizen’s Service Office (OAC) to Carrer Nou, to a building owned by the City Hall that will allow us to save an unnecessary expense.

Tourism: the driving force of our economy

This week, Fitur, the main tourism fair of the State, opens in Madrid. A meeting point for professionals and industry players and a place that gathers businesses, operators, destinations and media specialized in the tourist industry. Sitges will be there. And Sitges will sport its own profile covered by the new Costa de Barcelona trademark, a brand that gathers all tourist destinations near the capital.

The municipal government of Sitges is committed to strengthen its profile and touristic offer, everything included within a framework of quality. From the Municipal Government of Sitges and its Tourist Agency, we have enabled lines of work aimed at strengthening our brand; attract new markets, promoting the position as organizers of conferences and conventions. We also want to take full advantage of the media coverage of the many events organized in our town, like the Film Festival, Carnival and Corpus, among many others.

Tourism is and must remain the driving force of Sitges. For this reason, we must ensure that its development is harmonious, but at the same time equipped with the necessary resources that contribute to their full implementation. In this line, and working together with the Industry, we are exploring all the possibilities that could be beneficial to the municipality. Among the many existing possibilities are the condition of Sitges as cultural capital, the promotion of our festivals and development of senior tourism, strengthening of retail trade or the possibility of turning the port of Vilanova into a cruise destination, a fact that will benefit us directly. The last option is the goal of a project that we have initiated together with the City Hall of Vilanova, and that will be completed by the NodeGarraf Development Agency.

The recent approval of the Costa de Barcelona trademark, in which we are integrated, is destined to become a new driving force for the promotion and development of tourism in our town. Internationally, at fairs and among tourist operator,  the name "Barcelona" is endowed with a special power that will contribute to the promotion and positioning of Sitges. We want to appear under this umbrella. We are already under its cover and, dare I say, Sitges has important prominence which is the result of many years of work, efforts and strategies that have made our town into a first category destination, but we must gain strenght to adapt to changing times.

For this reason, it is essential that the overnight rate, currently under preparation by the Autonomous Government of Catalonia, should have a direct bearing on the finances of tourist municipalities. Sitges, like other towns that attract a large number of visitors, takes care of a package of public services expenditures that must be partially assumed by the users, in this case, the visitors.

L'AGNÈS DE SITGES IS NOW CLOSER. Last week we announced that the Generalitat de Catalunya (Autonomous Government of Catalonia) has agreed to allocate an initial sum of 600,000 Euros for the construction of the school Agnes de Sitges in the budget for 2012, expected to be approved in the coming weeks. With this initial investment, construction could begin this year. We find ourselves at the beginning of the end of the prefabricated modules that have occupied this school during the last seven years. Today, Monday 16 January, I am happy to celebrate this news, an issue that we have dealt directly with the Education Department of the Catalonian Autonomous Government. The same day that we celebrate the 36th anniversary of the school Miquel Utrillo, a major step forward in education during the first years of democracy in Sitges.

Tax Containment

We have just started 2012, and in Sitges, just like in the rest of the country and much of the Western world, the prospects show a difficult year that will require new sacrifices. The situation is critical; therefore, we require measures that are often unpleasant, but necessary nonetheless. However, the municipal government is fully aware of the difficult situation of many families in Sitges that is why we chose to apply a moderate and contained tax policy, right in the middle way of other similar municipalities. In this regard, I will take advantage of my first blog post in 2012 to make different notes and reflections on some of the recent measures.

Property Tax (IBI). Despite the fragile situation of municipal finances, the governing body has rejected the possibility of increasing property tax that would alleviate the debt burden. We understand that doing otherwise would not have been an appropriate measure in the current situation, since it would have hurt even more the pockets of many families.

The only increase in property tax in 2012 was the one corresponding to the CPI adjustment. In this regard, I want to answer some incorrect information and stress that Property Tax (IBI) does not include garbage collection fee: by no means a tax can be charged on another tax. The public should know that the City Hall covers an important part of the garbage collection fee, to avoid citizens from taking the full burden of such a tax.

Moreover, with the aim of fostering civic responsibility, the City Council is preparing a package of subsidies to encourage recycling among citizens. Such subsidies will be announced during the coming weeks. Nurseries. I am fully aware that the situation in such centers is complicated. The wage reductions of workers due to the irregular and irresponsible management of the former government does not foster an ideal working environment, but I want to recognize the professionalism of this team, that despite the sacrifices they have had to make, still maintain their spirit of service.

We were forced to increase fees in those centers because the previous government did not apply the CPI adjustment hike. That is, the fact that fees of nurseries was frozen during recent years, when the dire conditions of our local economy did not advise it, has disguised our update as an increase. However, it should be emphasized that the current prices of municipal nurseries are fully in tune with the rest of the region, and users from Sitges do not pay more than they should. In addition, the City Council of Sitges is ensuring that the13 and 14 educators from our nurseries will remain in the staff, although the ratios of the Catalonian Autonomous Government stipulate 10 workers according to classrooms and children.

EL RUSC. The decision to close the El Rusc Open Centre was motivated by a double cause: first, the authorized undertaking announced the cessation of services, and secondly, the gradual decline of users placed this center at absolutely untenable levels. When the number of users is so low, as was the case of El Rusc, it is difficult to maintain an investment that proved too much for municipal finances. It should be noted here that the services rendered by El Rusc, although not in identical form, can be provided by the toy libraries of Esteve Barrachina and Miquel Utrillo.

In every case, we are dealing here with measures that have a common link: the need to rationalize investments and expenses, and the reduction of the very large debt that burdens our municipal finances. The government of The New Majority, despite atrocious legacy left by the former government, will never abandon its duties and responsibilities. The New Majority will continue their hard work to find the right balance between the gradual recoveries of municipal accounts, while maintaining the necessary services to all the citizens of Sitges.

Looking for new opportunities

We are on the threshold of a new year, a tough and difficult year both from a local and international standpoint. This year, however, we cannot give up and we will need all our physical and mental energy to move forward. The turn of the year does not coincide with a cyclical change, since all forecasts for 2012 indicate that the complicated situation that we experienced in 2011 will stick with us until next year. However, although the picture is markedly difficult, the government of the New Majority will face 2012 with courage and confidence. We know that positive results will come only if we approach our goals with hard work, faith and hope.

2011 was a year of adjustments and sacrifices. From a strictly local perspective, such adjustments were just part of the absolutely essential measures taken by the City Council. The adverse economic legacy we received left us no other possible option if we wanted to maintain the provision of basic municipal services. The frail state of municipal finances is the result of a very irresponsible policy. Such a policy involved spending beyond our means, accumulating an unsustainable debt in the process. As a result of this policy, the adjustments were the only way to save the ship and return to a safe port. This is our bearing and our goal.

However, the last six months of 2011 were also an opportunity for the new municipal government to improve management processes, restore harmony with cultural, social and economic organizations and work on projects and initiatives that will come to fruition during the near future.

In times of restricted investments such as today, it is time to find imaginative ways to get new resources. The Municipal Government is working tirelessly to achieve this goal, and I have no doubts whatsoever those favorable results are around the corner.

This is the line that we are implementing, for example, with the school Agnes of Sitges. We are obtaining the involvement of different organizations to ensure the construction of facilities. Not an easy task, but we are nearer to the goal than a few months ago.

Also, in the field of economic development, 2012 will witness how all the work done in an efficient and constant manner during the closing year will come to fruition. We are working to create ways of collaboration between public and private sectors, to contribute to socio-economic promotion and to the creation of new business opportunities. The success of the meeting with the unemployed, held on 13 December, will be applied to different economic sectors, in order to jointly study and implement measures that promote employment, entrepreneurship and economic opportunities...

In short, 2012 will not witness the solutions for the large amount of problems that have been piling up for years, but present new opportunities for dialogue and confidence in our possibilities. Let's take advantage of those opportunities!
Happy New Year