“My mother already told me not to get involved in politics, perhaps to avoid days like these,” declared the councilor of the Socialist group in the City Council of La Orotava, Manuel González, until yesterday, after renouncing his act after 24 years. It was difficult for him to start talking, he confessed that it was difficult, and he was only able to do so motivated by the applause of his colleagues from the Corporation and a ‘come on Manolo’.
The spokespersons of the different groups, Narciso Pérez (CC), Patricia Fernández (PP), and Aida Salazar (Assembly for La Orotava) highlighted their good work, their dedication to the municipality, their constructive spirit, always seeking consensus, without falling into the absurd and unnecessary tension, and prioritizing the interest of citizens, regardless of who governs. It was his group mate María Jesús Alonso who defined him as “a gentleman of politics”, words that minutes later the mayor, Francisco Linares, endorsed.
The municipal councilor recalled that González was not only united by the municipalist but also by organic life given the positions that both held within their political parties. He referred to him as “a man of integrity and a public servant. His background and his way of interpreting public life was always consistent, respectful, I have never seen him disrespecting anyone, with good manners and education. There was no lack of a hug between the two and immediately afterwards, Linares gave him a small gift on behalf of the entire Corporation, a miniature replica of the Town Hall.
Motivated by the accumulation of “a lot of feelings, moments and memories”, the former councilor expressed his gratitude to the neighbors, groups, associations, media, municipal staff and his colleagues.
He especially dedicated a few words to Linares, whom he recognized for having provided the spaces to be able to speak, reach agreements, work in plenary and “lower the temperature when necessary” despite having the absolute majority. “I think I’ve gained a friend, that’s how I regard you,” he told her.
In the session held yesterday, the CC, PP and PSOE approved a budget modification for 2.4 million euros -Assembly for La Orotava abstained- intended to deal with certain events of recent weeks, such as the end of restrictions in the Canary Islands that affects festivals and popular events.
The Councilor for Finance, Felipe David Benítez, detailed the amounts allocated to the main sections or blocks, such as the Fiestas area, given that this year’s budget had not contemplated its celebration with total normality. Thus, 220,000 euros will be allocated to be able to organize all the acts of the major festivals of La Orotava in honor of Corpus Christi, San Isidro Labrador and Santa María de la Cabeza.
Another is the one aimed at increasing the energy cost that the City Council will have to face. So far, the public lighting maintenance concession company has done it and the legal formula is being studied to compensate for this increase with 600,000 euros.
Coinciding with the suspension of the fiscal rules and having no debts and a cash surplus, the municipal government considered allocating another 500,000 euros to deal with the expropriations.
“The El Mayorazgo Sports Complex also continues to suffer the effects generated by COVID-19,” said the head of the Treasury, and this has manifested itself in a reduction of close to 50% in the number of users and subscribers, going from 3,000 monthly to 1,000. Therefore, to cover this deficit and prevent the installation from closing its doors, the Consistory dedicates 275,000 euros to maintaining a service “that provides quality of life to the municipality”.
Finally, it will grant 500,000 euros to the social area thanks to different subsidies that the City Council has received from other administrations, given that the main priority “continues to be to attend to the families that are having the worst time due to the economic situation derived from the pandemic” .
