Sandra Izquierdo has been in charge for six months, a good time to take stock of her municipal management at the head of the areas of Culture, Commerce and Festivities, and politics, given that she has also just been elected secretary of the local PSOE group in Tacoronte, where things have not been exactly easy in the last decade, chaired by two managers and several councilors expelled for disobedience in the 2011-2015 mandates and in the current one.
-Their main objective was that culture and festivals reach all the neighborhoods of Tacoronte. Are you getting it?
“I think so, but it is also true that much remains to be done. I came to work in a field with many political difficulties and in which the resources and means that I have are scarce. Even so, I am taking culture to those corners of the municipality that have always felt that their City Council lives with its back to them. A simple example is the neighborhood stories project. The free plays that we have been celebrating, many of them have been on the stage of the old Medina cinema, in Agua García, in the upper part of the municipality. And right now we are carrying out a Dance of the Ribbons workshop in all the schools -a tradition rescued from oblivion-, so that boys and girls learn about their intangible heritage”.
-How have these areas changed since you are in charge?
“It would not be the most suitable to make that analysis and it would not be objective when making that balance. But many people tell me that, for the first time in many years, culture is being visible in Tacoronte, with projects that have been pioneers at the regional level and have crossed the local border. In several commercial campaigns I have traveled from end to end of the municipality to introduce myself to each small business owner and listen to their demands and concerns. This, I think, had never been done before. Last November we celebrated the first Historical Novel festival in the Canary Islands, with nationally renowned writers, and, a few days ago, we launched the first day dedicated to animation, with voice actors recognized throughout the country”.
-Will the Historical Novel Festival be resumed in October?
“Of course! It was a complete success and was very well received. I am very satisfied. It will resume at the end of October or beginning of November.
-Is Tacoronte a municipality that is committed to culture?
“Yes, at least right now. A municipality without culture dies and the administrations must get it into their heads that culture is not an expense, but an investment that enriches all areas across the board. In this sense, my commitment is to return Tacoronte to the place it deserves. I have several projects planned that I hope will see the light soon. The Culture area is generating expectations for the good, it is a very rewarding sector”.
-Is it so difficult to reactivate the La Estación area?
“It may be difficult, but not impossible. It must be done through campaigns, dynamization and promotions. The recent Mother’s Council initiative has been to the liking of merchants. Both these and consumers must be motivated and I will work directly with merchants on strategies that help improve economic activity”.
-She has just been elected secretary of the local PSOE. How was this process after the convulsive years lived in the group with a manager?
“It was a great day, because a cloudy stage of the game in Tacoronte was left behind to begin another looking to the future and not to the past. With my arrival at the secretariat and the entry of a new executive, an extraordinary situation with a manager ends, in which the militants take back the reins of the group. It is necessary to heal the wounds that the Tacorontero socialists have and it is a duty of the representatives to live up to what the citizens expect, the militancy, work in dialogue and respect for the organization that we represent. In groups there are always power struggles and egos and only if we put them aside will we find the answers to resolve the conflicts or disagreements that arise. Without that, there is neither listening nor dialogue, nor is there any intention of fixing things, only of winning. I firmly believe that the success of the PSOE in Tacoronte will depend on teamwork. My team has the doors open for anyone who comes to add and work. And I make a warning to sailors: it matters very little who wears the medals, you have to walk the street and be humble. Without that, you don’t get anywhere.”
