Bullets from the Bulletin

June 1988 - The first edition sets out the objectives of the proposed Association of  Foreign Property Owners in Javea.

August 1988 - If you pay your rates in Javea this is how your  money is spent. The information supplied by the Townhall does not give many details of the proposed expenditure but shows that 47.8% of the proposed total expenditure of Pesetas 828m. would be for roads, development and infrastructure. The Town Treasurer is quoted as saying that there is no need to borrow as the problem of Javea unlike other municipalities is not how to get funds but how to spend and invest properly all our money! (Comment: This is far different from the problem in 2009.)

Sept 1989 - Further progress on Municipal Swimming Pool. Provincial Government to be asked to include the cost of heating and covering the pool in its budget provision. (Comment: All a bit premature as it still has not been built!)

October 1990 - Plans submitted for Javea airport. (Comment: A flight of fancy that did not get off the ground!) 

March 1991 - Spain passes law to deprive foreigners of their voting rights. (Comment: Incidentally later that year a JICS member got a reply from Mrs. Thatcher's office saying that her government did not favour British residents voting in Spain.) Postal Service to be transformed. (Comment: The Bulletin got it right but fifteen years ahead of the event!)

May 1991 - Javea Golf Club gets local go-ahead for expansion. (Comment: Another unfulfilled dream!)

June 1991 - Just short of overall control. At the Municipal elections in May the foreigners had no vote and the Partido Popular led by Juan Moragues won 8 of the 17 seats. The Bulletin considered that as Mayor he would bring business thinking to the Townhall. (Comment: His first major act was to order the closure of Mercadona for various planning irregularities. He later changed his mind - no doubt for business reasons!)

August 1992 - (1) Residencias become less complicated and (2) Fire engine for Javea. (Comment: It was to be housed near the Portal de Clot but it never arrived;! Luckily the Germans / Swiss came to the towns aid.)

February 1993 - Butano Bottle Shock Alarms Users. (Comment: Apparently they were not electrified however it was rumoured that it was illegal to carry them in a car!)

June 1993 - Arenal to be improved. (Comment: This could be said every month up to 2009!)

December 1993 - Rubbish Stalemate. The  promised processing plant still as far away as ever. (Comment:  Well certainly  the promise was not  fulfilled before 2008 in any case!)

October 1994 - Council rejects increased Rates values. In the light of a deluge of complaints from ratepayers the revisions of the valor catastral were dropped by the Council. (Comment: Surely such a fiasco could never occur again in Javea!)

December 1994 - Moving the dead is new project. (Comment  It seems as though the Townhall had found  at last some victims who would not protest!)

June 1995 - Alcalde still not chosen - At the May Municipal Elections the PP won 8 of the 17 seats and after some debate Juan Moragues remained Mayor. The PP promises for the next four years include:- a town hospital, a direct link to the A-7, completion of the new Arenal promenade, a new town auditorium and building an underground carpark in the Market Square. (Comment: Judging by the progress made up till now I think they must have meant 40 years not 4! )

August 1995 - (1) Salt Water Threat AMJASA warns that water levels have decreased and  the water supply may contain high levels of salt. (2) ETA  Terrorists Target Javea. (Comment: Danger of rubbing salt into our wounds?)

September 1996 - Four additional  Councillors for Javea. Despite the refusal of many foreigners to register, the Padron had increased to 21,500 entitling the Town to have 21 councillors at the next election.

December 1996 - Water company admit losing half their water through leaks and theft. (Comment: I always thought paying water rates was money down the drain!)

To see Bulletins 1997 - 2004 click next.