I would like to start with the proverb that, ´people in glass houses shouldn’t undress with the light on´.
By the same token charities of any kind should be completely transparent and open to public viewing (after all that’s where the majority of money comes from).
You will see in the letters section that one of the vice presidents of a local charity took exception to my observations of an article she wrote, about the charity, that I thought contained an important mistake and omission.
I stand by what I wrote and despite her attempt to do the ´sloping shoulders act´ and claim that I was ´attacking´ the charity itself I think the boss has answered things adequately.
I trust this is the end of this episode.
Ex-Empress Marg of Calvia update.
The first of 7 cases against her has opened. This is the small matter of corruption regarding her involvement in the purchase of some land by her ex hubby- will keep you informed.
I’ll bet the local committee involved in the unsuccessful bid for the America’s Cup are still feeling sore about things.
No 1.3 billion Euros to take a few percent here and there in that familiar local fashion...ooow the pain!
Now lighten up!
A Sunday League football team made up from a team of workers from a factory is desperate for players. So desperate in fact that one Sunday they are forced to play a chicken on the left wing.
Rather surprisingly the chicken has a brilliant first half. One minute it´s clearing off its own line, the next threading the perfect through ball, the next putting in a perfect cross.
At half time all its team-mates are very pleased and everyone runs back onto the pitch for the second half.
On the way the ref starts chatting with the chicken.
"Great first half mate, you must be really fit".
"Thanks", replied the chicken, "I try to keep myself fit but its difficult
finding the time so I try to do an hour in the gym each morning before work".
"What do you do then?" asked the ref.
"I´m a chartered accountant,” replies the chicken.
At this point the ref immediately brandishes the red card and sends the chicken off. The bemused team-mates gather round the ref and start complaining.
"Sorry lads", says the ref, "I had no choice - professional fowl"
Now then here’s a warning that you should heed.
Yes, I appreciate that 50 feels very slow going down the Paseo Maritimo but get your boot off the loud pedal because the friendly ´boys in blue´ have come up with a real money-spinner and put up extra speed cameras that will take a nice snap of your number plate as you whizz by.
Ouch! The minimum fine is 300 Euros (with of course the usual 30% discuenta if you cough up within 15 days).
And here’s another tip, this time quite positive.
If your thinking of buying a new fridge or heating system the local council for commerce, industry and energy is actively motivating you to buy an energy efficient piece of kit.
You can get details from the main banks that are collaborating with the government but alas the only leaflet I could find is in Catalan. Ask your friendly English-speaking manager or teller for info.
They are giving away (whilst the budget lasts) from 90 to 120 Euros if you go for the most energy efficient systems.
Further to last month’s front page story about the imminent implementation of the law for obligatory holding tanks etc. I had a chat with the boss of one of the biggest brokers on the island.
He tells me that although the legislation does not, at this present time, include non-Spanish flagged yachts (except those used as charter boats which come within Spanish legislation) all the new- builds coming to them will have holding tanks fitted.
I agree with him that not only is it surely only a matter of time before the legislation encompasses ´all yachts in Spanish waters´, and it is morally correct to do all we can to keep the waters clean.
In cold economic terms it’s far cheaper to have the systems fitted in the factory whilst building than reto-fitting them.
We also agreed on something else relating to this type of legislation drumming up some extra business for the local marine service companies, ´every **rd has a silver lining´!
Recently the boss wrote to the Daily Bull**** whinging that he couldn’t understand why the British public seemed to be dead against identity cards.
Apart from terrorism, crime and such like he suggested that it might offer some ammo against the hordes of professional scroungers that have sneaked into good old blighty!
Here’s a most recent example of their style:
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a National Lottery winner after he allegedly continued to claim benefits for three years after his jackpot.
Satish Patel, 53, a father of two, is said to have illegally claimed £15,000 in income support after winning more than £1.5 million.
He was due to appear at Marylebone magistrates´ court, central London, on six specimen charges of making a false declaration but failed to turn up.
Mr Patel, who kept his win secret, lives with his wife in a council flat in Ladbroke Grove, west London, but was reported to be in India.
Come back Enoch Powell!
Thank god I’m not a yacht skipper who is bombarded with reams of Marine Guidance Notes´ from the MCA.
Recently I was given one (MGN 222 (M+F) to be precise that gives instructions regarding the, ´Use of barbeques (BBQs) and pig roasts on ships and fishing vessels´.
And whatever you do don’t forget that,
´The disposal of waste must be handled in accordance with the Garbage Management Plan as set down in MSN 1720 and the Merchant Shipping (prevention of Pollution by Garbage) Regulations 1998 (SI 1998 / 1377)´.
I appreciate the sentiment but aren’t there more important things to be considering and churning out paperwork for?
There seems to be a flurry of seat changing at the top of Dahm International with the rapid departure of the recently joined Michael Domecq.
Er..um.. I wonder if this is the same chap who has been indicted on six counts including conspiracy, money laundering, mail order fraud and income tax evasion by the US Manhattan federal court for, ´participating in a scheme to divert more than $14 million from Domecq Importers Inc. to a personal offshore bank´?
Oh dear!
Merry Christmas and all that humbug!