Train Collision at the Start of the Political Season in Altea

September has not yet begun, and with it, the official start of the political season; however, the prelude experienced between Monday and Tuesday of the last week of August suggests that, at least as far as Altea is concerned, the temperature of public debate is set to rise significantly in the coming months.

The fire was ignited this Monday by Rocío Gómez, spokesperson for the Popular Party, who listed a long series of "open fronts" caused, in her view, by "the lack of dialogue, imposition, and lack of transparency with which the mayor operates," something that has allegedly caused "the discontent of many citizens in the municipality."

Among other things, Rocío Gómez warned that the municipality could see residents from one of its most populated areas, Altea Hills, open a legal front after expressing their intention to file a lawsuit against the City Council "for malfeasance and ecological crime, for doing nothing to prevent a daily loss of between 55% and 65% of potable water despite warnings from residents, failing to carry out necessary infrastructure work and restricting water use in that area." In this regard, Gómez emphasized that "Compromís claims to be an ecological party only in words because when it comes to demonstrating it through actions and management, they sit on their hands."

According to the PP spokesperson, this is also evident with "the staunch commitment to concrete and cement instead of green areas by both Infrastructure Councillor Aurora Serrat and Mayor Diego Zaragozí."

In the opinion of the spokesperson for the main opposition party in Villa Blanca, the government team "has already executed a new promenade characterized by concrete dunes without listening to anyone, and this is now being demonstrated again on Avenida Comunidad Valenciana. Here, once more, residents have come out to defend their rights, refusing to allow more green areas to be replaced by concrete or rubber—parts of the project that had been hidden from them to avoid precisely this logical reaction from citizens who prefer green and peaceful areas."

Gómez also criticized the situation faced by "the residents of Calle Piteres, who are already fed up with poor waste management regarding both its location and collection. They have even put up signs on their balconies demanding a solution."

The PP spokesperson also accused the local government team of "ignoring people who have submitted 1,300 signatures to restore two-way traffic and bus service on Cap Blanc Road without even receiving a response to their petition. Many other citizens continue to individually present complaints about the problems created by Compromís and PSOE's unilateral decision to make it one-way towards l'Alfàs, forcing people to return via the N332."

Just 24 hours later, it was Mayor Diego Zaragozí's turn to respond to these accusations with which his political rival had kicked off the second year of the current term.

In response, Zaragozí expressed "our deep concern over the lack of truthfulness in her statements" and took a jab at Gómez by asserting that "her behavior does not stem from ignorance but from a conscious intention to misinform and show disrespect, which is unacceptable both politically and otherwise."

The mayor of Villa Blanca denied any alleged lack of dialogue with citizens by stating that "contrary to what has been claimed, the government team has held multiple meetings with residents from Piteres, Altea Hills, and many other areas, actively working to resolve various issues affecting our community."

Regarding the potential legal action from Altea Hills residents, the mayor emphasized that "it is important to note that the Popular Party is asking for all townspeople to finance infrastructures that have not yet been handed over to the City Council and therefore are not publicly owned."

Additionally, he added that "the PP spokesperson made erroneous claims by saying green areas are being eliminated for cost-saving reasons. This statement is surreal and malicious," arguing that "the project on Avenida Comunitat Valenciana has always been based on adapting the area to utilize existing trees without eliminating any green spaces. On the contrary, a new sports area will be provided in the town center where games are currently played in non-designated spaces."

Diego Zaragozí concluded the debate for now by affirming that "we have never shirked our responsibility regarding decisions made and their consequences. Accusations based on lies and bad faith are classic tactics from Mrs. Gómez but will not divert our focus from our commitment to the community."