News Letter December 2016

Asociacion de Vecinos – Sierra de Altea C.I.F. : G53784336 BUZON 155, Sierra de Altea Altea La Vella ALICANTE, 03599 ESPANA Web: www.avsa.tigbos.com Contacto: avsavecinos@gmail.com SECRETARY – MATT KING - 678657136 Newsletter Christmas 22nd December 2016 Dear Member(s) Where has this year gone? For most of us who live most of the year here in the Sierra’s the time passes quickly – long days and Hot Summer Nights precede the dark nights and cooling temperatures of Winter and we have already passed the longest day of the year. We have had a good year as an Association. Our Instancias decreased by 80% due to light pressure from the committee and a “cooperative Ayuntamiento”. The Summer Party was another great success again this year – with approximately 100 Members and guests attending and music provided by yours truly, a fun time was had by all and of course it is a fantastic way to meet and chat to our neighbour’s, who, we may only see at AGM’s and this party. The AGM was disappointing in the amount of people who came but nonetheless was presented efficiently and well and of course was followed by delightful Tapas and wine (and in some cases continued later at Bar Bernia in the village). The AGM Minutes can be viewed on our website or on the Noticeboard in the Buzons. Security was on the Agenda of the AGM and of course we suffer the problems of Robberies in every season. Make sure windows and doors are locked and if possible install cameras and alarms OUTSIDE your houses. Be vigilant at all times especially now at Christmas time and if in doubt, please call the Local police or Guardia Civil at any time (numbers on the AVSA website above) and they will send someone to check it out as soon as possible. There have been increased patrols in the area since the summer but sadly this time of year attracts the usual “undesirables”. We have a new Whats App group for Members and if you would like to join it please contact me with your phone number for details. It is a good way of keeping each other informed of any suspect or wrong doings or even people who look suspicious. As long as it is used correctly and in the right way it is an excellent form of communication. If you are not happy with it – you can simply remove yourself from the group. The Fires saw terrible devastation to our beautiful area but luckily here in the Sierras we escaped relatively unscathed. Altea Ayuntamiento has been given €58,000 by The Generalitat Valencia for immediate works to clean and clear firebreaks and this work has started in 4 or 5 situations around our immediate area. The recent heavy rain, whilst causing devastation for some and even loss of life, has meant that our reservoirs and deposits have recovered….. a little – back to approximately 25% of what they should be so we are a long way from our healthy targets. Water usage should still be respected and fines of up to €3,000 per household may be implemented for anyone exceeding 72m3 per month of water usage. This restrictive measure is still in force and should be observed. Our Vice President Antonio Perez Albiñana has been in contact with Apobersa and we are hoping in the future months to update our notice board and web page with regular water quality updates. Our “Green Container” discount is still available and if you order a skip for Green garden waste and submit the “Original Invoice” to the Vecinos Post Box located in the Buzons on Avenida Principal our Treasurer Richard Kent will present you with a cheque for €30.00. We are hoping that next year we will see some news on a better waste management system throughout Altea and our area with more conservation stations added throughout the Sierra. It leaves little for me to say but on behalf of your hard working committee I would like to wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Splendid Happy and Prosperous New Year of 2017. Best Regards Matthew King – Secretary AVSA. PS…Many Thanks to Terry Miles, who, I believe I saw today, repairing the light to the Buzons – I can report that they now work …Many Thanks – Our very own Santa Claus.