Staff Reporter
ANGEL Nozal, vice president of the Mancomunidad, has been in local politics for over 30 years and had four years in government in Mijas. Mijas Matters put the politician in the hot seat…
MM: How do you feel now about the broken pact with Ciudadanos?
Nozal: It’s water under the bridge. I am just focussing on May 2019.
MM: Would you go there again?
Nozal: Ha, Ha. We plan not to need to go there again.
MM: What do you think your greatest achievements were from 2011-2015?
Nozal: Well, there were big projects, but I think it all hinged on getting Mijas out of debt. In 4 years, we paid off 70 million in debt, and remember, we were still in the height of the crisis. It is hard to make plans when everyone is working just to pay off debt. Having said that, we managed the Senda Litoral, a lot of major remodelling of roads, and we began the process of bringing services to the Urbanisations.
MM: Do you have any comments on the current Mijas Government?
Nozal: What do you expect me to say here? We have made our views very clear about what we want for Mijas. And yes, I feel that what is happening is falling short of the high standards I set for my team. Ultimately, it will be up to the people to decide if they want more of the same, or change.
MM: Were you a hard task master as Mayor?
Nozal: You should really ask my councillors that question, but I probably think I was. You see, being a councillor is not about being important or getting your photo taken at events. I expected my councillors to be available seven days a week, if necessary. I expected them to be out on the streets talking to people, finding out what needed to be done to improve Mijas. If they were in Mijas, they were working. There are easier ways to make a living than be a councillor on Nozal’s team.
MM: What could we expect from a Nozal government?
Nozal: It’s too early to start electioneering, but I have gone on record with some plans: we want to receive the urbanisations AS THEY ARE. They would start to receive many of the basic services and general maintenance that other Mijas residents already have. I need 3 months to get rid of 4 years of accumulated dirt and rubbish. I have also stated very firmly that we want to address the problems of the Mijas donkeys and other abandoned animals and come up with a definitive solution. I also want to retrieve the disastrous legacy of the hipodromo and put all that investment back to good use. And the beaches. The Junta de Andalucia need to be pressured about school and 24 hour healthcare provision. This summer has been a disaster, and action must be taken for a long term solution. Above all, we will be available to the people.
