Santa Úrsula Mayor Defends Dual Roles, Details Town Progress Amidst Project Delays

The Mayor of Santa Úrsula, who also serves as the Education Councillor for Prevention on the Tenerife Island Council (Cabildo), has responded to critics about holding both jobs. He also shared an update on how the town is being managed, pointing out progress in several areas despite ongoing delays in important projects. In a recent interview, the mayor defended his commitment to both roles, stressing how important his work is in prevention and town development.

His role on the Tenerife Island Council, where he became the Councillor for Education for Prevention, has been a key part of his work. This is an area he strongly believes in, drawing on his experience as a family doctor. The program focuses on mental health, obesity, sexually transmitted diseases, and addictions. Its goal is to create a system where 90% of efforts go into prevention and 10% into treatment. This approach has caught the attention of other island councils. However, the opposition has questioned his dedication, suggesting that his island-wide duties might take his focus away from local town matters. The mayor has defended his ability to manage both roles, saying he's not a "superman" but is happy with his work and assures that neither the town nor the council role is being neglected.

Delays in Key Projects and Road Improvements

Important town projects, like the Casa del Capitán and the cinema-theater, are still facing delays. The mayor blames these delays on complex paperwork, the search for funding, and the bidding process. For the cinema-theater, a change to the original plan to add a lower section caused extra delays. However, demolition is expected soon, and the Island Council has moved forward with bidding for the main construction work. The Casa del Capitán, which is a protected historical building (Asset of Cultural Interest), has faced restrictions from the Tourism Secretariat about creating a museum there due to lack of space. Despite these issues, both projects are expected to start this year, with funding secured from both administrations.

As for infrastructure, new parking lots next to the health center and cemetery are expected to open in August. These will include spaces for the town and for a future on-demand transport system, which is being planned with the Island Council. This transport system, which could start in the Acentejo area before the end of the year, aims to better connect isolated neighborhoods like La Corujera and La Quinta with the town center. Additionally, the town is looking into expanding the "Blue Zone" (paid parking) in busy areas to encourage more parking turnover for businesses. This move is possible thanks to recent agreements with the General Directorate of Traffic. The Calvario parking lot, which is currently free, is being considered for future usage control.

Affordable Housing, Housing Developments, and Waste Management

The town is making progress in providing affordable housing, having bought land to meet the needs of about 60 identified vulnerable families, though demand continues to grow. A long-standing challenge is the "reception of urbanizations," which is when the Town Council officially takes over responsibility for maintaining the infrastructure in housing developments. This affects several areas like La Quinta, San Patricio, Casablanca, Taoro, and Lomo Román, with La Mancha being the only development officially taken over. Legal and technical issues, some over 40 years old, are the main problem. For example, these issues are preventing the reopening of La Quinta's swimming pool, a decision supported by reports from the Canary Islands Government.

In waste management, significant improvements have been made, including replacing old bins with larger, closed ones, and offering direct cardboard collection for businesses. These changes, along with reorganizing street cleaning for afternoon shifts, aim not only to improve cleanliness and appearance but also to control a recent increase in rodents. Other projects include improving accessibility on road TF-213 and creating enclosed, lit parks to prevent vandalism, in response to the town's growing population.

Finally, regarding the possibility of hosting a migrant center, the mayor stated he is not discriminatory but stressed the need to consider local conditions, ensure proper facilities, and consult with the town, following guidelines from the Canary Islands Government. About his political future, he expressed satisfaction with his current work but put off any decision about running for re-election, mentioning that future events are unpredictable.