Woes in Paradise: time for action

The criticisms made about Puerto Pollensa in a whole series of letters to the editor in the Bulletin this week have been received loud and clear by the authorities in the northern resort. Many of the complaints made in the letters have been raised at a series of meetings which have been taking place in Puerto Pollensa this week between residents associations, hoteliers and other local authorities. “We realise there are problems which have been highlighted over the last 10 days. We are all working hard to resolve them. Some of the criticisms have been impartial and have not helped the situation but their have been some balanced comments. Nowhere is perfect and I would just like to point out that Puerto Pollensa is still a fantastic place and no-way as bad as the impression some of the letter writers have given,” said Miguel Sabater, general secretary of the UMP party, which is presently in opposition on the Pollensa council. But the message has been received and has caused some concern amongst local hoteliers who are now trying to iron out some of the problems to ensure that Pollensa projects a positive image. On Monday, the Bulletin will be interviewing the Mayor of Pollensa and will raise some of the points which have been made in letters to the editor over recent days. There is a feeling among some residents and tourists that the letters have rather forced them into action. Sabater, a leading hotelier in Pollensa, said that his party would be campaigning on some of the points which have been raised by the Bulletin readers in their letters. Sabater is leading the campaign for the construction of the ring road which would obviously ease congestion within the town centre. So far plans are still on hold. The Bulletin 's northern correspondent Ann McDonald said yesterday “everyone is talking about the letters which have appeared in the Bulletin. I know for a fact that meetings have taken place between the resident associations and hoteliers. The issue is certainly being debated.”