Addressing Concerns About El Cotillo and Local Government
For the past few days, I’ve taken a step back to listen and read what has been said about me and the La Oliva City Council. There has been a flurry of videos, comments, and accusations circulating on social media with a troubling ease. It’s time to speak clearly, with the serenity and responsibility that representing a municipality like ours demands.
The Importance of Constructive Criticism
Criticism is a natural part of governance and public life. It has always been, and it should remain a means for growth and accountability. However, for criticism to be constructive, it needs to be grounded in facts. What we often encounter—lies, rumors, and manipulation—do not represent true political discourse; they are mere noise. And as we all know, fabrications have a way of collapsing under their own weight.
The Identity of El Cotillo
El Cotillo is a coastal fishing village, rich in history and spirit. Its identity is not simply a decorative title or a catchy slogan; it is woven into the lives of its residents. If anyone believes that this City Council does not respect that identity, then they either do not know El Cotillo or are playing a different game altogether.
Tourism Pressures and Responsible Planning
It’s clear that our island is under immense tourist pressure. It’s also evident that we need to engage in serious discussions about our territorial and economic model. However, such discussions should not be conducted through yelling or sensationalist videos. Decisions here should not be guided by clickbait headlines but by careful planning, clear boundaries, and political courage. Otherwise, we risk losing our way, prioritizing social media algorithms over our community’s true needs.
Coherence in Critiques
When discussing tourism and its impacts, it is essential that our critiques come from a place of honesty. It’s inconsistent to serve as a harsh judge of our town’s model while personally benefiting from it. I say this with due respect because the community can easily discern between genuine concern and performative outrage.
Clarifying Misinformation
Recently, I’ve faced accusations of being ‘developmental’ and even acting as a ‘real estate agent.’ Sometimes, I wonder if those spreading such claims do so out of ignorance or malice. Let’s set the record straight: I haven’t owned a real estate company in five years. I had a small venture, just like many people on this island, which I closed to focus solely on my role as mayor. Everyone in La Oliva is aware of this.
Documented Decisions
Moving beyond personal clarifications, it’s crucial to underline that my leadership decisions are documented and verifiable. For example, we rejected a proposal for constructing 500 homes between El Cotillo and El Roque. Is that ‘developmental’? No. It’s about protecting our territory, especially when some would prefer to ignore pressing issues.
I have consistently been outspoken against any construction that undermines the essence of our village. I’ve made this clear in interviews, community meetings, and I stand firm in this conviction.
Sustainable Growth is Key
We believe that any growth should be sustainable, organized, and within the framework of a comprehensive General Plan. For the past two years, we’ve been working on that plan, aiming not to create an avenue for chaos but to safeguard our identity.
The Reality Check on El Cotillo
I can’t help but feel some irony when I notice that a handful of people are just now discovering El Cotillo’s existence. When it was time to fight against significant threats like Dreamland, the massive port project in Corralejo, or even oil drilling, we stood firm. Those who today present themselves as the island’s sole defenders were either absent or complicit.
A Personal Connection to the Community
I am a child of this municipality, and I don’t just say this as a poetic phrase—I have witnessed the growth of the place where I was born. I firmly believe that El Cotillo must maintain its maritime identity and not morph into a luxurious backdrop for outsiders. I say this boldly: our town does not need uncontrolled growth; it requires nurturing, balance, and a focus on its residents first.
Open Dialogue Welcome
To anyone who wants to engage in a serious discussion about our tourism model, I am here. Let’s talk with data, proposals, and mutual respect because we must engage in this dialogue in a meaningful way. However, for those who come to spread rumors for the sake of gaining likes, I echo the sentiments of any sensible neighbor: lies may travel swiftly, but they will inevitably collapse under scrutiny.
We continue our work, steadfast in defending what is ours, grounded in actions, not in noise.
