“Given the document’s implementation history and its unrealistic nature, particularly about the spatial breakdown of funds, the Island Council does not intend to comment on it,” reads the position that will be sent to the Regional Government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM), which was unanimously approved today at a meeting in Angra do Heroísmo.

The councilors also decided to attach the individual opinions of the entities that wish to give their views.

The president of the Terceira Island Council, Marcos Couto, who was re-elected today, explained to journalists that the position results from the delay in implementing reproductive investment for the island.

“Once again, we’re going to systematically and eternally beat ourselves up over the same issues: the port [of Praia da Vitória], the airport, the cargo terminal, the port of Pipas, the roads, a whole host of investments that will allow the island’s business and economic fabric to grow, people to settle, wealth to be created,” he said.

Most speeches at the meeting pointed out criticisms of the document, but the Island Council did not give the document a negative opinion.

Marcos Couto highlighted the “unanimity in the final vote,” claiming that the body “can in no way have a political or partisan connotation,” but sometimes “there is still a bit of that temptation.”

During the discussion of the preliminary proposal, the president of the Island Council, who leads the Angra do Heroísmo Chamber of Commerce, said that “a total investment of 157.4 million euros is planned for Terceira, which is 17% more than in the previous budget”, but “the problem is that nothing is being done.”

The mayor of Angra do Heroísmo, Álamo Meneses (PS), pointed out that the document allocates funds to Terceira for intangible programs that are divided up throughout the territory, such as funding for inter-island maritime transport, without it being clear by what metric, “so that it appears that investment in Terceira is very high.”

“This is a miserable plan and more than that it’s malicious, because it tries to disguise things by putting more money here and there. These maneuvers are very unpleasant to watch. It would be better to have an honest plan for Terceira and say ‘you’re only going to have this’ than to put everything unpleasant into Terceira. That offends me and I think it’s mean-spirited,” she said.

The mayor of Praia da Vitória, Vânia Ferreira (PSD/CDS-PP), expressed concern about the amount of money earmarked for road maintenance on the island (1.5 million euros).

“After looking at the amount allocated, I ask: how will we be able to cope with the situation that we are already experiencing today and which, as time goes by, will get worse and worse? It’s one of the situations that makes me very uncomfortable because these pavements have to be maintained,” she said.

PS regional MP Tiago Lopes pointed out the document’s “lack of credibility,” claiming that “little or nothing can be seen of what was promised to be done on the island.”

“It’s very difficult to enter the last year of this legislature and believe that this will be the time when Terceira will receive the due and necessary attention,” he stressed.

Social Democrat MP Paulo Gomes highlighted the planned investments in the Lajes air terminal, the port of Praia da Vitória, the link between the Via Vitorino Nemésio and the Angra do Heroísmo ring road and the maintenance of schools, but also mentioned other measures for the whole region, such as the Azores Tariff, the New Elderly program or free daycare.

“Of course infrastructure is important, but the government’s investment in people is not to be underestimated,” he stressed.

from LUSA News Story in Açoriano Oriental, Paulo Simões-director

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance)  at California State University, Fresno.