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Aljezur mayor steps down

aljezuroilThe popular mayor of Aljezur, José Amarelinho, has stepped down after his various appeals against a court decision had been exhausted.
 
'This Decision is based on personal and family matters, as well as on circumstances known to the public in general, considering that this is the right and proper decision, irrespective of any steps taken or to be taken,' read a council statement.
 
José Amarelinho said that "he will return publicly to the matter," but offered, "a strong and heartfelt embrace of friendship and gratitude for all, but in particular for the Aljezurans and the workers of the local authority, friendship and trust.”
 
Amarelinho will be replaced by the current vice president, José Gonçalves.
 
The mayor’s last appeal against his sentence, for riding roughshod over planning regulations at the Vale da Telha development, was considered at the Constitutional Court which rejected his assertions on February 22nd.
 
The original court case goes back five years when the court in Lagos condemned Amarelinho to lose of mandate, three years and two months in prison unless he paid a €5,000 fine to the League for the Protection of Nature.
 
The then mayor, Manuel Marreiros, was convicted in the same case and received a four year three month sentence unless he paid Almargem €5,000.
 
Both politicians went to the Court of Appeal in Évora, where they failed to have their convictions overturned and so went to the Constitutional Court where their appeals were dismissed.
 
Amarelino's departure is a blow to the various local and national anti-oil exploration movements. His outspoken defence of Aljezur's coastline, against potential spillage from a proposed test well off the Vicentina coast, has been inspirational and a source of deep annoyance to the Socialist Party government whose barely concealed pro-oil agenda has been opposed by Aljezur residents and tens of thousands of like-minded supporters.  
 
 
See the source imageJosé Amarelinho, anti-oil campaigner and former mayor of Aljezur
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Comments  

0 #9 Drew Perry 2018-04-30 16:38
He's a criminal, and got off lightly.
0 #8 Drew Perry 2018-04-30 16:35
Should be a harsher punishment.
0 #7 Barry North 2018-03-26 21:41
Quoting Barry North:
Quoting natasha bund:
I hope when he returns publicly to the matter it is in the capacity of reinstated mayor... let's see what happens. I can't help but feel this isn't over yet. Amarelinho was excellent for Aljezur in many, many ways and the people here all love him. He is a terrific bouncy character and we need those in the dismal grey of local politics.

;-) :oops: :cry: :-x

The 'popular mayor' is a crystalline predator. No one can pass comments on unknown matters.
0 #6 Barry North 2018-03-26 10:36
Quoting natasha bund:
I hope when he returns publicly to the matter it is in the capacity of reinstated mayor... let's see what happens. I can't help but feel this isn't over yet. Amarelinho was excellent for Aljezur in many, many ways and the people here all love him. He is a terrific bouncy character and we need those in the dismal grey of local politics.

;-) :oops: :cry: :-x
0 #5 Barry North 2018-03-25 22:57
Some comments are quite ambiguous. The mayor is a criminal and the justice confirms it. I doubt it if he is an environmental friend. Vale da Telha is a mess due to his arrogant behaviour. For the past six years, no one can do anything in VT.
+2 #4 Mike D 2018-03-25 12:53
Let us not forget he is a convicted crook
+5 #3 Edward Northey 2018-03-21 10:56
This man will be much missed, he suported ASMAA by supplying a 50 seater bus to take us up to Lisbon for a demonstration against fracking and drilling.
+4 #2 natasha bund 2018-03-21 10:38
I hope when he returns publicly to the matter it is in the capacity of reinstated mayor... let's see what happens. I can't help but feel this isn't over yet. Amarelinho was excellent for Aljezur in many, many ways and the people here all love him. He is a terrific bouncy character and we need those in the dismal grey of local politics.
+4 #1 Laurinda from ASMAA 2018-03-20 22:53
A very sad loss. Wish him all the best in the future. He will be missed.

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