The Gazette Lanzarote Jan 2014 | Page 7

n Road safety worsens complained about Ryanair´s customer service during the storms. 200 passengers were delayed for 51 hours and urged to find their own hotel accommodation. To add to their frustration, the flight they finally caught was delayed after a security alert at Stansted. n La Graciosa rings in the New Year More than 400,000 Canarians were able to see La Graciosa welcome the New Year, as Canarian Television chose the small island as the location for its New Year´s broadcast. More than 60 TV operatives travelled to the island for the broadcast, and the celebrations were attended by over 3,000 people. n Tias renegade Mamé Hernandez and Mayor Pancho Hernández n No renewal in island politics n Castle of lights The most visible and spectacular nativity scene of this Christmas period was undoubtedly that in Teguise, where the mountain of Guanapay was decorated with various festive figures equipped with LED lights – meaning that a vivid light diplay representing the nativity could be seen form 7pm to 7 am every night, with the ancient castle lit up in the background. Guanapay Castle in Teguise By the end of November, Lanzarote had already had its worst road safety record in recent years, with 8 deaths on the roads – double the amount registered in 2013. 2012 saw 7 fatalities, while 2011 had 6. Just as concerning was the amount of people seriously injured in 2014, which at 11 was again almost double the 2013 total of 6. 101 people were lightly injured in accidents, compared to 96 in the whole of 2013. Commentators claim that an increase in economic activity and tourism has led to more people on the roads, and consequently a higher accident rate. the Mayor of Tias for 16 years. He has ample experience, but is hardly the new blood that many have called for. Lanzarote´s political class doesn´t appear to have paid much attention to public calls for a renewal of politics, with few new faces being presented so far for May´s municipal and Cabildo elections. The current Cabildo President, Pedro San Ginñés will run again for the post he already held, and the PP will &W6V