How many people does it take to paint a single fence?

JIMENA This photo was sent in by a friend with the following comment: "Passing the school, just thought this was quite funny. How many people does it take to paint a single fence? Apparently a lot... A very expensive fence if you ask me..." Indeed it is, but what is not evident is that all these employment scheme/training school people belong to a welding class. They made the fence - and quite a few more around the village - so now they are painting it. Naturally, the story doesn't end there. They are each earning around €1,000 per month>>>

And you thought your Council was overdoing the expenses

VILLAMARTÍN / Cádiz  The town of Villamartín, in the province of Cádiz (pop.12,570) closed the financial year of 2010 with an official debt of €16 million, aside from several judicial sentences against it but including the €7 million it owes the State for Social Security non-payment. No news here, as almost every municipality in Spain is up to its gills in debt. But things are (probably) different in Villamartín. The new PA government has found an inheritance of bills put down to 'entertainment' and 'protocol' that had Councillor Antonia Viruel using what is possibly the Spanish understatement of the year: "It is well beyond the strictly necessary." She adds that the number of bills is exorbitant and "we have only been able to check the bills from the first socialist (PSOE) legislature" (2003 to 2007). See for yourself:>>>

Municipal finances make TV redundant

Ayuntamiento (andaluciarustica.com)

CASTELLAR (Agencies) The municipal television is stopping daily transmissions because of cutbacks. Castellar Mayor Juan Casanova made the announcement after taking stock of his first 100 days in office. The channel will only emit one news programme per week, principally on Council sessions and institutional announcements. The six people on staff will be placed in other departments, all of which are being reorganized. The web page and press department will be maintained. The annual cost of the TV channel amounted to €120,000, which the Mayor thought excessive for Castellar. Jimena, just up the road from Castellar, stopped TV broadcasting last year, has no press office and its website has not been updated since May 27.