*New in Goanspirit February 17-23, 2014* *How do you solve a problem like Alina Saldanha? - 1*
She 'shoots off' press notes on issues, none of which concern us in the constituency (Cortalim). Garbage dumping in Velsao (Velsao-Pale-Issorcim village panchayat) and Cansaulim villages is happening after she became MLA. Her presence as the constituency legislator is evident only by the almost weekly pictures of her in the newspapers. Example: in December she was present when the foundation was laid for the proposed Mapusa Police station building. These are just some of the many refrains on Alina Saldhana, Cortalim constituency MLA by default, one hears, everywhere one goes these days. The Velsao-Pale-Issorcim village panchayat is one among the six panchayats in Cortalim constituency. Full story: http://goanspirit.com/index.php/lead/451-how-do-you-solve-a-problem-like-alina-saldanha-1 *Lion Roars -2* *Serula: A Failed Communidade* The Panjim-based chartered accountants RL Bhobe & Company were hired to audit the 'overall affairs' of the Communidade of Serula for the period from April 2008 to March 2013. Due to lack of complete records with the communidade, the auditors could not accomplish their task and as a result submitted only an interim report to the Goa government. *Lion Roars* gives you complete details of that report. The period that was investigated covers five financial years. Full story: http://goanspirit.com/index.php/lion-roars/lion-roars-2014/452-lion-roars-2 *Bullying the small guys* Two news items in a local daily on February 13 deserve recall simply because they validate the sad state of affairs in what is now the fast shrinking, infinitesimal small slice of the tourist cake that Goans are allowed to eat, but enjoy without really relishing it. One news report said that the Tourism Department would cancel the shack licenses of 25 shacks for violating the prescribed sound decibels. Goanspirit can vouch for extremely loud music coming from the Deltin Royal on February 8 afternoon (when there is no ban/regulation) which must surely have been heard in the government secretariat in Porvorim and certainly by the same officials who are now threatening their favourite whipping dogs, the shack owners. But, can they house break them? Full story: http://goanspirit.com/index.php/letters/453-bullying-the-small-guys *Ashvem restaurant owner gets notice for playing loud music* Ever since beach shacks came to Goa, there has been music wafting out of them. Over the years, the decibel level has gone up. Now it is ear-splitting. There's nothing new about that. Nor are the protests against the noise pollution with the latest being from Anjuna. But the undercurrent of hostilities in the tourist belt along Morjim, Ashvem, Arambol between locals and Russians, many of whom have put down roots here and have even spread their tentacles into business that has eaten into local livelihoods, is coming to the surface and exploding like the music being played by shacks. Full story: http://goanspirit.com/index.php/bits-bytes/454-ashvem-restaurant-owner-gets-notice-for-playing-loud-music -- Lionel Messias Editor, *Goan Spirit*, *Goa's Spirited Online Weekly Magazine.* Website:www.goanspirit.com Worked for the best: Goa Today, Gomantak Times, Herald, Mid-Day, The Pioneer, Indian Express (Bangalore), Economic Times (Chennai, Hyderabad), Newstime (Hyderabad), Gulf News (Hyderabad) 125-E, Bellem, Velsao, P.O. Cansaulim, Goa 403712 Tel: 0832-2884484 Mob:9822152164