Mayor presents the city´s gold medals

American consular agent Tumi Bestard was one of the five recipients of the City of Palma's gold medals on the occasion of the Festa de l'Estandart, which marks the conquest of the city in 1229 by the troops of King Jaume I. The medals were also awarded to poltiician Felix Pons, banker Carles March, Tomeu Catalá of the Proyecte Home project and hotelier Gabriel Escarrer. The presentatation was made by Mayor Joan Fageda. Among those present were Balearic leader Francesc Antich, Bishop of Majorca Mgr Teodoro Ubeda, University rector Llorenç Huguet, commander general of the Balearics Luis Peláez Campomanes, president of the High Court Angel Reigosa and parliamentary Speaker Maximilià Morales. In his speech, the Mayor commented on the council's achievements in a year which had been marked by the continuation of the mobility programme, the aim of which is to recover ground for pedestrians. He added that the tunnel in the Avenidas has reduced traffic by 300'000 vehicles a day. The Mayor also spoke of the opening of the Son Costa park in Son Oliva, which has been remodelled, the three new cultural centres, a network of youth clubs, the reorganisation of the public libraries, and the consolidation of the police on the beat. Fageda also evaluated the new rubbish collection service in the old part of the city, improvements to the home help service and a reduction in fiscal pressure. “Politicians cannot isolate ourselves from what the people of Palma point out, think, report and propose,” Mayor Fageda said, adding that a connection with the man in the street was not just a question of pride and duty but “a banner which represents the spirit of dialogue of this council.” He also mentioned the social inequalities in Palma, and the need to boost its image as a city proud of its solidarity and commitment and spoke of the need to seek better relations with other government departments, adding that “it is time the voice of Palma is heard.” The Festa started with the placing of the Royal Standard of the Conquest and the Helmet of King Martin in the Plaza Cort, followed by Mass at the Cathedral. The epic poem La Colcada by Pere Alcantara was then read by actress Miquelina Lladó and pupils from the School of Majorcan Music and Dance. In the poem, a grandmother explains to her grandchildren what the fiesta used to be like when she was a young girl.