MALLORCA TODAY - Valent inclined to return as Pollensa Festival director

A joint statement that was issued by members of various opposition parties yesterday bemoaning an apparent lack of movement by Pollensa's mayor, Tomeu Cifre, in settling the organisation for this year's Pollensa Festival either did the trick or was not necessary. The mayor met yesterday with the director of last year's event, Joan Valent, in an attempt to smooth the relationship between Valent and the town hall, which had been damaged, seemingly beyond repair, by a report which had indicated certain anomalies in the running of last year's festival, a report and accusations to which Valent took considerable exception. A new report by the town hall's controller has endorsed Valent's appointment for a further three years and Valent is inclined to accept the offer. The fallout between Valent and the town hall had to do with the nature of financing from sponsors through a private association that Valent had set up. An arrangement for this year and for subsequent years will be made under the auspices of town hall representatives in order to avoid any potential conflicts or doubts in the future.