Kythira, Friday, October 6, 2023
PRESS RELEASE
«ALL TOGETHER, KYTHERA - ANTI-KYTHERA»
In the packed auditorium of the Potamos Cultural Center, before a large crowd pulsing with enthusiasm and confidence in the victory of Zacharias Souris and the “AllALL TOGETHER in the October 8 elections, the mayoral candidate delivered his final campaign speech.
After thanking the crowd for their massive turnout at the event, the speaker referred to Mr. Charhalakis’s record, and strongly criticized the way he had exercised power over the past nine years, denouncing his arrogance and authoritarianism. He then spoke about the tactics Mr. Charchalakis had employed over the years, glossing over everything he did and concealing from the residentshe could not gloss over, in order to mislead the people of Kythira and Antikythira.
In his speech, he focused on the so-called “tsunami” of projects spanning nine full years, pointing out the obvious: namely, that following the Memoranda—when funding for projects was readily available— Mr. Charchalakis managed to implement only the bare minimum, even revealing that only 10% of the projects he listed each year in the municipal budget were actually carried out. Addressing the enthusiastic audience, he asked: Is this really the success that Mr. Charchalakis is so proud of?;
Mr. Souris also emphatically noted that Mr. Charhalakis failed in public works, as well as in the major issues of abundant, high-quality water, sanitation, and sewerage. Where, then, did Mr. Charchalakis succeed?;
In concluding his speech, he referred to the main areas of work he would undertake if the people of Kythira and Antikythira placed their trust in him by giving him the opportunity to govern our islands for the nextfive years. He pledged to bring about a radical change in the municipality’s administration by doing away with Mr. Charhalakis’s «we decide and we order» approach. He promised democratic processes open to all. He pledged to establish a process of public consultation—dialogue and the hearing and evaluation of residents’ opinions—to achieve the broadest possible consensus on issues concerning the future and progress of our islands. He declared his unwavering commitment to transparency in every aspect of the municipality’s projects and procurement.
He referred to the support he will provide for the development of the primary sector—that is, agriculture and livestock farming— the establishment of a special label for local products and their promotion in markets beyond our islands. He also emphasized the need to move forward as quickly as possible with the construction of a slaughterhouse in Kythira. He made special mention of the infrastructure projects that will be carried out according to specific priorities to meet the real needs of residents and visitors. He pledged to give immediate priority to ensuring an abundant supply of clean water for everyone and to creating a truly modern and safe main road, while highlighting the complete inaction over the past nine years in the highly sensitive area of sewage treatment. He also emphasized that construction of a wastewater treatment plant in Potamos will proceed rapidly and that small, economically viable wastewater treatment plants will be prioritized in all major settlements.
He made special mention of the tourism sector, which is Kythira’s «main industry,» emphasizing in particular that quality tourism is not possible without infrastructure. That is why he attaches such great importance to infrastructure projects.
Mr. Souris concluded his impassioned speech amid a atmosphere of general enthusiasm, calling on our fellow residents to vote for the “ALL TOGETHER” ticket and declaring that he will always stand by the people of Kythiraand Antikythirians.
