Op-ed by Nontas Stamatis on the decision of the Decentralized Administration.
The article refers to the recent rejection by the Decentralized Administration of Attica, the appeal filed by opposition city council members against teleconferences via email, which the municipal government adopted as the method for convening the municipal council.
The following is an article by Nontas Stamatis:
In the persistent effort toward this much-discussed, much-desired, and absolutely essential goal for a modern state, Modernization of Public Administration (e.g., digitization of nearly all government services, modernization of administrative structures and legislation, adoption of modern administrative thinking, performance evaluation, and meritocracy), there is massive resistance and many obstacles standing in the way amid an environment of confusion, incompetence, and absurdities. Some resist because their small businesses are at risk, others because of their personal, deep-seated insecurities, others out of the inertia of the 1960s civil service mentality, and others simply out of incompetence. .
I am, of course, referring to the much-touted «triumphant» and, in essence, allegedly unfounded—though obviously not with certainty—as stated in the lengthy announcement of the Municipality (one of the three), in which the author makes no secret of his enthusiasm after once again denouncing bureaucracy – Dismissal of the opposition’s joint appeal regarding the manner in which the Kythira City Council meetings are conducted (via email) from Decentralized Administration of Attica, which is also the body responsible for ruling on the appeal that has been filed. But it should rule on the matter—not act as the refrigerator, the calendar, and the stopwatch, only to blow the whistle once the 60 days have passed!
What worries me, however, is that they lack the ability (and perhaps the will?) —especially at the top of the Pyramid—to realize that this particular issue goes to the very heart of the democratic process and popular representation, and is not a routine matter to be brushed aside so casually like hundreds of other cases. And this behavior is not only regrettable but also dangerous. And it is puzzling how it is possible that an agency responsible for reviewing administrative acts, and elected bodies of popular representation, not have a management guide tailored to their specific content, because I am certain there are other appeals of this kind.
What, in a nutshell, does this particular piece of legislation—a disgrace, which has indeed been in place for years—tell us? «It’s clear that it offends certain people, that it’s a nuisance for the political leadership—whatever we may think of it—and so start counting the days. That’s how many underground passages there are!»
Why hasn’t it changed by now? So many “leaders” have come and gone. But it’s simple—it suits them all. Those at the top and those at the bottom. Those on the inside and those on the outside. Just like the previous “amendment”—a cover-up—that was passed a short while ago. Have you heard anything about it? Especially from the loudmouths.
What is infuriating, however, is that they pompously and proudly tout their their “lack of judgment,” turning their inability to carry out an administrative act based on the principles of Good Governance—rather than the Calendar —as common sense would dictate—into the realm of the National Bureaucracy, which at times supposedly prevents us from getting work done and at other times literally saves us, by getting us out of a tight spot.
Now, as for a certain former municipal council member mentioned in the announcement, I’d say we shouldn’t talk about a rope in the house of the hanged man. Because that’s how the majority that the people of Kythira denied you was “allocated” to you (i.e., through the votes of Kythirians who didn’t vote for you). And let those who have ears, hear, as the statement says.
The other two statues rightfully belong to “bureaucracy” and “the coronavirus.” Anyway, I saved the best for last. The clear and unambiguous answer to the question «What do you mean when the official document from the Coordinator of the Decentralized Administration of Attica states verbatim» that «… we did not rule on this within the deadline set by the article’ (which the rapporteur on the matter herself gave me yesterday). The Coordinator didn’t even have time (!) to address the issue—neither an »obviously unfounded appeal« nor anything else. Never mind. Democracy in Kythira can wait.
Go ahead, and have a great month (as the announcement says).
