Anargyros Sophios: Responds to the Mayor's «harsh language»

With a sharp letter, the head of the minor opposition in the Municipality of Kythera, Anargyros Sofios, replies to the harsh statements of the Mayor of Kythera, Eustratios Charhalakis, accusing him of disorientation, avoidance of responsibility and lack of dialogue.

Mr Sophios speaks of an attempt by Mr Harhalakis to attribute all the problems of Kythera to the opposition. More specifically, he gives answers, on the harsh accusations against him and his party by Mr.. At the same time, it also criticises the «two months missing» President of the Home Office referring to «performance expenses» of €1,500. The following is the reply letter of Mr. Sophiou to Mr. Harhalakis.

Reply of Anargyros Sophiou to Efstratios Harhalakis

Although I have no desire to exchange texts - I prefer my actions and behavior to speak for me - I will answer all the «problems I create with my combination», all the floating questions of the Mayor, because what is the purpose of their reproduction by the local press is only disorientation (I don't shoot arrows but at least if they see written what I believe they might not leave any more hints).

«Free Kythera» and committed self-government. Mayor, you took it off. Thank you for giving me the honourable suggestion that I am not only to blame for the problems of Kythera for which you are «fighting» as you say - but also for the whole problematic functioning of local government. You are probably right, how would I know with all the mistakes I have made. And certainly my combination of a bunch of retired, naive and vanity-filled councillors who are interested in the chair. The difference, of course, is that if I had forced them to vote for Souris for President of Karava, I would not have a faction today because we are a combination of principles, not leaders. The people who can think are also the ones who, in important problems, will find the solution, not hide. But because you will be obsessed, my faction VOTED how I should answer you. (I wonder how many times you asked your own councillors?)

But let's come to the answers:

1. «The known bullies» I don't know how you understand opposition, but raising your voice in the face of injustice is a duty for us. You called a city council meeting on the water supply at noon in August. While there were desperate citizens (including seniors!) who hadn't seen water since May and came in the heat of the heat wave to hear solutions, you... just didn't show up. You sabotaged the meeting with your absence. What do you care about people's thirst anyway? When we denounced this cruel indifference, when we raised our voices because the mockery had gone beyond the pale, did we become bullies? No, Mayor. We were there, we spoke, we apologised to those present for their suffering. You weren't. If that's not contemptuous rudeness, then what is? But you know what's most ironic? The very next day, we saw on Transparency approval of financial aid for water problems. Magic money (20,000 euros) that, two days before, in your briefing was nowhere to be found. It seems that, finally, our voice had an effect. Also, if you would have raised your voice just once or clapped your hand for the ferry (as you theatrically do to reprimand your «inferiors») I am sure the problem would have been solved. Do it and you'll see. I won't ask for thanks for the advice.
2. «Little people» from 14/08/24: Small people are those who do small things and we see it every day in your Facebook comments. Also in August we usually organize beach volleyball (south and north). Of course, this is small and daily. But we don't do it for you, try to get over it sometime. Being bothered by something small means that you are even smaller.
3. «Shabby printing of a photograph of Mr Zantiotis» You're bothered by humor, of course. And our friend is the deputy mayor and we have thanked him many times on the Board for his diligent efforts. But at the same time we have asked for his resignation because he has political responsibility for the inconvenience to residents, businesses and visitors so that someone younger can take over with perhaps a new plan («and because of his age» - your words).
4. «Alleged communication with the Ministry of Education» You're judging by your own judgement of what's different. I spoke about the lifting of the merger of the departments, which was announced to you and the school principals a day or two later. As for who informed me, if I wanted to announce the name I would have done so, don't ask me for my phone contacts please it's personal data. I respect it.

5. Did the «You will be bathed in what you vote for»: but excuse me, isn't that reality? People know full well who voted AGAINST the fixed advance resulting in the continued degradation of communities. It was your councillors - and now this is what we answer to anyone who asks us, we wanted to protect them. You may see them as replaceable pawns, but to us they are everyday company.
6. You ask our position on the «Decisions of the CoE» First of all, you will have the right to ask questions, once you have answered the scandal-scented questions we have been asking you, for which you have been cut off for 20 months. On pilgrimages, we issued a whole press release asking you why you are dividing people on an issue that is not of the greatest importance. We are pleased that there has finally been a result and we respect that, but we continue to have the same bad reviews of the administration that you have re-elected. Really, what about the President? Two months out of touch but he was receiving ’entertainment expenses« of around 1500 euros. Did you see things?;
7. «Majority and major minority as a bunch» Mrs.Tallarou Eleni asked for 1 minute to speak to the body that will elect a President but the rudeness that was overflowing there did not give her the floor (you were babbling: «not foreseen», when of course it was «foreseen» that 70 people would wait so long for your late companion). At the same time, we did not call them all «bullshit» but those who were cheering the already President for his work, when the latter had «hunting down trespassers» as his program for his next term. Really where are all the people who continue to cheer him?;

Otherwise, Mayor, my health is good and I am trying to recover from the whole shock that has hit us on the island. If you had called me, I would have told you.

As you can see, everything has answers. We don't need to write unsubstantiated lines. It is better to work for our islands. Let's not blame people simply for the sake of sensationalism or their pretentious diminishment. No one knows where these paths lead.

The important thing is to learn from our mistakes and become better. Put a little water in your wine (or in the Lambic beer - with a fruity and sour taste - that you drink there in frozen Brussels), try to unite the world and don't add fuel to the fire.

As for «bound self-government», I have to tell you that at the university I attend, it is taught that the main problems of the administrative system come from the ineptitude and ignorance of the political persons who govern. Not from my combination.

In FREE CYPRUS we are united by values and ideals. Nothing humble. Nothing small. And the older we grow, the stronger we become.

Sincerely,

The Leader of the Minor Opposition
Sophios Anargyros