The public dispute between the President of the Potamos Municipal Community and, Takis Alevizopoulos, and the Mayor of Kythira, Eustratios Charhalakis, citing the functioning of the local administration, the lack of cooperation, and the inability to carry out key projects in the region.
Following the mayor’s recent response to the president—who had previously raised serious concerns about indifference and a lack of communication on the part of the municipal authorities— Mr. Alevizopoulos responds with a harsh retort. He accuses the mayor of an ironic and offensive attitude, systematic neglect of the River Community, and even more seriously, for promoting exclusions based on political criteria.
Among the points he highlights in his letter, the President mentions:
- zero studies in 11 years of administration,
- overpriced projects,
- lack of meaningful information and accountability,
- and, above all, for The mayor’s statement that a prerequisite for a project to move forward is that the local president “do him a favor”.
Mr. Alevizopoulos also refutes the mayor’s personal accusations against him, such as the issue of the flag, monitoring of the DIAVGEIA system, or the management of the fixed advance payment, denouncing an attempt distortion of the truth and targeting of his role.
Below is President Potamos’s response, reproduced verbatim:
Mr. Alevizopoulos's response to Mr. Charchalakis.
A mayor who closes the windows and sets the ventilation to "recirculation" every time he approaches the river
Mr. Mayor,
Congratulations on your third election victory. But the election is over. It no longer makes sense, when people ask you why you aren’t picking up the trash, to respond with the same promises you’ve been making since 2014.
Like everyone else, I’m familiar with the organizational chart of the Municipality of Kythira—I don’t need to be reminded. It’s simple: «Call Katsanevakis; he’ll pick up.».
But your response to a president who is politely advocating for his village is a disgrace to the institution you represent. I requested that the standard advance payment be activated, and you chose to respond sarcastically, saying that «you hope I won’t be affected by the decision to cut travel expenses» or that I should «follow the example of my other colleagues,» without naming them. You’re telling me to «refresh my memory» and calling me «quaint.».
This isn't a political debate—it's an insult.
You are insulting the citizens of Potamos when you say that «funding comes only through studies, not through public rallies,» while at the same time you avoid any accountability at local assemblies. And what about the studies? In the past 11 years, you haven’t commissioned a single one.
You talk about «major projects that take time,» but you’re celebrating the sewer system on the southern island—a project costed at several times the national average—which, miraculously, your expert associate, Mr. Veiyoglou, «brought to fruition» in just a few months.
Your true colors, however, are revealed elsewhere: you now publicly state that a prerequisite for a project to be carried out in a community is that the local president «appeals» to you. This is an undisguised admission of political exclusion. You have clearly stated that you will not cooperate with local officials who lack «political autonomy»—that is, with those who do not obey you.
And as if all that weren't enough, you also accused me personally of the following:
I don’t follow the municipality’s activities in the Potamos community through DIAVGEIA. But where does the information come from regarding when and which contractor will carry out a project? It isn’t mentioned anywhere, so keeping us informed remains essential.
That I didn't lower the flags to half-mast on the day of mourning. I did it right away, as soon as I received the email.
That I did not receive a new flag to replace the worn-out one. I would like to inform you that I purchased it myself and replaced it. In all of the above cases, Panagiotis Politis, the local journalist and owner of the «Antelin» radio station, was present.
I urge you to carry out your duties properly and put aside petty politics, slander, and lies. Because the reality is that Potamos and Agia Pelagia are at their mercy—and you bear full responsibility.
The only ones who help me carry out my work are my political group as a whole and quite a few of our fellow citizens from our villages.
Please act accordingly and immediately on the matters we have formally requested. The grace period has ended.
With respect
Takis Alevisopoulos
President of the River District Council
