In the crosshairs of the faction «Free Kythera» is once again the municipal authority, on the occasion of a citizen's complaint that the Municipality of Kythera attempted to open a drilling in his property without any prior information.
According to the post, the complainant was informed that machinery had been transferred to his field in order to start work, while when he complained to the competent deputy mayor, he replied that «he did not see property in the land registry and assumed that the point does not belong to anyone». The incident, as noted by the faction, is not an isolated case but part of a generalized practice of arbitrary drilling that threatens the water table and harm the environment.
The citizen states that he will take legal action, while in his email he stresses that «the Municipality must protect the citizen and not be a threat to his property».
The faction also poses political questions to the Mayor of Kythera: why is the decision of the people's assembly that had requested a study before any new drilling, to ensure that the fountain in Keramari and the gully of Karavas will not be affected? Why is the Mayor «hiding», as they report, behind his associates? And, ultimately, which interests are being served - the residents or the contractors?;
The case is expected to continue both at the legal level and in the public sphere, as it seems to touch on one of the most sensitive issues of the island: the management of water resources and respect for property.
The following is the announcement of the party:
Do you own property in Kythera and are you away from the island?;
Do you have property in Kythera that you have not yet registered in the land registry?;
Do you have property in a convenient location?;
Don't worry... The Municipality of Kythera will trespass, because it can.
First of all, we thank our fellow citizen for trusting us and informing us. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. We know of other cases of arbitrary encroachment by the Municipality of Kythera, with the aim of opening new boreholes and drilling the water table again and again.
We also know that there are citizens who are complaining that these illegal drilling operations are taking place on their properties, causing them financial damage. Some are even already taking legal action against the municipality.
We are publishing the email we received and we invite every citizen to contact us in order to highlight their just demands.
«Dear Sirs,
Today I was informed that the Municipality of Kythera was ready to drill a borehole in a parcel of my property without anyone having informed me on the matter.
I contacted Mr. Zantiotis who told me, not at all politely, rather dryly, that he did not see any property in the land register and assumed that it did not belong to anyone.
Really, an ignoramus would move with assumptions. Not the local lord.
I demanded that he pull whatever siding or truck is there and he said he would do nothing until he sees my contracts, which tomorrow morning my lawyer will see that he has them in whatever form he wants.
The Municipality should protect the citizen and not the citizen should feel the Municipality and its officials and representatives as a threat to his property.
Unfortunately, this mentality still exists.
It's up to us to change it, I think.
Local rulers should learn to behave like rulers, not masters.
Gone are the days when rudeness went unpunished. Learn some manners some or away from public office..!
Thank you for your time.
Georgios P. Suris. »
And a serious question for the Mayor of Kythera. The residents' assembly had explicitly requested that no drilling should take place, unless a study is first carried out to ensure that pumping water will not damage the Keramari fountain and the Karavas gully. In all parts of Greece, every mayor is on the side of the citizens to answer their questions and to respect their opinion. Why are you, Mr. Mayor, hiding and putting Mr. Zantiotis in front? Are you serving the interests of the villages or the interests of the contractors?;
