The municipal faction of the minor opposition, «Kythira-Antikythira, We Stay Here,» issued a press release in response to a post by Kythira Mayor Efstratios Charhalakis regarding his nine years in office. Read below:
“Romance or Arrogant Squint”
«They’ve been looking us in the eyes for 9 years.» They adore us! Perhaps because for 9 years now they’ve been looking at nothing but our eyes, they’ve developed something we’d call «arrogant squint.» Let us explain what we mean:
In a recent post, Mr. Charchalakis, speaking on behalf of the municipal government, describes a place that is certainly not Kythira. He describes a place where hundreds of projects are underway for the benefit of the residents and their quality of life. We are not familiar with this place that Mr. Charchalakis describes.
But let’s talk about Kythira and Antikythira, where we «live»:
-On our islands, the population in 2021 was 3,664 (according to the official census), compared to 4,041 a decade ago. Those who remain are the elderly, and they are growing older every day…
-On our islands, young people are leaving (many not only from Kythira but also from Greece) because they can’t find any decent job that pays a fair wage. Perhaps the words «dignity» and «fairness» aren’t at the top of some people’s list of priorities, but young people take them very seriously.
-The student population has been declining for years, from 200 children in the two elementary schools to 70 in high school. How have 130 children disappeared over so many years?;
-On our islands, the cost of living is skyrocketing. Prices for everything (from food to fuel) are much higher than in the rest of Greece. A large portion of the residents are struggling to make ends meet. Ferry tickets are exorbitantly expensive.
-The millions in funding that Mr. Charchalakis touts on Facebook are just wishful thinking, as most of the projects exist only on paper and the allocated funds are simply carried over from year to year.
-Businesses are having trouble finding workers. There is a shortage of workers not only for jobs in the tourism sector but also for olive harvesting, construction work, services, etc.
-The infrastructure remains in poor condition despite the «projects.» The faucets still run «black water,» and it’s now being said that a sewer system will be installed in part of the island; cesspools are being emptied uncontrollably and illegally into ravines, and we recently saw a video showing that trash collection includes recyclables as well.
-Schools are still in terrible shape. Teachers (like all public employees) are protesting because the government has abandoned them.
-The hospital is constantly deteriorating. Critical medical specialties are lacking, and many of our fellow citizens are forced to travel to the capital or to Laconia to receive medical care.
-The airport is not being modernized so that it can serve as a major gateway for tourism. Charter flights have been suspended. The runway is not being extended.
-Visitors to our islands (as well as permanent residents) are complaining about the lack of parking spaces (especially in Kapsali and other tourist destinations, where the situation is unacceptable).
-The island’s few forests are not adequately protected. The necessary systematic clearing is not being carried out, and the only “protection” we’ve chosen is simply to cross our fingers…
-Direct contracts are a give-and-take affair… The clientelist approach (awarding contracts to city council members or their family members) is the norm!
-The only open-air theater (the one by the River) has remained closed ever since it started «looking us in the eye»…
-Leisure, sports, culture, women, children, single-parent families, specialized professions, immigrants, communities… …words unknown on the islands of the “ruler” who runs, gasping for breath, to meet the princes of his childhood, when he used to play with his toy soldiers and pretend to be the king.
There is no vision for our islands. There is no strategic plan for where we should aim, or for how funds should be allocated so that they «make a difference.» There is a lack of initiatives for the productive revitalization of our islands, so that Kythira and Antikythira can thrive (and prosper) year-round.
Unfortunately, the overall management of municipal affairs leaves some «gray areas»…
We’ll get back to this if necessary. However, it is clear to us that nine years is already too long. The Municipality of Kythira cannot serve as a career stepping stone for anyone. There is no room here for professional «rulers.».
The time has come to make decisions that will move our country forward. Complacency and the «don’t rock the boat» mentality don’t suit us. Enough is enough…
