The proposals and the general attitude during the debate on the budget during the recent meeting of the city council, developed with a press release released, the faction of the minor opposition, «We stay here».

The statement stressed the need to rally for a «new development narrative», adapted to «the everyday life of the island's residents», without second-guessing and nepotism syndromes by anyone.

Read the full text of the Communication:

«A budget in a developmental direction with the promotion of the environment and with respect to the money of the citizens, presented and voted by our party

At the City Council meeting on 12/29/2020 to approve the City's budget for 2021, our combination submitted and voted in favor of its own proposal, since according to the procedure no amendments can be made but only overall budget proposals.

The proposal was voted unanimously by the major opposition group, resulting in 8 votes out of 17 in the Council, compared to 9 from the majority group. We note that the major minority faction, not only supported with its vote our proposal but also outlined the need for cooperation between councillors and the existence of a budget with a different target.

The main purpose of our proposal is to show that there is a different strategy for the municipality. A proposal that prioritizes the daily life of the residents and the development of our island. It is worth noting that the opposition as a whole is provided with limited possibilities for editing and intervention, due to insufficient access to data.

On this basis our proposal has the following characteristics:

A. We have proposed reductions in a number of expenditure categories (expenditure codes) compared to the original proposal, in order to make room for mainly development actions. We believe that our proposal adequately supports these cases.

Β. We proposed new actions. In particular:

Preparation of a transport study and an internal transport sustainability study. 10.000 euros.

Justification : A necessary condition to create internal transport to facilitate the movement of economically disadvantaged groups and to attract tourists who choose not to holiday with private transport or do not have their own means of transport. The economic downturn of the period does not justify any further postponement of the issue.

Updating of the Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) of the Municipality of Kythera. 10,000 euros.

Justification: The obsolete elements of the existing EPBD require updating to develop new energy efficiency and savings applications. This action also has the potential to define the strategy of the Municipality in relation to Renewable Energy Sources (RES) so that we can better address the emerging situation with the intentions of installing Wind Turbines

Opening and maintenance of paths. EUR 5.000 is registered.

Justification: There is a pact of support for the initiative signed by the City and there is insufficient code for signage. This action marks a completely different approach to a diversified tourism (of 12 months per year) with significant economic and cultural benefits for our island.

Study for the construction of a conference hall, multi-purpose hall with a capacity of 250 people in a municipal area. 15.000 euros.

Justification: Our lack of modern infrastructure of sufficient capacity deprives the island of opportunities for conference tourism and any cultural activity beyond the summer season. The plans of the finance committee target small and inadequate halls. The existence of such a study would allow for the seeking of funding from public or private entities.

Construction of a new floor at the River basketball court and installation of portable bleachers. 17,000 euros.

Justification: There are no modern sports facilities in the wider region, while the continuous use of the municipal stadium, which has not been maintained for years, has caused significant damage.

C. Finally, on a number of «inflexible» points of the budget (Reimbursement fees, within the limits we are obliged to move by law, salaries, etc.) our proposal is in line with the majority.

It goes without saying that we support the key budget actions in projects and interventions that are ready for implementation. But we must start to formulate a new strategy for the island. So the new actions that we have proposed are intended to begin to chart a new path. And of course other interventions will follow in the logic of the productive and cultural reconstruction of our island.

We are committed to continuously monitor and intervene during each administrative year in order to ensure that any further potential (e.g. the expected increased revenues from the increased square meters for Municipal Fees and taxes) are «invested» both in projects that will improve infrastructure and productive capacity in Kythera, and to ease the burden on citizens (e.g. reductions in unit charges).

Our aim is not to argue with the municipal majority and the Mayor, without of course denying this democratic right when and if required. Our aim is to contribute positively to a different perspective by highlighting this different logic and informing residents about it.

From the discussion so far in the meeting there seems to be faint hopes of cooperation from the majority or members of the majority. We hope to overcome individual perceptions of nepotism and authoritarianism in terms of the management of the municipality and the style of government.

We declare our intention to contribute to any positive movement without second guessing. We are only interested in the good of our country and do not offer our «good offices» by serving governmental plans...

Our faction «Kythira-Antikythera-We live here» will continue the live communication with all the citizens, Kythirians living in other areas, but also pro-Kythirians, in order to mobilize all the living forces of the place that want to contribute to the new development narrative and our alternative proposal.

The councillors

Dimitris Kontoleon
George Didymiotis
Manos Trifyllis