The businessman Mr. Spyros Katsanevakis intervenes in the issue of topicality regarding the leases of beaches and Chitra, after the announcement issued yesterday, Friday 19 February, from the website of the Municipality. Read here.
But words to love each other
After a lengthy announcement issued by the mayor together with the president of Enchorios Property and the president of the Tourism Committee, they informed the Kythirian people about the operation of Enchorios.
More specifically, we were informed about where it belongs, who elected this committee, whether the opposition is represented by someone in it and that it does not act on behalf of the Municipality, nor does it take orders from it, but operates completely independently and autonomously. While it is wholly owned by the Municipality... We were also informed that there WILL be public disclosure of the works of the Inchoria, because some commentators have suggested issues of inaction and transparency. From what I have read myself, NO ONE is raising issues of non-transparency! So I don't understand the reason for proving it... However, everyone is commenting negatively on the main event which is the INCREASES in beach rentals THROUGH PANDEMIA, and the unprecedented ’decision’(which is finally tending to become a thought) to include the Chitra cave in an auction. So no one has suggested that you are acting subterraneously. Simple questions were asked, such as the following: Where does the money you have collected over the years go? Why was a big increase in rents decided this year when we are already counting 4 months of total lockdown and the tourist future seems more uncertain than ever? Since the Municipality owns the Municipality, regardless of whether it acts autonomously, does the Municipality put money from the Municipality into its coffers, or are we talking about two different coffers? Is Enchorios required to pay its cash balance to the City at the end of each year?;
So personally I believe that the Domestic Property is needed in Kythera, if all its actions are not only for the benefit of its fund but also for all of us who advertise that it belongs to us and does us good...Many have written that the legal is not moral and vice versa. A good example is the case of the Lake (Paleopolis), whose concession was illegal since it was part of a site of the A’ ARCHAEOLOGICAL ZONE. And because many people do not know what this is, it is enough to mention that the A’ Archaeological Zone is also the ACHROPOLI! Although I am against the anachronistic body of archaeology, you, like us, have an obligation to respect its decisions and not to do nothing because the consequences can reach the level of imprisonment. And it wasn't just at the Lake that this particular mistake was made. It also happened in Myrtidia!!! And while you all knew (Municipality, Home) that all economic and commercial activity is strictly forbidden in A archaeological zone sites, you put them up for auction making Home an untrustworthy entity that normally we should all trust with our eyes closed. So how can you invite the people of Kythira and Antikythera to trust Enchorio and feel proud (which they normally should) while you are making childish mistakes for the sole purpose of putting more money in your coffers?;
You talked about informal properties. We all know what you're getting at. Except that when this man was going to Chitra, any other businessman could go as long as he complied with the legal requirements (sailing license, lifesaving equipment, payment of passenger fees, etc.). So if you are ALL against monopoly, why was your “thought” about giving it to ONLY ONE? It is one thing to impose some fees on anyone who is commercially active in this space and another to put it under the hammer! It goes without saying that Enchorios must have income to cover its expenses (salaries, utilities, maintenance, works, hiring 2 people that will cost it a total of 45000 euros per year, and other things I don't know), but we all know that the beaches are not its only income. So don't try to gain impressions by asking questions: What do you want? Should we give them away for free? Nobody asked for anything for free! We asked for them not to increase in a pandemic period!
Regarding the starting prices on the beaches, a quick search on the internet is enough to prove that there are even more expensive starting prices than those decided by the Commission of the Border. Only Mykonos has higher rentals!!!! Mykonos - Kythera with the other islands with plenty of tourism such as Santorini, Rhodes etc. to follow!!! So we may be the most beautiful island(!!!), but we certainly don't have the tourism that other islands have. So let's get in touch with reality! And if you think that the extension of the tourist season will come by increasing the rentals on the beaches, let me inform you that this will not happen! On the contrary, a possible increase in rents will also bring about increases in the facilities offered by the landlords. And all you people who say in the coffee shops you know how much one makes and you know how much the other makes, consider what would happen if an increase of 180% was applied to your business starting tomorrow! Regardless of profit or loss.
Business in Kythera is only for GENIAS AND ROMANS. For people who, despite the short tourist season, stay here and guard Thermopylae in order not to desert their place. Who while working full time, real income that makes a business viable, see in their pockets ONLY one month a year! So don't address them as if they are eating your bread! Help in this effort and don't put any more obstacles in their way! Paleolithic ideas and methods will not move the island forward. If you really want to change the landscape (since that is what you advertised during the election), you need to turn your attention elsewhere as it is unthinkable that by doing the same (maybe even less), you are trying to achieve different results.
Regarding your long statement, I personally think that in this style you are scolding us for daring to have a different opinion as we happen to know business and focus better than some others who decide our future without ever having been active in these areas. And especially in Kythera! I also did not understand the weight of this announcement. Is all of this of such little importance that 3 presidents should meet - discuss - decide without your members being present so that they too can express whatever dissatisfaction they may have? Democracy has won, we all shouted, and now it is winning itself for the second time!
In conclusion, I personally thank the people who saved Chytra from a possible sale! Bravo to you sincerely!!!! But that doesn't mean that since they couldn't buy it for us, we should absolutely rent it! And a monopoly at that! We want it free as it was before! Nothing more and nothing less! The position given to you by the Kytherians and Antikytherians has responsibilities. Responsibility to defend our welfare and by extension the welfare of our country. So we are actively asking for your support, because especially in our time, we are experiencing an unprecedented period of pandemic and we are speaking while we are in lockdown. Consider that this will certainly have an impact on tourism. Consider the risk of not having a tourist season at all this year. Consider that there are people who have shops closed and are living on the edge of poverty. Consider that some people are not even getting paid.
Empathy is called... Make the problem your own and only then the solutions will be clear to you...
