New Year΄s message from Mayor of Corfu
New Year
31 Dec 2018
/ 11:19
CORFU. "We will continue fighting in the New Year to turn the difficulties in this negative environment into hope and positive prospects."
The Mayor of Corfu Kostas Nikolouzos gives an account of the year that has passed in his New Year's message. Speaking at length about the major problem - waste management - he says that the local authority will continue to fight and is obliged to win the battle.
However, he also talks about the successes - referring to culture, social policies, infrastructure and tourism.
The Mayor's message
Corfu - 31/12/2018
Fellow residents,
We are coming to the end of a year full of difficulties, a year of recession and economic difficulties. A year which brought us problems, disappointments and concerns. However, the year is a river and its tributaries fill it up again for the following year. The balance carried forward from 2018 gives us hope and optimism - it is always the case that when something ends a new beginning is awaiting us, there is always the anticipation of the new and the promise of something better.
Dear friends,
From the outset of its term in office the local authority faced the serious problem of waste disposal. It was faced with the problem created by the closure of the Temploni landfill which, following the management over the previous years, had come to the end of its functionality.
This led to the inability of the whole process to function properly - collection and depositing of waste - along with the reaction of the residents of South Corfu who protested against the temporary use of the residue landfill in their region, which had been chosen as a last resort for the depositing of processed mixed waste and waste bales.
There were extreme incidents in the area as well as the obstruction of Town Council meetings.
Unfortunately, these problems overshadowed all the positive aspects of the past year. Significant achievements in all areas were pushed into the background.
Despite the fact that the Municipality was operating in difficult conditions, as in previous years, with a dramatic decrease in financial and human resources and strict control from the Decentralized Authority, we managed to achieve much that was significant.
We will persist in the coming year, until the end of our term in office at the end of August, to complete what we are doing and take measures to improve the lives of our island's residents and visitors. It is our obligation to win this battle and turn the difficulties into hope and positive prospects.
I am optimistic that in 2019 our everyday lives will improve and the efforts made up to now will start to bear fruit. As examples I can mention the Invitation for Tender for the Integrated Waste Management facility, the concession to the Municipality of the seafront zone and the ferry connections between the Ionian Islands from March to October.
The approval of funding for the Integrated Spatial Investment for Corfu Town, including the Town Festivals. The first stage in the water supply works, the improvement of Agios Stefanos and Lefkimmi ports. The approval for the construction of 4 schools and a sports centre as well as the renovation of the Municipal Theatre, the Petsalis and Dalietou Buildings and 50% funding for the renovation of the Phoenix.
The renovation work on Agia Ekaterini has begun and the renovation of three buildings in the Old Town has been included in the ESPA funding programme and tenders have been invited along with renovation work on the Phoenix and the Yialina Building. All of which are works that will improve the island and our lives.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We continue tirelessly in our efforts to support vulnerable social groups. The Municipal welfare departments are fully operational and we have made enviable progress in providing accessibility for those with special needs in public spaces and beaches with all the necessary equipment and amphibious wheelchairs.
The first Municipal day nursery came into operation this year. The Old People's Home and Orphanage have been improved and reorganized and now offer modern services to residents.
As regards culture, we organized the International Choir Festival for the second year running and the complete third version of the Hymn to Freedom was performed. The Municipal Art Gallery and the Theatre were reorganized and streamlined and the Mon Repos Theatre has also been renovated.
We have a clear long-term strategy for tourism to exploit Corfu's natural advantages. We are promoting Corfu globally and gradually developing sustainable tourism, respecting the island's capabilities and learning from the 'overtourism' experience of other European resorts.
Fellow residents,
At the dawn of 2019 we need to have hope and positive thought to overcome the pressures on us. We need to gather all our strength and move forward rediscovering our confidence and overcoming the negativity around us.
From all that we have experienced in the past year let us hold on to hope and optimism. Let us improve our lives with action, participation, solidarity and persistence and learn from our mistakes.
Dear friends,
I hope that our everyday life in the Municipality can be a combination of individual and collective aspirations leading to individual and social progress. Progress for Corfu. A reformation in our ideas and actions leading to a better society.
Through honest dialogue, cooperation and communication we can move forward in the coming year creating solid prospects for our island. We owe it to the coming generations and to each other.
Happy New Year to us all.
However, he also talks about the successes - referring to culture, social policies, infrastructure and tourism.
The Mayor's message
Corfu - 31/12/2018
Fellow residents,
We are coming to the end of a year full of difficulties, a year of recession and economic difficulties. A year which brought us problems, disappointments and concerns. However, the year is a river and its tributaries fill it up again for the following year. The balance carried forward from 2018 gives us hope and optimism - it is always the case that when something ends a new beginning is awaiting us, there is always the anticipation of the new and the promise of something better.
Dear friends,
From the outset of its term in office the local authority faced the serious problem of waste disposal. It was faced with the problem created by the closure of the Temploni landfill which, following the management over the previous years, had come to the end of its functionality.
This led to the inability of the whole process to function properly - collection and depositing of waste - along with the reaction of the residents of South Corfu who protested against the temporary use of the residue landfill in their region, which had been chosen as a last resort for the depositing of processed mixed waste and waste bales.
There were extreme incidents in the area as well as the obstruction of Town Council meetings.
Unfortunately, these problems overshadowed all the positive aspects of the past year. Significant achievements in all areas were pushed into the background.
Despite the fact that the Municipality was operating in difficult conditions, as in previous years, with a dramatic decrease in financial and human resources and strict control from the Decentralized Authority, we managed to achieve much that was significant.
We will persist in the coming year, until the end of our term in office at the end of August, to complete what we are doing and take measures to improve the lives of our island's residents and visitors. It is our obligation to win this battle and turn the difficulties into hope and positive prospects.
I am optimistic that in 2019 our everyday lives will improve and the efforts made up to now will start to bear fruit. As examples I can mention the Invitation for Tender for the Integrated Waste Management facility, the concession to the Municipality of the seafront zone and the ferry connections between the Ionian Islands from March to October.
The approval of funding for the Integrated Spatial Investment for Corfu Town, including the Town Festivals. The first stage in the water supply works, the improvement of Agios Stefanos and Lefkimmi ports. The approval for the construction of 4 schools and a sports centre as well as the renovation of the Municipal Theatre, the Petsalis and Dalietou Buildings and 50% funding for the renovation of the Phoenix.
The renovation work on Agia Ekaterini has begun and the renovation of three buildings in the Old Town has been included in the ESPA funding programme and tenders have been invited along with renovation work on the Phoenix and the Yialina Building. All of which are works that will improve the island and our lives.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We continue tirelessly in our efforts to support vulnerable social groups. The Municipal welfare departments are fully operational and we have made enviable progress in providing accessibility for those with special needs in public spaces and beaches with all the necessary equipment and amphibious wheelchairs.
The first Municipal day nursery came into operation this year. The Old People's Home and Orphanage have been improved and reorganized and now offer modern services to residents.
As regards culture, we organized the International Choir Festival for the second year running and the complete third version of the Hymn to Freedom was performed. The Municipal Art Gallery and the Theatre were reorganized and streamlined and the Mon Repos Theatre has also been renovated.
We have a clear long-term strategy for tourism to exploit Corfu's natural advantages. We are promoting Corfu globally and gradually developing sustainable tourism, respecting the island's capabilities and learning from the 'overtourism' experience of other European resorts.
Fellow residents,
At the dawn of 2019 we need to have hope and positive thought to overcome the pressures on us. We need to gather all our strength and move forward rediscovering our confidence and overcoming the negativity around us.
From all that we have experienced in the past year let us hold on to hope and optimism. Let us improve our lives with action, participation, solidarity and persistence and learn from our mistakes.
Dear friends,
I hope that our everyday life in the Municipality can be a combination of individual and collective aspirations leading to individual and social progress. Progress for Corfu. A reformation in our ideas and actions leading to a better society.
Through honest dialogue, cooperation and communication we can move forward in the coming year creating solid prospects for our island. We owe it to the coming generations and to each other.
Happy New Year to us all.
