MEET THE MUKHTAR Presentation November 2009

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Written by Daintre Hart

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Date: 29/11/09

Chairman’s report (speech) for the years 2007-2009

Dear Community Members, Good Morning

It’s been 37 months since the last time we met.   It was a short time before the Community elections of 2006.   Any of you who had watched the last presentation, may remember the pre-election promises and may also wonder whether the promises have been kept or if they were simply pre-election bonfires gone with the wind and vanished.   I apologise for not holding this assembly earlier but I have been kept over-busy with loads of work.

Here we are 35 months after the elections, in the middle almost of the five-year term ready to present you with the bulk of work carried out throughout this elapsed time.   Surely, we shall not deal with any probable personal problems here, or it will take ages to finish, but give a general outline of the Council’s policy concerning major decisions taken by the Council as well as the projects executed, the projects being executed and the ones planned for the years to come.

“Rome was not built in one day”.   We are slowly but steadily leading the Community, despite the hardships, obstacles and reactions that may arise on the way, into a contemporary EU community (slide 2).  Our efforts are focused and directed to the upgrading of the standard of living and aim to improve the welfare of the members of this Community.   Special attention has been paid to Education, Culture and infrastructure projects.   The Council were (slide 3) gathered in 72   meetings and examined    or made decisions on 712 subjects of various content.   Surely, when personal interest is involved, Council decisions may seem unjust and unreasonable, but after all not everybody can be pleased, especially in a rapidly developing multi-national community like ours.

Every day trivial things may temporarily mislead, misdirect and delay us from the actual targets, but eventually we proceed forwards and overcome practical difficulties finding ways.   Certainly, one cannot easily concentrate on the main goals when one has to deal with a great number of people visiting the office with real or imaginary individual problems to be tackled.   Undoubtedly, the “open door” policy is here and will stay.  Personally, I am a keen supporter of “transparency on all subjects” as this is the soul of Democracy and the core  of a just Administration free from corruption.   “Ignorance is not bliss” in my opinion but “the Mother of all Evil” as the opportunity is given to spread rumours and whispers about non-existent scandals or the malfunctioning of the Council serving their own individual interests.  No doubt, the one who makes no mistakes is the one who takes no action.   We say no one is “infallible”.   It’s better to take action instead of being a “still stone gathering moss”.  Long hours of hard work, sleepless nights and intensive activity inside and outside the community can only define the last 35 months.

The consequences of the recent international economic crisis, of course, have affected negatively the economic development of our Community, too, as we have to struggle harder and harder to obtain the funds needed either for the completion of the projects in progress or the scheduled ones.   However, due to our continuous and persistent efforts we are winning the battle as a number of projects are being carried out.   The future, surely, is uncertain, but we shall keep battling it.

1. We shall start, of course, with the Council’s finance (slide 4).   The Council is not a credit society or a bank to store money.   We spend almost all the money for people’s benefit in the form of projects or services.   In 2007 (slide 5) there was a surplus of 61,000 between inflows and outflows. In 2008 there was a shortage of € 15,000 and in 2009 another one of € 388,000. The shortages were fully covered by outside sources and on no occasion the council’s bank account was in overdraft. Of course, it is expected that with the collection of rates by the end of the year the balance will surely be well positive.

On 1st January (slide 6) of the years mentioned there were € 284,500, € 550,349     and € 642, 692   respectively.   A careful handling between income and expenditure has given the Council the capability of promoting its policy with minor additional increases on the existing rates.   Rates-evaders, though, still remain a major problem.   As we all live in this community, so shall we all, unexceptionally, contribute to it.   Never have we made loans from the banks and been indebted to them as we consider it to be too dangerous, rendering us vulnerable (slide 7).

2. The New Primary and Nursery Schools

(slide 8) are a reality now and are operating smoothly for the young generation’s benefit.   They are fully equipped and furnished.   There (slide 9) are 83 students in the primary school, among which 12 non-Cypriots and 22   in the Nursery School among which 6 non-Cypriots, mainly British.  

The building cost € 4.030.000 and the Community’s participation was (slide 10) negligible.   The furnishing of the two schools cost € 35,000.   The Community’s financial contribution was nil.   It was only after (slide 11) repeated meetings at the Ministry of Education that this has been achieved.  

The operation costs (slide 12) of the Primary School in the years 2006-7, 2007-08, 2008-9, and 2009-10 were € 16,860, €37,315, 66,033 and € 48,200 respectively.  The nursery school’s costs in the above years were € 16,299, €18,765, €38,695   and € 22850 respectively. There are at the moment being 9 teachers at the Primary School and one at the Nursery School. There is also an assistant at the Nursery School and one in charge of handicapped children. Arrangements have been made for extra Greek lessons (9 hours a week.) for non Greek speaking children. Another four people are employed there as cleaners, assistants and a school secretary.

3. Water (slide 13).  

The most serious issue which has to be constantly handled delicately and carefully allowing no mistakes to be made at all is water.   The year 2008 is not only a year to be remembered by Pissourians but all the people of Cyprus as well.  For me and the Council employees it was a nightmare and a good lesson for the years to follow.  Long, sleepless exhausting nights and over-tiring days can only describe the year 2008.   Watching the springs (slide 14) and wells becoming barren, the one after the other, and water getting less and less on the one hand and on the other realising that there is no alternative, panic strikes.   The bet was:  “Shall we overcome this great difficulty?  Or shall we go thirsty?”   I can say that a number of well-calculated actions, applied at the right time, led to the desired results.  While the rest of the island was going thirsty, the Pissourians had running water for 24 hours a day, apart from very few occasions of interruption.  Strict measures, of course, had to be taken to make people realise that water is precious in this part of the world.  Numberless letters of protest had been written to the Village Office, attacking the Mukhtar for the strict measures taken, not realising that they are not entitled to fill up their swimming pools with drinking water.   New deep-wells were drilled in Pissouri and elsewhere, pumping engines were installed and pipe-lines (slide 15) were drawn to carry water to the nearest reservoirs.  All these actions needed money and energy.   We are proud to say that the residents of this Community lived like Kings, concerning water, compared to the rest of the Island.   Had the drought lasted another 15 or 20 days, we would have had the same fate as elsewhere on the Island.  During the last days of drought, even tankers were recruited to carry water from Limassol (imported from Greece) to supplement the minimum quantity needed.  At this point, we would like to thank all those saving water during the time of emergency and also Columbia company for  assisting us with the sum of € 30,000 to face financial difficulties.

As we promised, new water reservoirs should be constructed.   A new water-reservoir has just finished (of 500 m³) at Kalamonas area (slide 16) to cover the needs of the tourist area in Pissouri Bay.   The cost of construction is fully covered by the Ministry of Agriculture and comes up to € 125,000 (slide 17).   Another water reservoir is being constructed by the side of the existing one opposite the Old Police Station (of 600 m³) costing € 200,000 (slide 18). 

The compulsory purchase of the land at the Antenna (the aerials area) is almost completed  and the construction is expected to start at the beginning of 2010.   Parallel to these, two meetings were held with the Minister of Agriculture during which a promise was given that Pissouri is to be connected with the main desalination plant in Paphos (Kouklia), 17 km from here.   Meanwhile, a promise was also given for a research to be carried out by the Geological Department to examine the possibility for the construction of a dam in Ha-Potami just below Anogira Village, to cover the future needs of Alechtora, Pissouri and Avdimou villages both in drinking and non-potable water.  Further, (slide 19) the designs for the two new pipe-lines costing € 77,000 to cover the Northern higher parts of Pissouri – including the goat-breeding area, are on the way. We are closely watching all the procedures concerning water as we don’t want a repetition of the 2008 hardships.   Approval has been given for the construction of a pumping station with two boosting engines to pump water from the old Police Station to the Antenna reservoir. 

The cost will rise up to €70,000 – all costs will be covered by the Ministry of Agriculture.

4. Community Football Pitch (slide 20) 

Another promise fulfilled throughout these last months was the creation of a decent football pitch for the needs of our two football teams or any others to be created.   In order to make it possible, a number of legal obstacles had to be solved first and then work out carefully the money to be spent on it not to affect negatively the Council’s operation or to be drawn into adventures (slide 21)   . For this purpose the assistance of the British Bases was called up and the financial support of various businessmen.  The mistakes made by other Municipalities to overload the Budget with loans could no way be made here.   The construction of the football (slide 22) pitch cost € 270,000, of which € 51,120 was the participation of the Bases Engineers, €102, 380 subscriptions made by individuals either in cash or in material and € 106,500 the Council’s expenses.   A deep-well was drilled for the pitch irrigation costing €10,000 paid by the Ministry of Education.   A fair share between all the parties involved; (40% council, 38% Businessmen, 19% British Bases, 3% Ministry of Education).   We know there are still things to be done, but we are not going to be “the hasty climbers who have sudden falls”. (Petros: video clip -slide 23).

5. Multi-Cultural Centre (slide 24)

The second phase of the multi-cultural centre is moving fast and the completion is near the end (estimated time middle of 2010).   The second phase of the project will cost €800,000, of which 20% - €160,000 – is the Community’s participation (slide 25).   The money was with great difficulty found and given in advance in order to get it going, otherwise the project would stop.   A parking space for 35 cars and 2 buses is being constructed opposite the centre (slide 26).   Unexpected soil stability difficulties made the use of piling compulsory (slide 27).   Another €100,000 in 2010 has been agreed to be given by the Government and the Community to complete the project.

6. Fishing Refuge (slide 28)

Two public hearings were held on the 30/03/08   and 05/10/08    concerning the designs, construction and consequences on the environment.   Suggestions of the public were heard and taken into account as regards the shape, size and position of the Refuge.  The urgent need for the registration and construction of an access road leading to the refuge arose.  Daily efforts are in progress, through various Government departments, to push urgently forwards the designs.   For this purpose land surveyors and engineers have been employed (slide 29).  A compulsory purchase from some landowners, who deny access or consent, is being undertaken.  The Ministry of Agriculture is prepared and ready to proceed with the construction (slide 30).    The expected cost of the Refuge is € 45 million. and it is estimated to start as soon as the environmental study is ready.

7. St. Mavrikios Chapel Road
Construction of Agricultural Roads (slide31)

The Council, in their effort to upgrade the Agricultural roads in 2008 and 2009, widened, registered and constructed an Agricultural road (slide 32)    leading to St Mavrikios Chapel in Pissouri Valley, which is more than frequently used by Cypriots as well as tourists as it is considered to be the Saint healing (warts?) (slide 33-34). The project cost € 80,000     of which € 64,000     was spent by District Administration and € 16000    by the Council.   Also the old traditional Dang (Cistern or tank) on the same road was repaired and maintained (slide 35).   The cost rose to € 5,700    and was paid by the Council.   The other existing Dang (slide 36) on the beach, next to the Castro Restaurant, is in the programme to be repaired.  

8. Stadiou Street (slide 37)

Surely, you must have seen the work done on Stadiou Street where walls, houses and verandas were pulled down and rebuilt, excavations made, water pipe-lines were replaced and private land was taken for the construction of a new usable road.   The cost of the project mounted to € 56,500    (slide 38).   The amount paid by the District Administration was € 45,200 - 80% - and the Council € 11,300- 20%.

9. Kolokotroni – 28th October and Apostolos Andreas Junction (by the Olympus Palace Restaurant). (slide 39)

A house was pulled down and rebuilt, walls and porches were demolished and restored, pavements were constructed and eventually the street was widened (slide 40).  The house was fully paid for by the Council - €60,000 – and the rest € 66,000, 80% by the District Administration (53,000) and 20% by the Council (13,000).   An application has been submitted to the Ministry of Transport to have a new mini round-about at the junction.

10. Retaining wall by the Rantzo Restaurant (slide 41) 

The flooding of the old Limassol-Paphos road and the slippery mud gathered there made the Council apply to the Ministry of Transport to have a retaining wall built to put an end to them.   Designs were drawn by our engineers and tenders were put out by the Council and the concrete wall was finished (slide 42).  The sum of € 140,000     was fully paid by the Ministry of Transport.   Later, it appeared that such a long, ugly concrete wall did not fit in with the entrance (slide 43) of the Community and so a more environmental stone wall was decided.   The cost of the project mounted to €49,000 paid by the Ministry of Transport.   The project is still in progress.

11. Turkish Cypriot Cemetery Restoration (slide 44)

The piece of land opposite the flower shop, on the main old Limassol-Paphos road used to be (before 1963) a Turkish Cypriot cemetery.   With the passing of time walls collapsed and ruined.  Procedures were followed:  designs drawn up by our engineers and tenders were put out.   The sum of €12,000 (slide 45) was acquired to start with and efforts are made to acquire the rest of the money (€33,000).   The project does not only include the restoration of the Turkish Cypriot cemetery but also the landscaping and beautifying of the main Village entrance with more stone walls, more green and more space for the increasing traffic on that spot.   The project is fully financed by the District Administration. Promises were given that the sum will be included in 2010 budget and the project will continue.

12. Community New Cemetery (slide 46)

After long efforts and lots of implications the new road leading to the cemetery was drawn up by the engineers and the consent of the affected landowners was obtained. Tenders were put out and the construction started on the 11th November.   The cost of construction goes up to € 217,600.   The sum will be fully paid by the Council.  The sum of approximately €105,000 has been collected through the cemetery tax and the rest will be acquired through a loan or otherwise (slide 47).   The architects are already working on the landscaping of the cemetery itself and for this purpose we shall meet the Minister of the Interior to examine the possibility of getting any assistance as the final cost will be beyond our financial capabilities (slide 48).   The destruction of an existing private deep well led the Council to the decision to drill a new one to satisfy the landowner and secure consent to opening the road.   The cost amounted to €7,800, fully paid by the Council.

13. Landscaping and beautifying Pissouri Bay (slide 49)

The designs have been completed, the procedures have almost been finished, apart from 3-4 points to be looked into, and a meeting has taken place between the Council and the Nicosia Housing and Planning Department.   The fact that the final cost rises up to approximately €2,000,000 makes the  Council sceptical about proceeding to the execution of the project.  One third will have to be paid by the Council, in cash, that is around €700,000 plus the architects and engineers fees €150,000 which means that the Council will have to proceed to a mortgage loan.   The project may be delayed or postponed unless the meeting with the Minister of the Interior allows us to lower our participation instead of 35% to 10 or 15% and proceed to a loan guaranteed by the Government over a period of 10 or 15 years, which will be within our capabilities.

14. Street Lighting up (slide 50)

The parking place adjacent to the Two Friends’ Restaurant is not dark any more.   Persistent efforts on our part convinced EAC (the Electricity Authority) to proceed to the lighting up of the Parking space as an offer to the community.   The preparatory work (excavations, cables and restoration) were covered by the Council and District Administration for a cost of € 2000      and the EA covered the decorative electricity posts (€ 8000    ).   Meanwhile, other electricity posts had to be moved due to street widening.   The cost of electricity burnt for street lighting, the replacement or change of bulbs and new extensions, cost the Community         € 160,000  over the last three years, all paid by the Council.

15. Asphalts and Premixes (slide 51) 

On the one hand, the asphalted and premixed streets of our Community are growing old and on the other hand they are cut into pieces by the rapid development and the electricity and telecommunication authorities’ new installations and extensions.   Of course, we do our best to restore the splits in the streets and pavement destructions through a complicated and time consuming procedure.   Even if we restore the damage, the streets would never be the same, so, streets have been recorded and classified according to their condition and one by one are taking their turn to be re-premixed (slide 52).   On some occasions premixing is not easy as the levels of the adjacent premises do not allow it, so the old one has to be taken away (milling) before a new one is laid.   Over the last 3 years a number of streets have been premixed which cost a total of € 462,000.   The 80% was covered by the DA and the 20% by the Council.   We know there is a lot more to be done but premixing costs much money and we proceed to a gradual programme.

The re-premixing of parts of Kiladon Street (slide 53) leading to the Columbia Hotel and elsewhere was fully undertaken by the DA and the cost was €35000. Also a widening took place at Ambelonon Street opposite the Odyssey Complex , before the Vine-Leaf Restaurant to avoid traffic hazards costing €  25,000, covered by District Administration.   After an application to the DA, it is expected that Ambelonon Street will be re-premixed in 2010.   Also, the re-premixing of the old Limassol-Paphos Road from the Rantzo Restaurant to the junction leading to Pissouri Bay is expected in 2010 (by the Ministry of Transport).   The Council are to decide on which Village streets premixing will take place (Petros slides 54-60).

16. Protective Railings (slide 61)

After repeated applications to the Ministry of Transport (Public Works) and visits on the spot, we managed to get them to have protective railings on the very old narrow twisting road (Kalamonas Street) installed.   It cost € 25,500     and was fully covered by the Ministry of Transport.   Other applications for other dangerous spots have also been submitted. The Council undertook the installation and painting of the protective railings on Stadiou Street –driving (slide 62-63) up the hill and at the football pitch costing € 2000. The railings themselves were provided by the Ministry of Transport costing €14,000.

17. Health Centre (slide 64)

Applications in the past for the creation of a proper health centre were rejected as they always said that “the present position was unsuitable for such a purpose”.    The erection of the new primary and nursery schools is giving us the chance to apply again as the old buildings of the primary school are empty.   We moved very fast by sending parallel applications to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health.    Approval was granted by both, and the Cabinet a few days ago decided the Old Primary School should be let to the Community for the minor sum of €9 a year.   Contracts have been drawn and soon we shall proceed to all the work needed to turn it into a proper Heath Centre.   There’s a lot of work to be done yet to convince the Ministry of Health for the permanent presence of a doctor, an ambulance, nursing staff and specialists’ visits.   Meanwhile, we’ve got to prove that the number of patients’ visits is such as to justify the expenses.   Restoration of the old buildings is needed, so the engineers will be summoned again.   When we are ready a meeting with the Minister of Health will take place.   The (slide 65) Community are co-organising a yearly blood donation with Paphos Hospital and thus contributing to volunteerism and humanitarianism.

18. Flooding of the Lower Parts of the Community (slide 66)

Despite the fact that the majority of the areas have been covered with drainage systems for the last seven years, one area, though, suffers dramatically as the rain water from the top of the hill ends up at the main Limassol-Paphos road.   Rainwater from four different directions forms a stream towards the Athos and Hani Restaurants and the houses on the right-hand side causing chaos.  Fast action has been taken to obtain the necessary funds and put out tenders as soon as possible.   We estimate that the project will be finished before the end of the year and thus solve the problem by 80%.   The calculations show that the cost will rise up to €67,000.   Promises have been given by the DA that they will cover the cost totally.

19. A new agricultural road- Stavroudes road (slide 67)

It has been decided that a new agricultural road, for the needs of the farmers, had to be constructed.   Surveyors were employed, specifications were published, tenders were put out and the project is estimated to finish in the next 6 months (slide 68).  We are now at the procedure of collecting the landlords’ signatures.   The ones not signing will go through compulsory purchase. The project will cost € 103,400   .   The Council will pay for it.   If extra work is appears, the DA will help too.

20. Police Station – Fire Station (slide 69)

At a meeting held at the Council’s Offices on 23/06/09       promises were given that a fire station would be created in Pissouri preferably in the Valley at one of the Grape Packing Stations.   Also a promise was given that the present Police Station would move to another (slide 70-71) place where a proper building would be erected for this purpose by the Ministry of Justice.   It seems that the economic crisis led the Government to either delay or postpone the projects.   Of course, we are not giving up efforts and we shall bring the matters up again.

21. Planting Trees (slide 72)

The Community disposed the sum of € 5000      for the purchase of      trees to be planted in the very old narrow twisting road (Kalamonas Street) and the football pitch(slide 73).   The Council workers were used to do the job and this time, trees were watered and protected and thus survived and are growing.  Next year more trees will be planted in areas where no development will take place and uproot them.   (slide 74) We know more green is needed but water problems seem to be the obstacle till they grow.   Lots of trees were also planted in the new primary school to make up the loss for cutting others down.

22.  Community Park (adjacent to the Pine Bay Development) (slide 75)

Designs have been drawn, procedures followed and the road access has been obtained and constructed for entering the park which is estimated to cost €3 million.   The Housing and Planning Department permission is to be obtained and we are waiting for the final DA approval to pass it through the European Projects.    The final cost of 3 million and our participation of 20% will determine whether we proceed right away or delay or postpone it.

23.  Building Zones and NATURA 2000 (slide 76)

These two major issues absorbed most of our energy in 2009.   Both issues affect peoples land for the years to come and the worth of their land.   A lot of activity and repeated meetings on the one hand with the landowners and on the other hand with various Government departments have taken place.  Of course, not everybody can be satisfied and as expected bad feelings and resentment has arisen.   Environment should be in balance with development in order to keep Pissouri a healthy place.   The Council’s suggestions for the new building zones were sent to the Housing and Planning Department in Nicosia who will finally decide on which areas to be included or excluded.  (Slide 77)  Also a public presentation took place concerning NATURA 2000 (the area to remain green and wild forever) which is situated in the south of the community extending as far as Aphrodite’s Rock.   Surely, it was not an easy decision to make as there was strong opposition and reaction on the part of the landowners.   Finally, a proposal of three points

(a) Compensation to be given to landowners

(b) Exchange of landowners’ land with public land anywhere in Pissouri or Cyprus

(c) Transfer the building ratios on other pieces of land belonging to them in Pissouri submitted by the Council seems likely to be approved by both the Government and landowners.

24. Retaining and beautifying Stone Wall on Macedonia Street (slide 78)

Piles of earth and mud slid, after not only a heavy rain but also a light one, on Makedonias Street opposite the Old Police Station.   On some occasions, the sliding was such that it made driving dangerous.   On other occasions, digger tractors were summoned overnight to carry the soil and mud away before the morning traffic (slide 79).   The decision was taken and we moved fast to stabilise the junction point and at the same time beautify it.   The project cost €65,000     of which 80%    € 52,000    was covered by the DA and 20% by the Council € 13,000.

25. Drainage systems on Kolokotroni Street (slide 80)

26. Drainage system on Karpasias and Kyrenia Streets (slide 81)

27. Cleanliness (slide 82)

Middle East, high temperatures and hot climates:  the best conditions for mosquitoes and flies to multiply.   A spraying programme has been in action for the last few years.   Green dustbins sprayed with disinfectants once in 15 days, still waters sprayed with anti-mosquito selective chemicals and drainage systems sprayed for cockroaches and other insects.  The programme also included the Amphitheatre, the Schools, the Square, Pissouri Bay and of course where needed trees seasonally.  People’s health is of vital importance.   Over the last three years, the sum of € 90,000 was spent on labour and chemicals.   The Community workers and others employed seasonally keep the streets clean by weeding and sweeping. A major beach cleaning took place this year on the beach costing €12,000.   (Petros: slides 83- 87)

28. Cultural Activities (slide 88)

Some people may complain about the lack of cultural activities.   The numbers betray them and say exactly the opposite.   During the last three years 89 cultural events (slide 89) have taken place in Pissouri, average 30 events a year, giving the opportunity to the permanent residents, visitors and holiday-makers to make their own choice.   One could attend folklore dancing from various countries, singing and music either in Greek or English and theatrical performances.   I could say that lately we are getting a bit cosmopolitan by hosting painting exhibitions, underwater photography exhibitions, and folklore artefact exhibitions.   Concerts have also taken place either by the Bases or by individuals or companies.   The Community are doing their best to facilitate them within our capabilities.   A dark spot in all these was the Cyprus Night interruption for a year due to differences between the tavern keepers.   Eventually the problem was sorted out and they keep on as successful as ever.     (Petros: slides 90-96).

29. Regulatory plans (slide 97)

A land surveyor has been hired to assess the situation as it stands at Kiladon, Ambelonon, Paphos and Alechtora streets.   The results were sent to the Housing and Planning Department in Nicosia.   The assessment also includes the five-junction street (Amphitheatre), Pissouri Bay junction near the roundabout, the Pissouri-Alechtora junction, and the Highway to Pissouri Junction.   Nicosia Housing and Planning Department are working on them and soon they will come to us with specific and definite plans as well as the timing for the beginning of the projects.

30. Sewage system (slide 98)

The preparatory study has finished and now the second and final study is in progress.   Pissouri, together with another two communities, Avdimou and Prastion, will participate in a joint effort to operate the sewage of the three communities.   Meanwhile, (slide 99) compulsory purchases are carried out and the Project according to the Ministry of Agriculture will start by the end of 2011/beginning of 2012.   The operation of a sewage plant is obligatory under EU rules as Pissouri exceeds 2000 inhabitants.   The participation of the Community will be 5% and the rest will be covered by the EU.

31. Post Office (slide 100)

Repeated meetings with the Limassol Central Post Office to have the situation improved as regards the post service in our Community, were in vain and it seemed that they turned a deaf ear to our quests. So, we were obliged to turn to the Nicosia Director of Post Services. There was an immediate response: Higher officials visited the Council Offices as as first step it was decided that :

• 130 additional post boxes to be installed at the present post office
• A daily home delivery should be taking place
• Fixed woeking hours to be applied
• A telephone –set to be installed and the telephone numbers for complaints to be published.

More steps will be taken shortly.

32. Light Industrial Zone or Area

(slide 101)
The Council foresees a further development of light industry as well as the prospect that the existing ones may cause problems in the inhabited area, so we proposed a light industrial area at the far east spot (borders with Avdimou Village) to be used for this purpose.  In order to make it easier for the individuals involved, steps have been taken towards the Ministry of Commerce to facilitate the installation of the appropriate infrastructure.   The plan is in progress and very soon results will be seen.

33. Humps (slide 102)

Seeing the danger coming from over-speeding drivers, the Council proposed lots of spots for humps to be installed.  Unfortunately, after long and hard discussions with the Police Headquarters, permission was granted for only three:  Stadiou Street (slide 103) (near the Old Primary School and the Football Pitch), Kolokotroni Street (slide 104-105) (after Olympus Palace), and Ambelonon Street (at the Vine leaf Restaurant) (slide 106-107).   Efforts continue to get permission for other areas spotted as dangerous.   The construction cost € 34,000 (65% paid by paid by the Council and 35% paid by District Administration).   Meanwhile, lots of sign posts have been installed and other old ones have been renewed.   The cost for this purpose rose to € 10,000  (slide 108-109).

34. Rubbish Tip. (slide 110)

We are fully aware of the hardship, bad feelings and difficulties the present rubbish tip causes to the nearest inhabitants and we fully sympathise with them.   Nevertheless, it’s not in our hands to have it removed elsewhere as our application to carry our rubbish to “VATI”, the Limassol rubbish processing area, was rejected due to overloading.   Meanwhile, in the last three years the sum of € 24,000  has been spent on excavators for burying the (slide 111)piles of rubbish and landscaping the area.   We expect that by the middle   of 2012 the new rubbish processing area will be operating and thus we shall get rid of this headache.   The burning at the tip from time to time is due to the metal collectors.  Guarding against them is not the solution as it will add to the rubbish collection tax.

35. Makedonias-Limassol Paphos Main Road escape  

(opposite the Flower Shop)-Escape Lane Construction (slide 112)
During the last visit of the Minister of Transport the subject was touched on.   The increased traffic on that junction puzzled the Council.   The first action taken was to buy the land opposite the Flower Shop (empty space between the butcher’s shop and Macedonia’s Street). It cost the Council €20,000. Second action, surveyors and architects were hired to draw the designs.   Third action an application was submitted to the Police Headquarters and finally, as we were about ready, the subject was discussed with the Minister of Transport who promised to finance the project or get the Public Works Department to do it.   We are expecting the promise to be carried out.

36. Greening of public land to be created (slide 113)

A small but extremely useful for us piece of land, on the left, just before the Old Police Station, is to be greened if the land is granted to the Community by the Government.   For (slide 114) this purpose, the Land Office was called to define the borders and an application was submitted to the Ministry of the Interior.   As soon as permission is given, more green will be created in that area.

37. Law Cases (slide 115)

On several occasions, the Council was sued for granting or not granting permissions of all sorts.   Due to careful handling of these cases the Council won every case separately.  Lots of individuals, in order to achieve their goals, either use their solicitors to threaten the Council or they take us to Court when they realise they can’t achieve it in any other way.   On some occasions we ended up in the Supreme Court.   We won again.   Other disputed decisions were taken either to the DA or the Minister of the Interior or the Ombudswoman.   After the appropriate explanations were given, the cases are considered closed.   Not a penny has been spent from your money as compensation to anyone of these.   Of course, having lost their cases they have paid the lawyers’ fees too.

38. Poseidon Street (leading to the Columbia Resort) (slide 116)

In a close cooperation with the Columbia Company, a stone retaining wall was erected on the left-hand side, (slide 117) thus beautifying more the area and stopping land sliding.

39.  Macedonians side -way Street (slide 118-119-120)

Noticing the difficulties which the residents of that street had going home, the Council decided to fix the road, install a drainage system, premix it and construct pavements on one side.   Also the old rotting water pipe lines were changed.   The cost rose to € 40,000.   80% was paid by the DA and 20% by the Council.

40. Kalamonos Street (The very old narrow twisting road to the Nightclub      (slide 121)

Realising that this old road would be destroyed, we applied to the Ministry of Transport to have it repaired and maintained.   The Ministry responded and a surfacing took place costing € 100,000   . Also other repairs took place on small bridges, all paid by the Public Works Department.

41. Pissouri-Plataniskia road and Pissouri Alektora Road (slide 122)

Despite the fact that the Ostrich Farm is not included in Pissouri, still it is advertised as Pissouri.   60% of the street leading to the farm is in Pissouri territory.   So, steps have been taken to repair, widen and maintain the street.   The DA has responded to our application and € 80,000    was spent over the last three years. Also (slide 123) the Pissouri –Alechtora road was partly resurfaced the last 3 years costing € 60,000. All covered by District Administration.

42. Paleosholiou Street (from the Sultana Bar to the Amphitheatre) (slide 124) 

An application to the Housing and Planning Department has been submitted to improve this street (landscape, beautify or maintain it) as it will vitally connect two major Pissouri projects:  the Square and the Amphitheatre.   An answer is expected on the subject.

43. Cementing on Eleptherias Street. (slide 125 )

Due to the wearing out of the old cement on this street (from the Church to the Old Primary School) rain water was flowing into the adjacent residences.   Action was taken.   The old cement was milled and a new surface was laid.   The cost rose to €   7,900.   80% was paid by the DA and 20% by the Council.

44. Thermopilon Street (slide 126)

On heavy, rainy evenings, the Village Square turned into a muddy field mixed up with stones, and a stream rushing down from the top of the hill through the houses west of the Square.   Not only was it a disgrace for anyone to look at the Square in that condition and the cost for cleaning it up immediately, but also the houses touching the top of the hill were in an immediate danger.   Action was taken and the situation was healed, carrying water safely away and stopping the mud and stones from rolling down.   The structure (slide 127) was such that it allowed people a free access to the top of the hill from the Square with stairs.   The whole operation cost the Council € 7,900.

45. Public Relations (slide 128)

Throughout these three years, we have tried as hard as we could to balance the different needs and demands of various organised groups, organisations, cultural associations, the repatriated association, athletic clubs, the Coop Bank, Day Care Centre, PRA political parties and British Bases.   I could say that generally the relations between the Council and all these have definitely improved to the better.  Surely, frictions arise from time to time which we try to sort out amicably.   Each of them has their own programmes and makes their arrangements, trying to fit them in the general Council programme or interests.   Sometimes, hours of discussions are held to reach a decision agreeable to everyone.   On other occasions, I personally, or the Council, play the role of the fire-fighters.   It’s really exhausting and time-consuming to handle all these interests and tendencies.

46. Kapsali Axis Road Construction (slide 129)

As we promised a new road would be constructed to join the south new developments with the village centre (amphitheatre). The road has finished     (slide 130) and put into traffic, apart from some retaining walls to be constructed. The results are obvious: A great part of the traffic going though the old village is now diverted through that road. The final estimated cost is € 665,000 of which 80% is paid by the Ministry of Interior and 20% by the Community.

47. Anexartisias Street (Land sliding) (slide 131)

As expected, and according to schedule, the final techno- economic study was completed the end of March this year. The four –membered committee (of four Ministries) were supposed to meet and decide on the appropriate solution to be applied for the restoration of traffic on that road. However, new demands arisen by the engineers led to the delay of decision making. A letter was written to the Ministry of Interior to inform us of where about the whole case stands. The Ministry are asking Limassol and Paphos District Administration engineers details and explanations on the subject. We shall be informed soon. The case is of top priority for the Council.

48. View point at Macedonia’s Street (slide 132)

One of the orbited projects in 2006 was the demolishing of the old slaughter – house near the multi-cultural centre and the creation of a view point (slide 133). The project was completed by May of 2007 and the cost rose to € 37,600. it was financed by the Pissouri Coop Credit Society

49. “Arka” Agricultural Road (slide 134)

The road leading to the main goat and sheep – breeding zone (Area) (slide 135) was orbited too in 2006 and was completed in 2007. The cost was covered by the Ministry of Agriculture and amounted to € 188,000 (slide 136). Another problem was settled.