PISSOURI CONTACT 52

Sunday, 22 November 2009 06:12

Written by Daintre Hart

0 Comments

STELLA AND NIKOS

Sheer happiness:  another beautiful Pissouri wedding.   Congratulations to Styliana, second  daughter of Andreas and Yiota Ioannou of Pissouri, and Nikolaos, son of Konstantinos and Paraskevi  Tentzeraki from Volos, married at Apostolos Andreas Church last Saturday.     Stella is a Pissouri girl, and many of us know her sister Maria Pericleous from the Hair and Beauty Salon (Maria did Stella’s hair, of course!); and she has three brothers.   The happy couple will be off to Greece next week for a party in Nikos’s home town.   Nikos and Stella both work in Limassol – he is an information technologist, and she is a food analyst, but their home is here in Pissouri.
 
The many Pissouri friends of Liz and Danny Papastyllianou will be delighted to see their daughter Michaela as bridesmaid (in blue).    You will remember Michaela growing up with her four equally beautiful sisters at the Monte Beach restaurant; she is now a dentist.

We all wish Stella and Nikos every joy in their lives together.

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JOHN FARMBOROUGH

It is with great sadness that we report the loss of our neighbour John Farmborough, who died in the Iasis Hospital on Monday 16th November, just seven weeks after the death of his wife Celia (see Contact 45).   John, though of no great age, had been seriously ill for some time and had been receiving hospital treatment in the UK.   He returned to Pissouri only a week before his death and was clearly still very unwell.    John and Celia will both be very greatly missed by their many friends in Pissouri and nearby towns and villages, where they were greatly loved and widely known for their tireless work for All Saints’ Church Episkopi.   John’s two daughters, Jo and Sarah, arrived in Pissouri on Tuesday and we extend to them our deepest condolences on losing both their parents in so short a time. 
 
We understand the funeral will be held in the UK.

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MEET THE MUKHTAR

Sunday 29th November at 10 am.

Please note that this public meeting will be held at the New Primary School.

  TALKING ABOUT DINOSAURS

Whoops, I spoke too soon about progressive thinking from the Village Council.

It seems they prefer to impose charges and restrictions on tax and rate-paying members of the Village community, rather than looking at the wider strategic picture of what needs to be done to propel the community through this savage recession.     Strategy doesn’t seem to be their strong point, but this is not surprising.   Councillors are voted in partly for their political affiliations, but also by family block votes.    The interests of the wider community rarely get a look in.

I am publishing below part of the minutes of a Council meeting held recently.    We have an empty public building - the old school - which rate-paying residents want to use for leisure activities.    The Councillors are insisting that those of us who already pay for Village services should pay a heavy extra charge for the use of these empty rooms.   There is no possibility that the private teachers can afford to pay the sort of money that the Councillors are demanding.    So the classes will very likely cease.

It costs the Council nothing extra to provide this service.   The room stands empty and the class participants pay for the cleaning and the heating.    Long term maintenance would have to be done anyway and the amount of electricity used is minimal.  

This decision was taken against the advice of the Mukhtar, who ran a second meeting to try to change it.   The Mukhtar has the vision to see the wider picture, the Councillors apparently do not.   Pissouri is ideally situated:   it has the facilities, the location and the infrastructure to be a leader of Cyprus tourism, but our Councillors do not seem to see the wider picture.     These classes should be not only an amenity for all the residents of Pissouri.   They should be part of a drive and range of attractions to bring visitors here both in summer and winter.    Even the young people I speak to in the Village are bursting with positive ideas for this.  However, not everything is doom and gloom:  while all our Councillors voted for this charge, one (see below) actually voted to ban totally any such use of public buildings. 
 
Tony reckons the problem is partly that there are neither women nor young people on the Council. 
  
It is not clear what was behind this decision.     What you see on the surface is often a veneer and gives little clue to what lies beneath.    While this Council decision may not affect you personally, the next one might.    If you want to do something about this, get out there and get on the electoral roll.   The next election is in two years’ time.     If everyone registers, we can break the mould.  
 
I realize that today’s Contact is breaking new ground, but these are our elected Councillors and they should be publicly accountable for the actions they take on our behalf.   I will keep a close eye on the minutes in future and pass on any other interesting decisions.

Come, too, to the Mukhtar’s presentation on Sunday 29th November in the New School to ask your own questions about living in Pissouri.

I would much prefer to give you cheerful news every week, but life is not like that, and the whole point of Contact is to provide you with not just local news but the background behind it.   

Below is a translation from the minutes (see the original Greek below) of the last Council meeting:

Use of the Old School Buildings

The President of the Village Council informed the Council members that at present some of the buildings of the Old School are used for teaching Greek and Pilates; he mentioned that these two programmes are Government and Ministry of Culture classes.

There has also been an application from two private teachers of yoga and line dancing.   In respect of this, it was decided that, in return for the use of the building, the two teachers should each contribute to the Village Council €100 per month to cover the cost of cleaning, water, maintenance, electricity etc.

Mr Michael Tsiatallos disagreed with the above decision.     Further, it was decided that because the use of the Old School is going to change into a medical centre, any other users of the building should leave it from May 2010.

Use of rooms at the Old School

The Council confirmed the decision of the 6th November that the two teachers should  each contribute €100 per month for water, electricity and cleaning.   They are to be informed of the decision and if they don’t like it they must leave.

BIRDLIFE

I mentioned the sighting of a young Monks seal off Pissouri Bay a while ago, and am surprised that I have had no feedback on the item.   Has no one else seen a seal near Pissouri?    What a tragedy that this animal is being lost from the Mediterranean. 
 
The article mentioned our Eleanora’s falcon colony on the Cape Aspro cliffs; and because we see falcons all the time I thought you would like a good picture of this bird so that you can identify them.   When I spoke to Birdlife, they kindly sent us this stunning picture of the falcon by Dave Nye.  I asked them about the sighting of the seal, and whether we had a resident bird watcher who was sending them reports.    It seems that we do not have an official Pissouri bird watcher.  What happens is that BirdLife Cyprus (in cooperation with the Game Fund, Akrotiri Environmental Educational Centre and Sovereign Bases Administration Environmental Service) do an annual count of the number of falcon nests on the cliffs, and to do this they have to have a boat.   This was when they spotted the seal.

Many of you will remember the excellent talk by Jane Styllianou organised by the late Fiona Hall a couple of years ago as part of Springwatch.   We joined Cyprus Birdlife at that time, and very much appreciate their monthly newsletter.   I think, even if you are not a member, with so many of us out and about with a camera in our hand, they would appreciate any reports of any interesting bird sightings.   Send them your photos and observations.   It was in the newsletter that the item of the seal caught my eye.

Also, when I was speaking to the Game Fund recently, they asked if we had many black francolins (frangkolina) in the area:  my reply was that I have seen almost none over the years – only one down by George and Jo’s house, about 6 months ago.   Has anyone else seen any?

Birdlife’s Campaigns Officer, Eleni Zisimou, has sent us this information from Birdlife:

Working to conserve out birds...our environment...our future
 
BirdLife Cyprus is the National partner designate of BirdLife International, which is a global Partnership of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with a special focus on conservation and birds.
 
BirdLife Partners operate in over one hundred countries and territories worldwide.
 
The BirdLife Global Partnership has:
 
    * More than 4,000 staff working for conservation
    * Over 2,500,000 members worldwide
    * 10,000,000 worldwide supporters
    * Over 2 million children involved annually
    * Over 1,000,000 hectares owned or managed
www.birdlifecyprus.org

 POLICE

Not good news on the Police front this week.   No progress has been made by the Police towards discovering who had interfered with and damaged the archaeological standing stone and its site.   The Village grapevine, however, now knows who is responsible.   I repeat what I said last week:  it has been the custom since time immemorial to raid archaeological sites.   Unless there is a serious prosecution with a deterrent sentence the message is that anyone can destroy antiquities and this will remain an ongoing, devastating practice.    The stone has now been removed by the Antiquities Department for safe keeping.   Unfortunately, the landowner was not informed about what was going on and he is – justifiably – pretty angry.
  
Other cases:  a resident has been charged with malicious damage for deliberately damaging cars down in the Bay area.    There has been another theft from isolated premises – this time the DIY shop on Ambelones.   And a man has been charged for not having licences and failing to keep his dogs under control – for the third time – after they killed two chickens.

However, the courts have at least struck a blow for sanity by imposing a swingeing fine in the earlier case of the tourist who attacked the resident who reminded them that they were in a quiet residential neighbourhood.

SNIPPETS

TEAM PISSOURI

We do get the odd piece of fan mail, which is always lovely, and this accolade from Glafkos Kariolou is particularly welcome, because Glafkos – Beaches Officer for the Cyprus Tourist Organisation - is a high-powered, effective, and tireless campaigner for the protection of everything that is special about Cyprus:

“Unbelievable quality of public coverage on issues of paramount importance.  Unique for a small village the size of Pissouri.   One thousand bravo.   We must all be proud for Pissouri, the citizens of Pissouri, the village council of Pissouri and all their collaborators.   One million bravo!!”   

LOST DOG

Nicos Symeou's (who works for the Council) mother, who lives in the Village, has lost her small white male Cyprus poodle with a red nose.    The dog was recently clipped, and it has a microchip.   If you see it, please give Nicos a ring urgently (99 179332) because, obviously, they are very worried indeed. 
  
Nicos is also worried because there is a rumour of someone in the Village collecting dogs and taking them to the rescue centres, but I told him I had not heard anything like this.   It is usually pretty clear if a dog is lost or abandoned from the way they behave.  There are other dogs, very much Village characters, that pootle around happily and are clearly not in the business of being rescued. 

FIREWOOD

There is every sign in the surrounding countryside that the annual winter destruction of trees is in full swing.   I came across the stump of a newly-felled mature olive tree this week, and of course the destruction of carobs is relentless. 
 
In the meantime, Marilyn Vincent has located a legitimate supplier of firewood and is happy to pass on his details if you contact her:  Marilyn@country4x4.co.uk.

OPENING OF PAPANTONIOU

The grapevine tells us that the Pissouri Papantoniou will opening in the second week of December.

TITLE DEEDS

I will give you the Peyeia Coalition’s analysis of the Interior Minister’s proposed amendments to the Title Deeds legislation next week.  

 I also hope to bring the news on health services later.

THE WEATHER

Is it just me (am I getting old) or has this been a cold November?   The forums seem to agree.   Today, however, back to balmy, gorgeous sunshine - our normal autumn weather.

THE VILLAGE POST OFFICE

We now have a direct telephone line for the Village Post Office:   25 222720.  

THE VILLAGE OFFICE

Has been up to its eyeballs again this week.   The problem is the scale of the job is enormous, and there are not enough staff to do everything.   It is an unenviable task, and, as I have said before, we are very lucky in the people who look after us.  

Daintre Hart
99 350 819/25 222 802
Website:  www.about-pissouri.com
Friday  20th November  2009
© Daintre Hart 2009

In Supplement 52:

1.   Extract from the Minutes of the last Council Meeting in Greek.  
2.   Letter from the Village Office about the serious problems of dog nuisance at Pine Bay
3.   Columbia entertainment programme for November.  
4.   Kolossi  Kristmas Run and Ramble
5.   Earthhour Vote
6.   Marcos Internet Spot ad

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Secret Pissouri places.

For those who wish to see the original minutes of the Council meeting referred to in Contact 52:

Πρακτικά Σχολικής Εφορείας σε συνεδρία που έγινε στα γραφεία του Κοινοτικού Συμβουλίου στις 06/11/2009.

Αρ. πρακτικών 7/2009

Παρόντες

Ο κ. Χρίστος Αριστείδου     Πρόεδρος
Ο κ. Μιχάλης Τσιάτταλος     Αντιπρόεδρος
Ο κ. Πανίκος Παγγέρας     Μέλος
Ο κ. Άριστος Ηλιάδης      Μέλος
Ο κ. Στέλιος Λεωνίδα      Μέλος
Ο κ. Αντρέας Φιλίππου     Μέλος
Ο κ. Γεώργιος Κουκλής     Μέλος
Ο κ. Κρίτων Απόστρατος     Μέλος
Ο κ. Χριστόδουλος Δημητρίου    Μέλος

Παρακαθήμενοι

Ο κ. Πέτρος Φουτάς     Γραμματέας Κ. Σ.

Θέματα

1. Χρήσεις αιθουσών Παλαιού Σχολείου

Ο Πρόεδρος πληροφόρησε τα μέλη ότι αυτή την στιγμή χρησιμοποιούνται οι αίθουσες του Παλαιού Δημοτικού Σχολείου για την διδασκαλία των Ελληνικών και Πιλατες αντίστοιχα.   Σημείωσε ότι και τα δύο αποτελούν κυβερνητικά προγράμματα και είναι εγκεκριμένα από το Υπουργείο Παιδείας και Πολιτισμού.

Συνάμα, σημείωσε ότι υπάρχει αίτημα για την χρήση των αιθουσών από 2 ιδιώτες που θα παραδίδουν μαθήματα Υογα ανδ Λινε Δανψινγ ένατι αμοιβής.  Ως προς τούτο, αποφασίστηκε, όπως, ως αντάλλαγμα της χρήσης των αιθουσών, οι 2 ιδιώτες διδάσκαλοι συνεισφέρουν στο Συμβούλιο από 100/μήνα έκαστος έτσι που να καλυφθούν τα έξοδα συντήρησης των χώρων (ρεύμα, νερό, καθαριότητα κλπ).  Ο κύριος Μιχάλης Τσιάτταλος διαφώνησε με την πιο πάνω απόφαση.

Επίσης, ενόψει της αλλαγής χρήσης του Παλαιού Δημοτικού σε Ιατρικό Κέντρο, αποφασίστηκε όπως όλοι οι χρήστες των αιθουσών εγκαταλειψουν το κτίριο μέχρι τον Μάιο 2010.
Να ενημερωθούν σχετικά οι ενδιαφερόμενοι.

___________________________________________________________________________
Ο ΠΡΟΕΔΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΣΧΟΛΙΚΗΣ ΕΦΟΡΕΙΑΣ
ΧΡΙΣΤΑΚΗΣ ΑΡΙΣΤΕΙΔΟΥ

Πρακτικά Σχολικής Εφορείας σε συνεδρία που έγινε στα γραφεία του Κοινοτικού Συμβουλίου στις 13/11/2009.

Αρ. πρακτικών 8/2009

Παρόντες

Ο κ. Χρίστος Αριστείδου     Πρόεδρος
Ο κ. Μιχάλης Τσιάτταλος     Αντιπρόεδρος
Ο κ. Πανίκος Παγγέρας     Μέλος
Ο κ. Άριστος Ηλιάδης      Μέλος
Ο κ. Στέλιος Λεωνίδα      Μέλος
Ο κ. Αντρέας Φιλίππου     Μέλος
Ο κ. Γεώργιος Κουκλής     Μέλος
Ο κ. Κρίτων Απόστρατος     Μέλος
Ο κ. Χριστόδουλος Δημητρίου    Μέλος

Παρακαθήμενοι

Ο κ. Πέτρος Φουτάς     Γραμματέας Κ. Σ.

 Εγκρίθηκαν τα προηγούμενα πρακτικά.

Θέματα

1. Χρήσεις αιθουσών Παλαιού Δημοτικού Σχολείου

Το Συμβούλιο εμμένει στην ειλημμένη απόφαση του ημερομηνίας 6/11/09, όπως, ως αντάλλαγμα της χρήσης των αιθουσών, οι 2 ιδιώτες διδάσκαλοι συνεισφέρουν στο Συμβούλιο από €100/μήνα έκαστος έτσι που να καλυφθούν τα έξοδα συντήρησης των χώρων (ρεύμα, νερό, καθαριότητα κλπ).  

Να ειδοποιηθούν οι δύο επηρεαζόμενοι για την απόφαση.   Αν διαφωνούν τότε να αποχωρήσουν.

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Ο ΠΡΟΕΔΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΣΧΟΛΙΚΗΣ ΕΦΟΡΕΙΑΣ
ΧΡΙΣΤΑΚΗΣ ΑΡΙΣΤΕΙΔΟΥ