Accessibility in Paros & Antiparos According to a decision by the South Aegean Regional Council, the provision of facilities to allow access for people with disabilities to the beaches of Golden Beach on Paros and Psaralyki on Antiparos has been included in the Operational Programme of Crete and the Aegean Islands for the period 2007-2013. Two amphibious vehicles, a pathway allowing them access to the sea and cabin spaces will be included in the facilities for each beach.The project, co-funded by the EU Regional Development Fund and the Greek government will be implemented by the South Aegean Region in cooperation with the municipalities of the two islands.
(Foni tis Parou 204 -30/3/12)
Fishing regulations Maria Damanaki, EU Commissioner for Maritime Affairs & Fisheries attended the meeting on 30/4 regarding the issue of fishing. She pointed out that the regulations for the Mediterranean region had already been decided on when she took the position, that until now the Greek government has not applied the rules and that Greece is the only country that does not do so. As a result, the ministry does not give out fishing statistics, has voted on a law which is contrary to the agreed rules, has not taken any measures of compliance and encourages illegality by failing to monitor offences.
Fishermen attending the meeting suggested: that efforts are made to permit the sale of middle-range fisheries in the retail market; that fishermen are registered; that fish roe and not only juvenile fish be protected; that a plan of action is implemented for the gri-gri trawlers (purse seiners), but not for the vintzotrates (trawlers pulling drift nets); to exclude maridaki (small fry) fish from the restrictions on other fish; that although sport fishing is forbidden during the month of May, fishing with anemotrata (mechanised trawlers) be allowed.
From the above it seems that these maritime issues need to be looked after with greater care.
(Parianos Typos - 30/4/12)
The Teacher’s House The Teacher’s House – a creative centre for children and parents – is now operating in the former 3rd kindergarten of Paroikia with the goal of narrowing the gap between teacher and children. Toys, scissors, glue and painting materials are available for children to use, weekly film showings, discussions and cultural activities have been held, performances given and free tutoring provided to children who request it. One very important community contribution that has been set up is a food bank for residents of the island in need.
Mr Stavrianos, local president of the Association of Primary School Teachers tells Ta Nea: “In a Greek society, fragmented by the challenges of daily life, we provide a sense of comunity and solidarity, as opposed to individualism and alienation. A 400€ reduction in our salaries and ongoing hard working conditions may exist, but in no way does this constitute a brake on our contribution to society in general." He goes on to thank everyone who has supported the project, financially and otherwise, and invites others to follow their example, since an objective is to be financially independent.
(Ta Nea Parou-Antiparou 542 - 31/3/12)
Antiparos Water System Egnatia SA is to carry out the project of drainage and biological cleaning on Antiparos which is due to start immediately. At the same time related water supply projects are proposed, such as the issue of the water supply network in Aghios Giorgios.
(Pariani Enimerosi - April 2012)
Cultural Centre in Lefkes The local community of Lefkes have proposed to the town council and the Municipal Cultural Department (KDEPAP) the continuation of the operation of the House of Literature as a multi-space cultural centre, following the decision of the European Translation Centre for Literature (EKEMEL) to discontinue its operation there due to financial difficulties.
At a town council meeting, it was pointed out by Lefkes council members that the place can no longer function as a hotel, and that there was limited visibility of activities, lack of proper planning, organisation and cooperation between the House of Literature and the municipality as well as the fact that EKEMEL did not contribute towards the premises’ upkeep.
The local community council proposes that the continued operation of the building as a cultural centre be based on clear conditions and procedures for ongoing maintenance and repairs, that major renovation work be undertaken and that local people from Lefkes be appointed by the municipal council to a committee for this purpose.
The following month it was agreed that this committee will comprise the following members: Anna Kangani (president of KDEPAP), Grigoria Protolati (president of Paros Axia), A. Pantelaios (president of the local Community of Lefkes, councillors Andonis Arkas, J. Loukis and alternatively N. Arkoulis (director of financial services of the municipality.)
(Foni tis Parou 207 & 210 -27/4/12 & 18/5/12)
Desalination Plans for Antiparos On 23/4, at a meeting of the South Aegean Regional council on the subject of XYTA-XADA (sanitary waste disposal solutions) and desalination plants, it was agreed that the latter can proceed immediately in the islands (including Antiparos) as long as the necessary licensing process is underway.
(Ta Nea Parou-Antiparou 546 - 28/4/12)
Green light for new Paros airport The court decision on 23 April, 194/2012 means a green light for the lowest bidder for the project, the Prisa Domi company, to start work on Paros’ new airport. Acording to G. Kapsakis, civil engineer and director of construction at Prisma, construction is due to begin in mid-July.
Local civil engineer Mr Karpodinis comments on the importance of this project for the development of Paros and Antiparos and Mayor Vlachoyiannis adds: “It is a project that the people of Paros have been waiting for for many years and now is going to be implemented.”
(Foni tis Parou 209 - 11/5/12)
Financial support for beekeepers The South Aegean Region has announced a programme for improving producting and marketing of honey in 2012. Interested parties should apply to their regional beekeeping centre. In the first part of the programme (3.1 ‘Replacement of hives’) those who hold a valid apiculture booklet and declare their hives in their E1 and E3 income tax declaration are eligible. In the second part (3.2 ‘Financial support for nomadic beekeepers’), those eligible can join the ‘professional farmers’ and pensioners of OGA if they have 150 productive hives, a valid apiculture booklet and declare their hives in their income tax declaration.
For more information contact the Agricultural & Veterinary office in Syros on 22810-98828.
(Foni tis Parou 209 - 11/5/12)
A New Parian Cooperative Christos Georgousis explains how the operating of rural cooperatives of Paros is changing so that instead of the ten former cooperatives there is going to be a single union subject to monitoring by the Ministry of Agriculture. With regard to the former Union’s debt to the Agricultural Bank (ATE), which amounted to between 7.5-8 million euros, this has been negotiated down to 3.2 million and will be repaid with the transfer of three of the old Union estates to the ownership of ATE. Thus, the single Agricultural Association of Paros begins without debts and with the hope that the administration will now be able to focus on the need to provide a new breath of life into the island’s agricultural and farming sector.
(Pariani Enimerosi - May 2012)
Archaeological Institute of Paros The Institute of Archaeology of Paros & Cyclades (IAPC) announces the opening of its new office located on the first floor of the building of the old Paroikia Community office, granted by the municipality. The Institute will be open every Thursday afternoon from 6-8pm, under the responsibility of archaeologist Kostas Roussos.
Following the success of the lecture on 19/4 by the honorary curator of antiquities Fotini Zafiropoulou, the IAPC plans to establish a series of annual lectures with guest speakers from universities and other experts who study the culture of the Cyclades and Paros. The IAPC is also introducing courses for undergraduate and graduate students of universities from abroad with the objective of enhancing the international perspective on the cultural heritage of Paros. These courses will be run at the Archilochos Hall with visits to the archaeological sites on Paros. Study themes will include 1) Archaeology and the culture of Paros from the prehistoric period to late antiquity with Professor Dora Katsonopoulou, 2) The poet Archilochos and his work with Profesor Ioannis Petropoulos, 3) Sculpture and sculptors of Paros from 7th-2nd century BC with Professor Andrew Stewart.
Additionally, the work of publishing the 3rd International IAPC Congress of June 2010 is progressing under the care of Professors Katsonopoulou and Stewart, and the 4th International Congress is being planned with the main theme being the colonies of Paros in the ancient world.
(Pariani Enimerosi - May 2012)
“The Ark of the Parian Vine” A project supported by the South Aegean Region to conserve varieties of vine builds upon the work done by the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives and has so far already saved over 25 varieties in Paros and resulted in greatly increased production from the vineyards created.
One vineyard on Paros was created specifically for the conservation of genetic material to preserving these varieties, in another pilot vineyard, plants are grown more extensively for vinicultural purposes.
The programme has five phases: the first, already completed, is the identification, collection and preservation of different varieties. The next phases involve plant health, detecting and treating various vine viruses, the preservation of healthy stock, creation of healthy clones of some varieties and finally their evaluation. Mr Avgelis, representative of the Ministry of Development, reports that all parties are cooperating well and the project is proceeding swiftly, even reaching milestones ahead of the project deadlines.
(Foni tis Parou 211 - 25/5/12)
Businesses Protest In accordance with insurance regulations for IKA-ETAM, businesses with accommodation of six or more rooms will be insured in OAEE, and OGA insurance for those with up to ten rooms is discontinued. Businesses have suggested a discounted OAEE rate for those with no other insurance plans and Mr Bizas, the local representative for the Federation of Rented Rooms (SEEDDE) has argued that this law will have disastrous consequences for small and medium-sized tourism accommodation enterprises. He calls for the support of Cycladic MPs in accepting the proposals of SEEDDE as a satisfactory solution for owners of these small-scale, non-hotel businesses.
(Ta Nea Parou-Antiparou 550 - 26/5/12)
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