The new Mayor of Kalkan, Saim Karakurt, and his team have been hard at work for just over a week now, so we thought we would bring you our first report on the new administration.

The protracted hiatus surrounding the confirmation of the result meant that things did not get off to the best possible start.  The handover has not been exactly smooth and it would be fair to say that a number of challenges remain in finalising an orderly handover.  We will report more on this in future updates.

What we can tell you is that the Belediye Board, the equivalent of a UK local council committee, has been established.

The board includes representatives from all political parties who gained votes in the election, with their numbers based upon a formula that takes into account the proportion of votes each party received.

Kalkan Belediye Board 2009

• The Mayor - Saim Karakurt (CHP)
• Demet Zehra Özbaykal (CHP)
• Hasan Erkek (CHP)
• Mehmet Emin Göktepe (CHP)
• Arif Ernez (CHP)
• Raşit Akdeniz (CHP)
• Ertan Eğriboyun (AKP)
• Himmet Çelik (AKP)
• Hakan Kalçın (AKP)
• Ismail Karsak (MHP)

In earlier reports we mentioned that the new Mayor was the owner of the Fener Bar down by the harbour.  We are informed that in view of his election Saim Karakurt is no longer the owner of this business, thereby avoiding any potential conflict of interests.  Demet Özbaykal makes history as she is the first ever female member of the Kalkan Belediye Board.  Belediye decisions are made by a simple majority vote.

Monthly Belediye Meetings
On the first Tuesday of every month, starting at 10 am, the Belediye holds a meeting at which general business matters are discussed.  The public can attend these meetings to hear these discussions taking place.  If you wish to go along you are welcome to do so.  KTLN has put these dates in the What's On Calendar to remind you.

Water Supply
One of the first things the new Beledıye has had to deal with is a major problem with the Kalkan water supply.  Most of Kalkan's water comes from Saklikent, and on Monday 13th April a major breakage was discovered in a water pipe near Palamut, which resulted in the supply being switched off to enable repairs to take place.

On Wednesday 15th April KTLN was told that the repairs have been completed, and water is once again on its way.  Supplies should be restored by Wednesday night or Thursday morning.
 
This problem has highlighted the need to renew some important water infrastructure.  Many of the pumps at Saklikent are old and not working.  The new Belediye is looking at options, which include the possiblility of acquiring a smaller number of brand new, more efficient pumps.  However, these things inevitably come down to the question of money, and with new pumps costing in the region of 18,000 TL each, there will have to be due consideration of spending priorities.  We wıll report on this again in due course. Update 12/05/09: the figure we were told for the cost of the pump was incorrect.  A Belediye spokesman has told us that a new efficient pump is going to cost 200,000 TL to be installed, however it will only use one third of the electricity of the old pumps and will pay for itself in 6 months.

Construction Work Deadline
Another key decision by the new Belediye is the decision on when building work will stop.  It has been announced that all noisy construction work should cease by Monday 20th April 2009, with a major tidy up taking place over the remaining days of April, so that Kalkan is looking its best for the start of May.  If you are concerned by any activity that appears to breach this directive, you should provide details to the Belediye.

Ongoing reporting of Belediye work
KTLN will bring you further reports from time to time on the work of the Kalkan Belediye.  If you have any general questions or points you would like to discuss with the new administration, you can approach any of the Belediye Board.  If you are unable to get in touch directly, please feel free to contact KTLN and let us know what is on your mind, and we will be happy to collate and pass on your views.