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The site gets better and better. We found it particularly useful this year (2010) to enable us to keep an eye on the roadworks.

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KTLN review of 2010 part 2 - KTLN articles

Tuesday, 04 January 2011

Kalkan 2010 In this article we take a brief stroll down memory lane, and look at some of the things we have reported on in 2010, and highlight a few specific topıcs or articles that stand out for us.

We provide links back to some of the original articles, if you want to read them again.

If you have your own favourite, why not tell us what it is, in our feedback box (visible to KTLN members).

Introduction
Kalkan Turkish Local News has covered a wide range of topics this year; happy and sad, serious and frivolous, informative and positively barmy.

So, in no particular order, here are the articles that caught our eye, when we skimmed through the KTLN news for 2010.

Weather Weather
Let's be honest, the British are obsessed with the weather, and KTLN has unashamedly fuelled that obsession, by covering summer heatwaves, and out of season stormy weather.

Here are just a few articles.

In January 2010, when the KTLN drive from Kalkan to the UK began, it was a pleasant 10c in Kalkan, but the UK and Europe in general was suffering from ice and snow.

11th February 2010: Wind and rain batter Kalkan

18th June 2010:Summer comes early as temperatures soar

8th August 2010: Hot roast Turkey

14th December 2010: Torrential rain and severe winds

Belediye matters
The Board meetings this year have covered a range of topics - planning issues, rubbish collection, new bins, roads, charges for Belediye services, beach facilities, twinning with Cupramontana, the return of the Town Council (Kent Konseyi), a new ambulance and fire engine and mosquito spraying work.

We have also passed on important information from the Belediye, such as notifications of planned water cuts - including the major disruption in April, to the water supply to Kışla, Kömürlük and Ulugöl.

This year, the Belediye started to crack down on non payment of water bills, and in severe cases water was cut off. They also made it easier to pay your water bills, through local banks.

Roadworks
Roads were in the headlines in 2010. Many people have been interested to hear about progress on the D400 Fethiye to Kaş dual carriageway, which has effectively separated Kızıltaş from the rest of Kalkan.

This 2km section of road works is due to be completed by the beginning of May 2011. You seemed to especially like to see photos of what was happening.

And speaking of roads, or more specifically, what goes on them, in August, the Belediye approved a local dolmuş service, to help people get around Kalkan. This was big news, as it is something that locals have sought for some time. The KTT is now providing a regular service. The frequency of journeys has been reduced out of season, but it's still there.

Crime Jandarma and local crime
We don't especially like covering this topic, but it can't be ignored. Once in a while, we do let you know what is happening. We have looked at how crime is being tackled, and considered what more could be done.

In 2010, there was a new Jandarma initiative - the Emergency ID number, which aimed to improve response times, in emergency situations. This was launched at a meeting, held between local foreign residents and the Jandarma.

KTLN has suggested that all of us have a role to play, in tackling crime through Neighbourhood Watch type activity.

More recently, the Police and Jandarma combined to conduct a dawn raid on Kalkan criminals. That's not an everyday occurrence, so it certainly made the headlines.

British Embassy Visas and residency
This has been quite a big story over recent months.

In July, the Turkish government introduced the new 90/180 day visa rules, which were then promptly put on hold. Since then, the British Embassy has been in high level discussions with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), to find a way forward.

For some foreigners living in Turkey, the impending visa changes and the increasing cost of residency, have given real cause for concern. Currently, there is some optimism that the residency fees may be reduced in time for the implementation of the new visa rules - possibly around May/June.

Back in May, we told you about the new procedures for ordering a British passport.

There was also news of a new Universal Health Insurance scheme for foreigners in Turkey. With echoes of the visa story, the implementation was announced, and then deferred until 2012.

Alo 179 Practical help, information and advice
Following its successful introduction in Muğla region, Antalya region launched the Alo 179 service, in the summer. This is a government help line that foreigners can call, if they need help to progress a complaint in Turkey.

At the start of the season, we wrote a short series of articles telling you 'What's New for 2010'. These were popular articles, and we plan to do the same again in 2011.

We launched our free email alert service for registered members: Email alerts

Kalkan events Activities and events
Kalkan has enjoyed lots of great activities and events in 2010. There have been walks, trips, quizes, line dancing, fundraising events, public days of celebrations, and more recently, the creation of the new Kalkan photography club.

We have also brought you a few travel blogs, including the KTLN drive from Kalkan to the UK, back in Jaunary 2010.

Our What's On Calendar is always kept up to date. If you are organising an event in Kalkan and want to publicise it, be sure to let us know in advance.

Other topics
At the start of the season, many people were delighted to see the completion of the new amphitheatre at Kalkan First School.

We also told you about various performances taking place at the amphitheatre, which drew in large audiences.

Deniz Bank and Akbank installed two new standalone ATMs in the town centre, making it even easier for us to spend money. There is a new ATM in Patara too.

In the sea, there was work to clean up the environment, as the harbour was dredged, and the volunteer divers working on Project Aware, had an underwater clean up. Above the water, the lighthouses had a facelift, as they were painted green and red in May.

We brought you dramatic pictures in May, when there was a blaze at Kalkan bus station, which was put out by the Belediye firemen

It was a bad year for the travel industry, with the demise of Cyprus Turkish airlines (KTHY) in June, Goldtrail in July, Sun4youdirect and Kiss Flights in August - plus the impact of that volcanic ash cloud, at the start of the season.

Work began on building a new hospital in Gökseki, between Kalkan and Kaş, and also on a new airport near Demre - just over an hour from Kalkan.

Statistics
KTLN has kept you in the picture, by publishing various statistics - relating to tourism, population, interest rates, exchange rates, and inflation.

Tourism numbers in Turkey are rising - bucking the trend elsewhere in Europe.

Interest rates have been coming down - bad news for savers, whilst inflation has also been coming down, from a peak of over 10% in spring, to 6.4% by the end of 2010.

Exchange rates started the year, and ended the year at around 2.4, with a dips in May and October, down to 2.23.

We hope that 2010 was a good year for you, and that we will see you again in Kalkan, in 2011.

In the meantime, if you can't be in Kalkan, remember you can still get your daily fix, by reading Kalkan Turkish Local News. It's the next best thing to being here.

KTLN - your window on Kalkan Turkey.

Katie-Ellen
Love KTLN. Love Kalkan.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 04 January 2011