We begin this month's report with an apology.

We are sorry that you did not get a report for the meeting in April. 

This was for two reasons: firstly, yours truly was a bit busy, but secondly, there was nothing major to report.

So this month, it's a roll over - you get two for the price of one.

April's meeting
The meeting was mainly devoted to the Mayor recounting all the things that the Belediye have delivered, since they came to power, two years ago.

The Mayor read out a long list of achievements - broadly in line with what was reported on KTLN on 29th October 2010: What have the Belediye ever done for us? A review of the last 18 months

We then watched a punchy, video presentation, which covered the same ground, but to music.

At the end of the presentation, Mayor Saim Karakurt left the room, whilst the remaining members of the Board took a vote.  As far as I can tell, it was a vote to approve of the things that have been done.  The vote was carried unanimously.  A pat on the back for all concerned.

Then the Board voted to reappoint a sub-committee, which meets at least once a week to deal with day to day issues.

This was the formal part of the meeting over.  A couple of interesting points were then discussed.

It appears that the Belediye has received permission to have an emergency ambulance (112 service), stationed in Kalkan.  This would be very useful, as at the moment, the nearest 112 ambulance is in Kaş.  Clearly, in an emergency situation, time is of the essence. 

The sticking point at the moment appears to be the lack of qualified personnel to staff the ambulance.  They are looking for a couple of people.

For information, the Belediye 'ambulance' is not a fully kitted out ambulance, and the driver is not medically trained.  He simply carries patients from A to B, at the behest of one of the local doctors.

Next, the subject of supermarkets was raised.  In the past, the Belediye has been against big supermarket chains, such as Migros, Kipa or Bim, coming to Kalkan, as they believe we have enough supermarkets already.

However, the big supermarket chains appear keen to come to the area, and at this meeting, the Board discussed the inevitablility of this happening.  Their stance appears to have softened, and they talked about the terms and conditions that would apply, if and when a formal approach is made by one of the big players.

They said that any new supermarket would have to be on the outskirts of town, and not in the centre.  They spoke of insisting on a minimum number of car parking spaces - 50 was mentioned.

This is no doubt a topic that we will return to, at future Beleidye Board meetings.

May's meeting
Item number one on the agenda was the approval of the Belediye budget; closing it off as at the end of 2010.  The Finance Officer read out details, and the Board voted to approve the numbers.

Item two related to the new service road from Kışla to Kalkan, via Körmürlük - Kışla Caddesi.  Two pieces of green belt land are impacted by the need to build this road.  The maps displayed, appeared to show two quite small, and narrow strips of land that need to be appropriated. 

The Belediye is comfortable with what is proposed, however a motion was passed to refer this to the Belediye planning department, to seek approval from a higher authority, (believed to be in Antalya).

Item three was about the need to recruit a university graduate within the Belediye.  The vote was carried unanimously.

Item four.  A number of complaints have been received about planning applications from local builders.  These complaints will be documented and passed to a higher planning authority, who will review the actions of the Belediye.

An additional couple of late items were tagged on to the agenda. 

Item five was about bus shelters and advertising boards.  KTLN learned some time ago that the Belediye was thinking of bringing in 15 bus shelters, to provide shade from the sun, and shelter from rain. 

So far, only one has been deployed.  You can see it close to the Belediye.  It carries illuminated advertising, just like the ones you can see in many towns and cities.

It seems that whilst the Mayor has authority to install these around town, he wanted to ask the Board to vote on it.  At this meeting, the Board members said that they were happy to look at proposals, but they needed more information before taking a vote.

So, a project will be started, which will look not only at these bus shelters, but also at proposals to have more advertising boards, (some of them illuminated), around town.

[Editor: This could be an interesting topic for a forthcoming KTLN poll].

Finally, as far as the agenda is concerned, item six looked at the new system for charging boat owners for electricity, clean water, and waste water disposal, in the harbour.  The new system will use pre-paid swipe cards, which will result in a fairer, pay as you go scenario.  Having installed the system, the Board decided to vote for its introduction.

The offical part of the meeting over, there then followed some interesting discussion and debate.

Some time ago, Kalkan decided to join a group of fellow municipalities, in the PATAB group - working together on matters of common interest.  KTLN reported on this.  It reaches out to towns in the direction of Kınık.  They decided not to go the other way, and join a similar group, which includes Kaş.  We can only assume that the Belediye believes that they have chosen the group that will bring the most benefit to Kalkan.

Kaş has now come back, and asked again if Kalkan will join with their group.  We are not aware of the benefits that are being suggested, for joining, but the item is on the table again for discussion.  Some Board members said that the whole subject had already been considered and decided upon, and were not keen to open the debate up once more.

Next, a businessman in the audience spoke at length, and passionately about his love of Kalkan, and how it is being spoiled, in some areas.  He took up the point about more illuminated signs, and said this was not in keeping with the town.  He thought the bus shelters were a sensible idea, but huge billboards, and bright, illuminated signs were a bad idea.

He also complained about the proliferation of businesses that are creeping on to the streets with tables, chairs and signs.  This is a topic that has been raised before, and it is fair to say that the Mayor is not in favour of a heavy handed approach.  He prefers to seek amicable co-operation. 

The businessman said that once again the signs were being pushed out, further and further, and that it makes Kalkan a less attractive place.  He said that these things also present hazards for people who have a right to walk the streets, and prevent drivers from legally parking their vehicles.

[Editor: On a legal point, no business has a right to obstruct the paths or roads with any signs, or furniture.  All of the no parking cones you see around town, have no legal standing, in fact, technically, the signs themselves are obstructing the highway.  We are aware that some businesses claim they have put things on the streets for years, but this does not mean they have any legal right to do so].

The Mayor said that they would write to all businesses in Kalkan to ask them to remove any offending signs.

The same businessman appealed to the Mayor to do what he can to extend the tourist season in Kalkan.  He said that for many businesses, a 6 month season (May to October), was not enough to sustain a profitable enterprise. 

He said that an 8 month season was required, (April to November).  He pointed out that the months of April and November see reasonable weather, and providing there was no noisy construction, tourists would come.  In fact, some people find the temperatures in these month more appealing.

[Editor: Another possible KTLN poll].

And again, on the subject of keeping up appearances, another businessman complained to the Board about a new shop on Kalamar Road, selling household goods.  It was claimed that the overspill of goods in front of the shop was an eyesore, and reflected badly on the area.  What do you think?  See the photo below.

Finally, the subject of water outages was raised.  Kalkan has seen a number of dry spells - especially in Kışla and Körmürlük, due to the D400 roadworks.  Some KTLN readers may recall that shortly after being voted in, back in April 2009, the Belediye spent a significant amount of money improving the water pumps.  This has made the water supply more reliable.

However, the Mayor explained that the way in which the water reaches Kalkan, requires a lot of manual intervention.  There are a series of links in this water supply chain, and very little is automated.  Members of staff are required to oversee switches, to ensure a smooth flow, and if they are absent for some reason, this can create a temporary interruption to supplies.

Replacing this system with something that is automated, would require a significant investment, and there is no indication that this is on the agenda.  We just need to hope that the staff concerned have a good alarm clock to make sure they turn up to work on time, and flick those switches.

KTLN - your window on Kalkan Turkey.

Katie-Ellen
Love KTLN. Love Kalkan.