The Kalkan Belediye Board met on Tuesday 2nd March, watched by an audience of some 20 members of the public.

Here is the Kalkan Turkish Local News account of proceedings.

Meeting place for Kalkan groups
The Board agreed that a number of properly constituted groups and associations may use the Vakıf Building, which is owned by the Belediye, for the purpose of holding meetings.  The building is just off Şehitler Caddesi, almost opposite Adda supermarket.

These groups include the Kent Konseyi, the Kalkander Association, the Atatürk Association, and a local theatre group.

Sports areas
The Belediye has been requested by central government to determine which areas they intend to designate as being for sporting use.  The Kalkan Planning Development Committee, (a sub-committee of the Belediye), will undertake this task.

The Kaş/Fethiye highway (D400)
As part of the road development work currrently underway, a new local service road will be built, running parallel to the D400, on the mountain (Kızıltaş) side of the road.  At one point, this service road will go across a piece of land belonging to private owners.  The individuals concerned have raised the subject of compensation, in the form of a request for some adjoining green land to be given to them.  This matter is to be investigated and decided upon.

For information, an update on the D400 Kalkan bypass will be published by Kalkan Turkish Local News, on Sunday 7th March - one month since our previous article.

Nurse to be employed for Kalkan ambulance
The Board agreed to recruit a trained nurse, who will accompany patients in the municipality ambulance.  This is seen as essential for the safety and wellbeing of casualties.  They aim to fill this new position as soon as possible.  When not employed in emergency situations, the nurse will undertake other duties within the Belediye.

Whilst it was not mentioned at the meeting, KTLN did speak with Board members afterwards, and it was acknowledged that an English speaking nurse, would be preferable.

The formal business of the Board was completed, and questions were taken from the floor.

The Mayor's business trips
The Mayor was asked about his recent business trips, representing Kalkan town.  Mayor Saim Karakurt replied that he had been to a meeting of the Union of Historic Towns (Tarihi Kentler Birliği - TKB), in Hatay.  He confirmed that Kalkan town has received funding to start the renovation of the old First School.

A sum of 100,000TL has been agreed, in addition to funds already promised to pay for the plans to be drawn up by architects.  See our recent local news article on this renovation project.  

The Mayor also said he had visited Antalya to see the Conservation Council - a government body that oversees, amongst other things, the management of the Turkish coastline.  The Mayor had sought permission to enhance the facilities available for tourists behind Kalkan beach, (additional toilets, showers etc).

Unfortunately, the request was not approved, for reasons that are not clear to us.  We understand that some aspects of the proposals need to be redrafted, and resubmitted for approval.  The Mayor was clearly frustrated by this delay.

Local Roads
The Mayor was asked when repairs to local roads will take place.  The Mayor advised that the Belediye has requested a line of credit to enable road improvements to be paid for.  The application process is still going through.  A positive outcome is expected, but at the present time, funds have not yet been advanced.

However, despite this, some road improvements are scheduled to take place.  In particular, the Mayor recognises that roads in the Kızıltaş area are particularly bad, and some work will take place, to improve the quality of the road surfaces.  We understand that work on the service road to Kızıltaş, planned to go next to the Arçelik shop (near the traffic lights) will be starting soon.

Traffic and parking
The subject of traffic flow and parking was raised.  Visitors to Kalkan, and residents will know that there are some parking hot spots in town, where it can be difficult to proceed, with vehicles parked on both sides of the road.  The Mayor recognises the concerns and the Belediye will be actively looking at what can be done to alleviate the situation.