Dear fellow residents,
The municipal authorities at any given time play the lead role in shaping the course of a place. Local administration is the basic designer and implementer of local development, in cooperation with local productive forces and the residents. They must deal with, amongst others, the challenges regarding the environment, culture, quality of life, social politics, and new technologies.
In recent years, in the globalized environment that we live in, Lefkada seems like a boat sailing adrift. We were not able as a society to set a number of common goals and the framework to claim them. At times we do set various goals but we fragmentary claim them, in conditions of dispute, and of course without essential results.
The current municipality has held a reactive role, putting out the fires as they flare, without an organized plan, and has been deemed inadequate as regards to the needs and potential of our island. They are content with maintaining the current state of affairs, without attempting to create conditions for financial growth, especially since the country has been suffocating under prolonged austerity measures. They were not able to convince or inspire active participation in the residents towards a common goal, they did not attempt or did not want to cooperate with other entities of the island, putting their ego first, being rigid, and rather preferring to satisfy petty party benefits.
I maintain a strong conviction. This conviction is that Lefkada has all the prerequisites as well as notable and capable human resources. With this it can acquire an identity, a compass, and its rightful place on the map. It is a common belief that Lefkada is blessed. To achieve this, a lot has to be done. Initially we have to envision how we want our island to be in the long run. We need specialization in the areas that we can differentiate in, making good use of our comparative advantages. First of all however, the entire venture has to be embraced by the vast majority of the residents of Lefkada, by changing simultaneously mentality and past practices. Finally, we have to acquire a sense of pride for our island itself and as residents of Lefkada. We need to reevaluate our priorities.
At this point please allow me to introduce my visionary proposal for our island that can be summed up in a few words: LEFKADA the GREEN island, the island of QUALITY and CULTURE. To implement this proposal it is necessary to set some municipal goals that will pertain to the protection and promotion of the natural and urban environment so that the every day life for our residents and visitors improves, by using new technologies and upgrading the services provided. Municipal goals that are not only set, but their trajectory will be communicated to the residents, and the necessary corrections will be made simultaneously.
Everything is in our hands. It will all come down to the upcoming municipal election and by the potential we will show so that individuals with knowledge, ability and the will to create get to meet and cooperate with each other, beyond political limitations; one new collegiality which will speak up and more importantly act for Lefkada with vision and realism, selflessness, effectiveness and mostly with a communicative disposition. A collegiality that will motivate and will cooperate with all the powers that be. A collegiality that will form a new social majority.
These thoughts of mine are a public call for alignment in our joint effort, especially towards the younger people, who must take the future of the island in their hands, towards scientists of all specializations whose opinions and participation is necessary. It is also a call to all professionals that promote local interests through their activities, to all civil servants that work vigilantly for friendlier and more effective municipal services, and above all, these thoughts are aimed towards all the residents of Lefkada, to help in this effort, in this race.
In the small society of Lefkada, we all know each other. My interest in local government is not coincidental or opportunistic. It is real and I have served it consistently. My ideological and political backgrounds are known and firm. That aside, I strongly believe that when it comes to the municipal elections, individual transcendence must be achieved, for our islands sake.
Knowing very well the responsibilities that arise from the position, I announce my intention to run for Mayor of Lefkada in the upcoming municipal elections. In my view, my personal trajectory up to this point, not only professionally, but also in the political arena give me the right to turn to all of you and ask for your support and active participation in this race.
I invite you to join us, with terms for the future and not the past, for Lefkada the green island, the island of quality and culture.
Haralambos Kalos
Veterinarian – Fish Pathologist
Former council member of the municipality of Lefkada
