With all the controversy over the American base property, another piece of prime real estate has gone virtually unnoticed – so far – by government officials, the public and private investors.

Sixteen years ago, while observing the archeological diggings next to the Pantheon Hotel in Kato Gouves, I raised my head and came face to face with Ederi Hill.

So that’s where the ancients worshipped, I thought!

I walked to the top of the hill, and, even though there was an American military facility instead of an altar, I was sure this was the place – since I know very well that the higher the view point, the smaller the differences you see amongst certain earthly things like people.

Every beautiful thing must get ready for its decline, I rationalized at the time.

However, I was wrong . . . the decline is now!

When the Americans departed, they left behind all the improvements they made over the years, clean areas and us, the local residents, in ignorance as to what environmentally sensitive means.

After the looting of all the installations, both on the deserted base and Ederi Hill, by big- and small-time infringing mentalities, we entered the “abandonment and dirt” era.

In the never-ending efforts of nature to regenerate itself, we answer in an improper, indifferent and stupid manner.

The name Ederi surprises, because it stems from hedera, which is the word for ivy . . . a symbol for affection! It embraces affectionately . . . at 322 meters above the sea! And how do we embrace it in return?

 I exhaust my musical repertoire whistling indifferently . . . when I don’t throw garbage or rubble on the affection . . . when I don’t designate it as an ideal area for a water-closet . . . when I hope it’s not my children using it for drugs . . . when the decline of the area does not offend with its dark, rotting iron eyes staring at me . . .  and finally, when every night two red lights don’t remind me of the “glowing” Acropolis of the Hellenistic era.

 I found, though, that for which I was searching!

Yes, Ederi Hill is the neglected Acropolis of our Township.

And to the leaders for whom I have foolishly voted . . .  thou sold me watered-down wine?

Socrates said: Evil does not stem from intention but from ignorance, and, Plato mused: Virtue is not won with money.

When will we demand, by any and all means, the demilitarization of our own Acropolis?

Why does Ederi Hill belong to the Greek army and not the Greek people?

What do I say to our European visitors who wander up to the top of the hill in search of local colour and panoramic views, and, instead, are faced with our ugly neglect?

The time has come to take and develop the hill for the good of all, or even only because that’s what we want to do. Let us reclaim Ederi Hill, which belongs to us in the first place, before the “big brother” of globalization claims it instead.

The answer, then, should be an environmental development of the area . . .  tree-planting in public properties, the creation of an ecological park with a self-sustained energy source, the creation of hiking, climbing and bicycling routes, and availability of the site to sports associations.

And then the television cameras and news media will come, the publicity will travel far and wide, and this specialty of our area will be displayed for all to see.

And finally, to promote private enterprise, a public café-bar-taverna, built in harmony with its surroundings, will bring sorely needed additional revenue to the township.

A consideration of this issue by our public officials will bring about a vote of confidence instead of the scorn from all.