FINAL SOLUTION SOUGHT IN
ROMA GHETTO PROBLEM

Possible solutions to the Roma settlement problem was the subject of a recent meeting held at the Alikarnassos Town Hall, according to a town spokesperson.

"This ghetto must cease to exist," said Alikarnassos Mayor Vaggelis Sisamakis, one of the many officials taking part in the session. "And the 70 stremmata that have been illegally taken over by the Roma must be developed for the common good of all citizens."

Also present at the meeting were all relevant state agencies, including N. Markakis, public prosecutor of high court; Iraklion MPs G. Skoulas, M. Stratakis, V. Kegeroglou and Mrs. Skrafnaki; Iraklion Prefecture representative Z. Kalogerakis; Water Works president Mr. Pagomenos; representatives of the army, electric company and the district; the three Alikarnassos vice-mayors, and council members and Roma representatives who reside at the settlement. 

Μr. Sisamakis enumerated the actions taken by the township towards the social integration of the Roma in the past few years, and especially the issuing of interest-free housing loans of 60,000 euros each for the purchase of new residences to Roma currently living in the settlement, all with the cooperation of the district and the ministry of interior.

Mr. Markakis made it a point to ask the Roma who reside in the settlement to respect the Greek Legislation, and for those who have already collected their housing loans to withdraw from the settlement. He also called from the Roma representatives to provide him with a list of any irregularities by Roma in collecting these loans. 

"We have showed with acts, our interest towards the Roma for the past few years," Mayor Sisamakis said. "But our good intentions to find a final solution were interpreted by the Roma as tolerance, and that tolerance is considered as a legalization of illegality! We asked, therefore, for the direct intervention of the public prosecutor for the application of Law and I thank all in their efforts to find a final solution."

TOWNSHIP TOURISM TAKES TO THE NET

The Alikarnassos Demos officially announced the start of its network gate, www.explore-crete.gr, in a ceremony attended by Mayor Sisamaki, Vice Mayors Mavraki, Kypreos and Perisynaki and other local officials.

The Department of Programming, Development and Social Policy will manage the promotional program, which aims to project and promote the cultural and tourism product of five regional municipalities, Zaros, Paliani, Temenos, Sfakia, with Alikarnassos in the driver's seat.

According to a spokesperson, the common denominator of these five townships is that while they have the necessary attributes and dynamics to develop and attract visitors from Greece, as well as abroad, they have not promoted their physical attributes and cultural heritage.