SHORTAGES IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN CHANIA RAISE CONCERNS
In a meeting of all the Fire Department Precincts in Chania concerns were voiced about the shortage of staff and trained firemen. The present force needs additional staff and volunteers to aid when emergency situations arise. Volunteers need to be trained to fire fighting procedures.
This year the Department did not receive funds for fuel for the two water dispersing airplanes, one in Chania and the other in Heraklion. The only funds they have are donations from private sectors who realize the urgency and the need for having the airplanes ready in case of a forest or brush fire. However, the Fire Department is optimistic and has the cooperation of other fire fighting agencies in the country in case they’ll need their help.
In another meeting that took place in the mainland of Greece, Fire Chiefs said that they hope that fire incidents will be isolated this year. “I pray to God that we do not have two big fires at the same time. There are shortages in equipment and staff. Our volunteers worked very hard last year, and they are still willing to help. But our Department needs 4.000 new employees. We have not hired anyone since 2000 and the pending hire of 300 additional firemen was cancelled before the last elections. Our mountain roads need to be cleared; our forests need to be attended; we cannot afford another major fire like last year.”
THREE BIG ISSUES REMAIN PENDING IN CHANIA
The demolition of the old hotel “Xenia”; the renovations of the old Hospital and the old Municipal Building are major issues to be discussed by Chania City administrators.
Only a signature is needed to finalize the contract for the demolition of Xenia, the paving of the square around it, and the construction of a small park, a refreshment stand and an underground parking area.
Plans for the renovation of the old Hospital are in the works. A walk-in clinic, emergency room, a day care and a geriatric facility will be housed there when the building will be renovated. A mini-conference room and an educational room will provide room for seminars and workshops as well as to provide the public with needed information about medical advances, procedures and prevention of diseases.
The old Municipal building will be funded by the Mayor’s office, which is waiting for the “go ahead” from the Greek Ministry of Culture.
CRETAN “AGRICULTURAL MONTH” WILL BE HELD IN AUGSUST IN POLAND
A daring event to promote Cretan agricultural products to the countries of Europe will be held in Poland on August 20-23 in Poznan, Poland during the “Polagra Food” inter-European and international event.
This is a yearly event with the participation of 94 countries since 1921. Twenty producers will participate from the Chain municipality and they hope they will sign exporting agreements with Poland in exporting olive oil, wine, vinegar and oranges. The municipality’s participation is sponsored by the Association of Chania Businessmen who foresees definite and positive results from the exhibit of Cretan products to the rest of the world.
TELEMARATHON TO AID SCHOOL FOR “SPECIAL NEEDS” STUDENTS
TV station “Creta” in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Heraklion, will organize a telemarathon on Monday, April 25th to aid the “Zoodohos Pigi” Center which is a school for special needs students.
STUDENTS’ TREES DESTROYED
Thirteen shade bearing trees were uprooted in the school yard of the Chania Lykeion yesterday by unknown individuals. The students had planted and cared these trees since the beginning of the year. It was not a symbolic planting, but a much needed one, since the school is new and there are no shaded areas in the school yard. The surprised students replanted the trees hoping that they will take root again.
At the same time, because of today’s international Earth Day, the Chania municipality is planning to plant shade trees in the areas of Halepa, Venizelos Street, and in Nea Hora Beach.
POLICE CHECKS STORES SELLING FIREWORKS
Police will be checking stores selling fireworks for the Greek Easter to make sure that they are legal. Many bodily injuries and even deaths have occurred in the recent years because of illegal and misused fireworks. An individual in Atsipopoulo, Rethymnon was arrested for possession of 2.423 illegal fireworks.
2004 INJURY STATISTICS FOR GREECE
During 2004, 6.333 injuries occurred in the work place out of which 127 were fatal. The Organization of Safety in the Work Place investigated 26.161 businesses and fined 5.719 for unsafe working conditions.
FERRY COMPANIES ASKING 15% INCREASE IN FARES
Threatening for a complete shut down during the Easter season, Greek ferry companies are asking for a 15% fare increase to cover higher fuel prices.
NEW HORIZONS
Financial, tourist and travel agreements with the Arab nations with “Destination Crete” is the new project to promote tourism for Crete which will be signed by Mr. Karamanlis and Mr. Kefalogiannis, Minister of Commerce.
Development of the Heraklion Airport and other airports on the southern part of the island as well as the development of certain southern ports are included in this project. Mr. Kefalogiannis and Mr. Avramopoulos, Minister of Tourism, will meet with Muhammar Kadafi in Lybia on May 4-5 to discuss bringing Arab investments in Crete, travel packages, and opening of Cretan ports to Lybian, Tunisian and Egyptian cruise ships.
Mr. Karamanlis gave the “green light” when the European Bank on Investments slated 3 billion Euro for Greece to renovate the ports in Greece and construct new port facilities. Plans for a new N. Kazantzakis airport in Heraklion are on the way, with new facilities and accommodations in mind.
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