“The first and most important aspect of any administration is to be effective”
- Offer good services such as refuse management, a reliable water network, roads, street lighting, city operations, social services, schools, civil protection, care for the needy and venues for cultural and athletic events.
- Provide digital services (e-City) for the convenience of the citizens.
- Make sure that infrastructure projects that have been completed or are in development function effectively, such as the land water distribution network and the undersea water pipeline.
- Revitalise projects that have been “forgotten”, such as a Land Use Plan and the sewage network.
- Plan and organise public projects for the future.
- In the context of this long-term planning, we should exchange ideas, consult experts, and formulate our vision for the island 10, 20 or 30 years from now.
- Each action from now on, should be included in the general plan, should be a building block for what we envision and expect for our island.
- The basic tools for the long-term planning is the Land Use Plan, that we must expedite, and the Local Development Plan that we need to organize as one of our top priorities.
Refuse Disposal
- We must get rid of the stigma that Aegina is “at the limits of degradation” as reported in the summer of 2017 in a newspaper with a wide circulation
- We must upend this situation that endangers public health, lowers the quality of life, degrades the environment and private property and undermines growth and development.
- It is the top, most urgent priority.
- Recycling is the most important aspect for the solution of this problem. It must start as soon as possible.
- It needs to be intensified and spread in the community with sorting at the source, i.e. at each household.
- We should adopt good practices already implemented in other municipalities with which we are in contact.
- We should make full use of the equipment that is rusting away at Skotini.
- We should repair as soon as possible all broken down refuse removal equipment.
- We should procure the necessary recycling bins as soon as possible.
- We should plan for the renewal of the collection fleet and all other required equipment.
Welfare Program
- We should prioritise actions that benefit society and those in need.
- We should focus our efforts and provide resources to improve schools, playgrounds, civil protection, athletic and cultural facilities and social benefits.
- We should extend existing programs such as “Help at Home” and support the significant work of the Church as well as other initiatives such as “Aegina Volunteer”
The Waterfront at Aegina, Agia Marina, Perdika and Souvala
- The waterfront at the port of Aegina is of vital importance for the island’s population, as it is the epicenter of social, economic and cultural activity. The same is true for the ports of Perdika, Agia Marina and Souvala. Our program includes plans to make these ports important centers for the development of the whole island.
- Specifically, for the waterfront of the city of Aegina, our development plans extend from Kolona to Akroyiali. This area includes the ancient city at Kolona, two beaches, the ancient ports, the fish market, neoclassical buildings, the modern port, the first Orphanage established in Greece and the promenade. This area can be transformed into a landmark of great appeal thus making it a destination in itself. To become, in other words, an asset for the whole island.
- To realise this plan, the initial phase includes solicitation of competitive bids for the development of this area in close cooperation with the archaeological authorities, business, local citizen groups and all citizens in general. This planning is one of our first priorities.
Civil Protection
- Civil protection is of utmost importance, something that we often neglect.
- It is a subject that has been shown to lead to tragic results as in the case of the floods in Mandra and the fire at Mati.
- The responsibility of the local government in prevention and handling such incidents is very important.
- Hard work is required for the planning, preparation and prevention of such incidents.
- It is not just earthquakes, floods or fires. We have the responsibility to protect citizens in schools, athletic facilities, playgrounds and throughout the city.
- High priority will be given to ambulatory services, the heliport, the Health Center and the Hospital.
Citizens should feel safe in any situation.
Public spaces – Environment
- Public spaces, such as streets and squares, beaches, and forests need care, regulation and upgrading.
- Issues that require immediate attention:
- Eliminate dangerous potholes.
- Illuminate roads and parks using modern lighting technologies.
- Improve road signage.
- Implement laws and regulations relating to advertising billboards and signs.
- Upgrade parks and green spaces on the whole island and specifically in outlying areas.
- Implement rules and control the occupation and usage of public spaces.
- Place signs that are missing to point out places of interest to help citizen and visitor orientation.
- Implement practices and rules, and police pedestrian movement on roads and sidewalks in the center of town and villages especially during the summer months.
- Orderly and neat public spaces are a prerequisite for a better quality of life, growth and the wellbeing of all.
Economy-Local Development-Tourism
- The City must undertake the initiative for the preparation of a Local Development Plan.
- A realistic and viable Development Plan requires cooperation and coordination.
- All potentials in agricultural production, fishing, cottage industries and tourism in particular should be exploited.
- Aegina is an island that lives off tourism, primarily from Athens. For many Athenians, Aegina is not just a place to visit, but a second home.
- The tourist business of Attica is changing dynamically and fast and has consequences for our island.
- In this new environment we should take advantage of opportunities, prolong the tourist season, attract quality tourists and improve financial results.
Panagiotis Koukoulis
Mayor Candidate
ΑΙΓΙΝΑ ΜΠΟΡΕΙΣ
short bio
Panagiotis Koukoulis Studied Mechanical – Electrical Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens, also known as Athens Polytechnic.
He was Superintendent Engineer in commercial shipping companies and also a member of major companies in Greece and abroad.
Since 2001 he has worked as a freelance engineer and owned his own technical and construction company.
Former Mayor of Aegina 2006-2010
He is married and has a 30 year old son.
