July 25, 2023
FEATURED, Tourism
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More than 250 residents on Paros defied the uncontrolled spread of privately run loungers and umbrellas on the popular Santa Maria beach demanding space to put down their towels. The Municipality Council had decided to not lease the beach for three years.
“We kicked off the campaign at a beach we consider emblematic, as there is no question of legal leasing here. The Paros Municipal Council decided earlier this year not to auction any part of the beach, as it is a Natura site. Yet 80-85% of tiny Santa Maria is covered in loungers,” Damianos Gavalas, one of the protesters, told daily kathimerini.
According to neolaia.gr, when protesters told the beach bar owner, he was illegal he responded “I know I’m illegal! Call the police!”
Te protesters distributed leaflets in several languages to beachgoers
The campaign was the first of its kind on the island – and it is only the start, according to the Paros Citizens’ Movement for Free Beaches.
The beaches of Kolymbithres and Paros Park are the next stop in the campaign, which was spearheaded by 78-year-old Christos Gerogousis, a former school principal.
According to local website parianostypos.gr, the mayor of Paros sent a letter to the lessees of the simple use of the seashore and beach on the subject of “Arbitrary occupation of beaches” with which he asked them to occupy the square meters allocated to them and to observe the prescribed distances from the sea.
In his letter beginning of July, the mayor emphasized that in the event that irregularities are found, the Municipality of Paros will proceed with all the legal actions that fall within its competence to take compliance measures.
Paros Municipality informed also the Syros Criminal Prosecutor that although the Municipal Council rejected the concession of parts of Mikri Santa Maria beach for the development of umbrella seats, while businessmen have occupied the entire beach. Paros Muicipality urges the prosecutor to take action and to remove the occupation of the beach in its entirety.
PS noting has happened so far….