Panagiotis Krontiras: The sacred atmosphere surrounds our island

It’s been four months since you took office. What was the hardest decision you had to make?

I love responsibility and I am always ready to make any difficult decision that will be needed. After all, at the end of the journey it is worth having brought results and being useful to society and your fellow citizens. A few months ago the citizens of Tinos gave us the popular verdict to govern the island until 2028. The imprint of the past four years was not entirely positive as we inherited from the outgoing Municipal Authority, apart from debt and a series of problems! Nevertheless, we moved very quickly in all directions and planned immediate solutions with my partners. Typical is the odor problem that has arisen with the Biological Cleaning on the island and which we are trying to solve before we even assume official duties!

Understaffing of the Health Center, lack of water: Are they the two biggest problems of the island?

In the first quarter, we aimed to reorganize the services of the Municipality and to implement projects that are particularly important for the smooth operation of the island during the summer season. Our aim was to deal with the increased water supply needs and of course high on our agenda was the problem of understaffing the Health Center on our island. We went through a race for both of these problems and in the problem of water scarcity we already have tangible results. After coordinated movements and successive meetings, with the political leadership of the Ministry of the Interior and the deputy minister Theodoros Livanos, the approval of funding of 4 million euros for the construction of a desalination plant on the island was achieved.

We continue energetically to fully win the bet we have placed as a new Municipal Authority in dealing with the water shortage! Very soon I hope that we will have more positive news about the definitive treatment of this particular problem. Regarding the problem of the Health Center, I reached the Prime Minister’s Palace in the first weeks of assuming my duties. I raised the issue with the Prime Minister himself and after repeated meetings with the political leadership of the Ministry of Health I hope that in a few days we will have positive news. We have secured from the official lips of the competent Minister, Mr. Adonis Georgiadis, the commitment for a significant increase in specialized scientific medical staff at the Health Center of our island before the start of the summer season.

How is Tinos preparing for Easter?

The sacred atmosphere surrounds our island throughout the year. But Easter in Tinos is celebrated with the religious tradition imposed by the Holy Days. On our island, the visitor will encounter unique and special Easter customs, which are a legacy and generously offer the religious indulgence of the days! Customs that are protected, observed and maintained but also passed from generation to generation intact and authentic.