Crete News of April 2006 - Page 5

Man Bewitched by Tricksters in Viannos, Crete

A man from the region of Viannos in southern Crete, was left short of 3,000 euros after tricksters convinced him that he was bewitched. The man, almost at a pensionable age and unmarried, began talking to two Traveller women who spoke with him at his home. They made him believe that unless a witch’s curse was lifted, he would never be able to enjoy his pension. They persuaded him to go to the bank and bring 3,000 euros which they would place inside one of his shirts, next to a favourite icon in his house, for 24 hours, and that they, the Travellers, would take care of the rest. Although the man gave the money to the women, he worriedly looked at his shirt before the agreed time, and discovered the money missing. Police were worried about the man’s health after he reported the incident as he was said to be in a state of shock.

World War 2 Artillery Shell in Heraklion

Shocked awake at around midnight on 20th April, an Alikarnassos man, 79, and his wife, also 79, found themselves in a cloud of dust and debris in their bedroom as an artillery shell crashed through their roof. Glass was splintered around them and a large shard landed on the pillow next to the man’s head. Husband, wife and neighbours were panicked by the noise and destruction, no-one able to explain the cause. It was not until later the next day that an explanation was forthcoming.

In the neighbouring district, Katsambas, a suburb of Heraklion, a man had built a fire, not knowing that under the fire was an unexploded Second World War artillery shell. The 7cm diameter body of the shell landed only two metres from the sleeping couple’s bed, thankfully not exploding on impact. The incident reminded authorities that there are probably many such relics of the last war buried in Cretan earth.

Roads in Crete: Court Decision Affects Landowners

So far the government has not offered any compensation to landowners for pieces of land taken into state ownership in order to build roads. The first decision in favour of a landowner opposed to having his land taken without compensation has come a few weeks ago, concerning a plot in Arkalohori which was taken to build a section of the National road (to ethniko dromo) between Heraklio and Viannos.

According to recent legislation, if you have a road built on your land; it adds value, so you cannot expect compensation. However, quite often, people do not profit from having roads built across their land, as with the above case which came to court.

This effects many people, as roads are being made all over Crete at this time. Furthermore, it sets a precedent for others who would dispute that being next to a National or Regional road is in their interests. It should be pointed out that people wanting any compensation must appeal to the responsible authority, and this should be done within two months of their being notified of government intentions.

Child Shepherd Back in School

A 13 year old boy in Agioi Deka, central Crete, quit school to take up work as a shepherd. The police took action against the parents for allowing such a move, for external employers and not in the family business, which is reported as being the first time police intervention has been used in such a case. The boy was working up to 12 hours a day for two hunded euros a month. In the past, children have left school early to work in the family trade, usually with animals or agriculture. The law in future will be tightened to prevent such occurrences.

Port of Timbaki Developments

Emboriki Trapeza, a high street bank, has been called in to contribute to the viability study which will decide on the fate of the port of Timbaki, a quiet southern region of Crete which still does not know whether or not it will be the venue for a huge container port to be developed to handle shipments from the Far East.

A number of factors need to be considered; including costs to tourism, viability of the geographical position, funding and legal and environmental considerations, and the possibilities of developing the former Air Force base that stands nearby. The former base was once seen as a possible airport of the future, but this plan seems to have been sidelined.

Heraklion Breathes Again, but motorists are left fuming

New measures to make the main street from the old harbour of Heraklion, up the historic 25th August Street, to the centre into a paedestrianised area has brought chaos to city streets. From April 26th, cars have not been allowed to circulate on this thoroughfare in a famously congested area of town. This allows walkers a chance to cross the road without fear, and to enjoy more fully the exceptional Venetian architecture, while car drivers, during these first days, will have to think ahead before deciding to park their vehicles so close to the centre of the city.

Once again, the problems of car-parking are highlighted by this story, in every Cretan town, and the responsibility is surely with the local government to push through a sensible plan that allows citizens to breathe clean air and enjoy the public spaces of Heraklion without the constant weight of traffic.