An Existential Moment for Mykonos

 

Tee-shirt reads: I'm voting Andreas Fiorentinos

Jeff––Saturday

 

As many of you know, I have spent close to forty years on Mykonos among people I consider family. Over those years I’ve seen many changes take place on our island, even written three mystery-thrillers directly addressing changes I’d witnessed and many more I saw lying up ahead.

 

This past year has not been kind to Mykonos, what with searing negative press coverage and a widespread sense of an intolerable decline in the quality of life. Against that background, many see tomorrow’s election (Sunday, October 8^th) for Mayor as a truly existential moment for Mykonos. Three candidates are running for Mayor: the current mayor, a past mayor, and my best friend, Andreas Fiorentinos. Obviously, I’m not impartial, so up until now I’ve refrained from formally adding my voice to the fray.

 

Still, I felt something MUST be said, and this past Wednesday the words came to me.  They aren’t my words, but those of Lefteris Sikiniotis, a native Mykonian and well-regarded blogger on all things Mykonian. He’s also a friend and terrific restauranter.  In a post put up on his blog three days ago—Mykonos let’s do it!–he sounds the alarm for why at this critical moment Andreas Fiorentinos is the candidate to elect.

 

Lefteris’ post originally went up in Greek, but I read it after Google Translate had had its way with it. In an effort to more fairly represent the graceful style of its author–while preserving his unique voice–I’ve tinkered with the Google translation to more fairly represent the intent of Lefteris’ piece. Beyond that it’s meant to reflect his thoughts and impressions.  To the extent Lefteris believes I strayed from his intended language I sincerely apologize…on behalf of Google as well as myself.

 

As for my take on Lefteris' post, I couldn’t agree more. What follows is his post.

 

 

Good morning to the whole team [supporting Andreas Fiorentinos for Mayor of Mykonos].

 

Today [October 4^th] in Grypareio [Cultural Center] is the speech of Mr. Fiorentinos.

 

Mr. Fiorentinos completes his pre-election race with dignity, ethics, tempered tones, and telling NOT ONE LIE.

 

He, his admirable family, and his great cast of candidates, campaigned with modesty––no ridiculous posts, no videos full of lies––to tell us there is a different road available for the island to follow.

 

Mr. Fiorentinos has only good to show from his past participation in local government. He is hard-working, knowledgeable, has a huge circle of serious colleagues, speaks English that English-speakers understand, and possesses a knowledge of tourism that enables him to perceive risks, opportunities, bubbles, and clowns.

 

If he was in City Hall this year, our island would not have been dragged down in the media. There would be a press office replying to every bad post. He wouldn't hide, he would battle the media every day to defend the island's reputation and, after five months of silence from City Hall, he would not have come out to talk to us about the price of souvlaki as if this was the root problem of the ANTI-MYKONOS movement.

 

There are many capable candidates on his team, and I apologize if I don't mention them all. 

 

If Mrs. Eirini Gripari or Mr. Panteleimon Roussos were on the financial committee, much of past government waste would not have occurred.

 

Friend and doctor Zisis Asimomitis is greatly respected by his fellow Mykonians and deeply knowledgeable of local government.

 

Friend Ilias Aiginitis knows the problems of the fishermen's harbor and the sea as few others do. He has morals and positive energy, he's a fighter.

 

Neighbor Markos Santorinaios has given more time and effort than any candidate in any previous election. He has knowledge, he has compassion, he is a fighter, and an honest foe of those who would torment us.  He is an example to us all for his ethics.

 

We all know the Menardos brothers! It is an honor for me to have worked with Panagiotis at the beginning of his career. It was obvious he would go far simply because he respects what he does. He is a connoisseur of tradition, a fighter, a family man. A Mykonian who excels in the field of catering and ethical business.

 

Daktylidis Konstantinos is a modest family man who knows every stone, every step of our island, and its problems. He remembers when so much was so very different. He’ll fight to restore our dignity and reputation.  

 

Stavros Koutsothanas offers many things of substance in sports for our community, all without fanfare.

 

Papoutsas Aggelis, Xydakis Anargyros, friend Skaropoulos Fragkiskos, and all the other candidates are people who are running for office in order to help, not to take.

 

Ethics is what characterizes this team.

 

They don't have a liar on their ballot. They are united by the love of our island.

 

In conclusion, I want to make special mention of Mrs Alexandra Chanioti. She is the strongest woman of Mykonos. She just loves the place. She has a lot to give. She deserves more than any other candidate the support of the people of Ano Mera.

 

As a team, Mykonos let's do it! wishes you wholeheartedly good luck today and on Sunday.

 

Your presence honors our community and its potential for local government.

 

––Jeff

Home At Last

Jeff—Saturday

After seven weeks on the road for book conferences and events, we’re back on Mykonos.  The first few days were overcast and chilly, but by the end of the week it was blue skies and warming weather. All is returning to normal. Except for my car, which died suddenly as it struggled up a hill.  But even that will be better soon. Or so the mechanic says…assuming the part gets here from Athens on a “timely” basis.

Barbara has a friend visiting for a few days and her reaction to the island reminds me of why I never talk about how things “used to be” to a newbie visitor. She loves it.  Fascinated and enchanted.  Yep, that succinctly sums it up.

I’m fascinated and enchanted too, but at something different. What has my attention these days are Mykonos local elections, pitting the current mayor against a former mayor who unexpectedly resigned in the middle of his fifth term three mayors ago. But now he’s back, having assembled much of his old team for a run at it again.  The current mayor is holding his ground and barbs are flying.

The good news is that the end is in sight because elections are on Sunday, May 26^th, the same day as European Parliament Elections. The smart money is on a runoff mayoral election the following Sunday, June 2—which just happens to be the anniversary of my Bar Mitzvah, a fact I’m certain is almost as interesting to the world at large as a faraway island’s local elections.

There are claims by all parties running a candidate—a third party is in the mix—that this election holds the ultimate fate of the island in the balance. Truth is, that balance tipped some time ago.  What is really at stake is who does the electorate trust to handle the new order?  In that debate lie the barbs.  And they are sharp.

I shall not go into them here, because I wish to remain welcome on the island, but they’re in keeping with what the USA is poised to experience in its 2020 elections.

Thankfully, in a week—or two at most—life will be back to normal here on Mykonos, which in most civilized parts of the planet would clearly qualify as paranormal.

I can’t wait. I love it when things go off the rails ballistic. It inspires me to do what I do…write fiction on the edge of societal change.  Make that the sharp edge.

—Jeff

PS.  All images are from the Municipality of Mykonos website.