Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum
Other Local Resorts & Areas => Uzumlu Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Firo on September 11, 2008, 09:35:51 AM
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At long last the mayor has realised he has many foreigners living in Uzumlu and has asked us what we want. We started a survey last night so can you let me know what of the following you agree with so I can collate the requests before we present them to him.
1:Lower water rates for homes with pools
2:Roads to be built where new homes are
3:Section of the cemetary for Foreigners
4:Public announcements in English for electric/water cuts
5:Bins where required
6:Clean up the village & the area of rubbish
7:Builders to clear sites when finished
8: ATM (cash machine)
Any other ideas that effect the majority will be welcomed.
We think this has come about because there is local elections next Spring and even though we cannot vote we have friends who are Turkish that he maybe thinks we can influence.
Fi
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Hi Fi, thanks for that, and can agree to a certain extent that the above list would make life easier for us and no doubt the majority of expats in Uzumlu. However, I can't help thinking that with limited funding his lire may possibly be better spent else where that would benefit the entire village ie: consistent water supply, more funding for the school, better medical facilities, safer lighting etc. Cheaper water would be fantastic, but when you see the locals struggling to water the crops that are used to feed their families, (because of the poor supply), I really don't feel I can complain.
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Hi Firo, it would be nice to have lower water rates for us with pools but it just doesn't seem right, having a pool is a luxury, and as a part time resident I get even less use out of the pool than full timers, so I don't begrudge the extra. The rest of the list is great.
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Blimey - I've seen it all now. Lower water rates for those with pools !!
'Let them eat cake' springs to mind ......
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The pool issue has been talked about before and it was suggested that a fairer way to charge those of us with pools would be to assess the size of the pool then calculate how much water it takes to fill it and add that as a charge on the house tax paid annually. This was proposed by a Turkish person living here.
I take your point on board Pookie but water is a problem all over Turkey so why should we pay more than Calis, Ovacik, Olu Deniz etc?
A lot of the water they use comes from Uzumlu. Much of the problem appears when every day the Belidiere turn down the water pressure to everyone.
Anyway it appears from last night that is top of the list of most peoples gripes.
He has requested this information but that does not mean that any thing will be done.
The locals can have their say during the next elections in April or May. Already the village is having new roads laid (cobbles)so the forthcoming election is already benefitting the village.
As a Turkish friend said to us "the 9 months before the elections will be a frenzy of getting the jobs done that voters complain about, it's about buying their votes!"
I will of course let everyone know how we get on and thanks Batman & Pookie for your feedback.
Fi
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Grant ...do you have a property in Uzumlu? If not where is your place because you will be paying a 1/3rd of what we pay.
Fi
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We pay three times more to flush our loos, shower, cook. That isn't fair. Sure, charge us for having a pool. But why should we pay 3 times as much for ALL our water.
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Before we go down the road of survays , do we with respect actualy know how many expats belong to this forum .It would in my opinion be wrong to base the results of a survay on this forum ,to be a fair assesment of the true feeling of all Expats .That said i agree with most of your listings, but also with Pookies comments. i suppose you would call that edging your bets .We that is Jill and I came to live in Uzumlu because we liked the area , not get to involved with trying to change the Turkish way of life. If progress is slow who are we to try to rush thing through ?? Calvin
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A "beefed" up electricity supply would not be unwelcome!Then we might be able to run more than minimum appliances at the
same time....
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The water supply pressure drops during the day because it is the simple law of supply and demand. The demand during the day is greater therefor the supply dwindles, and returns at night when the demand is less. To eliminate this problem the pipes that supply the area around uzumlu would have to be increased, likewise the storage system/pumps etc would also have to be increased. There is no forward planning and allowing new properties to be built without addressing the simple fact that the services supplying us all has to be increased to meet the ever incdeasing demand is the real problem. Our taxes may have to be increased rather than decreased if the problem is to be addressed in a professional manner.
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Calvin,
We have not instigated this "survey" but we have been asked for our opinions by the Mayor.
Thats all this is trying to do.
As far as all expats being consulted I can think of no other way to get their opinions apart from on here because a large number of those living here are members.
I can not win...if I had not posted it on here to try and let as many people as possible have a say then that would have been wrong also!
At least 60 people had a chance to express their views last night and I am just trying to let others have their say as well in the short time scale we are trying to work with.
We are not trying to push through changes to the Turkish way of life but we are responding to a request from the Mayor.
Hamilton I will express your views and concerns at the same time because they are very relevant.
Scorcher...where abouts in the village are you as most of the village area have now got better electric after they installed 3 transformers in the new year.I can then bring up your problem with reference to the area you live in.
Fi
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Rindaloo, I take on board what you say and perhaps a pool tax would be a fairer way, who knows !
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I know Dalaman was being charged like we are and after discussions with the Mayor, the system was changed to a fairer one. At the moment even if you have a well to water your garden and fill the pool, you still pay 3 times as much as a non pool owning person for the water you use in your house. Why US in Uzumlu and nowhere else?
I love this place and we moved here to be in a Turkish community. All our neighbours are Turkish and they are lovely. We really enjoy being here and certainly dont want to turn this place into a Little Britain. But I do think there could be a better system for the pool owners.
The Mayor asked for our input on this.
I would not agree with any heavy handed, ex pat changing the area-type activities though.
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On my very few visits to Uzumlu I have been aware of the speed traffic travels along the main road between both petrol stations. Could I suggest a slower speed limit.
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Dear Fi and Eric, good luck to you both but if you really think they will take any notice of us Brits then you really do live on Planet Zarg! This is, as you imply, simply a political gesture to conjure up votes for some local bureaucrat.
On point 4 I have offered to the Belidye to do English announcements on impotant issues, such as power cuts but have had no response. If something as simple as this is too difficult what chance with some of the others?
On points 5,6 and 7 more bins will just create more rubbish blowing around. If the Belidye cannot organise a simple rota for bin emptying in a small village, adding more bins will just add to the problem.
Until Turkey adopts the use of skips (hardly rocket science) then builders will simply tip the rubbish on the streets.
On point 8, if a sizeable population in Gunlukbasi does not have a bank/ATM then there is no chance up here. Let's get real.
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Chris,
We can but try ;) but as the saying goes "time will tell". I'm not optomistic on him doing anything but he's asked so we should at least reply.
Cheers
Fi
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The only thing I would like (Being a home owner in Uzumlu) is translation at the Council House from Turkish to English when paying my bills. It would be helpful, nothing more, if I could see my invoice in English as well as turkish. Heck most of our council tax bills are in several languages in the UK
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I hate the way the UK is being taken over by foreigners !!!! how many times have I heard that.........off people who have moved to Turkiye because of it !!!!!
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Yup, I know what you mean. Also you hear people complain that foreigners in the UK stick with people of their own nationality and dont bother to learn English. Well, what happens here.....
I like Uzumlu as it is. We chose where we are, to be with Turkish people. We are trying to learn Turkish, with limited success. Our neighbours are lovely and involve us in what they are doing. We are trying to be good neighbours and I think our efforts are appreciated. I know the presence of Ex pats must have various impacts on the village. But as ex pats we are all individuals and as such have different lifestyles here. SOme respect the Turkish ways, others don't seem to.
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Bloody hell, I agree with Rindaloo.
If you come into my house, don`t try to paint my walls a different colour or tell me what to plant in my garden.
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Not till he's harvested his brussel sprout anyway
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Why do people come to Turkey to try and change it?
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Why do people come to Turkey and try to prevent it changing?
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We came to Turkey to live because we love it. We love it as it is. We know it will change. Inevitably it will. So if it is going to change we would like for it to change in a good way. So, when we are asked what we would like, we suggest things. Same as the local Turks do.
I didn't necessarily agree to all the things on the list. We are all different.
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Hence why people have been asked for feedback?
Anybody would feel reading some of these posts that we, the expats, are trying to push through changes that will affect the village....we are not, we have been graciously asked if we want anything and in my opinion we should reply.
If you do not want to give your opinions then thats fine but don't have a go at people that want to talk to the mayor.
Eric
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I think it's a kind gesture by the Mayor to ask/want our opinions on how to improve the village but I can't help ask where the money would come from for all these changes? I personally would be prepared to pay extra taxes to help the village overall, especially for the local Turkish people i.e. improving the school facilities etc.
I do have a gripe about the water pressure in the Summer but, living on a hill, have had a storage tank installed. I personally think the problem is caused by all properties that are rented out to 8/10 people, all wanting showers, extra clothes washing etc. etc. Fine, if you want to rent your house but are you paying any extra in taxes locally? This is unearned income and should be declared accordingly. It does have a very detrimental effect on the village when water IS desparately needed.
However, the rate differential is rather unfair, .50 opposed to 1.75 lira.
To 'beef up' the electricity supply is the responsibilty of Tedas, not the Belediye, and they have to wangle the money out of the Government.
I do agree with the road problem, I live on a hill whereby I have no 'real' access to my house. The Mayor has kindly agreed to try and do something 'in the near future' but... I offered to pay for something to be done and was quoted a ridiculous amount (by someone local, in the building trade who no longer works in the Belediye) To my mind 'lining my own pocket' sprung to mind. Ten thousand Pounds to do a dirt track on land that belong to the Minitry of Defence. Long story, won't bore you all.
Basically there are some improvements which would be welcome but they need time and money. And the improvements should benefit all Uzumlites, not just ex-pats
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Would like to add that it would be wonderful if the Belediye would introduce a system of fining builders for leaving/disposing of their rubbish, espcially on the mountainside[:(!]. If anyone saw/caught a builder doing so we could report them to the Belediye, they get fined or are refused permission for any other building work. Money to the Belediye, a prettier countryside, quids in for all[^]
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Some good points peecee but I'm not sure any income declared and paid in tax would actually benefit Uzumlu directly. Surely this goes to the central Government? I could be wrong of course and I do agree that anyone renting out a property should pay the relevant income tax - whether in Turkey or the UK or both.
Is there a 'local' tax to be paid by people renting out properties? If so I have not come across it yet - certainly not in Ciftlik.
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Stoop, I don't know is the answer. But i would have thought that the Belediye would receive some kind of financial aid from Fethiye/Government as the local council in UK do. The more taxes the Government raise the more they can distribute. Truthfully, I think there is so little revenue raised in 'earned income' in this country (cash in hand jobbies!) it's no wonder it's such a poor country! Compared to local people I'm well off, I chose to come and live here so should/would very gladly pay my way and a bit more if it benefited my village.
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Peecee,
We were talking to the local Orman(forestry) manager 2 weeks ago and he said that 10 days before a new law had come into being about tipping rubbish.
If you see someone tipping rubbish you must note down their number plate etc, take a photo and then take that information to the Kymakan in Fethiye and heavy fines will be imposed.
Lets just hope we always have a camera to hand!
Fi
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Forgot to add...that everyone that lives here or owns property here should go to the Belidiere and register. The moneys they get from central/local government are linked in to the numbers registered so the more that register the more money Uzumlu gets.
Fi
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Fi, are we already registered because of paying our property tax?
If not, who do we need to see at the Council offices please?
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The secetary(speaks a little English)on the 1st floor. 1st door on your right as you get to top of the stairs.
Not sure if the 2 things are tied up together but she took our details when we went in so maybe not!
Fi
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The lady Firo is talking about is called Asla and she is now the village planning officer. The person who deals with the property/water taxes is Rashid, second door on the left up the stairs.
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Firo, one thing I would dearly like to see here would be an 'information' centre. Perhaps only open one day a week, staffed by someone who spoke English (for us old wrinklies who are having a problem getting to grips with the language) where you could find out information regarding utility bills/who to complain to regarding treatment/cruelty to animals (yes, you can report someone!), just general info without you spending a whole day going round in circles.
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I will brng the subject up for you.
Fi
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Some interesting replies and also some constructive replies no one falling out there is hope yet :-)
I do agree about the rubbish the drive up to Üzümlü is beautiful but the rubbish dumped in the trees is an eyesore, I know this has nothing to do with the local council but an eyesore all the same.
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Maybe the belediye could address the advertising hoardings issue as it seems the most popular topic at the moment
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I will broach the subject but maybe the Belidiere put them up?
Fi
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If its the hoardings at the school, I was wondering if it will be for village announcements. I haven't seen them since they were first put up and free of clutter.
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Rindaloo, that is what the tannoy system is for. And what a wonderful way to tell the village what is happening!! Wish we had had that in the UK village I lived in.
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LOL! One day when I was in Fethiye I asked what the announcement was and was told they were saying the fishmarket had reduced the price on their fish. So it's a bit like the announcements in Tesco's, but on a larger scale!
Yes, I know that's what the tannoy is for, but I thought maybe the hoardings would be for more detailed info. Or is all that at the Belediye office?
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quote:
Originally posted by goatman
Maybe the belediye could address the advertising hoardings issue as it seems the most popular topic at the moment
The most popular topic amongst expats.
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quote:
Originally posted by Crabbit
quote:
Originally posted by goatman
Maybe the belediye could address the advertising hoardings issue as it seems the most popular topic at the moment
The most popular topic amongst expats.
It ISN't THE topic of the ex pats at the moment. Just because it has blown up on here. Frankly I don't care and I will bet the majority of the ex pats here feel the same way. [xx(]
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With you on that one Rindaloo........