Mayor of Çeşme Municipality, Lâl Denizli, Emphasized that Municipality Revenues and Expenses are Transparent

Çeşme Municipality October Ordinary Council Meeting was held under the chairmanship of Mayor Lâl Denizli. Responding to the criticisms directed at the municipal administration over land sales at the meeting, Mayor Denizli emphasized that the municipality's income and expenditures are open to audit.

Reminding that the council member who made the criticisms was in the Audit Commission and that he examined the municipality's expenditures and accepted them unanimously, Denizli said, "You ask where this money was spent. You examined all the expenditures in the Audit Commission and gave unanimous consent. Our activity report is clear. The sales made, the resources used, how much was spent on which service, are clear item by item and shared with the public in a transparent manner."

“NO 15.7 BILLION TL OF SALES MADE BY CENTRAL INSTITUTIONS RETURNED AS A SERVICE TO ÇEŞME”

Drawing attention to the real estate sales carried out by central institutions within the borders of Çeşme, Mayor Denizli stated that a total of 108 thousand 687 square meters of real estate was sold in the last three years and the total price of these sales was 15.7 billion TL.

Stating that the total amount transferred to Çeşme Municipality from the Treasury, Iller Bank and other central sources in the last three years is approximately 694 million 800 thousand TL, Denizli said that 140 million TL of this amount was obtained as a result of the lawsuit filed by the municipality and lasting approximately two and a half years.

Pointing to the 27 percent share that should be transferred from treasury sales to local governments, Denizli said, "If the 27 percent share that Çeşme deserved in the 15.7 billion TL sales had been paid, approximately 4 billion TL would have been transferred to the coffers of Çeşme Municipality to return to Çeşme as a service."

280 MILLION TL ON ROAD INVESTMENTS ONLY

Explaining the services for which the municipality's resources were used, Mayor Denizli announced that 280 million TL was spent only on road renewal, maintenance and repair works.

Stating that an investment of approximately 90 million TL was made for the maintenance, repair and renovation of public buildings, Denizli said; He said that these works are not limited to areas belonging to the municipality, but that the municipality also assumes responsibility in areas needed by schools, mosques and different public institutions in the district.

Denizli also reminded of investments such as ÇAKOM, Ilıca Atatürk Culture and Sports Center, Ilıca Racquet Sports Facility, Çiftlik Mahallesi beach renovation works, Fishermen and Tailors Street arrangements and the first stage of the Hanem Çeşme Social Housing Project. He stated that coastal roads and environmental lighting throughout the district were renewed, and rainwater infrastructure works were carried out by the municipality at different points.

"People already see where the money is going on the street," said Denizli, adding, "I am on the street, on the street, in the neighborhood every day. There is not a single place in Çeşme that I cannot enter and give an account of. My forehead is clear, my head is high."

17 NEW PARKS, 36 PARKS RENEWAL, 25 SPORTS FIELDS

Sharing the work carried out by the Parks and Gardens Directorate, Denizli said that during his term of office, 17 new parks were added to the district, 36 parks were renewed and 25 sports fields were completely reorganized.

Stating that maintenance and repair work was carried out in 218 parks throughout the district, Denizli stated that the number of trees and plants planted in the last two years exceeded 100 thousand. He stated that approximately 200 wooden benches and picnic tables were provided to the schools so that students could eat their meals more comfortably.

“WE RETURN THE PEOPLE'S MONEY AS A SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC”

Mayor Denizli also touched upon social municipality activities; He said that the scope of services has been expanded in many areas, from home care and home health services to stationery support, from student scholarships to food support. Stating that approximately 10 thousand food rations have been delivered to those in need in the last two years, Denizli stated that the amount of scholarships provided to students has also been tripled.

Reminding that the iftar programs, which were previously held for a few days during Ramadan, have spread over 30 days, Denizli emphasized that social support is not a blessing, but the main responsibility of the municipality, and said:

"I always tell people the same thing: Don't thank me. This is already your money. We return the money that comes out of the people's pockets to serve the public. We do not favor anyone, we do the duty we have to do. We are here today, we are gone tomorrow. The important thing is to be transparent and accountable during the time we serve."

“BEING TENDERED DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT IS SOLD”

Referring to the public perception regarding land sales, Mayor Denizli emphasized that not every real estate put up for sale is sold. Stating that there are properties that have been put up for sale for a long time but could not find a buyer, Denizli said that the winning parties in some tenders later gave up buying them.

Denizli said, "Going to tender does not mean selling. We have not been able to sell most of the lands we put up for sale for a long time. The amount of services we provide is approximately twice the sales we make."

ALSO ANNOUNCED ITS 2027 INVESTMENTS

Mayor Denizli also shared with the council members the projects planned to be implemented in 2027.

Announcing that it is aimed to complete 120 houses with their infrastructure in the second stage of the Hanem Çeşme Social Housing Project, Denizli said that the second stage arrangements will be made on Çiftlikköy Beach, the commercial facades as well as the coastline will be renewed and the bicycle path will be continued.

Stating that Çakabey Cultural Center will be comprehensively renovated, Denizli said; He stated that a new culture and arts infrastructure is aimed, which will include a theater hall of contemporary standards with a capacity of approximately 400 people, two cinema halls, a music studio, backstages and support areas.

Improving the current structure of Çeşme Amphitheater, renovating Alaçatı Amphitheater, and rearranging the road axes in Alaçatı Square and its surroundings were also among the 2027 goals.

Denizli also stated that 150 thousand square meters of parquet paving and 10 kilometers of asphalt paving will be done throughout the district; He said that road, facade, traffic and public space arrangements will be made at different points, especially Uzun Street.

“I WILL SUPPORT EVERY SERVICE THAT WILL BENEFIT ÇEŞME”

At the end of his speech, Mayor Denizli emphasized that he will support every investment that contributes to Çeşme, regardless of political discrimination, and called for cooperation from the central administration.

Denizli said, "I will be the first to take ownership of any service that will benefit Çeşme even a lira and contribute to its tradesmen, hoteliers, marketers, women, children, young people and the elderly. I don't care where it comes from. Come, lead the way in terms of loans in Ankara, and I will come with you. Let's fight together for the investments to be made in Çeşme."

Underlining once again that all income and expenses of the municipality are open to audit, Denizli concluded his words as follows:

"Any citizen who wants our activity report can review it on our website and obtain it from our municipality. It says where each penny was spent. During my term of office, there is not a single penny in Çeşme Municipality that I cannot account for."