BESIKTAS DISTRICT MEETINGS CONTINUE

Egemen Bagis Meets Merchants of Besiktas District

Merchants of Besiktas district

Another meeting that AK Party M.P. of Istanbul 2nd Region, Egemen Bagis and President of The Besiktas District Organization of the AK Party, Mr. Necdet Dursun arranged took place on July 15th, Saturday with the participation of the merchants of the district and the members of the municipal board. Following Mr. Dursun's speech, Bagis informed the attendees on the services provided since the day The AK Party had come to power.

In his speech, Bagis stated that the GNP has been increased to over 300 billion dollars in three years. In addition, the support for the SME's has increased, and the interest rate of the merchant credits has been reduced. He added that previous export records had been broken, and that an 18 billion income was expected from tourism sector in 2006. Stating that, for the first time a greater budget was reserved for education, rather than defense, Bagis added that the free textbook campaign will expand to cover all students, including high school students. He proudly mentioned that as a result of the double roads constructed, they reduced accidents by 65% and death rate in traffic accidents by 94%.

Replying to merchants' questions and suggestions, Bagis agreed to County President Mr. Dursun's idea that construction of a parking lot would attract more people to the district, resulting in an improvement of status of the merchants. He also broke the good-news to the merchants of Besiktas, that the illegal park-attendants would be removed until 2007 with the projects of governor's office.

Complaining that large shopping centers were making things difficult for the small traders, merchants demanded that these shopping centers be moved to suburban areas. Bagis explained that there was a related project, and that this was discussed in the assembly. As a solution he stated: "Cooperaterivizing will be a very effective step in the path to solution. The costs decrease as a result of mass purchasing, and small traders profit since their fixed costs are lower."

Mentioning that he will convey their requests to the commissioners, Bagis told merchants that he would also relay these problems to the Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor, Mr. Kadir Topbas, along with the ministers that were concerned.

Meeting of The District Organization and The Advisory Board

The crowd in the ferry

AK Party District Organization and The Advisory Board meeting took place on a boat as a Bosphorus trip. AK Party County President delivered the opening speech of the meeting, in which over 500 people participated. Acting as the parliamentary representative in charge of the region, Bagis summerized the successes attained as the governing party. He also spoke about the change in the Turkish concept of politics and the innovations implemented in the fields of transportation, health, education, housing and economy. Bagis finally emphasized that party meetings held with the people and the local governers started to blossom its fruits. Then, Bagis turned the floor over to AK Party Istanbul 1st Region Deputy Mr. Mustafa Atas, who was a resident of Besiktas for a long period. Atas stated that although the assembly was closed down for vacation, AK Party deputies kept working. He added that in order for Turkey to get to better places, not only The AK Party deputies, but everyone had to make efforts.

The meeting continued with questions from the floor. Most of these questions were about purse-snatching, neccessity of the appointment of qualified people to administrative duties, employee pensions, difficulties of obtaining certain medicines and facilities which should be provided for the handicapped.

In his closing speech, addressing the laws they wanted to pass, Egemen Bagis stated that they came across the veto of the president. Then, answering the allegations about staff populating, he explained that their aim at this point was to appoint people who could work well and cooperate beter with each other. Finally, he mentioned that the 2010 European Capital of Culture Istanbul activities initiated swiftly, and ended his speech with his thanks to the participants.

Quarter Study: Haracci Quarter of Gazi Osman Pasa District

A coffe-house in Haracci

Within the context of Besiktas District meetings,another meeting was held in Haracci Quarter of Gazi Osman Pasa District. Throughout the day, Bagis visited the tradesmen in their own shops. He also talked with the members of The AK Party Quarter Organization.

Despite of the Quarter Governance's lack of concern for the developments in the district, the AK Party Quarter Organization doesn't have the luxury of being unconcerned about these developments. With the efforts of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, health services are provided for the needy neighborhoods. But due to the budget slashes, the mobile clinics now work monthly instead of the weekly, as provided at the beginning. Bagis stated that he will deal with this issue, and he also specified that the needy neighborhoods should be prioritized during the health service structuring.

The lack of teaching staff in the schools of Haracci is met by the paid teacher method. Although a small quarter, Haracci also has a high school. In this aspect it is above country avarage.