18-Dec-06 - Hydra has a new mayor - better late than never. If it weren't for some iffy counting, we would have seen Mr Angelos Kotronis replace Mr Anastopoulos back in October. Sadly, Mr Kotronis and his party had to waste valuable time and no doubt considerable finances, going through the courts to demand recounts and investigations to get the election results overturned.

However on a bright and sunny 18th December 2006 the triumphant Mr Kotronis arrived on the island with members of his party to an enthusiastic greeting from delighted supporters firmly proclaiming him our Mayor of Hydra. Having been cheated out of their celebration in the Autumn, everyone made up for it today. Bemused travellers to the island arriving on the same flying dolphin hastily disembarked and fought their way through the throng as quickly as possible leaving the man of the moment to appear last.

A deafening roar of well deserved approval greeted George Kokoudakis first as he preceded Mr Kotronis onto the port side. And then supporters yelled and frantically jostled each other as they surged forward trying to reach out and pat Mr Kotronis on the back all at the same time.

Eventually Mr Kotronis, who almost disappeared from view at one point under a sea of well wishers, was raised onto shoulders and paraded along the front before the crowd insisted he was put down so he could be hugged, kissed and thumped on the back some more.

The party slowly moved along the harbour and into the cathedral for a short service before Mr Kotronis finally, some two months later than it should have been, made his acceptance speech.

Mr Kotronis has snatched a late victory in this battle to become Mayor of Hydra, but it remains to be seen whether he as leader of our community will be able win future battles to reverse the downward trend set by the preceding administration. He's proven himself as tenacious and determined so hopefully this is a good sign because the next four years is unlikely to be plain sailing. Will he be the architect of Hydra's future prosperity? One can only hope so and wish him all the best.

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