The space allocated to 3 associations in the Kepez Municipality Council was taken back

Following a cable car accident in Antalya where one person died and seven others were injured, Kepez Mayor Mesut Kocagöz, who was arrested and released on bail at the hearing on June 11, once again chaired the Kepez Municipal Council for the second time after the local elections on March 31. As part of cost-saving measures, the locations allocated to three associations in the municipal council were revoked.
The Kepez Municipal Council held its July council meeting chaired by Mesut Kocagöz at the municipal council chamber. During the council meeting consisting of 12 items, Kepez Mayor Mesut Kocagöz thanked the council members for their support during his time in prison. Kocagöz expressed his gratitude saying, ‘I have been away from you for two months, we thought we would experience such a thing and we did, but I sincerely thank each and every one of you. Regardless of party affiliation, I thank all my council member friends, and everyone who has love and compassion in their hearts. I am grateful that you exist.’
Get well wishes to Mesut Kocagöz from the AK Party. Groups in the municipal council extended their get well wishes to Kepez Mayor Mesut Kocagöz. CHP Group Spokesperson Gökhan Yılmaz stated, ‘Every day Mr. Mesut Kocagöz spent in prison was a wound in the heart of Kepez residents. Seeing him among us again is a symbol of our people’s faith in justice.’ AK Party group spokesperson Süleyman Acar said, ‘Mr. Mayor, we extend our get well wishes regarding the unfortunate accident you experienced. May God protect you from experiencing it again, and good luck with the services you will provide.’
Resolution on the Closed Market issue. The past decisions regarding the construction of a closed market in the municipal council, which were suspended by the Konya Regional Administrative Court, were discussed in relation to the cancellation of the council decision by the Plan and Budget Committee and the Property Evaluation Committee. While the 7th and 8th items on the council agenda were passed by majority vote, AK Party Group members Yusuf İşeri and Muhammed Emin İlhan voted against. Mayor Mesut Kocagöz commented on the matter, saying, ‘The suspension of the closed market construction means the suspension of the tradesmen, the inconvenience of the citizens, the headache of the muhtars, and our own headache. Of course, we will comply with the court decision, discuss with the relevant authorities, and rectify the situation.’
The decision in the 11th item on the agenda, regarding the revocation of the locations allocated to three associations as part of a joint project in previous years, and the continuation of the allocation of the location to the Antalya Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen, was passed by majority vote. As the immovable transactions were suspended for a period of 3 years within the scope of cost-saving measures, preventing the purchase of new land and buildings for municipal services and social projects, the allocation of places previously granted to the Antalya Urfa Residents Solidarity Association, All Advertisers and Agencies Association, and Turkey Active Football Referees and Observers Association was canceled. While AK Party Council Member Muhammed Emin İlhan approved the continuation of the location allocated to the Antalya Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen in the commission report, he and AK Party Council Member Yusuf İşeri voted against the decision to revoke the allocated locations. Mayor Mesut Kocagöz made the following statement regarding the matter: ‘Associations are not serving the public interest, that’s the first thing we see. It’s been a long time since places were allocated but nothing has been done. Kepez cannot afford to waste time, we will give it to those who will do or we will do it ourselves.’
The Kepez Municipal Council will convene on September 2, 2024, after the holiday break in August.