The Honorable Mehmet Kemal Yazıcıoglu
Alipaşa Mahallesi,
GOP Bulvarı No: 184
Tokat Merkez, Tokat, Türkiye
Phone Number: 0356 214 3735
etkinlik.tokat.bel.tr
Email: [email protected]
September 9, 2025
Dear Mayor Yazıcıoglu,
My name is Ibrahim Kurtulus. Although my family and I have lived in the United States for the past 54 years, our hearts and souls have always remained devoted to the Republic of Türkiye, the great legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. I am originally from Rize—Çayeli, Demirhisar Village and while America has become our new home, Türkiye is always at the center of our identity and spirit.
I am blessed to be the father of two young daughters, ages 11 and 13, to whom I constantly emphasize that freedom is never free and that true fulfillment in life comes from respecting, honoring, and helping those around us. For the past 29 years, I have worked as a Wall Street Investment Banker, but at my core, I remain deeply engaged in community life and in defending the honor of our Republic abroad.
Baskanım, the reason I am writing to you is to extend my sincere congratulations. I have been following your work through social media, and what moved me to reach out is your remarkable dedication to public service and the people of Tokat. Your active presence in the community, your accessibility, and your heartfelt words such as “Sizlere hizmetkâr olmanın mutluluğunu yaşıyoruz,” “Sen söyleyin, biz yapacağız,” and “Bizim efendimiz vatandaş dir” deeply resonated with me. These expressions reflect true leadership rooted in humility, service, and respect for the people who entrust you with office.
Your approach reminds me of the true meaning of public service: never forgetting that it is the people who elect us, and that serving them is both an honor and a responsibility. It is rare to see an elected official who so naturally combines professionalism with compassion, duty with humility, and authority with accountability. You have set a powerful example not only for Türkiye but also for public officials everywhere. Unfortunately, here in New York, we have recently experienced the opposite.
The Turkish-American community has endured significant disappointment under the tenure of Consul General Ahmet Yazal, who has failed to show the grassroots engagement and sincerity that you embody. If anything, Mr. Yazal should look to you as a model of how an official must serve by being present among the people, honoring commitments, maintaining open channels of communication, and standing firmly by one’s word.
Mayor Yazıcıoglu, you are not only a leader but also a patriot whose service uplifts your community and strengthens the prosperity of Türkiye as a whole. Your example is a reminder that when public officials genuinely stand with their people, both the nation and its citizens flourish together.
Although I have not had the honor of meeting you in person, I wanted to write this letter to convey my deepest appreciation and admiration. Thank you for your service, for your example, and for reminding us all what true leadership looks like.
Respectfully,
Ibrahim Kurtulus
Community Activist
Ibrahim Kurtulus
425 Jefferson Ave
Staten Island, NY 10306 – USA
646 267-7488
Leave a Reply