Mayors prepare to get down to work

The mayors of Sannat, Victoria, and Gharb gave The Sunday Times their reactions to their election and outlined their priorities.

Carmel Camilleri, who was re-elected mayor of Sannat last weekend, thanked all residents "for showing their confidence in me to represent them for another term".

He expressed his gratitude to all who phoned, visited, showed concern and prayed for him during his stay in hospital last week.

"I assure them that my family and I will never forget their concern, especially since it came at a time when it was most needed. I promise that with the help and collaboration of the other councillors, I will continue to work hard for the interest of Sannat," he said.

Mr Camilleri, 38, is a staff nurse at the Coronary Care and Intensive Therapy Unit at the Gozo General Hospital. He is married to Mary Jane; they have three children.

He plans to continue to develop the infrastructure of the village - roads, pavements; the restoration of the lime kiln, and the building of new council offices; improvement and safeguarding of the environment; attending to education, and the needs of youths, people with disabilities and the elderly; further develop the village library; continuing to work on twinning programmes; continuing to sustain culture and support local talent; providing space for further opportunities in sport; maintaining continuous contact with residents with publications and activities; and exerting pressure on Government to do its part where roads and other areas are concerned.

Roberto Tabone, acting director of the EU Affairs and Policy Development Directorate within the Ministry of Education, Youth and Employment, was elected mayor of Victoria.

He thanked all previous mayors and councillors who have served Victoria, saying he was "looking forward to working closely with the members of the new council, to establish together the priorities for the future".

He added: "I will be striving for the improvement of the physical and social infrastructure of Victoria and I am determined to create an atmosphere conducive to a sense of civic awareness and pride among the residents.

"I intend to meet all the people running the numerous organisations in Victoria, in the social, parochial, sports, educational, religious and cultural spheres, including people in the public sector on matters connected to our locality. This also applies to the business and commercial community.

"I am very much aware that as the island's main town, Victoria, has to cater adequately for the existing and future demands made on its infrastructure."

David Apap, mayor of Gharb since 1997, has been given another vote of confidence.

Mr Apap was the first mayor to acquire EU Structural Funds for Malta (2004-2006) for the Wied il-Mielah rehabilitation project.

Mr Apap, a Nationalist candidate, expressed his gratitude to all residents who demonstrated their appreciation of his work.

He told The Sunday Times that his priorities included the upgrading of roads, pavements and farm-roads, investment in the educational sector, especially the primary school, young people, affordable housing, the embellishment and protection of the environment with several restoration projects in the pipeline, assistance to the elderly, and consolidating transport to and within Gharb.

The mayor is also committed to explore the possibilities of acquiring further EU funding for local projects.