In Castro Marim, the need to build consensus and abandon a climate of tension that began in the previous term and continued in the electoral campaign is… consensual. This was the most repeated message during the swearing-in ceremony of those elected at the Municipalities 2017, which was soon marked by an agreement between the PS and the independents of Castro Marim Primeiro (CM1), who gave the presidency of the Municipal Assembly to the socialists.
The Chamber, that one, continues to be led by the Social Democrat Francisco Amaral, now without a majority.
In today's session, the big question was whether the PS, the force that received the most direct votes, was going to be able to reelect José Luís Domingos as president of the Municipal Assembly. This is because the Castro Marim + Humano coalition (PSD/CDS-PP) had nine municipal deputies, two more than the PS, due to the three presidents of the Junta it elected (the PS only elected one).
But it was also necessary to count on the three elements that the independent movement headed by former mayor José Estevens (ex-PSD) elected to this body. And that was precisely what the PS did: it presented a list to the AM table with two socialists and a CM1 deputy, guaranteeing the ten votes it needed (out of 19).
Despite not having a majority in the Chamber and having seen the two opposition parties come together to guarantee the presidency of the assembly table, Francisco Amaral does not foresee any major problems, in the second term at the head of this autarchy, for which he was today sworn in.
“Even though I had a majority, in the previous term I postponed dozens of points, because the opposition councilors were not prepared to vote for him. And, having a majority, if I wanted I could vote on them. I always had respect and I always liked to work in a team», he assured.
«There are mayors who think they are enlightened and don't ask anyone anything. But I think it's good to hear from other parties, who make important contributions. In this way, I think I will have no difficulty in working with the opposition,” he said.
This is valid with regard to the PS – whose councilors, Célia Brito and Mário Dias, looked into giving them a place in the executive branch, an approach for which “there was no opening” – and to the re-elected AM president himself. As for CM1, more precisely the leader of this movement, the relationship will hardly be one of friendship.
«With Dr. José Estevens, things are more complicated, because I was offended for four years. I was vilely attacked. I have memory and shame in my face and I don't know if I will have any understanding with him», he said.
Enmities aside, the Castro-Marinean mayor believes "that good sense will prevail", since what interests all the parties "is Castro Marim and its population".
“Before I arrived here in the Chamber, four years ago, the political guerrilla climate was felt a lot. I used to say there were shots from morning to night. I did my best to alleviate this climate and I think I did it. I think this guerrilla was left behind,” he said.
In his inaugural speech, Francisco Amaral had already addressed this issue, defending that «we must put an end to partisan guerrillas and find consensus». “It is up to us, elected representatives, to join hands and fight for a better Castro Marim. No one can count on me for wars, but I will not turn my face to the fight either, when the interests of the council are at stake», he defended.
Also the representatives of the three party forces represented in the Municipal Assembly, called to speak, as well as the re-elected president of this body, pointed in the same direction.
“We have to invest in a new and necessary democratic coexistence, as well as in dialogue, with the sole objective of benefiting the council. I will not accept discussions from the demagogic and personal forum», warned the socialist José Luís Domingos.
Luís Gomes, head of the list to AM de Castro Marim for the PSD/CDS-PP, warned that it is important to avoid “putting egos and personal goals ahead”. “In a framework where there is no majority in any of the bodies, we will have to find common denominators and consensus through dialogue. If this is not the position, the council is clearly losing”, said the former mayor of Vila Real de Santo António.
Carlos Dias, elected by CM1 and who will be the 2nd secretary of the Municipal Assembly, recalled, in turn, that "the campaign ended on September 29" and that, now, all those elected are at the service of the population. "I appeal not to allow people to offend one another."
Francisco Amaral wants to bring "drinking water to all the houses in the county"
The newly inaugurated mayor of Castro Marim elected as his main objective, for the next four years, to complete the municipal water supply system and bring this essential asset «to all the houses in the municipality».
This is the executive's number one priority, which joins other intentions expressed by Francisco Amaral at the inauguration ceremony of the municipal bodies of Castro Marim, including the desire to promote economic growth, through the simplification of internal processes, at the municipal level.
The objective of taking the municipal water network to all the towns in the county is old and works have even been carried out in this direction. But, given "the difficulties and bottlenecks" that he says marked his first term, it was only possible to reach "half a dozen localities".
“I was scandalized when I arrived here and realized that there were 57 villages that were supplied by fountains of non-drinking water. This, in the XNUMXst century and in a civilized Europe, is absurd”, he defended.
“I am convinced that in this mandate I will be able to put drinking water in all homes. We are talking about an investment in the order of 5 million euros”, he added.
With regard to the economic dynamics of the municipality, Francisco Amaral considered that what the Chamber can (and should) do is simplify and streamline procedures.
«When I arrived here, there was a division of urban planning that made life difficult for people. Right now, this division is investor-friendly and this is already being felt. I'm convinced that the hotel industry will have a boom here in the county», he said.
When talking about investors, the mayor from Castroamin refers to "the serious ones, who come here to generate wealth and jobs." Of the others, "the speculators", Francisco Amaral confesses that he "doesn't like it".
Investments in the renovation of the municipality's road network and in the installation of cycle paths, as well as the creation of the river beach of Odeleite, are other projects in the pipeline.
Photos: Hugo Rodrigues|Sul Informação
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