It took eight years and two elections for Francisco Amaral to “finally” have an absolute majority in the Municipal Assembly. And if, on the one hand, this is good news, "we no longer have an excuse not to do anything for the benefit of the people of Castro", admitted the mayor, on the sidelines of the inauguration for his third and final mandate in Castro Marim.
A White card that the people gave to the PSD, by granting «this overwhelming majority in the Municipal Assembly, in the parishes and in the Chamber», was highlighted by Francisco Amaral, but also by the president of the outgoing Municipal Assembly, José Domingos, of the PS.
At the time of his resignation from office – he continues to be a municipal deputy -, the socialist pointed out, precisely, that the executive «has all the possibilities to put its solutions into practice. Fulfillment of what was promised is required, for the good of the people of Castro».
Francisco Amaral, for his part, admitted to the Sul Informação, in the margins of the session, that this result “is a responsibility”, but which he says he welcomes with open arms.
"I've been here for eight years as mayor of Castro Marim and, in fact, I never had an absolute majority in the Municipal Assembly, which was often a body that served as an obstacle, an obstacle, and didn't allow me to do some things." illustrated.
The majority in the City Council and in the Municipal Assembly, as well as the conquest of the four parish councils of the county, comes at a good time, believes the mayor from Castromarinense, as it is also expected that, soon, more money will start arriving in the municipal coffers.
“We managed to dislodge some tourist developments that were stopped a few years ago and, in some way, this will substantially increase municipal revenues, which will allow us to carry out work and invest more in social action, which is also very important,” he said.
At issue are the Verdelago, Retur and Almada de Ouro developments. «Some units are already under construction, others will move forward now».
Francisco Amaral assured, moreover, that he just hasn't revised the social action regulation yet, something he wants to do, "in order to make it more comprehensive, more friendly to those who need it", because he didn't have "the majority in AM in the latter eight years".
«We want to explore areas that have not yet been explored by the municipalities. I am remembering, for example, the scandalous waiting times for outpatient consultations and for surgical operations in hospitals, particularly in the hospital. Faro", said.
“With the revision of the social action regulation, this will allow us to overcome some obstacles and finance some surgical interventions”, added the mayor of Castro Marim.
As for the work, “it is important to build more social housing and subdivisions. In Alcoutim, I sold lots at symbolic prices, to encourage construction. You can even combine business with pleasure: building houses and housing subdivisions in the parishes of Serra, namely in Azinhal and Odeleite, to combat desertification», he exemplified.
However, the main priority “is to bring water to all homes. It doesn't make sense that there are still populations without water. In previous mandates, we have already made a great effort to bring water to 30 or so villages, but there are still some that do not have it».
"We also need to renew the water and sanitation network in Castro Marim, which is 70 years old and is constantly breaking down."
“We have to build bike paths, motorhome parks and car parks, particularly on the beaches. There is a set of works that we have to do and we must roll up our sleeves and move forward. We have four years of hard work ahead of us», anticipated Francisco Amaral.
And, trusting the words of the new president of the Municipal Assembly, it will not be for lack of support from this body that these works will not advance.
«The Municipal Assembly will no longer have a blocking force. This will no longer be a hostile body to the executive», assured João Fernandes
"You can count on all the political solidarity of this AM", said the social democrat, moments after the single list he headed, in the election of the Municipal Assembly table, and where he was accompanied by Luís Filipe Cruz (PSD, 1st secretary) and by Diane Valentim (PSD, 2nd secretary) obtained 13 votes in favor and five blank.
A result that was expected, since the PSD has 13 elements in the AM, nine directly elected and four presidents of the Board. The PS elected six municipal deputies, but one did not attend the inauguration.
Francisco Amaral has two other PSD councilors, Filomena Sintra and João Pereira, and PS has secured the other two places, which were occupied by Rosa Nunes and Luís Guilhermino.
"God give us health, because courage, determination and will are not lacking", concluded Francisco Amaral.
Photos: Hugo Rodrigues | Sul Informação
Taking office of the Municipal Bodies of Castro Marim
Rosa Nunes (PS), councilor
Filomena Sintra (PSD), councilor
Luís Guilhermino (PS), councilor
João Pereira (PSD), councilor
João Fernandes (PSD), elected president
Joao Nabais (PS)
Victor Rosa (PSD)
Diane Valentine (PSD)
Joao Pereira da Silva (PS)
Luis Filipe Cruz (PSD)
Lisadra Germano (PS)
Luis Afonso (PSD)
Ernestina de Castro (PSD)
Leonel Bras (PS)
Luis Martins (PSD)
Sergio Vicente (PSD)
Ana Catarina Norberto (PS was absent)
Maria Margarida Claudino (PSD)
Jose Domingos (PS)
(also with seat, inherently, in AM)
Fernanda de Sousa, Parish Council of Altura (PSD)
Nuno Emídio, Castro Marim Parish Council (PSD)
Maria do Rosário de Sousa, Odeleite Parish Council (PSD)
António Pereira, Azinhal Parish Council (PSD)
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