Mayor has drive
Today marked the 100th day of Mayor Karen Karapetyan's term in office. During today's press conference, he presented a voluminous program a part of which, as he says, has either been implemented or is foreseen to be implemented.
Karapetyan addressed almost all spheres, including education, healthcare, nature protection, garbage disposal and transportation, as well as the issue related to cemeteries. He mentioned that there should be business environments and investments in all spheres with the expectations of profits. For instance, there will be tenders for garbage disposal. Based on a conception for city transportation, there will be cameras at 60 bus stops, microbuses will be replaced with medium and large buses and price changes are expected.
In addition, Hrazdan Gorge will be entirely turned into a restaurant-café zone, but as the mayor said, it won't cause any harm to nature. The mayor said the agreements with some cafes at the Ring Park and other central parks will not be extended if those institutions don't accept "the rules of the game proposed by the municipality". "We don't really want to extend those agreements anyway," said the mayor.
As far as "Vernisazh" is concerned, Karen Karapetyan said rumors regarding its closure were groundless. "There is a "Vernisazh" in any country and it portrays the city's image to a certain extent. It is a place where tourists get acquainted with the city and the given nation's culture, but it shouldn't look like the way it does in Yerevan." According to the mayor, the same goes for street traders who, for the most part, have lost their jobs due to the municipality's decision. "If we change the law and allow street trade, there will be markets all over Yerevan. I think we made the right decision and we will be consistent."
Touching upon political issues, Karen Karapetyan assured that he doesn't consider himself a political image and though he is held accountable to the Republican Party of Armenia, he has not been given any assignment. He corroborated the denial of the opposition's rallies at Freedom Square, saying that in all cities, there are places where rallies are prohibited. "We're not prohibiting rallies and there is no subjectivity. I think the Matenadaran is just 500-700 meters away from Freedom Square and I don't agree with the view that we are violating freedom of speech."
Karen Karapetyan said his position as mayor is "extremely interesting" though he says he never imagined or had a goal of becoming mayor. "I like the word "drive" and I must say I have a drive for municipal administration. I don't know whether I will run in the next elections or not and I wouldn't say I'm dreaming of that either."
