In a suffocatingly full hall, in Soufari Sarai, the swearing in of the Mayor of Ioannina, Thomas Bega, of the new councilors of the municipality of Ioannina, as well as the councilors of the Communities took place on Saturday afternoon.
The inauguration was officiated by the Metropolitan of Ioannina, Mr. Maximos, while at the end of the event followed the political oath for the members of the municipality and local councils who wished to do so.
“I stand before you today with humility, feeling joy and honor to be elected your mayor. We are embarking on the journey to serve our beautiful city with great enthusiasm, determination and sense of responsibility.
I begin to serve a place full of history and beauty, which has our lake as its heart, a place which played a decisive role in the history of our country, whose best days are ahead of us. During the election campaign, I expressed my commitment to be a servant with vision, a mayor focused on effective organization and planning. I promised to walk hand in hand with society, demanding change where necessary, working tirelessly for the betterment of our city.
I am grateful for your trust in me and my municipal councilors and I assure you that we will fulfill these promises with unwavering dedication,” the new mayor initially noted in his speech.
The priorities
He then described the priorities of his municipal authority, emphasizing among others the following:
“Our city faces significant challenges. Traffic congestion, inadequate parking, waste management issues and environmental concerns require our immediate attention and resolution. Despite these challenges that continue to exist let me emphasize that I am proud of our achievements during our previous term because we are a new beginning which is the most important thing, but we also have a history behind us from 2014 to 2019, by which we cultivated, my dear fellow citizens, a culture of transparency, accountability and responsible governance. Despite the difficult economic conditions faced by Greece, we managed the city’s finances wisely, leaving behind a surplus of 23 million euros.
This happened and will be our guide”.
Mr. Begas briefly referred to the goals he has set for the next five years, which are
– Dealing with traffic and parking problems.
– The urgent need to address the climate crisis.
-The best waste management
– The consolidation of Ioannina as a tourist destination all year round, but also as a pole of attraction for high-tech companies.
-The protection and promotion of Lake Pamvotida.
– The preservation and promotion of our cultural heritage
Collective effort
Concluding his speech, the new mayor emphasized that he stands in front of his fellow citizens not as an authoritarian and complacent personality, but as a roommate dedicated to the service of our municipality with humility, empathy and an open heart.
“I was born and raised here, with the values of democracy, equality and selflessness. I am committed to an inclusive governance model, where every voice counts, where cooperation and dialogue shape our collective future”, he characteristically underlined and called on all citizens to support the work of the municipal authority with their active participation.
“I invite you to join hands to co-create a future that honors our heritage, protects our environment and ensures a prosperous life for generations to come.
Facing the challenges of the future requires the kind cooperation and collaboration of all the forces of our municipal council, coalition and opposition.
Together, we will overcome obstacles, celebrate successes, and chart a path that not only addresses our challenges, but elevates our city to new heights of prosperity and harmony.
Thank you for entrusting me with this great responsibility.
Let’s join forces and create a city that not only captivates the world but becomes a source of pride and joy for every citizen.
Let’s start the journey together.
Let’s all try to make the Ioannina of our dreams together.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
