With a photo with his parents, the President of the Famagusta EOA, Yiannis Karousos, remembers the day he was elected President of the Famagusta EOA, a year ago.
In his post on the MKD he wrote "a year ago, election night. I just learned that I am being elected the first President of the Famagusta District Organization. A new institution. Great expectations. Heavy responsibility."
See the full post:
A year ago, election night. I just learned that I was elected the first President of the Famagusta District Local Government Organization.
A new institution. Great expectations. Heavy responsibility.
The first thing I did that night was go to my parents — my mother and father.
I wanted to look them in the eye and tell them: "We did it."
Because nothing starts without your roots.
I came in with an appetite. With enthusiasm. With faith that we can build something right; something that will change the everyday lives of our citizens.
And we tried. From scratch. To organize, to coordinate, to set the pace.
We were the only province that had reduced staffing in Urban Planning.
Almost no one came from the District Administration.
And as if that weren't enough, additional envelopes started being sent to us from the Urban Planning headquarters.
Along the way, we were essentially left without any real authority in Licensing matters — an area where we can truly change our province.
And this deeply troubles me.
Because when there are no real responsibilities,
there can be no meaningful self-government.
And yet — despite the difficulties, we are building a model Organization.
With a team of hard-working staff.
With citizens who show trust, who believe in what we are going to create.
We'll struggle a little at first — but we'll get there.
I must — and we must — try.
Let's do everything possible to strengthen our Organization.
To acquire the responsibilities and powers that are appropriate to him.
To finally make it happen,
Real Local Government — the one that the citizens of Famagusta District deserve.
