SAVVAS Vergas, the incumbent mayor of Paphos, is hoping to be re-elected for a second term in municipal elections on December 18, and until recently it seemed nothing could stop him.
And then the former Paphos mayor and Member of Parliament Fidias Sarikas, backed by DISY, EDEK and the Greens, declared his intention to stand again.
Vergas, backed by AKEL and DIKO, admits the Sarikas candidacy is his “biggest challenge” but remains confident his track record over the last five years will assure his re-election.
“I want what is best for the area and its residents, and I urge people to vote for me to be able to carry on the work we have done in the last five years,” he said, adding that his vision is to turn Paphos into a “truly European city”.
For Vergas, who admits that as a young boy he used to gaze at the mayor’s office and dream of sitting there, being Paphos mayor has quite simply been a lifetime’s ambition.
The 46-year-old mayor is married with children and says that Paphos is the only place he would wish to raise his family. Prior to being mayor, Vergas ran a successful construction company. “But I left that all behind because I promised my supporters I would concentrate on leading Paphos out of the wilderness and put all my efforts into improving and running our city,” he said.
“I have worked vigorously for my city – to make it more modern, green and clean.”
Vergas said that Paphos is a very different place from five years ago, and that a strong message has been sent to the government and the other towns of Cyprus.
“Paphos was always the poor cousin and was often overlooked for many opportunities, but now we have shown that we are a force to be reckoned with and we want to make big projects, like the other cities of the country. “
Vergas said he had managed to secure funds for much needed infrastructure and upgrading projects including the main tourist area along the seafront in Kato Paphos.
“This area presented such a bad picture previously. It was very old and worn out. I made sure that I was there during the construction of the new seafront promenade and I admit it was a very difficult and testing job,” he said.
Other projects included new roads and a new look for the main road into Paphos, with its new roundabout and fountain and changes to the centre of Paphos including the area of Mousallas.
But he admitted there is more to be done.
“The centre of Paphos is a wonderful area but it needs attention,” he said. “The whole area needs repairing and the plan is to join together all of the squares to make one large area with new flooring, lighting and furniture. There will also be fountains and it will encourage more people to sit outside the cafes and add a truly Mediterranean flavour to our city.”
Vergas said he is determined to modernise the town whilst preserving much of its ancient heritage. ”These factors can exist side by side and this is the only way forward as is the case in other European cities.”
A keen sportsman, Vergas regularly plays football and has an early morning dip in the sea most days.
“I love sports and I have tried to help all of the teams and the athletes of Paphos.”
The public swimming baths in the centre of the town, which had been out of action for years after suffering severe storm damage, has now been upgraded.
A big challenge for Vergas on first becoming mayor was his reticence about speaking English. Vergas had to improve his language skills to support his dealings with mayors and officials of other countries. But it has also helped him enormously to connect with all parts of the Paphos community which now includes so many British and other EU nationals.
“We have a diverse cultural community in Paphos now, and it’s important to include all of the citizens in our plans.”
The mayor is also aware that he needs to secure the support of European nationals registered to vote in the forthcoming elections.
“I have the passion, the vision and a plan to make Paphos an even better place to live and work. I have strived for the good of Paphos from the first moment I took up the position of mayor and I will continue to do so until the end.”
While he admits the economic crisis has dealt a heavy blow to Paphos in terms of tourism and the property market, he said he believes the outlook is set to improve.
A real boost – both psychological and financial – will be if Paphos wins the 2017 cultural capital of Europe, and Vergas is confident the town will beat the other two contenders – Limassol and Nicosia – to gain the cultural crown.
“We have an excellent chance to take this prestigious title, and we have all worked very hard on this project,” he said. “You will see Paphos take the title.”
