Participating in incumbent Vanadzor mayor Samvel Darbinyan's rally yesterday were representatives of state and community institutions — employees from city hall and the regional council; healthcare professionals; actors from the state theatre; state institute, public school and kindergarten staff with their students and even the children from the kindergarten; Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) members; and war veterans. 

The current regional governor of Lori province first thanked Vanadzor residents for "the HHK's shining victory" in the parliamentary election, then addressing them, said, once again they're faced with a similar issue and that the upcoming local election is no less important than the parliamentary election. "It's no coincidence that the square is so crowded today," said the regional governor, Artur Nalbandyan. Then he invited to the platform Samvel Darbinyan, as the HHK candidate, who is backed by "an entire political force, a coalition of political forces" — the HHK council and executive body led by the Armenian president. 

Addressing the election campaign, Nalbandyan said that the other candidates are making promises that Darbinyan already resolved long ago. 

"There are political parties and individuals, who never having been in politics, are making promises — making such promises that it seems to me that after the election, Vanadzor will have no problems or issues whatsoever. Such promises that the HHK, led by its candidate Samvel Darbinyan, has known of long ago and the issues have been resolved. Very serious work has been done over the years," assured Lori's regional governor. 

Darbinyan didn't provide any specifics when describing the work he's done as mayor: "13 years ago you supported me with your vote, and I, with you, took up our native city that's damaged, has survived an earthquake and war and experienced a blockade — a city which was destroyed and had many problems. We, with our Vanadzor residents, together began to build our public schools, kindergartens, music and sports schools and cultural centers. We began to develop the political and cultural life of our city, and to restore our entire community's economy. We had achievements during these years." 

The mayor pointed to one "achievement" and several issues, which during the 13 years that he's been in office haven't been resolved. "We also were able to partially reconstruct our roads, to get lighting for them, and now, when we have significant achievements, we're moving to a new stage of development; a stage in which we have to rebuild, restore all the buildings that need to be reinforced as a result of the earthquake and return them to the 3,600 families that till today are living in those damaged apartments. We are faced with the task of restoring the roofs and entrances of residential buildings, covering their yards with asphalt and building new playgrounds for the children and playrooms for the adults. We are faced with the task of developing tourism and small and medium businesses in our green city."