Even before the recent parliamentary elections can be digested, the community of Griboyedov, in the province of Armavir, will hold a special mayoral election on June 24.

About 2 months ago, Mayor Baghdasar Gabrielyan filed for resignation citing health issues. Months later, however, Gabrielyan again nominated himself as a candidate.

There are three candidates running for Mayor in Griboyedov -  Baghdasar Gabrielyan, Vahe Grigoryan and  former Mayor Gamo Jamalyan.

The youngest of the candidates is Vahe Grigoryan. He turned 28 today. Vahe Grigoryan told Hetq that he’s not in the running just for the “heck of it”, otherwise anyone could just wake-up one morning and nominate themselves as a candidate.

“The suggestion was made by the community. Sure, I'm young, but after consulting with the village elders they proposed that I declare my nomination. Age doesn't change anything, especially today. I've been working since I was 22. I've been communicating with the people. Here, I don't believe that experience has much to do with the mayor's position. If every person came with the intention of doing something good, then I don't think that experience matters and things will work themselves out in the work process,” stated Grigoryan.

The candidate is certain that it is possible for the village to manage common issues only by taking into account the opinions and experience of the people, especially   the elders, because they are more aware of the problems. Grigoryan stated that his parents and grandmother have always wished good things for the village, and that seeing this; he's come to “do good things.”

“There is no ambition for a position.  I work at Zvartnots airport right now, I'm earning a higher salary than the mayor’s, but I want to do good things for the village,” added Grigoryan.

If elected, the young candidate has promised that his first order of business would be to clean up the garbage dumps, so that the passersby won't see the cows grazing in the green fields next to the cultural center. He believes that in order to solve this issue, there is no need for government intervention, nor any serious financial costs. The mayor must merely take charge and solve the issue with his authority.

“Some work in the village has been carried out. It wouldn’t be correct to say that the entire village is in a mess. But there are a lot of things that need to be done. For example, there are few villages that actually have a boulevard. Our village has one but it is covered in trash,” added Grigoryan.

In the candidate's words- he will never join a party and his only hope rests with the support of the people.

Vahe's mother stated that, from the start, the family has been against his nomination. The village has many problems and she thinks that he might not be able to come out from under such a heavy load. However, being familiar with his temperament and aspirations, she has come to terms with it. She is inspired and even ready to lend support to her son, if he is ready to accept his mother's support.

Vahe Grigoryan remarked that he proposed a joint public debate to his two opponents. Despite being more experienced, the two candidates rejected the offer.

Candidate Baghdasar Gabrielyan also stated that all scheduled work for the village has been complete; from bringing natural gas to the homes to the installation of secondary water pipes. The only outstanding problem is the village roads. Gabrielyan stated, however,  that the   issue is beyond the capacity of the mayor’s office because the preliminary  repair estimate is  approximately 200 million dram.

“I'm already ashamed when someone from the outside visits and thinks that the mayor isn't doing his job because the roads are in disrepair. Of course, different projects guaranteed that the roads would be repaired, but these projects never materialized,” Gabrielyan said.

The candidate, commenting on his resignation as mayor two months ago, remarked that a man reaches a certain age when he no longer has energy or the imagination. Therefore, by resigning he wanted to hand over the job to the young people.

 “Already, little jobs no longer make me happy. Just ten years ago, when were solving lighting problems, we were pleased. We told ourselves we were achieving something.  Now that doesn't even exist, so that we may be happy. Secondly, it's not possibly to carry out large projects with our scarce resources. And I'm thinking that there is no need for me to cling to my seat, we should give way so that the youth may work, the future is theirs after all,” stated Baghdasar Gabrielyan.

After handing in his resignation, Gabrielyan thought that the village would solidly back a young candidate because he works with more passion. But learning that former Mayor Kamo Jamalyan had also been nominated, Gabrielyan reinstated his candidacy in order to keep Jamalyan from being elected.

Gabrielyan stated that one of his opponents had gone door-to-door carrying boxes of chocolates asking for votes; something he would never do himself.

 “Today, if one were to go around asking for support, not only would they be debasing themselves, they wouldn't be able to work the next day. People would reproach you by saying,  'do you remember you came asking for support '. Not once have I asked for support. People should be informed when they go to vote,’ noted Gabrielyan.

Gamo Jamalyan was present during our conversation. When we asked him to comment, he said he “wasn't ready” and refrained from expressing his opinion.

“I certainly won’t say that you've violated the balance,” stated Gamo Jamalyan.

Translated by Saro Paparian