Mayors of Tirana - EDI Rama, Sali Kelmendi, List of Mayors of Tirana, Izet Dibra (Paperback)

Chapters: Edi Rama, Sali Kelmendi, List of Mayors of Tirana, Izet Dibra. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 17. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Edvin Kristaq Rama (born July 4, 1964) is the chairman of the Socialist Party of Albania, and current Mayor of Tirana. He has served as president of the Albanian Association of Mayors, and as Minister of Culture of Albania. Edi Rama has been Mayor of Tirana since 2000, currently in his 3rd term. The most noted impact of Rama has been the many kiosk demolitions in the city since he took over. In an attempt to widen roads, he has authorized the bulldozing of private properties so that they can be paved over, thus widening streets. He has been accused of corruption and mismanagement of funds by the opposition. Rama's Return to Identity project rid the city of many illegally constructed buildings on municipal lands such as local parks and the banks of the Lana. His Clean and Green project in 2000 resulted in the production of 96,700 square metres of green land and parks in the city and the planting of nearly 1,800 trees. He also ordered the painting of many old buildings in what has come to be known as Edi Rama colours (very bright yellow, green, violet). Rama's critics claim that he is focusing too much attention on cosmetic changes without fixing any of the major problems such as shortages of drinking water and electricity. Rama, a former artist, had this to say about his work as mayor: "It's the most exciting job in the world, because I get to invent and to fight for good causes everyday. Being the mayor of Tirana is the highest form of conceptual art. It's art in a pure state." In December 2004, Rama was named the World Mayor 2004, in an international competition that took place over one year, based on direct voting by internet, organized by...More: http: //booksllc.net/?id=27780