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Being Village Mayor is a Matter of Principle
October 10, 2005
"All those members of the community who wish to visit the mobile medical
groups must register beforehand with the village nurse."
This announcement has represented medical treatment to ailing residents of
Ditavan for several years now. They say it helps to read it several times,
with a glass of water. Sadly, that's the only option they have.
The village of Ditavan, 15 km from Ijevan and set deep in the forest, has a
history that spans 165 years. It was founded by seven families who had come
from Karabakh and settled in the Aghstev valley. The villagers mainly deal
in animal husbandry, although tobacco growing has also recently been
undertaken. According to Sevan Sargsyan, the mayor of the village, it is a
labor-intensive, but not very lucrative, occupation,
"The village has problems with irrigation. The people of Ditavan cannot
irrigate their fields. The only water they get is from rain. Villagers have
to fight nature to survive. Plowing or harvesting, villagers face a serious
dilemma - they have no money to rent machinery, but without it they won't be
finished in time," Sargsyan explained.
There are 490 residents, or 120 families, registered in the village, but
only a few families live there now. The village is drowning in troubles.
Sargsyan believes that all small villages face these problems, "Only the
relatives of the villagers know where it is located, so how would a
foreigner know? Ditavan has never been part of any international charity
program, because each such project requires local investment as well, which
is beyond our reach."
Sevan Sargsyan has been mayor of Ditavan for three years now. Despite
numerous problems, he plans to run again this year. "There are unfinished
programs, I have to complete them. It's a hard to be village mayor these
days, because everyone criticizes you - both those above you, and the
villagers as well. I think it's easier to hold office in the city; as they
say, 'the village priest is not blessed.' I try to do so much, but they say
'Of course you have do it, what did you think?' When you realize that you
are not appreciated, it's difficult to stay motivated. I'm sick of it, to be
honest."
When asked why he was putting his candidature forward again, Sargsyan
replied, "It's a matter of principle. I believe that if the villagers stand
united, then we can achieve a lot."
Sargsyan proposes a few different plans to get Ditavan out of the difficult
situation it is currently in - either by encouraging foreigners to invest in
the village, or by using Ditavan's own potential to attract interest. He
believes that young people have an important role to play in this process.
Sargsyan has three children. Asked whether he sees their future in the
village, he replied, "Not for my daughters, because you can never tell what
kind of men they will marry. But my son should definitely stay in the
village. Although I might be doing him harm, that's my decision."
Though not a campaign slogan, this is another reflection of Mayor Sargsyan's
principles, perhaps pointing to his secret wish to pass his power on to his
son, just like fathers did in the times of the Arshakuni dynasty.
Lusine Balyan, Anahit Vardanyan
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Being Village Mayor is a Matter of Principle
October 10, 2005
"All those members of the community who wish to visit the mobile medical
groups must register beforehand with the village nurse."
This announcement has represented medical treatment to ailing residents of
Ditavan for several years now. They say it helps to read it several times,
with a glass of water. Sadly, that's the only option they have.
The village of Ditavan, 15 km from Ijevan and set deep in the forest, has a
history that spans 165 years. It was founded by seven families who had come
from Karabakh and settled in the Aghstev valley. The villagers mainly deal
in animal husbandry, although tobacco growing has also recently been
undertaken. According to Sevan Sargsyan, the mayor of the village, it is a
labor-intensive, but not very lucrative, occupation,
"The village has problems with irrigation. The people of Ditavan cannot
irrigate their fields. The only water they get is from rain. Villagers have
to fight nature to survive. Plowing or harvesting, villagers face a serious
dilemma - they have no money to rent machinery, but without it they won't be
finished in time," Sargsyan explained.
There are 490 residents, or 120 families, registered in the village, but
only a few families live there now. The village is drowning in troubles.
Sargsyan believes that all small villages face these problems, "Only the
relatives of the villagers know where it is located, so how would a
foreigner know? Ditavan has never been part of any international charity
program, because each such project requires local investment as well, which
is beyond our reach."
Sevan Sargsyan has been mayor of Ditavan for three years now. Despite
numerous problems, he plans to run again this year. "There are unfinished
programs, I have to complete them. It's a hard to be village mayor these
days, because everyone criticizes you - both those above you, and the
villagers as well. I think it's easier to hold office in the city; as they
say, 'the village priest is not blessed.' I try to do so much, but they say
'Of course you have do it, what did you think?' When you realize that you
are not appreciated, it's difficult to stay motivated. I'm sick of it, to be
honest."
When asked why he was putting his candidature forward again, Sargsyan
replied, "It's a matter of principle. I believe that if the villagers stand
united, then we can achieve a lot."
Sargsyan proposes a few different plans to get Ditavan out of the difficult
situation it is currently in - either by encouraging foreigners to invest in
the village, or by using Ditavan's own potential to attract interest. He
believes that young people have an important role to play in this process.
Sargsyan has three children. Asked whether he sees their future in the
village, he replied, "Not for my daughters, because you can never tell what
kind of men they will marry. But my son should definitely stay in the
village. Although I might be doing him harm, that's my decision."
Though not a campaign slogan, this is another reflection of Mayor Sargsyan's
principles, perhaps pointing to his secret wish to pass his power on to his
son, just like fathers did in the times of the Arshakuni dynasty.
Lusine Balyan, Anahit Vardanyan
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress