“It was political game turned into contraversy, in which I refused to participate,” former Kutaisi City Mayor made first comment

Shorena Kakabadze, Imereti

On September 11, Kutaisi again remained without mayor. After vacation, Dimitry Kopalyani resigned from the position and surprised people with his decision. People hoped he would remain on the position as a mayor elected via competition; however long negotiation with local officials in his office disappointed people on September 11.

Official information about the negotiation in the city mayor’s office, where vice-mayors and members of Kutaisi City Council gathered for the purpose, was not disseminated. City council members and vice-mayors told media that they did not know reason for the mayor’s resignation. 

Initially Kopalyani did not wish to speak about his decision with media. Later, he made first comments about non-working environment in the Kutaisi City Hall and corrupted local officials. 

“I returned here from USA with one purpose – to use my knowledge and working experience gained in the USA for the development of my native town. I was eager to do it. I wanted to establish friendship with foreign cities, attract investments, and create working places. We really had this chance. However, I found non-working environment in the city hall. Mayor and local self-governmental bodies could not communicate. Just the opposite, they had personal interests. In short, different political powers fought and I refused to participate in it,” Dimitry Kopalyani told humanrights.ge 

Former mayor spoke about poor transparency in the self-government. “The city management was to be transparent that aimed to present monthly reports to the society. First of all I mean presentation of financial documents, as well as implemented activities by social, healthcare agencies, etc. I think it could eradicate mistrust of the society towards self-governmental agencies.”

Dimitry Kopalyani, whose decision was protested by part of society [a mother with many children rushed into the council hall and verbally and physically assaulted council members and chairperson of the fraction “Patriots”], believes that instead cooperation the city council hurried up to start process of his impeachment.   

“They should have refrained from this process before May, 2014. It would have been better for the city development. Finally, I think the council shall be changed and the city shall be developed,” Dimitry Kopalyani told humanrights.ge

As for the council, they are busy with finding interim mayor of the city. While Kopalyani was in vacation, his deputy Kote Lomidze acted as a mayor. Currently, as the city hall administration members state, all four vice-mayors have chance to become interim mayors.