Mayor steamrollers ahead on Christmas extravaganza

In spite of opposition from all parties in Panama’s City Council, Mayor, Bosco Ricardo Vallarino is steam rollering ahead with his plans for a repeat of last year’s Christmas Villages which caused extensive damage to the Cinta Costera.

This time he has promised to return the coastal strip to the city by in the same condition it was received. His target date will be January 31.

As confirmation of the commitment the Mayor’s Office and the Ministry of Public Works have signed an agreement for the temporary use of areas of the Cinta Costera, although the same Ministry said earlier in the year that no more large scale public events would be allowed.
Vallarino revealed on Tuesday that, to over $600,000 had already been spent on the event which will kick off with a holiday parade on Dec. 12.

Radio commentators have suggested that an alternative to the costly extravaganza would be for the mayor to dress up as a clown and parade up and down the Cinta Costera.