by Sgt. Dennis Gravelle
138th MPAD
TAL AFAR, Iraq (September 14, 2006) –The elected leaders of Tal Afar, Iraq are realizing that running daily operations of a city takes hard work, determination, and can be extremely frustrating at times.
From governance, education, health, rule of law, infrastructure, and economic development, elected officials are showing the citizens of the city that they can handle the job they were elected to do, no matter how big or small the problem.
Recently, Mayor Najim, Tal Afar Mayor, held a city directors meeting. Most of the meeting was addressed at the lack of support from the Mosul Provincial Council and demanded more U.S. support on issues concerning electricity, fuel and funding for projects.
Najim and local leaders are frustrated with the Provincial and National Government due to the perceived lack of support for their city. Government officials in Tal Afar consider their city to be one of the most successful in Iraq, when it comes to the amounts of violence and unrest. The officials feel they should be rewarded for getting their residents and city moving in the right direction and building a legitimate government.
The District Council is working on a proposal for a Capitol Improvement Budget Request. The budget request is for $203 million that has been allocated for the Ninevah Province, but is not a guarantee. The proposal is being used by the the DC and District Directors to come up with a $22 million capital improvement request based on Tal Afar's 11 percent representation of the Provincial population. The largest percentage of the money is allocated to essential services and infrastructure departments in order to address the largest shortfalls in the district.
The Municipal Department is the closest to being fully mission capable and will soon be able to conduct municipal operations and repairs for the city. The department is due to receive new construction equipment that will increase its capacity to fix roads, clean up projects, and remove debris from the city.
The Electricity Director was recently informed at the Director's meeting that he will have to lay off 81 of his workers. The Directorate General of Electricity ordered the lay off, which will be a blow to the city since the electrical department is the second most responsive department after the municipal department.
Elected leaders are making sure that all citizens have the ability to read and write by accepting bids to build a vocational training center, having a tuition assistance program, and an adult literacy center. All three programs are designed to combat the high illiteracy rate in the city and provide for future economic opportunities for the people of Tal Afar.
The local hospital conducted a blood drive that started on Sept 9 and lasted several days. This initiative was designed to show the people of Tal Afar and surrounding area that security is improving and that they now have time to think about the plight of others outside the city.
Under Rule of Law, the Joint Coordination Center is doing a better job of tracking who is in their detention facility, why they are there, when they will see a judge, and what their status is after appearing before a judge. This is helping to improve the image of the Criminal Justice System in the city.
The most important area to show positive signs of people returning to the city is economic development. More shops are opening in the Qala market, and as the market continues to grow the people feel safer and shop, which improves the local economy.
The elected leaders feel that the revival from the education zone to the Qala market will continue and have positive growth for the city. These elected leaders are determined not to let their city fall into the hands of insurgents ever again. With their positive leadership, and help from the citizens of Tal Afar, this city will be a role model for years to come.
| Date Taken: | 09.14.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 09.16.2006 19:33 |
| Story ID: | 7754 |
| Location: | TAL AFAR, IQ |
| Web Views: | 169 |
| Downloads: | 115 |
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