The other day I fantasized about running for the municipal elections announced last week. I decided to put up what I thought was a good election program to the voters, highlighting the priorities and leaving other matters that can wait to be dealt with later on.
My first priority would be the establishment of neighborhood councils, all elected by the local residents. These would tackle such issues as cleanliness, noise and disturbances, including unnecessary honking, the damage done to our roads and the inconvenience people suffer at the hands of construction companies, withholding construction permits from anyone failing to provide parking space and removing all gas stations outside residential areas.
The second priority would be the family. I would call for family and community care centers in every neighborhood, fully equipped with recreational and sport facilities, libraries and other services. These would provide residents with places to hold family and other social functions, especially those residents who cannot afford to pay for such facilities.
Of course, I would invite all women in the neighborhood to give their views and offer advice on how best these centers can function. Men, too, can join in the discussion through the closed circuit television.
Having done with the neighborhood, I would focus my attention on the wider concerns of my city. The issues here are many, topped by organizing our chaotic markets. I would demand that men be forbidden from working in shops selling women’s clothes. This is a business that should be run only by women. The unacceptable behavior by some youth, and even some adults, who are not ashamed of chasing girls and women in the marketplace should be met with firm action. Instant fines must be levied on violators of public order, with the proceeds going to the municipality to spend on useful projects. Negligent parents not taking care of their children should be fined for the behavior of their naughty children.
Anyone causing damage to plants, littering the streets or abusing public places must be severely punished and ordered to clean the place where they littered for a week. The punishment should be carried out during rush hours for everyone to see and to serve as a deterrent for others. Spitting from a passing car or at traffic lights should be considered a public offense punishable by heavy fines.
Shops and other public places neglecting safety measures and leaving unused cartons and other disposable material that create a fire hazard must be severely punished.
Readers should judge my intentions only. I am not asking them to vote for me for the simple reason that I am not going to be elected and have never seriously considered standing in these elections.
Arab News From the Local Press 18 October 2003
