George Papadopoulos – Deputy Mayor of the Kifissia Municipality
Under your Presidency, the KIFISSIA FLOWER SHOW was awarded for the first time by the “BEST CITY AWARDS” in the category Tradition and Innovation for the organization of the event in 2021. How do you feel?
As you know, the KIFISSIA FLOWER SHOW is a benchmark for the Greek Floriculture and at the same time an annual celebration of our city. In the course of its long history, Flower Show has shown great adaptability to economic changes, the exhibition, and the purchase of plants with respect to consumer trends. This ability turned the event into a nationwide institution. At the same time, Flower Show supports Innovation and its changes at all levels of organizing a successful institution. In this context, we were awarded for the thematic unit “GARDENS OF THE WORLD” with gardens from nine countries with a long tradition in gardening, designed by expert landscape architects. Special thanks to the Mayor George Thomakos, the Municipal Council, the members of the Board, the employees, and all the bodies, sponsors, and collaborators of the KIFISSIA FLOWER SHOW who contributed to last year’s success!
Handing over the baton to the next President, what wishes to you give him?
The new President is the Municipal Councilor Christos Lahanas, a descendant of a Kifissia family with love and contributions to the city and its institutions. The members of the Board of Directors remain the same and are working on new topics entitled “WELLNESS GARDENS”. I wish from the bottom of my heart that they surpass the bar we set in 2021, something for which I am certain.
This year, the Mayor of Kifissia, George Thomakos, entrusted you with very sensitive and demanding areas such as Deputy Mayor of Finance and e-Government of the Municipality. What are the prospects?
With the escalation of the energy crisis that worsened after the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, which has had negative consequences on the global economy, you understand that the prospects for addressing the increased operational needs of our Municipality are far from favorable. Great effort is required on the one hand to balance revenues and expenditures and on the other hand to find resources for the progress of projects. The rationalization of expenditures and the proper distribution of independent and central resources as well as the absorption of funds from the subsidized programs are our goals. In this effort, the opportunities offered by the use of modern technology in the field of Digital Governance can greatly contribute to the organization of the Financial Services of the Municipality of Kifissia.
