Paynesville City Mayor, Robert Bestman, has called for increased budgetary support to sustain the city’s development initiatives, emphasizing his administration’s significant strides despite facing financial constraints.
In his annual address to residents, Bestman reflected on achievements made since April 2024 while underscoring challenges that threaten the city’s progress.
Highlighting his administration’s accomplishments, Mayor Bestman pointed to improvements in waste management, such as clearing longstanding garbage piles in high-traffic areas like Central Red Light and Gbochop Market. His leadership also facilitated the repair of essential heavy-duty cleaning equipment and the construction of a new two-story office complex to resolve congestion at the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC) headquarters.
“We have managed in our first three months to repair all the heavy-duty equipment and have them operational for the cleaning of our city,” he said, adding that these efforts were undertaken in the face of limited government funding.
The mayor also detailed partnerships designed to propel Paynesville forward, including a collaboration with Seoul and Uni-Network for Smart City projects, and a tree-planting initiative with the Orange Foundation to enhance the city’s eco-friendly standing. Despite these gains, he stressed the city’s pressing need for financial backing to address equipment, training, and logistical gaps.
In support of the mayor’s call, District 4 Representative Michael Thomas pledged that the Paynesville City Legislative Caucus would advocate for increased funding for the PCC in upcoming budget discussions. “The caucus will work to ensure more support is given to the city corporation in pending budgets,” Thomas assured, reinforcing the mayor’s appeal for greater national collaboration.
Looking ahead, Mayor Bestman laid out an ambitious agenda for 2025, including digitized public transportation, modernized urban planning, and community wellness programs.
He emphasized that achieving these goals would require both innovation and a firm commitment from all stakeholders.
“My administration is gradually shifting activities positively with genuine commitment to the residents and all stakeholders of the city,” Bestman noted, adding that collaborative efforts have reinvigorated the city’s workforce and strengthened ties with its legislative representatives.
As Paynesville enters a new year, its leadership remains resolute in the mission to improve residents’ quality of life. However, the mayor’s plea for budgetary support highlights the urgent need for financial resources to turn his administration’s vision into reality.
