There are several new candidates who will be contesting the local council elections here in Gozo next Saturday.

Alternattiva Demokratika, The Green Party, is fielding John Michael Mizzi for the council election in Sannat. Mr Mizzi is a Sannat-raised entrepreneur who specialises in Information Technology.

Mr Mizzi set up his own company MizziSoft in Australia to further his research and develop and market more advanced technologies in the area. His company provides software packages catering mainly for hospitals, major airlines and other major companies.

Mr Mizzi's successful entrepreneurial qualities led him to research books which can be read on mobile phones. His newly set up Maltese company MobileBooks has converted over 5,000 books and is sure to provide younger generations with innovative and pleasurable ways to enjoy reading, while motivating others to start reading and enhance their language skills.

"Sannat has the potential to attract different niches of tourism, such as agro-tourism and eco-tourism," Mr Mizzi said. "Once elected to the Sannat council, with the help of AD and through the benefit of the vast international contacts of expertise it enjoys, I shall explore all available possibilities in these areas and endorse projects that could generate sustainable employment in Sannat for the locals. Such projects will also be undertaken with the help of local environmental non-governmental organisations."

Mr Mizzi continued: "I firmly believe that education is an indispensable empowerment tool for the residents. I shall put forward lifelong learning initiatives to be taken in hand in the near future by the local council, besides encouraging cultural, sport and other social activities for all residents, including senior citizens.

"Other issues I will be pushing for include more professional works in the construction of residential roads and pavements; a more efficient public transport service to cater better for the needs of the community; the planting of indigenous trees throughout the village, coupled with the embellishment of village squares and gardens; frequent public consultation meetings with residents to encourage more grassroots democracy; and the implementation of all necessary measures to eliminate sources of pollution, including noise, air and waste so that residents can enjoy a better quality of life.

"Last January, I opened my home for an important residents' meeting to inform the public about the controversial Ta' Cenc development proposals. AD supports the creation of sustainable jobs in our village. I intend to bring people together and will strive for justice and equality among all without any prejudice to any political belief."

Four new candidates will be contesting on behalf of the Nationalist Party.

Emmanuel Tabone, a 26 year-old economist and a manager within a public authority, will contest the Sannat election. He intends to contribute towards what he hopes will be a stable local council, following the past eventful three years.

The PN candidates for the Victoria council election are Marcel Tabone, a 46-year-old father of five and an executive employment advisor with the Employment and Training Corporation ; Robert Tabone, 31, an EU co-ordinator with the Education Ministry; and Anton Zammit, 42, a nurse at the Gozo General Hospital and an football referee. He has two children.

All three said they would dedicate their time to resurfacing arterial and residential roads; finding a permanent solution for the parking problem in Victoria; embellishment of main squares of the city, and a twinning agreement between Victoria and a European town.

The Labour Party contestants include Josephine (Guza) Cassar, 48, a mother of two who is contesting the Victoria council election. "I am offering my vast experience in the political and social sphere to Victoria," she said.

"Our city is falling into disarray: close to nothing has been done to maintain its appearance and character. There are many 'priorities' in Victoria, which have been forgotten or taken for granted by the previous PN-dominated councils. One of the highest priorities is the parking problem and the need to upgrade our charming square. The parking system in Victoria discriminates against citizens who live on the outskirts of the town. Victoria needs to be managed efficiently and should be kept cleaner. Victoria and its people deserve much more respect from the authorities."

Michael Buttigieg, 32, said: "I have decided to contest the Victoria council elections because the current direction needs to be changed. Since the establishment of the local council little has been done to improve the locality. Together with my fellow Labour candidates and with the funds provided to the council, I will try to do all that is possible to give Gozo's capital city a better appearance."

A mother of three, Margaret Said, 51, is to contest the Sannat council elections. She hopes to work for the interests of the people of Sannat, to continue what the Labour councils started and continue to embellish the locality while giving more attention to children's and youngsters' education.