US Mayor Regrello plans to climb Mt Everest

SAN FERNANDO: San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello, 68, plans to climb Mount Everest, the high­est moun­tain in the world.

Speak­ing to re­porters af­ter tak­ing the salute at the San Fernando City Week parade on Up­per High Street, Regrello said he was satisfied he had done his best as mayor. He said the salute was the last he would take as mayor and now that his term is at an end he had no aspirations to serve a second term.

“I am not think­ing about it,” he said when asked.

Asked if he would accept a second term if given to him, Regrello said: “I am not thinking about it. I would have to dis­cuss it with my family.”

He said he remains committed to the PNM.

“I am a servant of the PNM. I am a hard-working member of the party and whatever I am asked to do, I will do,” he added.

Regrello, a fa­ther of five, is married to Kamla Regrello. He said his wife was very opposed to him climb­ing Mount Everest.

“I have been accepted to climb Mount Everest and I will have to leave T&T on March 1 if I meet the conditions. I have to submit a medical by January 5 and I still have to convince my wife be­cause she doesn’t want me to go,” he said.

Re­grel­lo said climb­ing the highest pinnacle in the world is a dream he has had since the age of 14. Asked how it measured his job as mayor, he said: “Well it is another summit that I will overcome.”

The mayor praised the law enforcement officers who participat­ed in yesterday’s parade.

“We had 17 contingents of law en­force­ment. People came from the north and from the east. It was well planned and well-executed. We want to thank the business people for supporting us because there was some disruption.”

City Week celebrations will continue with a church service today, a mind sports tournament and tomorrow students from various schools in the city will get a historical overview of San Fernando.

Regrello said despite financial constraints, he was able to execute various programs in the city. Asked how he rated himself as mayor, Regrello said it was up to the public to rate him.

“All I can say is that I gave it my best shot,” he added.

Meanwhile, taxi drivers said they were uninformed of the planned parade and this caused disruption to passengers. Traffic was diverted along Lady Hailes Avenue when the parade began shortly before 10 am. Various military contingents marched up High Street be­fore gathering at Skinner Park.