Updated | Birzebbugia mayor steps down, resigns from council

Kevin Barun says that the role of mayor is very time-consuming and that it quickly took up more time than a full-time job • He says he wants to spend more time with his family

Birzebbugia mayor Kevin Barun pictured with Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis during a visit to the locality
Birzebbugia mayor Kevin Barun pictured with Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis during a visit to the locality

Birzebbugia mayor Kevin Barun has stepped from his post and also resigned from the local council, citing a desire to be able to spend more time with his family and to focus on his profession.

In a post on his Facebook page Monday morning, Barun said that the role of mayor was very time-consuming and that it quickly took up more time than a full-time job.

Contacted by MaltaToday, Barun denied media reports that he had resigned due to “increasing pressures from residents who are opposing the mooring of the LNG tanker”.

“That is the political spin; Contrary to what the PN media is claiming, I thank the government for the clean power station and I’m disappointed that I'm not going to be present as mayor for the launch,” he said.

Barun, who last year became a father, reiterated that he wanted to be able to spend more time with his family. Asked why he couldn’t stay on as councilor, Barun said that the workload would not have changed.

“Phone calls will not stop coming in and if you’re working to serve the residents, you have to give it your all. I worked hard during my tenure as deputy mayor but never expected the workload to increase as much since I became a mayor. I knew what the role entitled, but not to this point. The salary is what it is and I have to prioritise,” Barun said, adding that as mayor he was always present for the residents day and night.

He said he was resigning with immediate effect from the post he held for the past 16 months, and thanked all the staff at the local council for their assistance during that time.

On Facebook, Barun also thanked all local committees and organisations for always having his back and the residents who – through constructive criticism – helped make Birzebbugia what it is today.

He said he was satisfied with the work he had managed to push through the council and also noted major works carried out by the government, such as road resurfacing, the removal of the gas tanks from the 31 March plant, the renovation of the swimming pool and football ground and a commitment to curb the growth the Malta Freeport terminal towards the residential area.