The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry protested against the reform of local government, which goes "against the history of our communities."

Speaking at the session to celebrate the Day of the Village of Conceição, which he presided over on behalf of the President of the Government, Noé Rodrigues even considered that changing significantly the history of our communities and the proximity service provided by village councils to citizens would be a "lese-majesty" crime.

According to the government official, one cannot remove village councils randomly as they are the "first entities to solve to solve the problems of people."

Noé Rodrigues also stressed that the reform of local government, which aims to substantially reduce the number of villages, is defended by political parties that advocate "more spending, more investment, more subsidies and increased support" for the Azores.

As for the Day of the Village of Conceição, the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry said it was "an important day" for a community that has been able to assert itself in the city of Horta and the island of Faial.

This is a "village with history," where the first services of the then-village of Horta and the town hall building were installed almost five centuries ago," stressed the government official.

Noé Rodrigues also paid a tribute to all those who took the responsibility of leading the village of Conceição and serving the community of a village that celebrates its 444 years of existence.

The village of Conceição, one of the three villages belonging to the city of Horta, was created in 1568 by Charter of Nuno Álvares Pereira, 5th Bishop of Angra do Heroísmo.