“The handbrake is closed”, – this is how Seimas member Audrius Petrošius responded about the direction of the ruling election committee “Ištikimi Klaipėda”.
In the second round of the mayoral elections, the member of the Seimas, who lost quite strongly to Arvydas Vaitkas, was criticized after making public the plans to stop the construction of the new Jūrininkai polyclinic on Birutė street. Instead, the old Klaipėda city polyclinic building on Taikos avenue will be reconstructed. The member of the Seimas and the politicians working in the opposition in the council named projects that were previously given the green light, but now they are being stopped: this includes the design of the bicycle path at Giruliai, the concession of the sports complex, and the reconstruction of the access to the Giruliai beach.
Council member conservative Andrius Dobranskis, who was the deputy director of administration in the previous term, says that the fact that only about 80% of the funds were used in half a year is also a cause for concern. planned funds. “The council had approved such a strategic plan. If it is not used, then, generally speaking, we are behind the pace, something is wrong,” said the politician.
This issue is also raised in the Finance and Economy Committee. Administration employees will be invited next week and will have to explain why such a significant sum was not used. “Looking a little ahead, I can see that this music has already started and I know what those in power will say: “The previous ones are to blame.” I foresee this already. This is a classic political move. We watch, we wait, we observe. But for now we don’t see anything good,” said the politician.
Eriko Ovčarenko/BNS photo/Arvydas Vaitkus
At that time, the mayor of Klaipėda, Arvydas Vaitkus, was straightforward: “The principle of today’s government is to finally start counting and rationally use the money of Klaipėda citizens and make decisions based on competence and transparency principles.”
“It is understandable that some people do not like the revision of the projects of the former political government. However, ask the people of Klaipėda how they value the construction of a 4-year school for double the price on Senvagės Street, how the people of Klaipėda value the sale of the plot on Jankaus Street, where a kindergarten and school were supposed to be built”, asked A. Vaitkus rhetorically.
Main points
- Whose money are you saving?
- Conservative Andrius Petraitis missed logic
- Liberal Edmundas Kvederis: “This leads to provincialism”
- Former mayor, social democrat V. Grubliauskas: “The trend is becoming clearer”
- Arvydas Vaitkus: “There is no solution not to build”
- Those in power raise questions about transparency
#Province #rationality #direction #Klaipėda
What are the key reasons behind the recent halt of critical community projects in Klaipėda as discussed by Seimas Member Audrius Petrošius?
**Interview with Seimas Member Audrius Petrošius on Recent Developments in Klaipėda’s Governance**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Petrošius. It’s been a busy time in Klaipėda with the recent elections and local governance challenges. You recently stated that “the handbrake is closed” regarding the direction of the ruling election committee “Ištikimi Klaipėda.” Could you share what that means in the context of the current political landscape?
**Audrius Petrošius:** Thank you for having me. The phrase “the handbrake is closed” reflects our perspective that the current administration is effectively halting progress on critical community projects. Post-election discussions reveal significant shifts in priorities, particularly with the cancellation of previously approved plans like the construction of the new Jūrininkai polyclinic on Birutė Street. Instead, the focus is now on reconstructing the existing polyclinic building, which many see as a step backwards.
**Interviewer:** That raises concerns among your constituents. You mentioned that several projects have been stopped, including the proposed bicycle path and changes to access at Giruliai beach. How do you see this affecting the community?
**Audrius Petrošius:** These projects were not just plans on paper; they represented opportunities for growth and improvement in our city’s infrastructure and overall quality of life. Stopping them can lead to frustration among residents who expect tangible advancements. As an opposition member, I believe we need to hold the administration accountable and ensure that our community’s needs are prioritized and addressed effectively.
**Interviewer:** And it seems there’s financial oversight being scrutinized as well. Conservative council member Andrius Dobranskis remarked that only about 80% of the allocated funds have been utilized in the first half of the year. What implications does this have for governance?
**Audrius Petrošius:** This underutilization of funds is concerning and indicative of larger issues within the council’s planning and execution. If we don’t utilize our budget effectively, we fall behind in our strategic goals. There needs to be a clear explanation for this by the administration, as financial literacy and responsible usage of public funds are critical to our governance. I fear that the narrative may shift to blaming predecessors rather than facing current inefficiencies head-on.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a complex landscape with various challenges. As these discussions unfold in the Finance and Economy Committee, what solutions or actions do you think must be taken going forward?
**Audrius Petrošius:** First, transparent communication from the administration regarding fund usage is essential. Second, we should encourage a collaborative approach to resuming halted projects while also seeking new initiatives that reflect our community’s needs. community engagement is vital; we need to listen to our citizens and involve them in shaping the city’s future.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Petrošius. It’s clear that there are many layers to unpack as Klaipėda navigates these complexities. We appreciate your insights and look forward to seeing how the situation develops.
**Audrius Petrošius:** Thank you for shedding light on these important issues. Together, we can work towards a better future for Klaipėda.
