“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 act. 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 challenges does Audrius Petrošius foresee for the “Ištikimi Klaipėda” committee in the coming months following the recent election outcomes?
**Interview with Audrius Petrošius, Member of the Seimas**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Petrošius. After a challenging election and significant changes in local governance, how do you perceive the current direction of the “Ištikimi Klaipėda” committee?
**Audrius Petrošius:** Thank you for having me. I would say it feels like “the handbrake is closed” when it comes to the momentum we had before these elections. The recent leadership has halted several key projects that are critical for our community’s development.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned halting important initiatives, like the new Jūrininkai polyclinic. Can you elaborate on that decision and its implications?
**Audrius Petrošius:** Absolutely. The decision to stop the construction of the new polyclinic and instead focus on the old building is troubling. This shift not only delays vital healthcare services in our city but also sends a signal that the current administration may not prioritize innovative solutions needed for the future.
**Interviewer:** There’s been criticism regarding funding utilization, with reports indicating that only about 80% of allocated funds have been used in the last six months. What’s your take on this?
**Audrius Petrošius:** That’s a major concern. According to the strategic plan approved by the council, these funds should be effectively utilized for community projects. If we’re behind schedule, it indicates poor management. As a council, we need to ask hard questions, which is why we’re summoning administration employees to explain the discrepancies.
**Interviewer:** You’re anticipating a classic political response from those in power regarding the funding issue. Can you explain what you mean by that?
**Audrius Petrošius:** Yes, it’s predictable. When issues arise, there tends to be a blame game—typically directed at previous administrations. While it’s essential to look at past decisions, the current leadership must take responsibility and not pass the buck if we want to see progress.
**Interviewer:** as you look towards the future, what do you hope to see from the Klaipėda council and its projects?
**Audrius Petrošius:** I hope to see a renewed focus on transparency and accountability. The community deserves to have robust discussions about priorities and to see projects that improve our quality of life come to fruition. It’s essential that we move forward, not just react to the past.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Petrošius, for your insights. We look forward to seeing how these issues unfold.
**Audrius Petrošius:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial we keep these conversations going for the benefit of our community.