“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 the projects that were previously given the green light, but now they are being stopped: this includes the design of the bike 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 are the potential long-term impacts of halting projects like the Jūrininkai polyclinic on the community’s healthcare and infrastructure?**
**Interview with Seimas Member Audrius Petrošius About Recent Local Election Developments**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Petrošius. After the recent local elections in Lithuania, there’s been significant discourse around the ruling election committee “Ištikimi Klaipėda”. You mentioned, “The handbrake is closed.” Could you clarify what you mean by that?
**Audrius Petrošius:** Thank you for having me. When I say, “The handbrake is closed,” I’m expressing my concern about the direction and operations of our local government under the current administration. It seems that initiatives that were previously on track, such as the construction of the new Jūrininkai polyclinic, are now being halted or redirected. This suggests a lack of commitment to progress and development in our community.
**Interviewer:** There has been quite a bit of backlash following the decision to stop the construction of the new clinic. Can you tell us more about the implications of this decision?
**Audrius Petrošius:** Indeed, the decision to halt the new Jūrininkai polyclinic has raised many eyebrows. Instead, there are plans to renovate the existing polyclinic on Taikos Avenue. While renovation can be beneficial, it’s crucial that we are also expanding our healthcare infrastructure to meet the growing needs of our citizens. The cancellation of other projects like the bike path in Giruliai and the sports complex further indicates a worrying trend, as these projects were vital for community development and well-being.
**Interviewer:** And what are your thoughts on the concerns raised by Council member Andrius Dobranskis regarding the underutilization of funds?
**Audrius Petrošius:** Dobranskis’s observations are spot on. When we see that only about 80% of allocated funds have been utilized in six months, it raises flags about our administration’s operational effectiveness. The council had approved a strategic plan that clearly outlines our priorities, and if we’re falling behind on fund usage, that’s a serious concern. Moving forward, the administration must provide clear explanations as to why these funds are not being employed towards the developmental projects we previously agreed upon.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that the Finance and Economy Committee will be inviting administration employees for explanations. What are you hoping to achieve from that discussion?
**Audrius Petrošius:** My hope is to get clear answers regarding the delays and underutilization of funds. Transparency is critical, and the citizens of Klaipėda deserve to know why projects are being stalled. This is also an opportunity to hold the administration accountable and ensure they are not merely deflecting blame onto previous administrations. The situation demands honesty and a collaborative approach to moving forward in a productive manner.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Petrošius, for your insights. It’s evident that these issues will continue to shape the political landscape in Klaipėda.
**Audrius Petrošius:** Thank you for having me. It’s important for us to engage in these discussions for the betterment of our community.