“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 are the specific reasons behind the delays in projects like the new Jūrininkai polyclinic and the bike path design at Giruliai, according to Audrius Petrošius?
**Interview with Audrius Petrošius, Seimas Member and Head of the Election Committee “Ištikimi Klaipėda”**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Mr. Petrošius. Can you elaborate on your recent comment about the “handbrake is closed” in relation to the direction of your committee?
**Audrius Petrošius:** Thank you for having me. My comment reflects the current stagnation we are witnessing within the Klaipėda council. There seems to be a significant halt in various proposed developments, including the new Jūrininkai polyclinic. Instead of advancing to better healthcare facilities, we are opting for the reconstruction of an older building, which many view as insufficient.
**Interviewer:** You’ve mentioned that several previously approved projects are now on hold. Can you specify what these projects are and why you believe they are being stalled?
**Audrius Petrošius:** Certainly. Projects such as the bike path design at Giruliai, the concession for the sports complex, and the access reconstruction for Giruliai beach have all been delayed. This shift indicates a lack of support for initiatives that aim to improve our community, which is troubling for many residents.
**Interviewer:** And how do you respond to the criticisms surrounding the budget utilization, with reports stating that only about 80% of the funds have been utilized in the first half of the year?
**Audrius Petrošius:** The concerns raised by Council Member Andrius Dobranskis are indeed valid. Our strategic plan is robust, but the pace of execution is lagging. We cannot afford to waste resources when there are pressing needs in our community. I anticipate that when administration officials come before the Finance and Economy Committee, there will be attempts to shift blame to previous administrations—this is a common political tactic we’re familiar with.
**Interviewer:** You have mentioned a cycle of blame. What do you see as the path forward for the city given this situation?
**Audrius Petrošius:** The first step is accountability. We must push for clarity from the administration regarding unspent funds and stalled projects. Open discussions and collaboration with the opposition will be key in ensuring that we prioritize the public’s needs and visibility of our actions moving forward.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Petrošius, for sharing your insights. It seems there are many challenges ahead for Klaipėda, and we appreciate your commitment to addressing these issues.
**Audrius Petrošius:** Thank you. It’s crucial for us to stay engaged and proactive for the betterment of our community.
