WHAT WOULD I LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN TURKU IN 2021-2025?
Below you can familiarise yourself with the themes of my municipal election campaign.
1. Säkerställa närtjänster. Varje åbobo har rätt till ett tryggt liv. Vi måste stoppa underbudgeteringen av offentliga tjänster och satsa på förebyggande tjänster.
Privatiseringen är ingen genväg till lycka. Tjänster vars kvalitet har en betydande påverkan på människornas välmående ska inte privatiseras.
Varje åbobo har rätt till högklassiga närtjänster i sin närmiljö. We need to ensure that regional inequalities do not arise and safeguard resources where there is a particular need for support.
Meaningful leisure time. Leisure activities, as well as child and youth activities need to be increased in the suburbs. We need to develop fitness and recreation opportunities evenly in Turku areas.
We need to increase access to health services, for example by increasing low-threshold mental health services.
2. Supporting culture. Recognising and identifying the value of the cultural sector. Culture increases well-being, maintains civilisation and creates jobs and appeal for the city.
Let's invest more in culture. Let's safeguard small, marginal and non-commercial entities through grants.
Let's be a pioneer in supporting culture. We need to finally create a cultural strategy for Turku and sufficient resources have to be set aside for its implementation.
Culture doesn't happen in a vacuum. Ensure that cultural creators have suitable, accessible, and affordable facilities. Let's start a House of Art in Turku.
Culture will live on another hundred years from now. Let's plan cultural projects and facilities for the long run.
3. Planning Turku for all city residents A clean commercial city center serves few. The heart of the city must contain opportunities for residents to engage and enjoy themselves.
Human being needs nature. The diverse nature of the city and the green areas have to be protected in Turku.
Zoning decisions must serve area residents, not prioritise commercial operators.
The ecological crisis and the principles of sustainable development must permeate all levels of urban planning. Let's stick to climate goals by developing public transport.
Secure historic buildings and sites. It is time for Turku to be cured of its disease. Investments for all Turku residents. If we can afford event arenas, we can surely also afford new schools.
4. Investing in every level of education.
Children have the right to a safe childhood and quality local services. Let's support local schools and supporting services (such as after-school clubs) and let us ensure that regional inequalities do not arise.
Let's keep children involved with and attending schools for the duration of their education. Resources for special needs education and other supported teaching must be secured. Let's make sure that school is accessible, and is also a safe place for minorities.
Let's take advantage of the opportunities of being a University City. Increase close cooperation with University researchers and institutions, and utilize local expertise.
Turku is a good student city. Let's make Turku the best.
WHERE DO I STAND?
👍 Moderate tax increase It's better to correct the budget deficit with moderate tax increases rather than cuts in public services. Turku's tax rate (19.5 %) is reasonable, and lower than, for example, Tampere (20.25%), Kaarina (19.75 %) or Salo (20.75 %). References (in Finnish)
👎 Public sector cuts We can't afford to cut back on education, health care or culture. Finnish society is built on these.
👍 Green public transport Ecological reconstruction needs more environmentally friendly rail transport over private motoring. The one-hour train, or fast connection between Turku and Helsinki, benefits a growing Turku.
In order for Turku to achieve its climate goals, public transport must be increased and developed considerably. Trams and commuter trains are one way to increase environmentally friendly traffic.
👎 New construction investments I opposed Toriparkki, and I see the new event arena risky as an investment. The Logomo Bridge is an excellent example of a construction project with unclear backgrounds and numerous failures in the construction process.
I feel that the new event arena now being planned does not automatically serve all citizens. There must be a critical debate about projects, and investment must also be seen in the suburbs, for example in the form of new schools and services.