The residents of Gulbene believe that the town needs a council of residents – Gulbene district – Dzirkstele.lv

25 residents of Gulbene of different generations responded to the invitation of the association “Sateka” to participate in the neighborhood workshop in Gulbene on April 25. This year, the association has organized a total of 14 such workshops in the region – 13 were held in parishes and the last one in the city.

Content will continue after the ad.

In Gulbene, the meeting took place in the form of a free conversation. The conversation was led by Anita Birzniece. Residents from Ievugrava were most widely represented. Among them are also members of the Lutheran church in Gulbene in a large number. Several residents whose homes are in Skolas, Nākotnes, Blaumaņa, Robežu, Pamatu streets also came.

Ideas, wishes, stories about what each of those present has done, is doing or wants to do in their neighborhood for the common good in their free time were voiced. Various proposals were made, which were discussed and recorded by Daiga Gargurne, head of the association “Sateka”.

It was said that the residents of Saules Street would like to create an open-air place where they can gather together and celebrate holidays, strengthening belonging to the neighborhood. There were questions about whether there is hope that one day the Mill Pond will be cleaned so that a beach can be built there. There were ideas about how to encourage people from Gulbeni to participate in events and show their skills and talents to others. The tradition of city holidays and other cultural events, as well as cultural places in Gulbene, were discussed. There were discussions about city parks, their functionality. There were various reflections on the places of the city’s identity.

Content will continue after the ad.

The head of the Regional Sports Administration, Lauris Krēmers, informed that, taking into account the geopolitical situation, it is now necessary to abandon the financially intensive plan to build an athletics arena in the big stadium instead of stands in Gulbene.

The conversation about the creation of residents’ councils in the municipality also moved forward. In this regard, the present survey was conducted by Inga Lapse, representative of the Development and Procurement Department of the municipality. People from Gulbeni confirmed their support for the creation of residents’ councils.

The chairman of the regional council Andis Caunītis and the executive director of the municipality Antra Sprudzāne were also present at the conversation, who explained that the residents’ councils will help the municipality not to lose contact with the people. Alienation occurs because there are no more elected heads of administrations in the parishes or in the city. In terms of representation, the residents’ councils to be formed will actually be similar to the former parish councils and the city council – said A. Caunītis.

Content will continue after the ad.

Currently, the municipality is working on ideas of how large the residents’ council should be. It is also important how many residents will vote for the establishment of such a council in a parish or city. In Latvia, 11 municipalities already have both regulations for the establishment of residents’ councils and the councils themselves. Very active in the formation of the residents’ council on the side of Saldus, but not yet in the city itself. Thinking sweetly, does the city need one council or several neighborhood councils?

D. Gargurne informed those present about the content and details of the next round of acceptance of “Leader” projects. Citizens were encouraged to prepare and submit projects.

The project is co-financed by the “Media Support Fund” from the funds of the Latvian state budget.
“Zirkstele” is responsible for the content.