Valter Parve, university professor at UT Pärnu. Photo: Kristi Kuusmik-Orav
Lääne Elu will publish the most read stories again in 2023. One of them is the opinion article “Valter Parve: Beyond Lihulast, suge kaarega?”, published on September 14.
Valter Parve, university professor at UT Pärnu. Photo: Kristi Kuusmik-Orav
It happened to me last week. I came from Haapsalu – like many times before – but this time I didn’t want to turn into Lihula. A welcoming city, many beautiful memories, many good people – now suddenly something goes wrong?
I felt the same vague disgust when, in the summer of 2020, a dent in the can at the petrol station started two massacres that cost human lives. This murderous work and the school reform of the Lääneranna parish cannot be compared in any way, but in my soul Lihula now has a sign of brutality and arrogance again and this scares me.
Decision-making that ignores community interests is nothing out of the ordinary in Estonia, and it is not always possible to please everyone when leading a city or municipality, but the current confrontation in Läänemaa is extraordinary. Did they not foresee the possible consequences of the destruction of the small village schools, or were they ready to endure everything for the sake of the sacred goal (a new school building!)? What was/is at stake? On the one hand, therefore, the proud dreaming temple of education (with recognition from the municipal leaders) and on the other:
- Contrast the municipal center with the inhabitants of the peripheral lands – “another Estonia and different kind of people”? There is indirect pressure from there to move to the city and leave the land empty, although there is increasingly loud talk about the need to be prepared for crises, and a functioning village has an important role in this.
- Scaring the current children of the suburbs, but also the future students of Lihula Central School, in another municipality, and thereby losing the allowance distributed by the State for these school-age children. Fewer opportunities to pay school staff a living wage.
- The possible transfer of taxpayers to a place where they perceive a more caring attitude is, once again, a negative aspect for the wallet of the municipality of Lääneranna.
- Judicial expenses from the municipal budget.
- Along with the sense of security, citizens’ sense of “their country” also diminishes. The growth of frustration and malice in society. Leave Estonia.
- Several question marks on the opportunity to use municipal funds (stable, vodka kitchen).
- A possible disgrace to the council decision makers/executors and their political parties.
Regarding the latter: probably the party offices were aware of what was happening, and therefore I imagine they accept that their representatives could damage their own and the party’s reputation. If you read the slogans, it is not possible in Lihula school. For example, the website of one of the political parties states that “The idea and purpose of Isamaa’s activities is our survival as a nation so that everyone can do their best and no one is left behind.” But are those of Metsküla and Virtsu “included”? The election program of the latter states: “Regional policy can only be implemented in collaboration with municipalities, district and village movements, NGOs, congregations, entrepreneurs. The key to local development is a creative and active person living in this area. The synergy resulting from joint efforts and cooperation is a prerequisite for accelerating development. The Reform Party appreciates and supports the efforts of all these people and organizations.” Supports and appreciates – so what about the example of the municipality of Lääneranna?
New elections are not far away and it is quite surprising how some political parties can disappoint their previous supporters. In any case, what is happening in Läänerantna is a lesson and several things come to mind: How can we be sure, when electing those in power, that they have enough sense of honor and shame to govern? How to give the slogan “community involvement” a dignified and functional content? If in the past the inhabitants of the country sought protection from the Swedish king against local arbitrariness, where could they hope to receive help today?
What happens next? It would be nice if those who hold power and authority in the municipality of Lääneranna invited the weaker parties to a common table to find solutions together. It may not be easy, but it is a crucial experience for the whole of Estonia: how to resolve such conflicts and, even better, how to prevent them. The coherent Estonian development plan 2021-2030 states: “The state’s activities are people-oriented and support the development of communities. Everyone feels valued and included.” This sounds promising, but how do you get there? Perhaps we should create the possibility of recalling elected deputies? Or is it appropriate to “review” the administrative reform? In Pärnu, for example, sub-district assemblies were created in the municipalities that merged with the city to evaluate and integrate projects intended for the council, but the central settlements of the city were deprived of the possibility of this type of involvement , e.g. we know what is good for you”. Utopia, of course, but we would need a so-called lower house, both the Riigikogu and the councils. Perhaps the management of Estonian educational life should be in the hands of the state?
I believe and hope that school peace is possible in Lääneranta, that a solution is found and that families in the suburbs feel safe throughout Estonia. And that next time I won’t have to walk past Lihula…
2023-12-26 15:02:12
most-read-stories-2023-valter-parve-past-lihula-with-a-big-bow