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President Ilves: The consolidation of local governments is necessary for the people themselves

22.05.2008

“Consolidation cannot be forced upon local governments,” President Toomas Hendrik Ilves said yesterday on his visit to Järva County at the discussion group taking place at the Türi College. “However, if people are shown the opportunities that become possible with greater administrative capacities, I believe that people will more readily support consolidation.”

According to the Head of State, cities and rural municipalities are often not able to undertake large projects alone—for instance, building a swimming pool or applying for support from European Union funds. “Acting together it is possible to achieve more for the improvement of service quality and the quality of life, and thereby, people will be less likely to move away from their hometowns or villages,” the President said. “The consolidation of local governments is necessary for the people themselves.”

Speaking about the large Türi Rural Municipality, which was created by the merger of the City and Rural Municipality of Türi with the Kabala and Oisu Rural Municipalities, the Head of State opined that the lessons learned by Türi can be useful for and usable by others.

During the visit to Järva County, President Ilves also visited the Broadcasting Museum and the Estonian Dairy Museum. According to the President, the Päinurme Local History Museum created by Ründo Mülts, a 10-grade student at the Paide Upper Secondary School, deserves special recognition. “The Päinurme Museum is a good example of how interest and initiative can maintain an entire village,” he said.

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