Valka residents doubt politicians and worry about county's future
As Latvia prepares for the 15th Saeima elections, people in Valka county are reportedly gloomy and more likely to trust themselves than their politicians. The main concerns include the closure of a family doctor's practice, a vacant cultural centre director post and fears that the county could be merged with a neighbouring municipality.
An opinion piece published by a regional newspaper says that ahead of the 15th Saeima elections, journalists have been trying to find out how Latvians assess the work of the 14th Saeima. The overall mood is described as gloomy, with many people saying they trust themselves more than the 100 members of parliament.
Residents of Valka county, the smallest municipality in Latvia, are said to be particularly anxious. The author notes that the local government is struggling to stay afloat, and there are fears that if nothing changes, Valka county could be merged with Valmiera or Smiltene county. In that case, borderland residents would be left without proper attention.
One example cited is the lengthy dispute over the closure of family doctor Māris Nātra’s practice. The author says he feels sorry for the pensioners who are patients and hopes a new doctor will come to Valka. The municipality has announced a monthly scholarship of 740 euros for a medical student from Valka county, but the recipient would have to start working in the county after graduation.
The local government has also been looking for a director of Valka Cultural Centre since the beginning of the year. The culture house is described as beautiful but has been without a manager, and there is no money to organise events. The author doubts that a new director could do much without funding and a creative team.
Last Saturday, people from surrounding areas gathered in Valka for cemetery remembrance events, but no concert or theatre performance took place at the open-air stage with its renovated benches. Many people compare Valka county to “Sūnu ciems” and say it needs the happiness bear, although the author is unsure whether that would help.
Despite the bleak mood, the author emphasises the good things in life – meetings with interesting people, the successes of acquaintances, trips, joy about children and the vegetables growing in the garden. He hopes that life will eventually improve for the people of the small county.
