Final stage of amalgamation negotiations

Helme, Hummuli, Põdrala rural municipalities and Tõrva city have reached the final stage of local government amalgamation negotiations. From 21st of April until 12th of May 2016 all interested parties can acquaint themselves with the amalgamation project and submit proposals, opinions, comments and objections to it. At the same time, everyone has the opportunity to participate in the amalgamation discussions that take place in different places and where all leaders of the uniting government units will be present. On 23rd of April, a vision conference took place in Tõrva, which represented the opening of the public discussions and where the region's future was discussed. It included a video message by the Minister for Public Administration, Arto Aas. Moreover, speeches were presented by Väino Tõemets (Head of the Regional Admionistration Department of the Estonian Ministry of Finances, former Helme municipality leader and mayor of Tõrva), Mikk Lõhmus (Lääne-Nigula municipality leader), Ando Kiviberg (Mayor of Viljandi), Indrek Palu (OÜ Mulgikrõpsud head of the board), Indrek Valner (Taagepera village community leadership member), Maido Ruusmann (Mayor of Tõrva). The conference was moderated by Geomedia consultant Rivo Noorkõiv, who is also the advisor for the amalgamation negotiations in the region. For more information, see: http://www.helme.ee/uhinemine/ and http://helme.ee/userfiles/uhinemise_ettevalmistamine/yhinemisleht.pdf