A dynamic development of the Vilnius Region

Each year, the government reduces the financing of self-governments, and at the same time, it raises the income tax plan.

For example, in the year 2011, the Self-Government of the Vilnius Region received 178 mln 747 thousand Lt budget means, and for this year only 168 mln 436 thousand. Last year, it had to collect 44 mln 230 thousand Litas from the income tax, and this year even 54 mln 239 thousand. Despite the financial difficulties, the Vilnius Region is developing dynamically.

In the opinion of Maria Rekść, the mayor of the biggest region in Lithuania and one without debts, the key to the significant achievements in the difficult crisis times was a sensible planning and a balanced spending of funds, as well as the participation in EU projects. In fact, thanks to the latter, a number of kindergartens was built, reconstructed and renovated (Mickuny, Niemenczyn, Mejszagoła, Kowalczuki, Pogiry, Niemież), as well as schools and junior high schools (Secondary School under the name of J. Obrembski in Mejszagole, Junior High School under the name of  K. Parczewski in Niemenczyn, Junior High School under the name of F. Ruszczyc in Rudomin, Secondary School  under the name of Saint J. Bosko in Jałówka, Secondary School under the name of the Grad Duke Olgierd in Mejszagole). The self-government prepared 77 petitions for the total amount of 68 mln Litas for the years 2007-2013. 29 projects have already been accomplished, 48 are still in the process. Only last year, the works were completed for the total amount of 35.5 mln Lt.

The achievements in the economic sector, education, improvement of citizens’ living conditions are not the only important ones, no less important is the concern for the spiritual realm of the society, and above all nurturing of Christian values, universal human, patriotic. There are 17 churches, 2 Orthodox churches and 2 mosques in the region. Regardless of religion, the self-government grants a financial help and last year 198 thousand Litas was dedicated for this aim.

An irreparable loss for the entire community was the departure to the Heavenly Father of the Honorary Citizen of the Vilnius Region, priest prelate Józef Obrembski, who was an example of an unconquerable spirit, faith and a great love for man. In the nearest future, there is a plan to establish a museum named after the priest prelate J. Obrembski in Mejszagole.

The self-government is guided by the principle of helping the poorest, as evidenced by the subsidies (for heating and delivery of cold water) and all allowances, such as tax exemption for farmers for the land, which cost the “pocket” of the self-government 7 mln Lt yearly.

The achievements in the social-economic development, as well as the activity in writing projects in order to receive EU grants are a concrete response to the apparently biased and deliberately disseminated statements on the alleged tardiness of the authorities of the Vilnius Region. The leadership of the region will also in the future seek towards the full satisfaction of the needs of citizens.

Prepared on the basis on information from „Tygodnik Wileński”

http://kurierwilenski.lt/2012/02/16/dynamiczny-rozwoj-rejonu-wilenskiego/

Tłumaczenie Małgorzata Juchniewicz w ramach praktyk w Europejskiej Fundacji Praw Człowieka, www.efhr.eu. Translated by Małgorzata Juchniewicz within the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights, www.efhr.eu.