Nests closed, 2,337 signatures: «The mayor should think again»

For a more family-friendly Como, here are the first 2,337 signatures, collected by mothers and fathers who don’t want to stop. The parents’ committee formed last month, following the municipal administration’s choice to close the nursery in Via Passeri from June and that of Monte Olimpino from next year, registered on Monday a first tranche of signatures in support of the petition in defense of public kindergartens.

«The collection of signatures was launched as part of the public assembly on March 20 – explains Silvia Francavilla on behalf of the committee – on the theme “to raise a child you need a neighborhood” and the achievement of 2,337 citizen signatories in just four weeks demonstrates the great interest of citizens in the essential value of neighborhood nurseries and the widespread nature of childcare services to create a family-friendly city. This result confirms that ours is a shared concern, and that citizens care about the common good and services for the city. We trust that the great support registered will be the driving force for a fruitful discussion between the municipal administration, the families and the parties involved”. The intention is to reach up to 5 thousand signatures. Having said that the decision to rationalize the nurseries has now been taken, voted on and deliberated. The Municipality, having closed two nursery schools, will concentrate the staff and children, guaranteeing a greater number of places next year.

«This is a first part of the signatures that we aim to collect – comments Umberto Fumarola, one of the spokespersons of the Parents’ Committee – in fact we will move forward. We wanted to start giving a signal, which we believe is significant, a month after the start of the mobilization.” Yes, but with what hopes? The majority does not seem willing to take steps backwards. «There is hope, however – Fumarola continues –, not so much for the resolution that will follow its course, but for the debate that we have raised in the city. Many citizens approached our committee, we reasoned not on a single asylum, but on many issues that this community needs. For us this is already a victory.”

In addition to collecting signatures, the parents’ committee will organize other events, debates and events. For a family-friendly city. «When we started protesting against the closure of the two nursery schools there was a grandmother present – ​​says Gloria Ghielmetti, one of the most active mothers on the committee – who explained to us that in her time the Municipality had decided on a similar cut to the nursery schools, but who, in response to the proposals, had retraced his steps. So there is still a little light burning. But for us the important thing is to have planted a seed. In the last month we have built a group, we have compared ourselves, we have grown. Together we can make something grow, try to change this city by looking to the future of young families. Asking for that listening and dialogue that until now has been denied to us.”