“The committees of the flood victims must be non-partisan. Because the flood and the landslides do not have a color of belonging but the sole intention of helping those who have been affected by the meteorological scourge”. The criticism of Danilo Montevecchi, head of the flood committee of the Faenza area, was addressed to Mauro Mazzotti, president of the Cesena flood committee who recently ran for municipal elections on the list of Brothers of Italy.
“It’s a controversy that hurts and leaves a bad taste in the mouth, given the path built, the results obtained and the dispassionate help given in the last eleven months: if there wasn’t a political and instrumental purpose, Danilo’s attack Montevecchi would be truly unexpected in terms of timing and methods. It’s unfortunate that he wasn’t able to evaluate the facts and acted as a sounding board for the chatter.” Thus Mauro Mazzotti, president of the Flood and Landslide Committee of Cesena and candidate for the city council on the list of Brothers of Italy, responds to the spokesperson of the Flood Committee of the Faenza area.
“Since last September 7th I literally chased General Figliuolo across the hills on my motorbike and managed to meet him, since the request of the citizens affected by floods and landslides remained unheard, a positive relationship began which led us to see a preview of the famous Ordinance 14 for families and to discuss it together with the commissioner structure. I then organized a public meeting with the Government in Cesena and in January a constant discussion began with the commissioner structure on rules, dictates, exclusions and inclusions, which resulted in around 180 FAQs which were then integrated into Ordinance 23 released a few days ago. The meetings were organised, by me and by the commissioner structure, in Cesena, Faenza, Ravenna, Forli, Lugo, Conselice and from these the meetings for the experts were also born. I organized the meetings with the agricultural companies with the help of the agronomist Marco Casali, now our candidate for mayor in Cesena, to illustrate the various opportunities for accessing funds of various kinds. In the meetings held from June to today I have always presented myself with the facts, asking for help from anyone who could give it to us and give help to anyone who needed it. An example? Montevecchi himself complained that professionals had been excluded from Ordinance 11, I reported to Colonel La Torre and within a few days he included them. There were many things to do, it was long and tiring work and I applaud the soldiers. Now I read that the results obtained are not satisfactory, but where was Montevecchi in recent months? The issue of buildings in compliance with building practices and without discrepancies is central: what can be remedied must be remedied and what cannot be remedied must be demolished, public resources cannot be given for buildings that are not up to standard, President Bonaccini also said this . For the rest, the damages suffered will be reimbursed at 100% of the recognized damage, all this 11 months after the third catastrophic planetary event of 2023, the resources are there, the first compensation has been paid and I believe it is an unprecedented result if we look at other events catastrophes of the past.”
The Meloni Government then kept its word on tax credits and movable assets. “I was and remain a flood victim, as was my family, who had to leave home on 16 May 2023 – continues Mazzotti – I was democratically elected by the Committee assembly after having resigned for the candidacy for City Councillor, hoping for positive outcome to be able to continue my task in support of all flood victims. There is strong concern about the situation of the works on and in the Savio river, of which our Mayor is not aware, the promise made by the Region on 18 March to be constantly updated by the local Civil Protection is missing, these days there are many emails and the unanswered telephone calls, this is the reason why I entered the field. Otherwise, at the age of 60 you don’t have a political career as some have wanted to underline, it seems to me more like an important civic commitment that will take time away from my private life. Dear Danilo Montevecchi and Faenza Committees – concludes Mazzotti – instead of arguing with me you should support all those who are committed to making the territory safe”.
