The centre-left mayoral candidate Massimo Mezzetti at the head of the ‘seven sisters’ (Pd, Avs, Action, Alleanza Verdi Sinistra, Modena civica, Uniti per Modena, Movimento 5 stelle) outlines the directions along which he will move, in the event of victory, leading the city.
Mezzetti, what will you have left of this electoral campaign?
“After 4 months and almost 500 meetings I find a healthy city. I was struck by the attitude of the people and their making themselves available, for a suggestion, a criticism, an encouragement, but always with the willingness to lend a hand”.
What are they worried about?
“Mostly security, healthcare, housing, waste management and city maintenance.”
Waste has been one of the central points of discussion in recent months.
“The waste separation must be increased, but the current system has shown flaws in various parts of the city: it must be modified and immediately.”
What can a mayor do about safety?
“Mobile checkpoints and an increase in the presence of street educators, but I feel that there is one problem above all: the certainty of punishment. The rest is of no use if it is not possible to guarantee the right punishment to those who commit crimes and are arrested”.
What is your idea of the city?
“The centrality of people and their needs, social cohesion”.
Concretely?
“A home for those who need it most, a city that is more attentive and cared for in every neighborhood, a strong push for innovation. We have identified the resources and defined a path that allows broad participation of organized society and also of individuals. This is how we’ll do it from now on.”
Maintenance: where do you get the money?
“We believe it is possible to add another 5 million euros to the resources already foreseen in the Municipality’s budget to be allocated, immediately, to greenery, street furniture, cycle and pedestrian paths, roads, buildings and public spaces, schools. I intend to involve citizens, local of neighborhood control and the third sector”.
‘A home for those in need’. Vast program…
“Courage is needed. The Housing Agency exists, but it is not yet producing the necessary results. To improve, and by a lot, we must be able to make the conditions for owners more competitive, granting them guarantees, a higher rent and greater benefits taxes to increase rental housing”.
Who pays?
“The greater costs will not have to be borne by the tenant, but will be partly borne by the Municipality which, however, will act within a Fund (to be established and which could be called ‘Social Real Estate’) into which the resources will also flow of all the subjects, public and private, affected by this problem, from owners to tenants, from business associations to foundations.
Which?
“It would also act on the urban regeneration front, the recovery and transformation of large houses currently inhabited by a single person, almost always elderly, in exchange for accommodation and assistance in dedicated housing solutions”.
You then spoke of “drive for innovation”, what does that mean?
“We need to invest in research and knowledge and in the cultural and creative industries which already today generate a value equal to around 6% of European GDP, employing around 12 million people. These companies play a recognized role as ‘initiators’ of innovation and development with respect to all sectors, from manufacturing to life sciences, from social to construction. It means work for our young people and new opportunities for our businesses. The Municipality will provide ideas and spaces, then we will discuss it with the city”.
In conclusion, why should the people of Modena vote for it?
“On a personal level, because I think it is clear that I really love Modena. On a political level, because our idea of change does not start from scratch, but from the best of what has been achieved, to improve and continue to grow”.
