Last hours before the required “election silence” is triggered in view of the appointment at the polls on 8 and 9 June for the renewal of the municipal councils and the choice of mayors in many Italian cities.
This concludes the GiocoNews.it special dedicated to this eventalso the protagonist of the June issue of the paper magazine (which can be consulted in full online at this link).
After Florence, Livorno, Modena, Reggio Emilia, today we arrive in Cesena where Paolo Sensini is competing for the position of mayor, for the Cesena viva e united movement for peace and the common good; Marco Giangrandi, for Cesena it is us, Italia viva and Cambiamo; Marco Casali, with the support of Lega, Forza Italia, Fratelli d’Italia and the Casali civic list, mayor; the outgoing mayor Enzo Lattuca, running with the Democratic Party, 5 Star Movement, Popolari per Cesena, Cesena 2024 and Avs-Fondamenta-Possibile-Psi, Patto per Cesena.
We have gathered the point of view of Marco Casali.
In your past, as you yourself remarked, “there are 15 years of active politics”. In your opinion, therefore, what are the problems that need to be resolved most urgently for the city of Cesena?
“The theme of personal safety and that of property together with the theme of hydraulic safety; we took the latter for granted but we realized how much improvisation has been implemented over the last 30 years both in the maintenance of riverbeds, streams and canals and in prevention works such as expansion tanks; just think of the condition of complete abandonment of Lake Quarto (which I personally visited) which could instead constitute a valid hydraulic defense for the city of Cesena.”
And, on a positive note, how do you intend to relaunch it?
“There is the theme of tourism to be brought into play and do you know why? Because in the coming years we will see a more widespread and territorial tourist demand, made up of experientiality and immersion and the coast will need the hinterland to create a varied and interesting offer; Cesena can represent one of the cornerstones of this new model that Romagna must be able to cultivate if it still wants to be one of the most sought-after destinations on an international level.”
Have you ever dealt with the fight against pathological gambling and the regulation of gaming activities? What is your general position on this matter?
“Yes, I dealt with it as a municipal councilor when the concessions were modified; I believe it is a plague that must be fought by all means; it must be a continuous struggle; gambling addiction is a subtle and unexpected phenomenon that often affects man when he is in a precarious situation; because of this we must never let our guard down and monitoring must be assiduous.”
How important is it, in a city like Cesena, to valorise the racecourse as a possible tourist driver? “It would be a great project but interest in the world of horse racing should first revive; I often go to the racecourse and I see fewer and fewer people and interest. Even during the concession renewal phase, the company that had the concession significantly lowered its offer and the municipality did everything it could not to lose this presence. Times change, true, and the great glories of the past could return even if I think that the races at Longchamp, which we see in Degas’ paintings, belong to a beautiful past but which I fear will not return.”
: ‘Safety and tourism in first place’){kind=link}