Hello new mayor! Bring us…

Ehompi is a story series in which the mayor Jouni Eho talks about everyday life, work and Riihimäki.

On Friday, September 9.9.2022, XNUMX, I participated in Riihimäki Arts night event. The event was the perfect place for me to meet the townspeople, and for the townspeople an opportunity to meet the new mayor. Thank you to everyone who bravely came to introduce themselves and share your thoughts about your hometown. I heard afterwards that a name tag would have helped identify the signer - sorry about that. I also witnessed a funny coincidence, when a town resident mistook another two-meter tall man standing next to me for the new mayor and quickly started telling him about the upcoming meeting. We got through this too.

The tone of the discussions I had was constructive, of course criticism of the current state of the city was also presented. Criticism belongs to the so-called "employee benefits" of this profession. I got at least the following things on my wish list: turning an unnamed street into a one-way street, stopping the emptying of the city center, protecting nearby schools, solving problems with the availability of diabetes medications, tidying hedges, and so on. Everyday things. In my opinion, the wish list perfectly reflects the fact that Finnish municipalities and cities do things that are specifically relevant to people's everyday lives.

When starting a leadership role in a new organization, the old wisdom is to come in with two ears and one mouth. Regardless of the situation or the context you enter as a new leader, it is extremely important to focus in the beginning on making observations, listening and forming your own understanding of the situation. This process is always extremely fascinating. During that time, you will also learn interesting nuances about the city, such as the fact that it works here in Riihimäki one of the best Thai restaurants in Finland, where people come from a hundred kilometers away to eat. Company and stakeholder visits are also an important part of orientation. Last week included visits to, for example, Sacotec Oy and Riihimäki Theatre.

 

Managing expectations

Naturally, expectations for the new mayor are also high. When stepping into a new role, leaders are expected and should expect (the famous) new openings, views, policies - leadership. Last week, we had an excellent discussion with the city's political leadership (council and board presidium) on the topic. Setting expectations - on both sides - at a realistic level and regular, open dialogue with the city management and political leadership is considered important in Riihimäki.

Typically, the mayor's management contract includes regular goal discussions between the mayor and the trustee management. More important than the official goal discussion is the everyday interaction, which has been regular since the summer with the signatory and chairman of the board Riku Bitter and council chairman Miia Nahkuri.

There has been an interaction between the management of municipalities and the management of shop stewards a lot on display this fall as well, most recently In the municipal newspaper. A functioning link with the city management and political leadership is the key - not only to the management's ability to cope, but also to the city's success. Situations in Finland have become very critical recently. The subject has been studied and, among other things, recently In the publication of Tampere University researchers it is dealt with especially through trust and interaction.

What will the coming autumn look like in Riihimäki from the advice of the new mayor?

In Riihimäki, as in all Finnish municipalities and cities, budgets for 2023 are currently being prepared. As a result of the historic SOTE reform, the decision-makers get very different budgets to approve. As far as Riihimäki is concerned, preparations are well under way. The matter will be discussed at the city government's budget seminar at the beginning of October and at the council seminar at the end of October, before the final approval by the council.

Autumn can hold a lot of weighty things. Today, Monday, the city government will decide on the selection of a new culture director. The needs assessments and implementation related to the service network decision are also on the agenda for the end of the year. The discussions I've had regarding the service network have been very positive, despite the strongly differing views related to the preparation. It is critical that we office holders now have the council's decision below us, on the basis of which the situation that has been "trampling in place" for years can now be implemented. I am convinced that our service network supports the guidelines of our city strategy in order to achieve sustainable growth, a sustainable city and the factors of the future.

Next, the city strategy approved in April must be brought to life, through concrete goals, measures and metrics. The importance of the issue has been announced both by decision-makers and colleagues in the management team. The new strategy is clear, concise and, in my opinion, underlines a clear growth goal. Riihimäki wants to turn the negative population growth into a moderate annual growth of 0,2 percent. What measures will be used to create growth is the big question of the next few years. Choices have to be made. You can't promise everything to everyone. The formula for growth is ultimately simple - it is created through competitive business activity, new companies and new residents.

Finally

In the wake of the long corona virus, the well-being of children and young people has been on the back burner. Corona affected our society severely, but especially children and young people have suffered. I think it is important that the matter is brought up in Riihimäki as well. We cannot afford to drop any child or young person from the ride. Meaningful hobby opportunities, the presence of safe adults, school and support for families are all ways we secure a growth environment for children and young people. Recent ones Central field events have also sparked discussion around the city council's table. I personally see that the keys to the solution are rather on the tables of Riihimäkä's homes. Of course, society can provide support in the form of safe structures, but homes play a key role in the responsibility education of young people.