The members of the Society of the Politically Repressed of the Cēsis region came to the annual meeting to re-elect the board and the audit commission.
This time, representatives from all associations were invited to it, but the response was not too great, 25 people came, but one must take into account the difficult weather conditions on Saturday, which probably forced more than one person to stay at home.
The chairman of the board of the association Pēteris Ozols informed that last year there were 191 politically repressed persons in Cēsis and Vaive parishes, 39 in Līgatne association, 39 in Amata association, 27 in Jaunpiebalga association, 29 in Pārgauja association, 39 in Vecpiebalga association and 68 in Priekuļi association.
At the beginning, an overview of the work was given, the chairman of the board answered questions, and a debate took place. They mainly affected the ongoing construction of the memorial site near Amata station. P. Ozols pointed out that everyone can get acquainted with bank account printouts, how many funds have come in, where they have been spent: “Currently, funds have been collected to make more than 35 poles, they are made, they are waiting for the weather to allow them to be installed. The project continues, funds are collected. A letter was sent to the Speaker of the Saeima, Edmundas Smiltēnas, and the Prime Minister, Krišjānis Kariņas, as well as to all members of the Saeima, with a request to support the completion of the memorial. How much will be allocated will be seen when the state budget is approved. Funds are also sought from abroad, promises are how they will be realized in life, time will tell. About 900 poles are still needed, but my goal is to complete the project.”
The member of the board Ieva Eglīte suggested to apply to the municipality to grant a one-time benefit of 75 euros to each politically repressed person in the county, but it would not be a burden on the municipality’s budget. P. Ozols informed that the county municipality has decided, starting this year, to pay an annual benefit of no less than 80 euros to each politically repressed person until 2030.
At the beginning of the election of board members, there was a call to elect someone from other parish associations, so that there are not only česi residents. Eight candidacies were submitted, each was voted for separately, the one with the fewest votes was left behind. When discussing the candidacies, P. Ozols said: “I will be open, if Ieva Eglīte is on the board, I will not be there!” I. Eglīte pointed out that this is because she keeps a close eye on finances.
There was a delay as to who should be on the board and who should not. Someone proposed a secret ballot. It seemed that the meeting would come to a dead end, then Cēsi council member Guntis Grosbergs stood up, who participated as a guest, and said that the situation is not unfamiliar to him: “It’s simple, the one with the least number of votes is not elected. Peter, you have to put your ambition aside. Ieva has given her artava, it cannot be divided here – either I or she. Both of you have been chosen by people, so you should find an opportunity to work together. In politics, too, we must sit at the same table with people with whom we have disagreements.”
In the end, P. Ozols agreed to stay on the board to continue his work. The following were elected to the board: Pēteris Ozols, Ieva Eglīte, Zinaida Rancāne, Livija Čiča, Maija Wilder, Maija Balach, Aina Ryba.
