There were many political discussions around the dinner table when Kathrine Haatvedt was growing up. She was almost brought up for politics. Kathrine Haatvedt got involved early in the work of her father, Erik Haatvedt. Photo: Private – It has been a home with a lot of political talk and discussions. I have grown up in a commitment, says the 38-year-old. Kathrine’s father and grandfather were both mayors for the Labor Party in Tinn. Einar Haatvedt from 1974 to 1987. Erik Haatvedt had the role from 2003 to 2010. – Could you think otherwise? – Yes, it has always been a home with high ceilings. “Diversity of opinion has been important,” she says. – Good reputation Already at the age of 22, Kathrine Haatvedt was elected to the municipal council. Then she sat for a period with her father as mayor. In a direct mayoral election in the municipality in 2007, Erik Haatvedt almost made a clean sweep with almost 70 percent of the votes. Kathrine’s father, Erik Haatvedt, was mayor of the Labor Party in Tinn from 2003 until he died in 2010. Photo: Anne Lognvik / news The popular Labor Party mayor in Tinn died suddenly at the age of 64. The legacy of the generations before her is not something she takes lightly. – You feel that you have some shoes to fill. Both my father and grandfather have had a good reputation as mayors. Haatvedt feels that people have high expectations of her. She hopes they expect safe governance, that she dares to bet and is a visionary in combination with orderly politics. – It is also something I can go back to my two ancestors. Which was known for both the safe, but also visionary. Will do the best for Tinn In contrast to many other municipalities, the Labor Party in Tinn advanced strongly in this year’s elections. With 32.6 percent support, they ended up as Tinn’s largest party. With that, the party could show a growth of 9.3 per cent from the last election. They still had to work together to gain power. It is now clear that the Labor Party has entered into a partnership with the Conservative Party and agreed on a platform on which they will work after the next four years. – It is with great awe that you enter it. I’m very pleased. We had a goal of becoming the largest party again. We managed that now. Getting a mayor is big and important for us, she says to news on Saturday. Kathrine Haatvedt is proud of her father Erik Haatvedt and his political career. There were almost always political discussions around the dinner table. Photo: Privat Thus it will be Kathrine Haatvedt who wields the mayor’s baton in the mountain municipality she is so fond of. – I have always had such strong feelings for my hometown. My motivation for being in politics has been to do the best for Tinn, she says. Many in the municipality have been waiting for the 38-year-old to take on the mayoralty. However, she hasn’t had a bad time. Experience from county politics and the Labor Party’s national board makes her feel safer if she moves into the mayor’s office, says the 38-year-old. Compared to father and grandfather Jan Olaf Opsahl remembers Kathrine’s grandfather from his time as mayor. The smell of smoke was thick in the hall, as half sat and smoked cigarettes, describes the experienced politician. Jan Olaf Opsahl is a municipal council representative for the Labor Party in Tinn. He has served on the municipal council with three generations of Haatvedt. Photo: Private – Einar was an adult. You listened to him. Both Einar and Erik were well liked as mayors. I don’t think Kathrine comes any lower on the measurements there. Opsahl has only good words about the 38-year-old. – I don’t think she has any problems filling her father’s shoes. It says respect from Kathrine. She is knowledgeable and takes care of those around her, he concludes.
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Kathrine Haatvedt can become the third generation Labor mayor in Tinn – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
