– We are elected by the people. But we are not elected by the people to sit alone in a closed room to make the decisions we feel are best, says city council representative in Fredrikstad, Jarle Johannessen in Rødt. Ahead of the city council meeting on Thursday this week, Rødt, SV, MDG, Bymiljølista and KRF have put forward a proposal that an advisory referendum be held on Viken Park. The parties believe that the population should have their say before a decision is made in the matter. This is what the five parties propose: An advisory referendum is held on the development of Viken Park. The municipal director is authorized to formulate questions to be voted on. The municipal director is empowered to ensure that the advisory referendum is carried out in the most reasonable way. The proposal has been put forward by Rødt, SV, MDG, Bymiljølista and KRF. Viken Park is a planned business area in Fredrikstad. In a number of cases, news has revealed weaknesses in the process. The development could become one of Norway’s biggest natural interventions. Two of the country’s leading experts on administrative law believe that several mistakes have been made in the case process. The case has generated great interest. A public meeting has been held and the Nature Conservation Association has started a signature campaign. Photo: Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen Photo: Even Bjøringsøy Johnsen – It is important that people are heard – We at KrF think that it is a big issue, and that it affects us who live now, but also future generations. It is then important that as many people as possible have their say on it. A referendum can be a good solution in this respect, says city council representative Kolbjørn Westberg. The MDG group leader also agrees with that. – We believe that it is extremely important that people are heard in that matter. That is why we are trying a referendum, says MDG group leader Gunhild Vigdisdatter. Read what several parties think here: Lars Håkon Pedersen / news – We have gone to the polls on this Group leader for the Labor Party, Siri Martinsen says they have worked to facilitate business in Østfold for a long time and that they do not support a referendum. – We have then arrived at a regional area together with several municipalities and the entire county. We have also gone to the polls on this in two rounds. So we are not going to support the current proposal. Caroline Bergli Tolfsen Thinks it will be informative. Jonas Qvale, city council representative for Bymiljølista, believes it is important that people have their say. – I think it would have been wise for those who are against to also open it up and have an advisory referendum. I think that can be very enlightening. Julie Helene Günther / news The mayor is not positive about the proposal Mayor of Fredrikstad, Arne Sekkelsten (H) is not positive about a referendum. – Basically, I have a negative attitude towards it, but will only finally take a position on it when this is concrete, he says. Caroline Bergli Tolfsen – Gone under the radar of people Group leader in SV, Silje Louise Waters is one of those behind the proposal. – It has probably gone a little under the radar of people and therefore it is interesting now that the case is definitely on the radar if you are in step with people if you choose to trump through that case, she says. – Take another round On the street in Fredrikstad there are divided opinions as to whether there should be a referendum or not. – I don’t know if a referendum is the solution to such dilemmas. Because I really believe that you can acquire enough knowledge base without every ordinary man having to speak out, says Eldbjørg Solerød. Eldbjørg Solerød believes the politicians should look at the matter again. Photo: Lars Håkon Pedersen / news But she believes the politicians should take another round in the case. – Especially with regard to resources that we cannot renew, such as forests and nature, we actually have to be willing to take another round. In the center, news also meets Siri Stensdal. She thinks it’s a good idea to let people say what they think. – With such large natural interventions as there are going to be, I think the majority should be allowed to say something, she says. Enshrined in the law Local referendums on environmental matters have taken place 21 times since 1994, according to the statistics bank of Statistics Norway (SSB). Referendums have a long tradition in Norway. According to the government, issues of language and alcohol have been the subject of referenda in particular. In 2009, a general addition to the Municipal Act was adopted. Here the right of municipalities and county councils to hold such votes was determined. The number of local referendums has varied greatly from year to year. The final date for consideration of Viken Park by the city council in Fredrikstad has not been set. But it has been planned that it will be processed before the new year. Published 22.10.2024, at 18.27
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Several parties want a referendum on Viken Park in Fredrikstad – news Østfold – Local news, TV and radio
