What's going on in Uusikaupunki

16 Torstaina 16. tammikuuta 2020 W H A T , S G O I N G O N I N U U S I K AU P U N K I ? Introducing: Mayor Atso Vainio UUSIKAUPUNKI Granger T. Simmons Atso Vainio moved to Uusikaupunki in the sum- mer of 1972. Although he and his family relocated from one city to another within the same country, he too had to encounter the realities of starting over in a new city with different surroundings and an unfamiliar commu- nity. – This is and was a great town for a young kid to live, says Vainio as he reminisces about his childhood here in Uusikaupunki. After high school, I left and went to Turku and then to the capi- tal city, Mayor Vainio says. MAYOR VAINIO lived for over 20 years in the capital city, Helsinki with his wife and two sons. He moved back to Uusikaupunki to take a chance at sitting in the big seat as the Mayor, or City Leader, as directly translated from Finnish to English. – I left in 1985 and came back when I was 47 years old but we visited often. We have our summer cottage here, my parents live here as well as my mother-in-law. We kept in touch with the town, so it was an easy decision to come back when it became possible. –My predecessor was se- lected to become the Mayor of Rauma, so Uusikaupunki started looking for their next Mayor. I had heard that my name had been mentioned in a few discussions so I became interested to see how things could play out. At the time, I was working at a company called In- vest in Finland. I had been there for over a decade and had never worked in the City-Council before then. As I understood it, there were two important crite- ria; political neutrality and a background in business, both of which I had. INOTHER countries,Mayor’s run for office and campaign amongst others who would like the seat and is then voted to office, is it the same here in Finland? –The position of Mayor is treated as a normal job open- ing. You apply for the job and ultimately the City-Council then decides who is selected as Mayor. Atso Vainio lived over 20 years in Helsinki but came back to Uusikaupunki when he had the chance to become the Mayor of Uusikaupunki. PERSON OF THE MONTH Vakka-Opisto Finnish for Foreigners, Spring 2020: ■■ Beginners’ Course, starting on January 13 Mondays andWednesdays, 10.00-11.30 or 15.00- 16.30 Place: Pohitullin koulu (Pohjoistullitie 3, 23500 Uusikaupunki) ■■ Continuation Courses, starting on January 14 or 16 Tuesdays at 10.00-11.30 or Thursdays at 15.00- 16.30 Place: Pohitullin koulu (Pohjoistullitie 3, 23500 Uusikaupunki) Also possible to do additional studies online. ■■ Preparation for YKI test, starting in February (enrollment by end of January) A couple of times a week, in February and March Place: Pohitullin koulu (Pohjoistullitie 3, 23500 Uusikaupunki) For those who speak Finnish quite well already.You see what YKI test is like and practice different tasks. The actual test is not included. ■■ Finnish Beginners’ Course for Stay-At-Home Parents, starting on January 13 Tuesdays at 12.15-14.00 Place: Ipana-Messi, MLL (Rantakatu 15, 23500 Uusikaupunki) Bring your child with you! In cooperation with other organizations. Mistä on kyse? ■■ Uudenkaupungin Sanomat julkaisee kuukausittain Gran- ger T. Simmonsin tekemän What’s going on -osion. Si- vustolla kerrotaan kaupun- kiin muuttaneille kaupun- gin kuulumisia ja toisaalta tuodaan muualta tulleiden kuulumiset kaupunkilaisten tietouteen. ■■ Tällä kertaa Granger on haastatellut Uudenkau- pungin kaupunginjohtaja Atso Vainiota. Vainio kertoo omasta taustastaan sekä siitä, miten toivottaa uudet kaupunkilaiset tervetulleeksi Uuteenkaupunkiin. Meet our Mayor! I started working for the May- or’s Office of Community Ser- vices in my hometown of Phil- adelphia, Pennsylvania when I was about 12 years old. I had the privilege towork as a youth programcoordinator, develop- ing after school programs and activities for youth. I will never forget the expe- rience of working for the vari- ous Mayors during my 6 years there, they encouragedme and pushed me to strive for great- ness. I have also had the privi- lege to work in some capacity, under the Mayor of this fine city of Uusikaupunki and he has been a great inspiration and mentor to me. One of the reasons that I have integrated sowell into this society is because I have been welcomed and inspired by our Mayor. He is friendly, kind, caring and has a great world- view. He is not narrow-minded but can see things from many sides. I wanted to use this month’s edition of ”What’s Going on in Uusikaupunki,” to introduce him to you and give you a be- hind the scenes glimpse into the mind of the leader of this city, Mayor Atso Vainio . Words of the month ■■ Kaupunginjohtaja – Mayor, City Manager ■■ Valtuusto – Town council, City Council ■■ Hallitus – Town Board, City Board EIJA ESKOLA-BURI Granger T. Simmons