Chronic depression has taken over Lappeenranta. The situation on the eastern border and the dwindling number of jobs are likely to fuel negativity. However, we should not become fixated on pessimism. Instead, we should be aware of the problems, find solutions to them, and implement them.
There are good models of rising up in the city. Only a few years ago, there was even a glimmer of hope that LUT would be closed down. Under pressure, the university did not give in and began to review its operations. LUT concluded that there were too many strategic goals. The solution was to focus on specific goals. The university identified the problems, developed a solution and implemented it.
The latest example is SaiPa. The team, which had spent the previous league seasons in the jumbo positions, stated that this could not continue. The challenge was a cash deficit and coaching problems. The solution was new investors and a change of coaching team. SaiPa identified the problems, developed a solution and implemented it.
I think Lappeenranta could do the same. However, at the moment we feel stuck in an insurmountable negativity that is preventing us from moving forward. Now is the time to leave the negativity behind, identify the problems and develop solutions.
Also, it's time to put the word "but" on hold for now. The city's event offering has been great this year, but will it continue to be just as good next year? Yes, it will continue, because who among the organizers wouldn't want to make money from sold-out events next year as well?
In recent years, the city's budget has been in surplus by tens of millions, but the mayor suspects that the numbers will worsen in the future. This sounds like a self-fulfilling prophecy. I see the surplus as an opportunity to invest in a positive future instead of using it as a welfare fund for a slowly declining city.
There is no need to be negative in this article. Let's forget the negativity, identify the problems, find solutions and implement them. Towards a more positive Lappeenranta!
Published In South Saimaa 3.12.2024
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