I am a Kirkkonummi municipal councillor. That means I have a say in the municipal budget, zoning, service contracts, and infrastructure — decisions that directly shape what it is like to live here. Most of those decisions are made without much public attention, and that is exactly when it matters who is in the room and what they understand.
The issues I push hardest on locally are the same ones I write about nationally: digital services that actually work for residents rather than just checking a procurement box, urban planning that builds on Kirkkonummi's geography instead of fighting it, and public transport that connects the municipality rather than leaving whole neighbourhoods car-dependent.
Kirkkonummi is a bilingual, coastal municipality growing fast at the edge of the Helsinki region. It has real assets — shoreline, nature, a mixed community — and real pressures: a revenue base that struggles to keep up with demand, and a rail corridor that matters enormously for how the whole region develops. Local politics here is not small politics.
-
AI helps secure municipal services, but it is not free
In Konnevesi, AI cut processing time for road grants from two months to days. Kirkkonummi is too small to act alone — but collaboration makes change possible.
-
Council initiative: digital resilience
Kirkkonummi relies on digital systems for nearly all its operations. This initiative calls for mapping dependencies and switching to open file formats.
-
I voted against Västra
I voted against Kirkkonummi joining the Västra cooperation. The council decided otherwise. My case: the money belongs in education, not a locked-in agreement.
-
Lähteelä — a gem on Kirkkonummi coast
Kirkkonummi acquired Lähteelä, a coastal area. One of the few places on Kirkkonummi's coast accessible without a private boat — now permanently open to all.
-
Kirkkonummi tells everyone: you belong here
Bullying of rainbow youth is increasing. Kirkkonummi voted 30–14 for flag-flying — a small gesture with measurable effects on young people's wellbeing.
-
The West Railway revealed problems in Kirkkonummi's governance
The West Railway decision revealed shortcomings in Kirkkonummi's strategic planning. The municipality risks bearing the costs without the benefits.
-
Lyyra opens new possibilities for Kirkkonummi's future
Kirkkonummi's renovation creates a culture cluster of Fyyri, Lyyra and Rovastinpuisto park. It sets conditions for growth for decades to come.
-
I voted for the Western Rail Link
I voted for Kirkkonummi to join the Western Rail Link. The decision determines whether Northern Kirkkonummi gets a commuter rail station.
-
Public transport cannot keep getting more expensive
HSL plans significant fare increases for buses and trains. This risks a downward spiral — fewer users means more pressure to raise prices further.
-
Council initiative: annual Pride flag flying in Kirkkonummi
Kirkkonummi's strategy promotes equality and equal treatment. Flying the Pride flag is an inexpensive and easy action to implement it.
-
A cold harvest for Kirkkonummi — a weak budget
The government's mid-term session cut state subsidies and corporate tax. This significantly narrows the room for manoeuvre for local councils.
-
Education is the municipality's most important task
Education is the municipality's most important task. Investment in education pays off far into the future — there are no quick wins.
-
An absolute no to upper secondary tuition fees
The government wants to place upper secondary students in unequal positions based on citizenship. Tuition fees must be opposed absolutely.
-
A growing municipality needs a vibrant centre
Kirkkonummi's centre renovation is a golden opportunity. A vibrant centre attracts residents and businesses — and improves the municipality's finances.
-
Assumption is not worth knowledge
Parties market themselves with images and slogans. It pays to challenge candidates on what their claims are actually based on before casting your vote.
-
Municipal elections decide everyday matters
Municipal elections may seem complex, but they decide everyday matters: schools, daycare and transport connections. You have the power to influence them.
-
Together we are stronger
Growing polarisation and inequality-creating policies unnecessarily divide our small nation. History shows we fare best when we cooperate.
-
Essays on immigration: on asylum seekers
There are many misconceptions about asylum seekers. It is important to distinguish facts from myths — seekers do not live at taxpayers' expense.
-
Essays on immigration: those granted asylum
Receiving asylum is not automatic — it is a carefully defined process. Too often we forget the actual people behind the applications.
-
Essays on immigration: those who came to study
Students who come to Finland from abroad bring skilled workers. Yet we still have major challenges with their employment after graduation.
-
Essays on immigration: labour-based immigration
Labour-based immigration helps solve Finland's labour shortage. However, better conditions for integration and employment are still needed.
-
Is education under special protection?
Education is being cut deeply, despite government claims to the contrary. Index increases and legal reforms do not cover hundreds of millions in cuts.
-
Essays on immigration: family-based immigration
Those who immigrate on the basis of family ties are a diverse group. They are often further along in integration than other immigrant groups.
-
Congratulations, Finland!
Finland turns 107. It is time to rehabilitate patriotism — Finland is one of the world's finest countries, where everyone is equally valued.
-
Essays on immigration: the scale of immigration
In immigration discussions, volumes are often left unmentioned. Finland's immigration is a fraction of comparable countries' levels.
-
Essays on immigration: on the immigration debate
The immigration debate has long been dominated by critical voices. It is time to examine the topic more evenhandedly, based on facts.
-
One step forward, two steps back
The government is making necessary reforms to upper secondary education, but they do not compensate for €120 million cuts to vocational education.
-
Responsibility for a better future lies with us adults
Young people are living through crisis after crisis. The responsibility for a better future lies with us adults, not with the young.
-
Standing in the municipal and regional elections 2025
I am standing in both the municipal and regional elections in 2025. My priority is securing good opportunities for children and young people.
-
Cutting early childhood education funding does not pay
The government plans to cut funding for early childhood education planning. In practice the costs will simply be transferred to municipalities.
-
The Varuboden-Osla co-op elections affect us all
The Varuboden-Osla co-op elections are now under way. By voting you influence people's jobs, consumer behaviour and local services.
-
Our nature is our trump card — year after year
One of Kirkkonummi's greatest attractions is our nature. The participatory budgeting that has just begun has shown this once again.
-
New year, familiar poor winter maintenance in Kirkkonummi
Kirkkonummi's winter maintenance has again proved as poor as in previous years. It does not have to be this way — we can choose to demand quality.
-
The municipality must plan for the long term
Municipalities must plan for the long term. Short-sighted decisions lead to extra costs and poorer services for residents over time.
-
With words we shape reality
The racism statement is an important step. Word choices matter — with words we shape reality and our relationship to difference.
-
Things were better before
That is, for light traffic — pedestrians and cyclists. What if we stopped building society on the terms of private car use?
-
Local nature must be cherished
Not every forest needs to be felled. Local nature that is in active use in particular must be preserved, and it is an important part of our municipality.
-
Health belongs to everyone
Abolishing healthcare client fees saves bureaucracy, addresses problems before they grow, and ensures no one is left without care for financial reasons.
-
Sote is the cornerstone of the welfare society
Social and healthcare is expensive, but essential. Without a functioning welfare system, can we still call Finland a welfare state?
-
What if there were no health centre?
What if Jorvi A&E were the only emergency service for all of Western Uusimaa? What if you always had to queue for hours at Jorvi?
-
The welfare committee — what is it?
The welfare committee handles residents' appeals on welfare matters. Although its meetings are confidential, the cases offer important lessons.
-
I am standing for the 2022 regional elections
I am standing in the regional elections. My priorities are maintaining local services, keeping healthcare public, and supporting care workers.
-
Kindergartens need teachers
Kindergartens suffer from a severe shortage of early childhood education teachers. Kirkkonummi has an opportunity to build a new kind of workplace.
-
Well planned is half done, but…
The Gesterby school complex project plan has been returned for further preparation three times. Six years of planning, still no new building.
-
The adequacy of early childhood education must not be compromised
There is already a shortage of early childhood places in Kirkkonummi's centre. New plans will increase demand — adequate provision must be secured.
-
Early childhood education club activities — in the best interests of children
Early childhood education club activities are cost-effective support for children and families. Their future in Kirkkonummi is, however, uncertain.
-
The Kirkkonummi supplement is your benefit too
The Kirkkonummi supplement benefits not just recipient families — it strengthens the whole municipality's vitality and appeal to young families.
-
Home care allowance supplement — a small cost, a big difference
Kirkkonummi council abolished the home care allowance supplement. A small cost, but a significant benefit for families and the municipality's vitality.
