Zohar Blum in the local arena/Walla!
Zohar Blum, the leading candidate for mayor of Rehovot, arrives for an interview at the Walla Studio!
We are a week before the elections, in the days of a severe war, how do you re-motivate an election campaign?
It should be remembered that this is not politics, but life itself, the day-to-day life of all 163,000 residents of the city of Rehovot.
They should remember that on February 27 they have the opportunity to choose a new leadership for the city of Rehovot.
After about 15 years, it's time to start over with a younger, more liberal mayor who will bring energies and advanced management methods to running the city.
You are in the last line before the elections, three final contestants, what sets you apart from the others?
The current mayor is finishing his third term and he did do a good job, but it's time to thank him and start over.
What you didn't do in the second and third term, you certainly won't do in the fourth term.
In relation to the other candidates who are running for mayor for the first time, I bring to the position a rich experience of twenty years in public affairs, full responsibility and absolute reliability.
Following this, I will offer my young and talented friends, the candidates for mayor, Yaniv and Matan, a significant position alongside me in the city administration.
After I am elected mayor, I intend to offer them to be appointed as my deputies, to give them extensive powers and full freedom of action.
I am confident that with the help of the right direction and my extensive experience, we will work together as a winning team for all the residents of the city.
In the future, after I successfully complete two terms as mayor, they will continue my path.
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In collaboration with Rivka Zaida Laboratories
Since the seventh of October, the entire Israeli society has mobilized, what things have you done?
On October 7, at 06:30, with the first volley fired at all Israeli cities and Rehovot in particular, I immediately went to the field to all the scenes of the casualties, I made sure to coordinate between the security forces, the Home Front Command and the municipal employees.
At the same time as my work at the municipality, I lost 2 dear family members, Odia and the late Dolev Suissa, who were murdered in Sderot in front of their little daughters, Rumi (6) and Lia (3). The little one, was enacted in the national memory and is considered one of the sentences associated with this war.
Working together with the Home Front Command, we prepared additional protected spaces for schoolgirls and male students, I established new protected spaces on the premises of the educational institutions, I took care of their mental strength through the psychological service and other social activities to maintain for their safety.
Already that evening, I established volunteer groups of thousands of residents and residents of Rehovot who mobilized to help the IDF soldiers and the evacuated families.
In addition, I established a special project "Lighted Shelters", a first project of its kind in Israel, opening over 100 protected spaces in the city's neighborhoods and turning them into community centers at the same time Emergencies where female and male residents can participate in an experiential and quality respite activity that increases personal and community resilience.
Zohar Blum in the local arena studio/Walla! system, Walla!
What are your plans for strengthening security in the streets?
First of all, MMD for every student. As part of my plan, which I started already a decade ago, I undertake to protect all the schools in the city in the next 5 years, through the demolition and reconstruction of old buildings and the addition of protected spaces in the institutions.
Another issue in the security plan is the establishment An urban security brigade that will combine members of the standby squads, the neighborhood watch and the municipal police, the security brigade will equip all forces with advanced equipment and provide them with professional training in coordination with the Israel Police. On
October 7, we realized that we need to take care of ourselves and our residents, and therefore I intend to establish an emergency economic fund within the framework of which We will collect donations from around the world so that we can, in case of emergency, provide immediate assistance to the residents.
What are the three most important issues to be addressed immediately in the city in the near future?
The most burning issue among the residents is unequivocally the issue of infrastructure and cleanliness.
In recent years, work has been done in this area, but the results are still far from satisfying the residents.
I have a series of plans to deal with the problem and it will include, first and foremost, a change "in the spirit of the commander", I intend to go out every morning at 05:00 to tour the city with the cleanliness inspectors to start the day in the field with a clean and polished city for the residents.
Another thing, the policy of uncompromising enforcement against lawbreakers who pollute the environment and I will take care of infusing modern technologies and purchasing mechanization for cleaning the city.
It is not possible in the 21st century to clean the city with a broken street sweeper and not with advanced machines designed for this.
The second issue is full transparency in the municipality's work.
Residents of Rehovot love the city but not the municipality.
The municipality under my leadership will be run with complete transparency, will share with the public in the decision-making processes and will provide them with personal and high-quality service as is customary in the private sector.
The third and essential issue is the introduction of a liberal and Zionist policy to all residents and residents of the city.
I will protect the rights of the minority but I will also insist that the rights of the majority are strictly preserved and I will take care of cultural activities and public transportation every day of the week, as is customary in all advanced cities in Israel.
The local arena with Zohar Blum/Walla! system, Walla!
In the field of education - where is the city located, and what do you intend to do?
20 years ago, I received the education system where the percentage of eligibility for matriculation was only about 50%, today, we are approaching 90%.
About two years ago, for the first time ever in the history of Rehovot, we won a national education award from the Ministry of Education.
We will continue to strive for excellence and fit the most suitable personal suit for every girl and boy in the city.
Rehovot is blessed with the most leading academic institutions in the world, the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Faculty of Agriculture, I intend to tighten the cooperation of the municipal education system.
I started these processes in recent years with the establishment of the "Schwartz/Reisman Science Center" at the Weizmann Institute of Science where physics and chemistry are studied at increased levels with the aim of promoting quality scientific education and nurturing the future generation in Israel.
My vision is to turn Rehovot into one educational space, a university city, where all students will be able to choose and focus on fields of knowledge regardless of the school they attend.
What are your plans to promote real estate and housing programs for young couples?
The growth rate of construction in the streets must be controlled and coordinated with the existing infrastructure to maintain the quality of life in the city.
The time has come for Rehovot to become a planned and advanced city with green lungs, bicycle paths and walking paths and not an outdated and crowded city.
On the first day of my duties as mayor, I will instruct the engineering administration to begin preparing and formulating an outline plan for the city, a master plan for transportation and a master plan for public transportation.
I formulated plans with a team of experts for the restoration of Herzl Street and the old neighborhoods as part of urban renewal processes, for the development of new green neighborhoods and the integration of innovation alongside sustainability.
I intend to maintain the agricultural areas surrounding the city and establish another large park for the benefit of all city residents that will be open 24/7.
How do you see the city in ten years?
Rehovot under my leadership will be the science capital of Israel!
A city that will be a magnet for scientists from all over the country and that will be a melting pot of groundbreaking ideas and a birthplace of innovative technologies.
A young, leading and progressive city with lots of open spaces and green lungs, developed public transportation, bike paths and walking paths, and yes, creating a lively nightlife, culture and leisure every day of the week.
What is your message to the residents of the city?
I believe that most residents of Rehovot share the same world view, live and let live.
Together we will preserve the special character of the city of Rehovot.
Our city is known as a city of tolerance and patience towards each other.
I will not let anyone harm, neither the rights of the majority nor the minority.
Every population will get everything it deserves, period.
Walla!
Local, in collaboration with the Fa faction
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