Name: Johanna Lehtonen
Year of birth: 1975
Municipality: Vaasa
Town: Vaasa
Title: Teamlead
Email: johannalehtonenpost@gmail.com

Johanna
Lehtonen

Vaasa

"Future Vaasa needs concrete actions and faith in the future, manifesting as bold investments supporting the possibility of local entrepreneurship, the revival of construction and the increase of cultural and sports experiences"

I have a master's degree in political science and a teacher's qualification. In my working life, I am fortunate to work in the financial sector since 1997. Entrepreneurship is also familiar to me. In my positions of trust as a member of the city's inspection board and serving on the board of the Vaasa Student Housing Foundation have given me an understanding of how the city of Vaasa should be developed in order to meet the challenges of the future.
As a mother, I especially care for our young people in society, and as a relative of the elderly, I see the needs that our aging residents face. I am forward-looking and support innovative projects that help our economy grow. I support equality at all levels, I value our marine nature and I am not afraid of taking responsibility for the best of our common future.

Important political topics

Economy & Business

Vaasa needs continued strong focus on the structures for a viable city. We need a skilled workforce, diverse and strong business life and an attractive, dynamic and international urban environment.
I want Vasa to establish a platform for cooperation between companies, entrepreneurs and decision-makers. There must be no unnecessary obstacles in communication and all are needed to build the workplaces of the future. We already have many good structures in use (Vasek and Vaasan Yrittäjät, for example), but low-threshold collaboration around practical and concrete ideas is always needed.

Read more about our election platform ›

Housing and Construction

I am worried about the housing shortage among students and the current low rate of new construction in Vaasa. We have clear and ambitious growth targets, and these need concrete cooperation between actors and decision-makers in order to be realized over time.

Read more about our election platform ›

Culture and Leisure

We have several cities in Finland that compete for investments and skilled workers. It is not enough that the city's residents have a job and a home. Vaasa must be made attractive to both residents and businesses by offering enough bubbling cultural life, a passionate sports world and colorful association activities. The decision-makers of the city of Vaasa must have an understanding of how important these factors are for growth, well-being and attractiveness.

Read more about our election platform ›

Candidate's answers in election machine

1 / 11

Early childhood education should be free for everyone.

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2 / 11

Schools should prioritize traditional textbooks over digital learning materials.

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Digital teaching material is in general much cheaper to produce, a better environmental choice and also a lot easier to update.

3 / 11

One of the municipality’s most important tasks is to invest in sports facilities and opportunities for exercise and recreation.

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We need to facilitate and support all forms of easily accessible exercise and leisure activities that bring the city\'s residents together and promote both mental and physical health.

4 / 11

It is important to provide all residents with equal opportunities for cultural activities.

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In my Vasa, culture and sports are not activities for any closed group of like-minded people. Active participation and low-threshold activities are something to be promoted!

5 / 11

The municipality should introduce or improve opportunities for residents to influence how municipal funds are used through participatory budgeting.

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Of course, everyone should have the opportunity to influence and receive information!

6 / 11

The municipality should invest in public transportation.

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Traffic is the biggest culprit in terms of carbon dioxide emissions right now. We need safe and flexible public transport as a concrete alternative to private cars in more and more situations.

7 / 11

It should be possible to be a resident in more than one municipality, for example, through digital municipal citizenship.

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As a \"Half-Mustasaari resident\" for almost two decades, I can only state that I have an interest in influencing and also participating in the activities of that municipality. Maybe you could tailor a \"part-time municipal resident\" role?

8 / 11

The municipality should better facilitate the expansion of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power.

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Above all, the city must take responsibility for its own property portfolio. There is a lot that could be achieved just regarding e.g. Pikipruukki\'s properties

9 / 11

The municipality should mix more housing types in planning than is currently the case.

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Modern planning is moving more and more in this direction. A cityscape where people of all ages and with different backgrounds move and live close to each other promotes safety and social cohesion

10 / 11

The municipality should introduce anonymous recruitment.

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The racism and exclusion that exists in Finnish society is largely hidden from native Finns. Anonymous recruitment would certainly be a good and concrete way to open the eyes to the problem.

11 / 11

If you could give a superpower to your future political leader, what would it be?

The ability to instantly purify the environment and stop climate change.
Invisibility to reveal and combat corruption at all levels.
Time travel to correct historical mistakes and improve the future.
Infinite wisdom to make perfect decisions on all political matters.

You should not strive for changes in the past, openness and clarity in everything you do is desirable and starting from the world as it is today is the right way to find the way forward

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