On 16 September, Ivars Ikaunieks (M. Schvarz – “for”, J. Ivanova – “against”. The evaluation of his candidature was directed by the competition evaluation Commission, which, after the results of the test and the working negotiations, as well as the evaluation of the documents submitted and THE development plan of THE Viļānu association, was recognised as the best of seven applicants.

Ivars Ikaunieks has obtained a degree in Latvian Agricultural University engineer's degree in forestry, as well as a Master of Social Sciences of the University of Rezekne (currently the Rēzekne Technology Academy).

Since 2013 he has worked as executive director of the municipality of Varakalans. He was also Chairman of the Varakalans City Council for two years. The current work experience Ivar Ikaunieks is also associated with Eastern Latgale overseas: “I have worked on both forestry engineers and hunting inspectors and loggers, so it is very good to know both Viļānu paths and people,” said the new leader of the association.

Ivars Ikaunieks has also directed and participated in the design and implementation of various projects, including the Riga and Cosmonaut Street Reconstruction Project in Varakhans in 2020, the construction of a gravel road of Varakalans in 2019, the business infrastructure development project and the Varakalans Water Management Development Project in 2018. “The economic issues in Varakos and Viļānos are similar, so that their experience of project implementation, budget implementation, road infrastructure, pupil transport and other matters will also be used in the new work,” said Ivars Ikaunieks.   

As regards the first work planned to be done in the new position, Ivars Ikaunieks mentions the planning of the next year's budget, the introduction of the educational, cultural and economic institutions in the area of the association, and the continuation of the projects that have been started: “The work of the Centre takes place in the decades. The commencement works are very successful, but the works must be closed and lanterns must be installed so that the parish administration is not in the darkness. It is also necessary to continue repairs of roads and streets – Viļānos is a beautifully organized central street, but if we go to the edge, then the view is no longer so delighted. It is not just Viļānu“ painful ”, similar to that of Rezekne and other cities.”

“Viļānie is deserving a good and modern sports hall,” says Ivars Ishunieks. With each year, construction costs are increasing, so a way to implement this work should be sought, while the increase is not even higher. Of course, Maltā and also Rēzekne have good sports infrastructure, but the requests are very large, so Viļānos needs their own sports hall and it will be fully utilised. '

It is planned that Ivars Ikaunieks will begin at THE beginning of October.

It should be noted that this was the second competition for the post of Head of Management of the vacancy Viļānu. The first competition concluded without results, as none of the tenderers had received the Commission's majority support. Seven applicants had applied for the second competition, one of which was not further viewed as documents (e-mail instead of anonymous envelope as required) had been submitted. By contrast, the six applicants for which all the documents had been submitted were met by three applicants, who would also be invited to the test and the work interview.

Madara Burtina,
Public relations specialist of the municipality of Rezekne