Continuity and change. These are some of the key words of the candidates in the upcoming municipal elections for the Municipality of Usini, scheduled for June 7th and 8th. Two civic lists are running in the town of Coros: Usini Sorgente Civica, with mayoral hopeful Gian Luigi Testoni, and Vivere Usini, led by Gina Cudemo.
The former continue the experience carried forward by the outgoing mayor, Antonio Brundu, who served two terms from 2015 to today. "But we're also thinking about how to innovate," says Testoni, 44, coordinator of Ipermercato in Alghero and current councilor for Social Services. "That's why our 12 aspiring councilors represent a good mix of six former administrators and six new figures." "Belonging, listening, and service" is the mantra of the mayoral candidate, former councilor Brundu for the second term, but who resigned in 2021. Cudemo, 60, director of INPS in Tempio Pausania, has assembled a team with a clear direction: "It's a technical list," she says, "made up of suitable and well-prepared professionals to tackle the tasks that await us." The project, she adds, "was born four years ago. We already had a vision."
"We met in recent months," Testoni states regarding his group's timeline, "and we drew up a program that we can implement." Usini Sorgente Civica focuses particularly on tourism, culture, and tradition, promoting "the driving force of the town," known for its wineries and olive oil. He recalls the results achieved under previous executives, in terms of public works, such as the project in synergy with Tissi for hydrogeological instability. But also the achievements in creating the Usini nursery school, the new ring road, and the accreditation of the Avis office. And, in terms of tourism, the interventions with territorial planning funds on Casa de Rosas and Corte di Casa Diaz.
Claimed successes, to which the challenger curtly replies: "We've been through 11 years of the Middle Ages." And the challengers' vision for the future also, and above all, involves a focus on social issues. Their platform, in fact, calls for the creation of a retirement home and a day center. "We want to extend the soup kitchen to the elderly, and revitalize third-sector associations."
This is one of the areas where there appears to be complete disagreement. While Cudemo speaks of a "lack of incentives for participation," Testoni points to the consultation of associations and the "S'incontru" community center for seniors, which, she emphasizes, "works very well." For the professional, who promises to make the City Hall "a glass palace," "the common thread is building a new community."
Among her goals are to create a one-stop shop for municipal access and, in keeping with her professional background, also an INPS (National Institute of Social Security). Regarding unemployment, a sore point in a town of 4,200 and increasingly aging, the leader of Usini Sorgente Civica has announced a discussion with businesses and trade associations. She also emphasizes the free psychological counseling service, provided by the outgoing administration, which "we want to strengthen." Cudemo, on the other hand, reports discussions with young people. "We've spoken to them," the aspiring mayor emphasizes. "They're asking for a multipurpose center, and we're considering a tensile structure."
The skirmishes between the two factions, inevitable during local elections, included an incident last week during a soccer match, in which offensive and vulgar chants were allegedly chanted against the candidate. "There were administrators present and they should have dissociated themselves immediately," she remarked. "I was there too," Testoni retorted, "and I didn't participate in any chanting. It was an act we condemn." These are the final moments of the campaign, ahead of the elections, in eleven days, which both parties say they are confident of winning. The verdict will be decided by the 3,612 eligible voters.
