 ▲ 창원특례시청 |
[브레이크뉴스=이성용 기자] 민족 대명절 설을 앞둔 창원특례시의 풍경이 예년과 다르다. 덕담이 오가야 할 현장에는 적막감이 흐르고, 시민들의 손을 맞잡아야 할 행정의 손길은 시장공백이 길어지면서 자취를 감췄다.
피해는 고스란히 시민들의 몫이다. 고물가와 경기 침체로 그 어느 때보다 행정의 위로와 격려가 필요한 시점이지만, 시민들은 “하소연할 곳도, 위로해 줄 사람도 없다”며 허탈감을 감추지 못하고 있다.
마산합포구의 한 상인회 관계자는 “명절 대목이지만 경기가 예전 같지 않아 힘들다. 이럴 때일수록 시청이나 구청에서 나와서 ‘힘내라’ 말 한마디라도 해주는 것이 관례였는데, 올해는 설 연휴가 시작되면서 그림자도 안 보인다”며 “이게 특례시의 행정이냐”고 분통을 터뜨렸다.
창원시청 안팎에서는 이번 사태를 두고 ‘행정의 실종’을 우려하는 목소리가 높다. 지방선거가 다가오면서 ‘정치의 시간’은 뜨겁게 달아오르고 있지만, 정작 시민들의 삶을 챙겨야 할 ‘행정의 시간’은 멈춰버린 셈이다.
*아래는 위 기사를 '구글 번역'으로 번역한 영문 기사의 [전문]입니다. '구글번역'은 이해도 높이기를 위해 노력하고 있습니다. 영문 번역에 오류가 있을 수 있음을 전제로 합니다.
*Below is the [full text] of the English article translated using ‘Google Translate’.‘Google Translate’ is working to increase understanding.It is assumed that there may be errors in the English translation.
Changwon Special City Experiences Unprecedented Lunar New Year Holidays
As the mayoral vacancy continues, even five district heads halt all Lunar New Year events.
The landscape in Changwon Special City ahead of the nation's biggest holiday, Seollal, is different from previous years. Wherever greetings should be exchanged, a sense of desolation permeates the landscape, and the administrative hand that should be reaching out to citizens has vanished as the mayoral vacancy continues.
Amidst the unprecedented crisis of the Changwon mayoral vacancy, all five district heads (Uichang, Seongsan, Masan Happo, Masan Hoewon, and Jinhae) have confirmed their absence from local Lunar New Year events. This is a symbolic sign that the "leadership vacuum" is paralyzing even the lowest levels of administration.
Typically, Seollal is a time of communication, with local government heads and district heads visiting traditional markets, welfare facilities, and Lunar New Year events to hear public sentiment and convey the warmth of city administration. However, this year, Changwon's administration has come to a complete halt.
The damage is borne entirely by its citizens. With high prices and an economic downturn, the city needs comfort and encouragement more than ever, but citizens are unable to hide their despair, saying, "There's no one to turn to, no one to console us."
A representative from a merchant association in Masan Happo District said, "It's the holiday season, but the economy isn't what it used to be, and it's difficult. It used to be customary for city hall or district offices to come out and offer even a word of encouragement, but this year, with the Lunar New Year holiday approaching, there's not a trace of them." He expressed his anger, asking, "Is this the administration of a special city?"
Both inside and outside Changwon City Hall, concerns are growing about the "disappearance of administration" amid this situation. With the local elections approaching, the "time for politics" is heating up, but the "time for administration," which should be caring for the lives of citizens, has come to a standstill.
With the limitations of the acting system clearly evident, even district mayors have stopped their work. This Lunar New Year holiday, Changwon citizens are increasingly feeling the anxiety of being "unprotected."
원본 기사 보기:브레이크뉴스경남
