Ähtäri city council proposes dismissals of Finland First Party members Juha Nortunen and Jarkko Salo due to alleged misconduct

The city council of Ähtäri is proposing the establishment of a temporary committee aimed at dismissing two members from the Finland First Party, Juha Nortunen and Jarkko Salo. Nortunen sits on the city council, while Salo serves as the deputy chair of the audit committee. The issue will be addressed during Wednesday’s city council meeting. Leena Mäenpää, chair of the council, indicated that the officials have misused information obtained in their roles.

Last week, the council suggested that both Nortunen and Salo resign voluntarily, which they deemed an unfounded request. A source of the conflict appears to be a company called Ähtäri Events, co-owned by the city and private shareholders. According to business activity reports, the company engages in services supporting performing arts, restaurant operations, and other legal business activities. Ähtäri Events operates a nightclub called Äx-klubi and has a lease agreement with Hotel Mesikämmen.

Nortunen and Salo found that Ähtäri Events had not registered the name Ä-klubi, so they did so to protect the city. Nortunen stated he had been accused of seeking financial gain, which he contests. He emphasizes that he offered the company the name for free without any expectation of personal benefit.

The accusations prompted Nortunen and Salo to seek clarity, but a letter from Ähtäri Events regarding the matter remains confidential, and they are yet to see it. Salo pointed out inconsistencies in decision-making processes and documentation, while Mäenpää claims that the situation began confidentially due to business secrecy concerns. The council’s proposal for dismissals will be discussed at the upcoming meeting, and the entire council might face dismissal if the situation warrants it. Both officials assert the issue stems from a trust breakdown due to misunderstandings.