Lonato Ombudsman Activity Report Highlights Need for Promotion Strategies

The activity report of the ombudsman was presented during the latest City Council of Lonato meeting, covering 1999 and the first six months of 2000.

The ombudsman is a role perhaps still little known among citizens, given the small number of intervention requests: 19 last year and the same number expected to conclude the 2000 budget at the end of this December.

According to Ombudsman Eugenio Vitello, who has held this position in Lonato since its inception—when, on June 30, 1998, the local City Council first adopted the regulations governing its norms and operations—there is a need to find new ways to “promote” this role as a protector of citizens’ rights.

Proposals for Promoting the Role of the Ombudsman

“For example, can you give us an example?” ask Eugenio Vitello. “For instance—the Lonato ombudsman replies—adding a note or a statement on all municipal correspondence.

This way, the citizen would know that, in addition to using the usual channels of dialogue with the Municipality to assert their rights, they can also resort to the ombudsman figure.

In short, direct advertising by various administrative offices at the moment services are provided.

Requests to the Ombudsman and Activities in 1999

Last year, a total of 19 intervention requests arrived at the Ombudsman’s desk, distributed as follows: 7 concerning urban planning, 4 in public works, 1 in the health sector, 2 in public administration services, 4 miscellaneous, and finally 1 related to traffic issues.

The ombudsman also put forward some proposals during 1999, such as assigning the supervision services of schoolchildren to pensioners in Lonato.

The preparation of regulations regarding the installation of signs in the historic town center. However, no follow-up has been given to these proposals.