Weekly Update 34

April 25, 2025

Hello, everyone.

First request—please follow my actions and support me. Thank you! But only your public pressure can stop the Zichrona plan from moving forward (top story in the newsletter). Go to this post in the Free Stage group (if you’re not a member, ask to join the group) where I’ve posted what’s here along with photos—comment!! Write, share.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15aJFXsXBr/

Summary:

This newsletter will address two central issues: the Zichrona plan and the scope of deputy appointments.

• Concerns about the premature establishment of the Zichrona neighborhood due to a discrepancy between the mayor’s statements (“I oppose the plan; I will not agree”) and his actual actions—or inaction. Despite my appeals, the council did not file an objection to the massive assisted living plan submitted by Big Company, and the council itself expropriated land in Zichrona.
• Inflated job scopes for both deputies and a waste of public funds. Tzila Reshef will serve as a full-time deputy at a salary of approximately one million shekels a year—read below about the limited scope of work assigned to her, work that is already being performed by professionals. The same applies to the second deputy. So why the duplication and waste!

Zichrona Neighborhood – A Gap Between Words and Deeds by the Council Head

I am very concerned about the council head’s conduct regarding the Zichrona plan, and my fear is that it will be built prematurely without first establishing sufficient infrastructure for the 13,000 residents who are expected to live there. I am concerned because there is a gap between the council head’s statements in the minutes and his actual actions. A council head who declares he opposes the Zichrona plan at this time but whose actions—or rather, inaction—may actually advance it.

In the newsletter dated February 27 of this year, I wrote about a plan submitted by Big Company, under which 250 assisted living units and a large commercial area would be built on a plot of nearly 12 dunams. The developers requested a series of changes and additions. I urged the public to file objections. At the same time, I also urged the council to file objections through a motion I submitted on March 2, in which I asked the plenary to authorize the council to file objections to the request for increased rights.

The council chair moved to remove the motion, arguing that plenary approval was not required to file objections and that he intended to file an objection anyway because he was “fighting” the Zichrona plan. My important motion was simply removed from the agenda. Everyone believed the council chair when he said an objection would be filed.

Do you think the council filed an objection? No. The deadline for filing objections was April 10; I checked the Planning Administration website and no objection was filed. Does the council actually agree to the increase in rights and the problematic aspects of the specific plan submitted for the Zichrona complex?

Read this carefully: The council did not file an objection!!

I won’t delve here into another incorrect part of the council head’s statement, according to which plenary approval is not required for the council to file an objection. These claims were supported by a convoluted legal explanation from the council’s legal advisor. In my opinion, this is an incorrect position—during the previous term, the council plenary was required to approve every objection filed. And suddenly the legal advisor is changing his position?? That is why I am continuing to investigate this statement by the council head.

Here is a link to the Planning Administration website and the plan so you can see that no objection was filed:

https://mavat.iplan.gov.il/SV4/1/3005331902/310

Another gap between words and deeds is the fact that the council expropriated land in Zichron Ya’acov for the purpose of expanding the educational complex. I also reported on this issue here and explained that it could pave the way for developers’ demands to advance the plan. Which is indeed what is happening—the council head reported at the last meeting that pressure is being exerted on him, including through government ministries, to develop Zichrona. More talk. In practice, he acted to expropriate land in Zichrona, thereby initiating its development.

Second issue: Inflated job descriptions for the two political deputies and waste of public funds

As you will see in the attached minutes, I opposed the appointment of Zila as a full-time deputy. I will explain why and provide important information about the role intended for her.

First, she is deceiving her constituents. In my view, this is evidence of a fundamentally flawed governing culture, so it is not just a matter for her constituents. It is a matter for the entire community—who is elected, whom we should trust, and whom we want to pay a salary.

Second, and this is the main reason—making her deputy is a gross waste of public funds. It is buying a coalition with money. There is no practical need for this full-time position at a cost of hundreds of thousands of shekels a year—why? Let me explain.

Her primary role, according to what we have been told, is to serve as the director of the Zamarin Community Center, which is set to replace the head of the council in his role as chairman of the community center. (This will require amending the association’s bylaws.) However, the community center already has a professional full-time executive director earning an executive-level salary. Is there a justification for a manager above the manager?

No, there is no need, because the scope of the community center’s activities has been drastically reduced by Council Head Abutbul.

The following departments and areas have been or will be cut from the community center in the near future:

• After-school programs – will be transferred to management by an external contractor through a tender (the tender is currently underway) or to another management unit within the education system. The after-school programs employ dozens of staff members and serve hundreds of children
• Youth Department – The possibility of transferring it to the Education Department is being considered
• Youth Center – Not currently operational because the director resigned. Even if it reopens, the council head has announced that Councilwoman Roni Knishtain will be in charge.
• Organization of fairs and festivals—has effectively been transferred to the management and production of the Gedonim,
• LGBTQ Department – Transferred to the council’s management.
• Senior Citizens Department and H.Z.B. Club – It is unclear what the scope of activities will be.
• The high school dance program, which operated very successfully in conjunction with the Dance Center, has been separated from the Community Center.

Massive scope of operations has been cut and is expected to be cut from the Community Center—so this requires two directors.

Zila will argue, “But I have other responsibilities, as noted in the minutes—promoting professional sports, assisting in the construction of sports halls, tennis courts, and more.” My response to her is that the Community Center already has a director of the Culture, Leisure, and Sports Division. The council has a professional staff member who has handled and continues to handle the construction, upgrading, and maintenance of sports complexes.

You tell me—does this sound like a full-time job to you?? Is Zichron-Yaakov about to compete with Wingate? Aren’t there more important things to do with public funds??

Regarding the planned position for the second deputy at a 60% workload—is there really a need for someone responsible for liaising with government ministries? For a quarter of the cost, we could hire professional lobbyists in accordance with the law for specific needs where necessary.

Yours,

Dr. Limor Zar-Guttman, Esq.

The “Lema’an HaMoshava” Party