Taichung City Council reviews general budget, green camp questions city government favoring blue camp proposal, sparks quarrel

The Taichung City Council is reviewing the general budgets of the various bureaus and offices of the Dufa Construction and Water Conservancy Commission for next year. The green camp questioned the city government's favoritism to the blue camp members' proposals. (Photo by reporter Zhang Xuanzhe)

The Taichung City Council today (10th) reviewed next year's general budget for the various bureaus of the Dufa Construction and Water Conservancy Committee. During the meeting, DPP City Councilor Lin Qifeng raised the issue that many roads and sidewalks in Xitun District were in disrepair, but most of the proposals were discussed and dealt with. He once questioned the city government for delaying local construction and favoring the proposals of members of the Lan camp. Construction Director Chen Datian retorted that it was "unfair." Lin Qifeng was so angry that he slapped the table, making the scene embarrassing.

Lin Qifeng, Shi Zhichang, Yang Dianzhong, and Zheng Gongjin jointly proposed the proposal, which pointed out that Chang'an Road, Anhe Road, and Fucheng Road in Xitun District were in disrepair. They suggested that the city government prepare a budget as soon as possible to remove and repave the roads. They also believed that there are many roads and sidewalks in the county that need to be repaired.

Lin Qifeng said that the sidewalks along Anhe Road and Fuke Road were bulging due to floating roots of Terminalia spp. and the pavement was bumpy. Local authorities have continued to report this since 2021. Zhang Qinghe, the head of the local Fu'an District, has also complained many times. Many elders have fallen because of this. There is Yong'an Elementary School nearby, but the city government has not even implemented the most basic communication and pedestrian safety. None of them pay attention to it; in fact, not only Anhe Road, but also Xitun District and various districts in Taichung City still have many sidewalks that need to be improved urgently. However, among the 54 proposals submitted by members of the Construction Bureau this time, only 10 were passed as proposed, and 44 were listed for discussion and handling, accounting for more than 80%; of the 12 cases he proposed, 11 were also listed for discussion and handling.

Lin Qifeng emphasized that he understood that grassroots colleagues of the Building and Construction Bureau usually have a hard time dealing with roads, parks and sidewalks, but it is unacceptable that Director Chen Datian still cited limited budget, follow-up arrangements and other reasons for the case that the local government has been fighting for for many years, and even accused the council members of being unfair.

Finally, the committee decided that in the future, whenever the city government recommends that the project be listed for discussion and handling, the actual handling situation must be explained to the council after the meeting, and the discussion and handling can no longer be used as a reason to delay local construction.

The sidewalks along Fu Ke Road in Taichung City are bulging due to the floating roots of street trees and the pavement is rugged. (Photo by reporter Zhang Xuanzhe)