Mats Särnholm is director at the Smyrna church in Gothenburg and he feels great disappointment about the situation.
– You get tired. You think that this is a community effort. We make a difference for those who are most in need. And then, those you want to be a partner, the municipality, instead get a slap on the fingers from. It’s kind of like “stay away”. I am disappointed.
One of the nearly 200 people who receive a food bag every week is Kjell Bohman, and for him the help is invaluable.
– It means that I can eat much cheaper. This is clearly the best out there. It is organized and everything is managed properly.
Did not report assistance activities correctly
But Gothenburg’s environmental management does not agree. Because the Church of Smyrna did not report their aid activities correctly, they have now received a fine of SEK 75,000 as punishment. Angelica Winter, who is head of department at the environmental administration in Gothenburg, believes that the fines are calculated correctly.
– We need to adhere to the existing legislation and it applies regardless of what type of business it is.
She understands that they can easily be perceived as square, but believes that it is not possible to have a more pragmatic approach.
– Then we would not have followed the regulations that we have to follow.
Have started several fundraisers
Several fundraisers have now started to help the church pay its fine. But Mats Särnholm believes that the effect of such municipal decisions can be great for other organizations that want to help in society.
– You are severely punished as soon as there is a mistake, and that means that instead of mobilizing and sort of getting people on their feet, people sit still.
When Kjell Bohman hears about the fine, he gets a little angry.
– How can you come up with a fine for something like this? Don’t they have a job?
And he really wants the business to stay.
– Yes, the way it has become now with everything around, it is needed.