Parkanon city councillor demands €42,000 in compensation over scrap car dispute

A long-running conflict between Parkanon city councillor Jari Sammatti and the municipality over property clean-up orders has escalated, with Sammatti demanding over €42,000 in damages, Yle reports. The city board unanimously rejected the claim last week, leaving the dispute unresolved.

The dispute began in 2022 when Parkanon’s building and environment committee ordered Sammatti, a local entrepreneur and alternate member of the city board, to clear two of his properties of waste, scrap cars, and metal debris under threat of fines. Sammatti, who chairs the local Finns Party group, failed to comply within the given deadline, resulting in €6,000 in penalties.

Sammatti appealed the fines to the Hämeenlinna Administrative Court, which overturned the city’s decision in 2024, citing vague clean-up instructions. While the court acknowledged “unclean conditions” on the properties, it ruled the city had not clearly specified which items needed removal.

Despite the ruling, the city maintains Sammatti’s clean-up obligation remains in force and may issue new, more detailed fines. Sammatti, however, argues the administrative court’s decision invalidates the original order, requiring a full reassessment.

“Of course there were items on the properties, but the biggest problem is that it was never clear what exactly I was supposed to remove and why,” Sammatti told Yle. He claims some vehicles were tied to his former car dealership, while others were hobby projects, and that his municipal duties left little time for compliance in 2022.

The councillor has since submitted a formal inquiry to the city about its “unlawful” handling of the case, threatening to file a complaint with the Parliamentary Ombudsman if no response is received. He has also hinted at potential legal action or criminal reports against the city if the matter remains unresolved.

“I will keep pursuing this. Citizens have the right to demand that processes are handled professionally and correctly,” Sammatti said, emphasizing the dispute is personal and unrelated to his council role.

The city has not yet collected the original fines, as the case remains pending. City board chair Jukka-Pekka Voutilainen expressed hope for a negotiated settlement, though no talks have been scheduled.