The mayor of Mustvee Max Kaur has MET MEP Urmas Paet

On june 30, 2016 THE mayor of  Mustvee Max Kaur along with other heads of Jõgevamaa self - governments has MET THE MEP Urmas Paet.  Topics such as the future of the EU, refugees and presidential elections were discussed. Governor of  Jõgeva Viktor Svatõsev also participated at the meeting.

“Vast  events are taking place both in Europe and Estonia. The United Kingdom decided to “Brexit”, while we are preparing for the presidential elections. It is clear that the nations of the European Union are sending a strong signal to the European elite. People want the European Union to continue as a union for independent countries and not as a federation. Mustvee, the last bordertown of the European Union on the shores of Estonia’s eastern sea, will gladly participate in discussions where the next steps in protecting Estonia’s interests are debated.” Max Kaur noted.

The newspaper Äripäev names Max Kaur among the top managers

The newspaper Äripäev once again compiled the Estonian economic lexicon "The Estonian TOP MANAGERS 2016". I was included in the list. As a mayor of Peipus capital, of course, I am glad about the recognition. Mustvee is not a big town, but with its 500-year history, this is a good place in Estonia, unique for its bilingual population, featuring three cultures and five churches. The Estonian-Russian Border treaty as well as normalization of the economic relations with the eastern neighbor will sooner or later bring to Mustvee a passenger port terminal or customs and border control station, and give anew impact for improvement of the economic results in the town, region, Estonia and the European Union as a whole. This is all necessary in difficult times. During the administrative reform, Mustvee top managers have acted efficiently, in any circumstance the purpose is to improve the living standards of the population. Let’s act intelligently and make our lives better.

The Prime Minister will discuss the administrative reform with the leaders of the Mustvee town

Taavi Rõivas, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia, invited Max Kaur, the Mayor of Mustvee, and Riina Pajula, the Chairman of the City Council of Mustvee, to the Jõgeva County Administration on Friday, April 22, 2016, to discuss plans on the reformation of local self-governments with the self-government of Jõgeva County.  

For many years, Mustvee town represents the centre of attraction in the region. Historically, Mustvee District was acting in this region. It's almost the same region, to which a proposal of merging was made by the leadership of the Mustvee town in January this year, i.e. Kasepää, Lohusuu, Avinurme, Saare and Torma counties.

To date, both the infrastructure of Mustvee and provision of services improve significantly. A modern passenger port on Lake Peipus is rapidly developing.

"In the long term, I am sure that both the border control and customs point with Russia will emerge here based on the existing border post" said Max Kaur, the Mayor of Mustvee. All of this is necessary because of the planned restoration of the passenger vessel traffic at Peipus. This will revitalise the economic life in the region. Thus, the town is ready to become the new region's centre."

The aim of the administrative reform is the creation of self-governments able to provide inhabitants with better public services, ensure the increase of the regions' competitiveness and independently perform tasks assigned to them by Law.

The NATO headquarters – from Brussels to London

Belgium has struggled with ceaseless shooting in the centre of Brussels for many years. The Belgian police have clearly demonstrated their complete inability to end with Islamists of Arabic descent, who live in the very heart of Brussels. It implies that the time to act has come. Such activity directly concerns Estonia. Estonia is a member of the European Union and NATO. The capital of the European Union is Brussels, and the NATO headquarters locate in Brussels. There is no time to waste anymore. I suggest that all European Union establishments should be relocated from Brussels to Strasbourg. The NATO headquarters should move from Brussels to London.By the way, the Belgian police cannot cope with Islamists of Arabic descent as the relations and friends of those Islamists work in the police. They inform their contacts about all police plots. This is not the news for Brussels residents. They have been laughing at the police helplessness long since. The police have also adopted multicultural ideas and, in proper sense of the word, shoot themselves in the foot. Thus, today we speak about hundreds victims of such policy. I sincerely feel for Brussels victims and the municipal administration of the city of Brussels.The time has come to be reasonable and realistic. A belief that people can be re-educated is typical of communists. They used to believe that people can be brought from the slave-owning system directly into the socialism. Such idea has failed miserably. The Arabic countries have been behind Europe in their cultural and social development, they are based on sinister blindness and hatred, where human life has no value. Their inhabitants bring their habits, lifestyle, mania to kill into Europe. Have a look at Palestinians who target old people, women and children in Israel. We can only oppose that by using force. The Europeans should resolutely range themselves on the side of law and order.

The town of Mustvee invited neighbouring counties to unite

December 29, 2015, Mustvee, the capital city of Peipsi, appealed to neighbouring municipalities with a proposal to unite as the part of the State administrative reform.  

In their letter to the authorities of the municipalities of Kasepää, Saare, Torma, Lohusuu and Avinurme, Riina Pajula, Chairman of the Mustvee City Council, and Max Kaur, Mayor of Mustvee, made the proposal to merge the counties, considering Mustvee as historically formed and state-recognised centre of major attraction. For this purpose, it would be wise to start relevant negotiations between municipalities in 2016. 

"As a historically formed centre of attraction in the region, Mustvee is aware of its responsibility for the common future of the region, because the primary task of its self-government is the quality of services for the local population in the field of social assistance, health care, education, child care, culture, logistics and employment. We must demonstrate initiative on our part, in order to support public administrative reform" said Max Kaur, Mayor of Mustvee.

According to the draft of the administrative reform, the last opportunity to begin negotiations on uniting shall expire on October 1, 2016. The government of the Republic of Estonia intends to make the proposal to unite to those municipalities that wouldn't be able to meet the criteria regarding a minimum number of inhabitants - 5000 people - by January 1, 2017. Municipalities united both voluntarily and by resolutions of the government will come into effect along with the elections of local self-governments in October of 2017. 

Max Kaur became a sponsor of the SOS Lasteküla Children's Village

At the end of the year Max Kaur, the Mayor of Mustvee, joined the ranks of the sponsors of the SOS Lasteküla Children's Village.

"Christmas is coming, and it should be a time for good deeds. We must come to the aid of children without parental care. The SOS Children's Village has chosen the right path: to form a large fund from small donations made by many people. That is why I joined the ranks of contributors of the SOS Children's Village. Let our children have a wonderful Christmas", said Max Kaur, the Mayor of Mustvee, capital of Peipus region.

Four years ago, the SOS Children's Village had 400 regular sponsors - now the number of those who make small monthly contributions to the cause of the SOS Children's Village has already exceeded 4,000. This year, the family of the SOS Children's Villages in Estonia celebrated its 20th anniversary. The idea to create the SOS Children's Villages emerged after the World War II in 1949, when the Austrian doctor Hermann Gmeiner began looking for a solution that would help war orphans and homeless children and provide them with the best possible home environment. The idea was materialised in the form of the first Children's Village in Austria, in the town of Imst. Today, the SOS Children's Villages operate in 133 countries and almost 80,000 children have found a new home full of love.

The Mayor of Mustvee Max Kaur was titled "Peipus region Person of the Year"

Continuing the tradition that started a few years ago, every year the newspaper “Chudskoye Poberezhye” names "Peipus region Person of the Year" choosing among the most active people in the local governments of our region, whose work results are obvious and become a common value. At the end of the outgoing 2015 this title was presented to the mayor of Mustvee Max Kaur.

“The Capital” of  Peipus - Mustvee city, which has a more than 500-year history, is developing today most intensively. The priority of development is tourism. Recently several new objects have been built here, i.e. a modern port building, a boat dock, one of the most beautiful bridge in the country, a lighted promenade along the beach, a sidewalk on one of the oldest street of the city – Tartu street. Not long ago a new hotel has been opened in the city, where it is possible to adequately accommodate tourists and businessmen. In Mustvee one can visit interesting museums, unique temples of different religious confessions, listen to organ music in the Lutheran church. It is also possible to enjoy the unforgettable fishing or organize romantic yachting on one of the largest lakes in Europe - the Peipus Lake.

Mustvee Town has now got a fashionable Hotel

Ankur Hotel was opened in the capital of Peipus, Mustvee town on the 27 of November, 2015. According to the European hotel classification, it corresponds to a three star hotel.

Ankur Hotel is located in the central square of Mustvee, opposite the Palace of Culture and the town park, close to the international bus station. The new hotel features a restaurant and a bar, where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or a hearty meal. There are also shops that sell everything you need including suits and evening dresses.

“This year was very successful for Mustvee: in addition to the opening of a renovated port and the most beautiful bridge in Estonia, we now have the most fashionable hotel in the region welcoming both tourists and businessmen. Tourism is being developed year after year. In Mustvee you can see interesting landmarks and enjoy an organ recital in a church. You can also visit museums, go on an exciting fishing trip in summer or winter or take a romantic pleasure boat trip on one of the biggest lakes in Europe”, says Max Kaur, the mayor of Mustvee.

In recent years, Mustvee town is developing especially in the sphere of tourism. The town with over 500 years of history, two languages, three cultures and five churches has received the most beautiful bridge in Estonia, a new port building and berth, a slipway and a luxury boathouse. The Lutheran church in Mustvee has received a magnificent organ, which now grants both citizens and guests of the town the opportunity to attend organ recitals.

Max Kaur, the Mayor of Mustvee: the capital of Peipus is moving steadily forward

In the recent years, Mustvee, the capital of Peipus, has made real progress with the help of the residents. The folks around here call it the 500-year-old town with two languages, three cultures and five churches.

It is no coincidence that last year the most beautiful bridge in Estonia was built exactly here. A new main building, northern quay, ramp and an impressive boat harbour were built in our port, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. The plan is to also renovate the southern quay, marina and seawall promenade in the future. 

The construction works of the lake promenade will continue, and the town pavements will be covered with beautiful paving stone. We are proud of our Peipsi Upper Secondary School, which, as of this year, is a bilingual educational institution. Our School of Music and Arts will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year, and we are very pleased to say that a record number of children have decided to improve their knowledge of music and art this year. 

In the autumn, in cooperation with the Estonian Road Administration, we will start constructing a modern and safe well-lit pavement in Tartu street. Lights will be installed at the pedestrian crossings by the Mustvee Upper Secondary School and the Culture Centre, which is bound to make the journey to school safer for our children. 

Next year, in cooperation with the Estonian Road Administration, we will reconstruct the Mustvee-Tartu-Jõhvi and Jõgeva-Mustvee intersection where extra lighting will be installed to make the place safer for everyone. I am also glad to say that the Lutheran church of Mustvee has received a grand new organ. Now the residents and guests alike can enjoy organ recitals. 

We have many plans, but we can only make them come to life with the help of the residents. I would like to sincerely thank all our residents for your trust and support. Together we will accomplish a great deal!

Our Queen

It went relatively unnoticed, but Queen Elizabeth II eclipsed the record set by her foremother, Empress of India and Queen of England, Victoria. Victoria’s record reign, which lasted from 1837 until her death in 1901, and which seemed like it would never be broken, was quietly eclipsed by Elizabeth II, who shows no signs of slowing down.

Victoria’s ascension to the throne was dramatic, even though England has never had the tradition that the monarch must be male. If the monarch has no son, the crown is inherited by the nearest collateral line, regardless of whether the heir is a man or a woman. Even though Victoria’s male relatives were alive and well – and they also had their own successors – as the monarch’s closest living relative, Victoria inherited the crown. Elizabeth II earned the crown as the King’s daughter, even though the King had brothers who in turn had a number of male successors.

But who could have guessed that her reign would last longer than Victoria’s? In 1952, it would have been hard to believe. Today it is much easier to believe, since her mother, who was also named Elizabeth, lived to the age of 101. 

Long reigns are the trademark of a number of the forefathers of Elizabeth II. One of her forefathers was Peter August Friedrich, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck, and Governor-General of Estonia. He ruled Estonia for nearly 50 years in the 18^th century. Longer than Ivan Käbin. It is astonishing that Elizabeth II married Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, whose direct male line forefather was also Peter August Friedrich, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck, and Governor-General of Estonia. Prince Philip is already 94 years old! It’s no wonder that the Queen expressed such a keen interest in visiting Tallinn; even though, as we all remember, the Queen suffered from severe back pain during her visit and underwent surgery after her trip to Estonia. As you can see, curiosity won out. From the window of the Three Sisters Hotel, in Tallinn, she saw what it was that her forefather, Peter August Friedrich, had ruled over here. 

Estonia has been ruled by other relatives of the British royal family, which makes the historic connection between our countries a strong one. May God grant many years to Elizabeth II, our Queen!