July 30, 2026
Hello, everyone.
This newsletter will provide you with two reports from this week’s council meeting, and the rest covers what’s happening in the community. Next week, I’ll present additional topics discussed at the meeting. Here’s the summary. *For those interested: Clicking on a topic in this summary will take you directly to it.
- Demolition of a dangerous structure in the Nili parking lot, which is accessed from Nili Boulevard; three additional parking spaces will be added in its place. Since this is a structure designated for preservation, there is a formal procedure for its demolition.
- At my initiative, a substantive discussion took place at the last meeting regarding the large construction project on the dirt area of the parking lot adjacent to the Zichron Country Club (near Beit Nir and the Zamarin Community Center). You are invited to read both positions and learn what is planned to be built there.
- Work has begun on improving the intersection of HaGranot Street and HaMeisadim Street, right at the entrance to the pedestrian mall, near the Yishai Gate.
- Update: Locations of the bomb shelters installed throughout the town. Thank you to the Security Department.
- Congratulations to Sima Cohen on her election as chair of WIZO Zichron Ya’akov. Sima is a well-known and beloved figure in Zichron who does so much for the community. Thank you to the outgoing chair, the wonderful Hani Sternberg.
- Demolition of a dangerous structure in the Nili parking lot and creation of 3 parking spaces in its place.
Scope of work: Demolition of a dangerous structure in the Nili parking lot (entrance from Nili Boulevard) and addition of three parking spaces in its place.
Approved cost: 115,000 NIS.
Background and statutory procedure: During the meeting, the question arose as to why the structure was not demolished when the parking lot was built. The response given was that the structure has now been designated as dangerous and at risk of collapse. Since this is a structure designated for preservation, I noted during the meeting that it is mandatory to act in accordance with the law and prepare a comprehensive documentation file prior to demolition.
Current Status: The building is currently fenced off. I hope that additional trees will be planted in the cleared area to provide shade over the asphalt surface.
- Increase to Special Reserve Fund 2548—Construction of a Memorial Center—Yad Labanim and Auditorium
At the meeting, we were asked to approve a budget increase of 35,000 NIS for planning. At my request, a substantive and comprehensive discussion (approximately 30 minutes) was held on the entire project—a project worth tens of millions of shekels planned for the dirt lot adjacent to the Country Club, Beit Nir, and the Zamarin Community Center.
Below are the main points of the two positions presented during the discussion:
🔹 The position of the council administration (Council Member Tzachi Baruch and the Council Chair):
The need for a cultural venue: Beit Nir is too small to host large performances and municipal events. Hosting performances at Beit Nir results in financial losses and requires the community center to cover deficits, in addition to the high costs of renting the venue for school performances and theater programs.
Future Outlook: The town is expected to grow significantly, and a council-owned municipal auditorium (450 seats) is needed. Furthermore, it was argued that the senior citizens’ center, which will be built in about five years, will not be sufficient in the long term.
Commemoration Style and Budget: Integrating a memorial hall within the auditorium will expose the memorial project to a wide audience. The construction will include an underground parking garage and transportation solutions. The budget will also rely on fundraising from government ministries and abroad.
Public Participation: A residents’ meeting will be held at Beit Nir in early September to present the plans.
🔸 My Position (I voted against):
The Importance of Commemoration and Senior Citizens: The 110 bereaved families and long-time residents deserve a proper response. I note this because, unfortunately, the council head stated during the heated debate that I am against bereaved families and long-time residents. I responded angrily that this is a demagogic stance and that there is no place for using bereaved families as an argument to silence and shame me.
The fact is that the entire concept and process of establishing a memorial hall and a senior center began during Ziv Deshe’s term, at the initiative of our faction, and two sites were even allocated for this purpose while optimizing land use. My opposition is not to the essence of the project but to its location, the order of priorities, and the budgetary framework.
Location and Traffic Congestion: The area adjacent to the Country Club is already extremely congested (Ha-Chita School, Arugot Rivka, the Community Center, and the Country Club). During the previous term, it was recommended to spread out public buildings—the Yad Labanim Memorial near the library and the Senior Citizens’ Center on HaAliyah Street (where there is access to a large parking lot and public transportation).In my opinion, it is appropriate to develop public buildings in the new development areas in the eastern part of the town rather than concentrating all the traffic on Aharon Avenue.
Budget and Deficit Risk: A project costing tens of millions and requiring expensive maintenance could place a heavy burden on the public coffers, especially at a time when donation resources are being directed primarily toward the reconstruction of the south and the north.
Priorities: It is appropriate to prioritize investment in young families at this time (playgrounds, construction of an additional elementary school, affordable cultural activities for children) and postpone the construction of the auditorium until the development phase of the eastern part of the town (the two new neighborhoods on the hill at the entrance from Beit El Square—for which detailed construction plans were submitted this month—and the future Zichrona neighborhood).
- Work has begun on traffic improvements at the intersection of HaMeisadim and Granot Streets (next to the Yishai Gate at the entrance to the pedestrian mall)
At long last, the special budget approved three years ago during the previous term—including a plan that had been awaiting implementation—has gotten underway. Anyone passing by there this week could see that the work involves widening the existing road.
- Update on the locations of the bomb shelters installed throughout the town
The Council’s Security Department recently installed several bomb shelters in activity centers where there is no access to a protected space (may we never need them), and we thank the Security Department.
Since I didn’t see a consolidated list on the council’s website, I’m attaching the locations of the shelters as I identified them during a tour of the town. Here are the locations:
- The Colony Park
- Golan Hazan Field (Gibor Complex)
- Kibbutz Galuyot Street, across from the “Gamad” convenience store (Neve Sharett)
- HaGranot Street, near the cemetery
- Givat Eden – Narkis Street, near the park
(As soon as the council releases an updated list, I’ll share it)
- Congratulations to Sima Cohen on her election as chair of WIZO Zichron Ya’akov
Sima Cohen has been appointed chair of the local WIZO branch. Sima is a well-known and beloved figure in Zichron Ya’akov who does a great deal for the community. Congratulations on this great achievement, and I am confident that Sima will thrive, attract new members, and contribute greatly to the community. Thanks also to the wonderful Hani Sternberg, who has led the local branch in recent years and continues to contribute to the community.