Municipal councilor Heikki Luukkanen 1946-2020

The seminar on the administrative rules and budget of the City Council was coming to an end on Monday, September 28.9, when the event was interrupted by the news of Heikki Luukkanen's death. The members of the board were confused by the surprising information, and after a shared moment of silence, the participants went their separate ways, shocked.

Luukkanen's presence and correspondingly his absence were noticed. Heikki's edgy and angular style, combined with extensive general education, deep subject matter expertise and long experience, made him an influence in all meetings. Half was not enough for Heikki Luukkanen.

A total of more than 56 years of SDP membership and about 40 years of membership of the Imatra municipal and city council, as well as numerous other municipal positions of trust, including the chairmanship of the city board, made Heikki Luukkase a trusted person whose determined work can also be seen in the city of Imatra today.

At a young age, ski jumping changed to social influence and the job of a teacher to the job of a journalist.

Heiki's extensive expertise was needed not only in municipal politics but also in national contexts. Luukkanen was elected President Mauno Koivisto's elector and in numerous SDP party meetings Heikki served as a meeting representative and as a member of many separate committees. Heikki was also a member of the committee that prepared SDP's program of principles. However, the most important social impact was made in Imatra and South Karelia.

In his remaining free moments, Heikki enjoyed being in nature. He also took his knowledge of nature to be weakly profound. As a reporter for YLE, Heikki made several nature programs for the radio.

Heikki Luukkanen continued to handle common municipal matters until the end. A quick illness took the man straight out of the line. Social impact is never finished. Therefore, it cannot be said that Heikki's work is unfinished. Women and men change, but the work for social equality continues.

Kai Roslakka

Mayor of Imatra