Vefsn

Vefsn (Southern Sami: Vaapste) is a municipality in Nordland county, Norway. It is part of the Helgeland traditional region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Mosjøen (population: 9,843). Some of the notable villages in Vefsn include Drevvassbygda, Elsfjord, and Husvik.

Vefsn kommune
Municipality
Coat of arms
Nordland within
Norway
Vefsn within Nordland
Coordinates: 65°47′57″N 13°15′02″E
CountryNorway
CountyNordland
DistrictHelgeland
Established1 Jan 1838
Administrative centreMosjøen
Government
 • Mayor (2019)Berit Hundåla (Sp)
Area
 • Total1,929.41 km2 (744.95 sq mi)
 • Land1,838.13 km2 (709.71 sq mi)
 • Water91.28 km2 (35.24 sq mi)  4.7%
Area rank41 in Norway
Population
 (2020)
 • Total13,278
 • Rank91 in Norway
 • Density7.2/km2 (19/sq mi)
 • Change (10 years)
-0.8%
Demonym(s)vefsning[1]
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
ISO 3166 codeNO-1824
Official language formNeutral[2]
Websitevefsn.kommune.no
Data from Statistics Norway

The 1,929-square-kilometre (745 sq mi) municipality is the 41st largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Vefsn is the 91st most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 13,278. The municipality's population density is 7.2 inhabitants per square kilometre (19/sq mi) and its population has decreased by 0.8% over the previous 10-year period.[3][4]

History
Part of the city park in Mosjøen, Vefsn municipality.

The municipality of Vefsn was established on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt). In 1862, the vast eastern district of Vefsn (population: 921) was separated from Vefsn to become the new municipality of Hattfjelldal. This left Vefsn with 5,051 residents. In 1876, the town of Mosjøen (population: 379) was separated from Vefsn to become a separate municipality. This left Vefsn with 4,672 residents.

In 1927, Vefsn municipality was split into three: the small northern district (population: 964) became the new municipality of Drevja and the large southern district (population: 1,746) became the new municipality of Grane. After the split, Vefsn had 3,119 residents remaining. In 1939, a small area of Vefsn (population: 45) was transferred to neighboring town of Mosjøen.

During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee. On 1 January 1962, the municipality of Vefsn (population: 5,358) was merged with the neighboring town of Mosjøen (population: 4,628) and the neighboring municipalities of Drevja (population: 1,001) and Elsfjord (population: 920) to form a new, larger municipality of Vefsn. On 1 January 1995, the mainland areas of the neighboring Alstahaug Municipality (population: 70) were transferred to Vefsn.[5]

Name
The post office was named VEFSEN in 1859.

The municipality is named after the river Vefsna which flows through the municipality into the Vefsnfjorden. The meaning of the river name is unknown. Historically, the spelling has varied from Vefsen to Væffsn.[6]

Coat of arms

The coat of arms was granted on 13 September 1974. They show a gray and red rooster on a black background. The rooster is a symbol for watchfulness and alertness. It was adopted by the municipality of Mosjøen on 25 March 1960. After the merger with Vefsn, Drevja, and Elsfjord in 1962, the new name of the municipality became Vefsn and the old arms of Mosjøen were chosen for the new municipality. Since the arms officially became obsolete after the merger, they were re-granted in 1974.[7]

Churches

The Church of Norway has three parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Vefsn. It is part of the Indre Helgeland prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Sør-Hålogaland.

Churches in Vefsn
Parish (sokn)Church NameLocation of the ChurchYear Built
DolstadDolstad ChurchMosjøen1735
DrevjaDrevja ChurchDrevja1883
ElsfjordElsfjord ChurchElsfjord1955

Geography
Luktinden (mountain) in autumn

The administrative centre of Vefsn is the town of Mosjøen which is situated along the innermost part of the Vefsnfjorden. Outside Mosjøen, the large municipality of Vefsn is dominated by spruce forests, mountains, lakes, agriculture, and the Vefsna river. The municipality is served by Mosjøen Airport, Kjærstad.

The mountain Lukttinden is located in the northern part of the municipality. There are many large lakes in Vefsn including Drevvatnet, Finnknevatnet, Fustvatnet, Hundålvatnet, Luktvatnet, Mjåvatnet, and Ømmervatnet. The Lomsdal–Visten National Park is partially located in Vefsn.

The road along Vefsnfjord

Birdlife

The bird watcher that visits Vefsn soon realizes that it will take more than a day to cover all the interesting habitats and birding areas. Here you will find areas of virtually untouched coniferous woodlands, both inland and along the coast. The Skjørlegda nature reserve is a good example of woodland protection. Here you will find a virtually untouched coniferous forest covering the Eiterå valley. The valley stretches inland to a higher mountainous habitat that is also worth checking.

Government

All municipalities in Norway, including Vefsn, are responsible for primary education (through 10th grade), outpatient health services, senior citizen services, unemployment and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads. The municipality is governed by a municipal council of elected representatives, which in turn elect a mayor.[8] The municipality falls under the Alstahaug District Court and the Hålogaland Court of Appeal.

Municipal council

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Vefsn is made up of 29 representatives that are elected to four year terms. The party breakdown of the council is as follows:

Vefsn Kommunestyre 2020–2023 [9]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)8
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)2
 Conservative Party (Høyre)3
 Red Party (Rødt)3
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)10
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)2
 Vefsn Cross-Politics Party (Vefsn tverrpolitiske parti)1
Total number of members:29
Vefsn Kommunestyre 2016–2019 [10]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)10
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)2
 Conservative Party (Høyre)5
 Red Party (Rødt)4
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)2
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)1
 Liberal Party (Venstre)2
 Vefsn Cross-Politics Party (Vefsn tverrpolitiske parti)3
Total number of members:29
Vefsn Kommunestyre 2012–2015 [11]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)15
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)6
 Conservative Party (Høyre)4
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)1
 Red Party (Rødt)3
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)3
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)1
 Liberal Party (Venstre)2
Total number of members:35
Vefsn Kommunestyre 2008–2011 [10]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)16
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)6
 Conservative Party (Høyre)2
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)1
 Red Electoral Alliance (Rød Valgallianse)3
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)3
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)3
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
Total number of members:35
Vefsn Kommunestyre 2004–2007 [10]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)15
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)6
 Conservative Party (Høyre)2
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)1
 Red Electoral Alliance (Rød Valgallianse)2
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)3
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)5
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
Total number of members:35
Vefsn Kommunestyre 2000–2003 [10]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)14
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)4
 Conservative Party (Høyre)5
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)2
 Red Electoral Alliance (Rød Valgallianse)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)4
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)4
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
Total number of members:35
Vefsn Kommunestyre 1996–1999 [12]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)17
 Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet)2
 Conservative Party (Høyre)4
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)2
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)5
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)3
 Liberal Party (Venstre)2
Total number of members:35
Vefsn Kommunestyre 1992–1995 [13]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)16
 Conservative Party (Høyre)5
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)4
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)8
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
Total number of members:35
Vefsn Kommunestyre 1988–1991 [14]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)32
 Conservative Party (Høyre)9
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)2
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)4
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)4
 Liberal Party (Venstre)2
Total number of members:53
Vefsn Kommunestyre 1984–1987 [15]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)32
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)5
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)9
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)4
 Liberal Party (Venstre)3
Total number of members:53
Vefsn Kommunestyre 1980–1983 [16]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)27
 Conservative Party (Høyre)12
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)3
 Red Electoral Alliance (Rød Valgallianse)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)6
 Liberal Party (Venstre)4
Total number of members:53
Vefsn Kommunestyre 1976–1979 [17]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)27
 Conservative Party (Høyre)6
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)4
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)9
 Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti)4
 Liberal Party (Venstre)3
Total number of members:53
Vefsn Kommunestyre 1972–1975 [18]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)29
 Conservative Party (Høyre)4
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)3
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)9
 Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti)4
 Liberal Party (Venstre)4
Total number of members:53
Vefsn Kommunestyre 1968–1971 [19]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)27
 Conservative Party (Høyre)5
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)2
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)8
 Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti)5
 Liberal Party (Venstre)6
Total number of members:53
Vefsn Kommunestyre 1964–1967 [20]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)29
 Conservative Party (Høyre)6
 Christian Democratic Party (Kristelig Folkeparti)2
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)8
 Socialist People's Party (Sosialistisk Folkeparti)2
 Liberal Party (Venstre)6
Total number of members:53
Vefsn Herredsstyre 1960–1963 [21]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)13
 Conservative Party (Høyre)1
 Centre Party (Senterpartiet)7
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
 Local List(s) (Lokale lister)1
Total number of members:23
Vefsn Herredsstyre 1956–1959 [22]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)13
 Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet)7
 Liberal Party (Venstre)2
 Local List(s) (Lokale lister)1
Total number of members:23
Vefsn Herredsstyre 1952–1955 [23]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)13
 Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet)5
 Liberal Party (Venstre)2
Total number of members:20
Vefsn Herredsstyre 1948–1951 [24]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)12
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)1
 Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet)6
 Liberal Party (Venstre)1
Total number of members:20
Vefsn Herredsstyre 1945–1947 [25]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)12
 Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet)6
 Liberal Party (Venstre)2
Total number of members:20
Vefsn Herredsstyre 1938–1941* [26]  
Party Name (in Norwegian)Number of
representatives
 Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet)12
 Communist Party (Kommunistiske Parti)7
 Farmers' Party (Bondepartiet)1
Total number of members:20

Mayor

The mayors of Vefsn (incomplete list):

  • 2019-present: Berit Hundåla (Sp)
  • 2000-2019: Jann-Arne Løvdahl (Ap)
  • 1998-2000: Britt Jonassen (Ap)
  • 1993-1998: Knut Petter Torgersen (Ap)
  • 1990-1993: Roy Skogsholm (Ap)
  • 1980-1989: Peder Hyttebakk (Ap)

Notable people
Drevje valley (Drevjedalen), Vefsn

Notable people that were born or lived in Vefsn include:

See also

References
  1. "Navn på steder og personer: Innbyggjarnamn" (in Norwegian). Språkrådet.
  2. "Forskrift om målvedtak i kommunar og fylkeskommunar" (in Norwegian). Lovdata.no.
  3. Statistisk sentralbyrå (2020). "Table: 06913: Population 1 January and population changes during the calendar year (M)" (in Norwegian).
  4. Statistisk sentralbyrå (2020). "09280: Area of land and fresh water (km²) (M)" (in Norwegian).
  5. Jukvam, Dag (1999). "Historisk oversikt over endringer i kommune- og fylkesinndelingen" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Statistisk sentralbyrå.
  6. Rygh, Oluf (1905). Norske gaardnavne: Nordlands amt (in Norwegian) (16 ed.). Kristiania, Norge: W. C. Fabritius & sønners bogtrikkeri. p. 64.
  7. "Civic heraldry of Norway - Norske Kommunevåpen". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 2019-02-17.
  8. Hansen, Tore, ed. (2016-05-12). "kommunestyre". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 2019-01-01.
  9. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2019 - Nordland". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 2019-10-28.
  10. "Table: 04813: Members of the local councils, by party/electoral list at the Municipal Council election (M)" (in Norwegian). Statistics Norway.
  11. "Tall for Norge: Kommunestyrevalg 2011 - Nordland". Valg Direktoratet. Retrieved 2019-10-28.
  12. "Kommunestyrevalget 1995" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1996. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  13. "Kommunestyrevalget 1991" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1993. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  14. "Kommunestyrevalget 1987" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1988. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  15. "Kommunestyrevalget 1983" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo-Kongsvinger: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1984. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  16. "Kommunestyrevalget 1979" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1979. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  17. "Kommunevalgene 1975" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1977. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  18. "Kommunevalgene 1972" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1973. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  19. "Kommunevalgene 1967" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1967. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  20. "Kommunevalgene 1963" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1964. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  21. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1959" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1960. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  22. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1955" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1957. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  23. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1951" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1952. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  24. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1947" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1948. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  25. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1945" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1947. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  26. "Kommunevalgene og Ordførervalgene 1937" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Oslo: Statistisk sentralbyrå. 1938. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
  27. "In Loving Memory of Aage Grundstad" (PDF). Norwegian American Weekly (123(28)). July 13, 2012. p. 21. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
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