The current term of the Bolesławiec County Council has been truly successful. In your opinion, what was the greatest achievement of recent years, and can we expect such an optimistic scenario in the coming years?
Let me put it this way—what needs to be done for it to succeed? First of all, do not spoil what has been achieved. Leave Bolesławiec County in good hands. We are the authors of initiatives that have made life in Bolesławiec County genuinely better. One only has to look at the neighbouring counties or municipalities—Lwówek, Mirsk. Such a sightseeing trip makes it clear that this is not an obvious state of affairs. Changes at the hospital that residents could directly feel—the renovation of the infectious diseases ward, new specialist wards treating highly complicated illnesses, the best schools in Lower Silesia in terms of final-exam results, a model project that transformed vocational education, and finally spectacular investments such as the county office headquarters, Teatr Stary, the athletics stadium, and kilometres of new roads. We have proved that we can do a great deal for residents and develop the County in its various areas, without clinging to power and without hatred toward our local-government competitors. Let us trust wise continuity; let us not believe populist slogans about limiting the county’s powers. Let us consider whether we want to condemn ourselves to one-man rule—a Forum Romanum where someone aspires to additional posts for his “praetorians,” because those in the city are no longer enough… Enough of satisfying ambitions on the inviolable throne at City Hall. Piotr Roman has already been county head, but he did nothing particularly noteworthy for the County during his term. We created a new quality for Bolesławiec County and have wise plans for doing more… We are worth trusting.
I see that the politics of love is over… Piotr Roman is “spewing hatred” on the internet and in the local newspapers. He points out mistakes and officially speaks about abolishing the county.
He should focus on correcting his own mistakes. And he has quite a few on his record. He sends fireworks into the sky at festivals and feeds people sausage at banquets—all of this costs money; it is our money. There is no rational management in this, while at the same time the city is being burdened with debt and genuinely valuable initiatives such as Blues na Bobrem and Gliniada are prevented from developing, pushed outside the sphere of interest and beyond the borders of Bolesławiec. Blues nad Bobrem in Kruszyn! I love Kruszyn because I live there, but the standing of this event and its name oblige us to do better… But this is how things have been here for many years: thinking beyond divisions does not matter; what matters is that residents’ money should satisfy the ambitions and “whims” of one actor on this stage—unfortunately without a theatre; that hurts him. Let me give an example. Recently I was walking past Teatr Stary and saw a tour led by city guides. The Germans asked, “What is this beautiful building?” The answer was, “Oh, it’s nothing, it isn’t ours…” Ladies and gentlemen, isn’t that ridiculous? Another situation: Cezary Przybylski, Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, wanted to present an exhibition in the Market Square about the most important investments in Lower Silesia. Of course, he could not, because the Market Square is Piotr Roman’s private fiefdom and he would not allow it. It does not matter which political option the Voivodeship Marshal represents; what matters is that we have one, and as president you have to show class.
And what about the city’s debt? Illuminated Bolesławiec does not give that impression.
It does, because it is a polished model standing on feet of clay. What matters is the effect. I am in favour of change and of a beautiful city, but let the choices be rational and economical. Orka is an example—we are constantly putting money into it. I emphasize “WE,” because it is our money. The question is whether it is being managed well. In a vast budget collected from taxes, everything can be hidden. At the same time, I ask why a historic swimming pool is being renovated without economic analyses. Is a shallow paddling pool consistent with historical truth, or would a full-size pool become competition for Orka? The examples could go on…
And what about the hospital… This subject will always provoke a storm and controversy, because this sphere directly affects people’s health, lives and safety. What important things are happening this time on Jeleniogórska Street to simply improve the situation for patients?
The hospital has changed its image before our eyes—from a provincial hospital with poor service into a good, modern facility, and here I also emphasize that this was thanks to the employees supported by Piotr Roman, who constantly criticizes this hospital. As head of the Social Council of the ZOZ, I would like to thank its members here, including those from the Bolesławiec City Council, who enthusiastically approve these positive changes. Does their leader not know this, or perhaps they are wiser than their leader? But returning to what deserves our attention and determines our health, I will say one thing: the management changes we brought about have resulted in enormous progress. I do not mean hands-on control; such practices occurred in the past. We expected a creative approach to managing such an important facility and, above all, a development concept. And that is what happened. One interview would not be enough for the long list of successes. Let us look at the latest specialist quality rankings. Bolesławiec Hospital has once again been listed among the best hospitals in Poland. Only specialist clinics in large cities rank ahead of it. Please remember that this is an objective professional assessment. I will mention only the hospital’s latest projects and plans. A major qualitative change in county healthcare—the Infectious Diseases Ward is being relocated as planned. Bolesławiec County allocated more than half a million złoty to the Infectious Diseases Ward, as well as money for equipment and construction of an internal road. Soon patients will be able to use an entirely new facility. I realize that this renovation was highly anticipated. We listen carefully to the needs of Powiatowy Szpital’s patients and try to meet them consistently. A modern gastroenterology ward opened a week ago. It is a complicated name, but this ward has top-class specialists treating equally complicated diseases of the digestive system. They have already achieved major successes. They have brought many patients back to life after they found themselves in hopeless situations. In the longer term, we aspire to build a modern operating block. The preliminary design has already been submitted to the Marshal’s Office. The funds obtained would make it possible to build, next to the existing emergency department, a four-storey modern operating block meeting the latest standards, with an intensive care unit, a central sterilization department and adjoining wards that particularly require proximity to the operating block. There is a real chance that the new operating block will serve Bolesławiec County residents as early as 2017.
Just two more sentences about the roads. I know you are personally proud of Road No. 297.
In recent years, Bolesławiec County has become an absolute leader in building “Schetynówki” roads. Nine roads, covering more than 52 km, were built with funding from the National Fund, at a cost of PLN 24 million. Successes only inspire us to continue working. We also managed to set aside more than half a million złoty—a major achievement—for the renovation of Staszica Street in Bolesławiec, from the bypass to Góralska Street, but I confirm that I am most proud of how much we contributed to the reconstruction of Road 297. I personally worked for many years to persuade the Lower Silesian Road and Railway Service to begin investing here. Why was this so important? Bolesławiec is ideally located near two motorways, A18 and A4, while the age-old north–south route also runs through here. It was inevitably shifted toward Legnica, but professional drivers continued to use this shorter road—turning off the S3 at Nowa Sól, they travelled to Jakuszyce or Jelenia Góra via Bolesławiec. Anyone who thinks sensibly and saves fuel drives through Bolesławiec. Now they can travel on a genuinely good road along a 10-kilometre section north of Bolesławiec—from Kozłów to Golnice. The investment included reconstruction of the road, intersections and exits, and construction of pavements, pedestrian and cycle routes, and bus bays. The work cost approximately PLN 20 million.
You have chaired the County Council for another term. How do you assess the situation in the council, and is there an atmosphere here for making good decisions serving county residents, or do political disputes sometimes arise?
It is a very substantive council. We often argue within the coalition. It is not the case that the coalition submits a proposal and the opposition opposes it. I am very impressed that councillors argue with good intentions rather than engaging in political games. I hope it stays that way. We do not need envy or black PR. That does not serve work; it serves bad people with bad intentions. We have had enough examples of inflated egos in office. Let us not deceive ourselves—this is no longer about power for something GOOD. It is about power for power’s sake and expanding the territory of influence. The annexation of the county—it sounds ominous and familiar somehow…
So the “county people” would like love, but the “city people” do not?
We do not have to love one another, but it is worth cooperating and respecting one another. We have never initiated a guerrilla war, because that is not the point. Local governments require unity, but not one-man rule, because it is easy then to become intoxicated by one’s own infallibility. Let me give more examples from real life—they say everything. As one of the few counties in Lower Silesia, we did not abolish vocational education when there was pressure from above to do so. Thanks to this, we saved these schools. Then, together, we created a project—29 counties managed to reach an agreement—that gave vocational-school students technical facilities like those in workplaces. Normally, counties do not have the money for such visions. We managed to carry out a project that is an example for all of Poland. Teachers always emphasize their own contribution to saving these schools, but today I will immodestly say that entrepreneurs also played a part: the Guild of Various Crafts, the Regional Employers’ Association and the Bolesławiec Economic Society. This is another example of cooperation. We concluded that if we had managed to reach an agreement with 29 county heads, we could also reach one with the president of Bolesławiec. The same children attend Bolesławiec’s schools—no one divides them into city children and then county children. We wanted to create an integrated teacher-development system for teachers in city and county schools. Once again, we managed to “pull” money for it from Brussels. Primary-school teachers could have improved their qualifications free of charge. The president said NO. When asked “why?” he answered, “No, because no.” He lacked substantive arguments. Or perhaps he no longer needs them and is allowed to do anything, even when the education of young Bolesławiec residents is at stake? Rankings do not lie: Bolesławiec primary schools have a long way to go before reaching the best schools in Lower Silesia, while Bolesławiec County has once again, for another year, taken a leading place in our voivodeship.
And one final example, which may not require love, because love can easily lead to blindness, but does require wise cooperation. We encouraged the Bolesławiec urban municipality to join a systematic promotional project, Discover the Charm of the Lower Silesian Forests. Once again, the answer was NO, even though the project received nationwide recognition. Perhaps it offered too few opportunities to promote the president himself, because city publications seem to serve only that purpose, in my view. I dream of promotion understood as a comprehensive activity of local governments. When I see a publication in a municipality concerning only that municipality, and a different one in every municipality, it seems obvious that there should be one publication covering the county and all the municipalities within it. It should include a tourism offer and an investment offer—I emphasize, one shared by all the municipalities.
Is your experience in the economy useful in your local-government work?
I have worked in local government for many years. As deputy president of Bolesławiec, I helped create the community market. The second thing is the economic zone. I do not claim sole credit for this success, but the economic activity zone is my child. I have always viewed matters from an economic perspective. If we want to spend money, we must first make sure we obtain it. Until recently, there was an opinion that local-government officials who are also involved in business should be watched closely, that they are unworthy of trust. Of course, everyone should be watched closely, because there are as many thieves among MPs as among entrepreneurs or ordinary citizens. If a person can take care of himself, he will take care of others.
Let us take a look at what kind of person Karol Stasik is. You impress many people—responsible work in a managerial position, work in local government and in Platforma Obywatelska, and you still have time to tend your garden… One might envy your strength, fitness and enthusiasm. How do you do it?
Some people rest with their bellies in the air; I am constantly on the move. Thanks to that I am fit, and despite my weight I can still do a great deal. I rest actively, and that is the basic method for maintaining fitness. Besides that, I read, primarily history books; one can learn a great deal from history. History warns us against repeating mistakes. I am passionate about history in general, and sometimes I think I would have made a good historian. That is my second passion apart from gardening.
What about the plants? Is this a recent passion?
Oh no, I am a country boy (laughs). I was born in a village near Kraków. When I was young, the greatest punishment was helping my father with the crops. But as a mature person, one sees something that one failed to notice before. You feel almost like a creator when you sow, tend things and see the results. I am amazed by people who do not admire nature. A person is poorer if they do not understand it.
When you talk about the garden, I am reminded of a Chinese proverb: “If you want to be happy for a day—get drunk; for a year—get married; for a lifetime—start a garden.”
There is something to it. For example, the famous Emperor Diocletian, tired of wars, settled one day in Illyria, present-day Croatia. One of the senators was sent to him to save the homeland during further disturbances. The former emperor said, “Do not bother me, because today I will be picking cabbage.” As you can see, people change little over the centuries, apart from becoming surrounded by technology.
I know that a life-value system cannot be reduced to three sentences. But what is most important to you in life?
The most important thing is to be needed by others
What does experience give you? What advice would you now give to 20-year-old Karol?
That he should become a historian. In keeping with the proverb—“the grass is always greener on the other side”—one cannot be completely happy. And experience… it is worth having; it is worth drawing conclusions and analysing, rather than living thoughtlessly. Then it is easier to choose, improve oneself and make the right decisions.
Is there anything you envy him?
Yes… his age (laughs)
And what are the good sides of mature age?
I will tell you what gives me pleasure now: when my grandchildren come to visit. With Gosia and Huber I can play endlessly. Maturity gives you distance and the right perspective on what matters most. We all derive great joy from it. The grandchildren get to know their grandfather, and the grandfather gets to know his grandchildren. Priceless.
Thank you for the interview. What would you like to say to voters at the end?
Dear Voters! Leave the County in good hands.
Campaign material of KWW Platforma Samorządowa Powiatu Bolesławieckiego