“She is my former associate; this decision was predictable. It did not come as a surprise,” says Krzysztof Błażejczyk, the former president. He adds that the company is in good financial condition and ended last year with a profit.
The city mayor, Piotr Roman, does not comment on the decision, although the city owns 40% of the company. He only informs us that no irregularities were found and that the change of president has no such grounds.
“Nothing will change at the television station. Since it was pro-Roman, it will remain so,” says Józef Burniak, a city councillor and former mayor of the city. He adds that he understands the cable network owner, who would rather have his daughter earn money than a stranger.
Alicja Burchardt herself unfortunately does not comment on the matter. In a telephone conversation, television employees informed us that President Brurchardt was busy, but promised to pass on our request for contact. Unfortunately, the president did not call, and when we called the editorial office again, the phone was no longer answered.
Local television station “Azart-Sat” is a limited liability company. The owner of the cable network, Leszek Burchardt, holds 60% of the shares, while the Municipal Commune holds 40%.
In 2006, the Municipal Commune granted the television station at least PLN 100,000. Although money for the local “Azart-Sat” television station is provided from the city budget—that is, from the budget of all residents—not all residents have access to cable television. The local television program is also unavailable in the cheapest, basic cable package, which is most often chosen by people with little money.
Despite opinions that the city should not finance local television, councillors have not yet seriously taken up the discussion about fully privatising the station.
(KG report)