Mayor Józef Król on achievements and prospects
The editorial team of "Głos" asked two traditional questions: the achievements of the past year and the expectations, plans and prospects for the New Year 1996. We faithfully reproduce the opinion of the city’s head.
- First and foremost, I believe that we managed to maintain stability, which will allow the City Council and the Municipal Executive Board to work normally. We did not waste time on fruitless disputes and discussions; we were able to work relatively calmly and systematically. This made it possible to resolve many important matters and problems that are of great significance to our community.
It is unprecedented that, after many years of failures, we managed to settle the location of the municipal-communal waste landfill. For such a large investment, we completed the fairly complicated preparatory procedure exceptionally quickly, and as a result, work on the construction has already begun. Let us recall that this is the site of a former Red Army training ground located near Trzebień.
The situation was dramatic: the old dump near the village of Łąka is already full and requires securing and reclamation. Starting the investment offers a chance to resolve one of the most difficult problems of recent years. Let us add that this is a thoroughly modern undertaking: the best sealing materials will be used here, and the landfill must be environmentally safe. This matter could not have been successfully resolved without the substantial assistance of the Head and the Executive Board of Bolesławiec Rural Commune, and the help and understanding of all the councillors and residents of Trzebień. For this openness, goodwill and active involvement in resolving our common affairs, I would like to thank them all on behalf of the residents of Bolesławiec.
This year will see the completion of the wastewater treatment plant and the first stage of the waste landfill. The comprehensive renovation of the building at Bankowa Street will presumably also be completed. We want to provide substantial assistance with the construction of a sports hall at the First General Secondary School. The plans are ambitious, and I think there will be an opportunity to write about them in greater detail.
But the new year is also a traditional occasion for conveying good wishes. I would like to wish all the residents of our city that 1996 will be a good and peaceful year for us, giving us the chance to fulfil our intentions, plans and dreams. I would like to wish that harmony and prosperity prevail in our Families. May we be kind to one another and, when necessary, help each other. It will then be easier to overcome the troubles and adversities of fate, which, despite the best wishes, are never entirely absent. May there be as few of them as possible; I sincerely wish this to you.
Józef Król
The past year will also be remembered as another year in which, within our modest means, we tried to implement the housing construction programme. Two residential pavilions built from the ground up on Kościuszki Street, the far-advanced major renovation of the former Konradowski Hotel, where we will obtain approximately 40 flats, the insulated building with a new façade on Asnyka Street, and further renovated roofs, balconies and installations. This is our care for the material substance of the city. Let us also add further serviced plots sold for single-family housing, which will ensure the city’s development and a forward-looking way of meeting basic housing needs. In the past year (1995), we made considerable progress on the construction of the wastewater treatment plant, specifically in the area of biological treatment. This provides a real chance of completing this extremely important investment for the city. Even in the briefest summary, it is difficult to list all the achievements: a new road in the Przylesie housing estate, new road surfaces, new bus bays, car parks, bus shelters, and a playground in Waryński Park, which brings such great joy to children. The point is not to make a list. These examples clearly demonstrate that persistent, steady work produces tangible results to the benefit of us all.
Finally, it is impossible to overlook the fact that, after five years of difficult renovation, our historic heritage Town Hall was handed over for use on 16 December 1995. After 20 years of absence, the local authorities have returned here; the impressive building will once again fulfil the function assigned to it centuries ago. While analysing and bringing to light the achievements of the past year, I am also fully aware of how much still remains to be done. There is a continuing sense of insufficiency, but also hope for the harmony that builds. Without it, further progress and satisfactory action are difficult.
The New Year 1996 will be marked by education, as the city is taking over administrative care of our ten primary schools. This is a major task and no lesser responsibility. The schools are badly neglected and have not been renovated for years. It is worrying that the money we receive for this task will not even be enough for salaries, or to pay the bills for energy, water, gas or coal. This will be a difficult test for education and for local governments. I know that we will not let down the children and teachers and that, as in many other situations, we will campaign and fight for funding, while also learning to save wherever possible. In the relatively near future, schools under the care of the local government will be better schools. I say this with complete personal conviction.