The editorial office received several letters concerning dirty stairwells in blocks administered by SW and MPGM. Here is an excerpt from a letter by Mr M.K. (surname and address known to the editorial office):
..The authorities of the Housing Cooperative have already accustomed us to the fact that they raise rates almost every month. Once they cite an order of the Voivode, another time a resolution of the Supervisory Board, on which they seem to have gathered exceptionally greedy men.
It is understandable that everything in Poland is becoming more expensive from day to day, but why the devil do those gentlemen from the Cooperative concern themselves only with passing increases? Why, for example, does it not occur to them to decide to put things in order for once? To inspect cleanliness or expose the dirty and careless ones? Why do they humiliate us, the Cooperative’s members (who, among other things, support these gentlemen), with constant dirt and embarrassment in front of our visiting guests, sometimes even from abroad, where something like this is simply unthinkable.
Once, the Cooperative’s director (or president) appeared on local cable television. Pleased with himself, he smoothly answered questions, claiming that everything was “fine.” Something falling apart and collapsing? There is no money. Dirty stairwells? There is no money! And everything was settled.
I would like to ask the director: is there not even water, a piece of soap, rags and brushes? And what do the cleaners or housekeepers receive their wages for? And what do the managers of the Housing Estate Administrations receive their money for?
There are so many unemployed people that surely more hardworking ones could be selected. I do not know how often stairwells should be swept, or how often they should be washed. At my place, it is not swept for several weeks, and the stairwell has not seen water for several months. Could information be posted in the stairwell stating who is personally responsible for cleanliness and how often they should clean?
And a question for Sanepid: are there no penalties for dirty people, or are these matters of no concern to the sanitary authorities? I have lived in the same place for more than a dozen years, but I have never seen a single sanitary inspection.”
And here is an excerpt from a letter by Mrs Z. L. (surname and address known to the editorial office).
...A couple of distinguished personalities live in my stairwell, including even a councillor and a doctor. And it does not bother them at all that one can stick to the sticky dirt on the stairs. Where have these people been hiding? Who taught them cleanliness and instilled culture in them? They are close to the authorities; they could point out to the appropriate people that cleanliness is of the utmost importance. People have installed parquet floors in their homes, laid expensive carpets, wood panelling and so on, yet tolerate a pigsty right outside their doors. Is dirt and sloppiness really such an incurable Polish national trait? When will we finally shake it off?...”
And one more excerpt from a letter by Mr Kazimierz K.
...If the Cooperative authorities cannot guarantee their members clean stairwells, then they should not charge fees for it, but agree with the residents on self-management. People would draw up a duty roster, determine the scope of sweeping and washing, and there would finally be order. Because now it is really unclear what we are paying for and when someone will do us the favor of waving a broom...
FROM THE EDITORIAL OFFICE: The proposal to post information stating who is personally responsible for cleanliness and how often they should clean is justified. This is used in other cities with successful results. There are surely many clean and well-maintained stairwells in our city—we would gladly publish the names of those who care about cleanliness and reliably perform their duties. Perhaps this would motivate the less conscientious ones? We await letters on this matter, as well as decisive action by the administrations of residential buildings (including the SM.)
Mr Stanisław K. (surname and address known to the editorial office) informed us that an invitation addressed to him for Thursday at 1:00 p.m. was delivered by the post office on Thursday, but before evening. It had been sent on Monday at noon. Mr Stanisław K. lives 300 metres from the post office.