Just before Christmas, the residents of Bolesławiec and the surrounding area could see a kind of poster campaign covering our town. The Bolesławiec Merchants’ Association had decided to “address” the public. Unfortunately, it did so in a fatalistic manner, from the position of the oppressed and persecuted. Look, people—the authorities are squeezing us, so WE will squeeze YOU—this was the simple message of the posters. Naturally, such a poster campaign could not go unanswered. Both councillors and the Mayor of the City protested.
Please read about these protests on page 4.
STATEMENT BY THE BOLESŁAWIEC CITY BOARD dated 30 December 1992
In connection with the posters displayed in shops by the Bolesławiec Merchants’ Association during the pre-Christmas period, concerning new rental rates for commercial premises, the Bolesławiec City Board expresses its FIRM OPPOSITION to this kind of action by the Bolesławiec Merchants’ Association and its president.
The posters’ claims about exorbitant rental rates are simply fraudulent and mislead the city’s residents.
It is untrue that rental rates are increasing by 100 percent. Projected rental revenue in 1993 will increase by just 22 percent.
The accusations made against the local authorities by the Bolesławiec Merchants’ Association and its president are absurd and were unequivocally refuted at the City Council session on 22 December 1992; it was also made clear that the Association does not represent the entire merchant community. In a difficult social situation, every irresponsible public statement may further frustrate the city’s society. Attributing arrogance to the local authorities is a primitive, populist formulation that harms the self-government bodies of the urban municipality.
In matters concerning the rental of premises, the City Board repeatedly sought the opinion of the Bolesławiec Merchants’ Association, despite the fact that such a statement may further frustrate the city’s residents.
The City Board regards this kind of statement as yet another manifestation of civic irresponsibility and expresses its disapproval of such reprehensible attitudes.
Mayor of the City, Eng. Józef Król
Chairman of the City Board
STATEMENT BY THE COUNCILLORS OF THE BOLESŁAWIEC CITY COUNCIL dated 22 December 1992
The councillors express their firm opposition to the manner and form of the Bolesławiec Merchants’ Association’s activities.
Particular outrage is caused by the content of the posters displayed in municipal shops during the pre-Christmas period, in the section concerning increases in rent for commercial premises. It is untrue that rental rates are being increased by 100 percent (rental revenue will increase by 22 percent). The accusations made against the local authorities by the president of the Merchants’ Association were unequivocally refuted at the City Council meeting on 22 December 1992.
Attributing arrogance to the local authorities is a populist and hurtful formulation. The City Board repeatedly sought the opinion of the Merchants’ Association, which, after all, does not represent the entire merchant community.
The social situation is so difficult that every such statement may further frustrate the public. We therefore regard it as evidence of civic irresponsibility and express our disapproval of such attitudes.
CITY COUNCILLORS