To Mr. “eko”
When writing the article “Escalation of Ugliness” in the March issue of “Głos Bolesławca,” you presumably took into account the fact that we live in a state governed by the rule of law. Your statement that “...the owner must have enjoyed some special consideration from the municipal authorities of that time...” is out of place and unfounded, since the notarial deed concerning perpetual usufruct of the plot on which the “greengrocer’s” is located (this refers to the vegetable kiosk on Łasicka Street – editor’s note) was signed on behalf of the State Treasury by the same person who currently also concludes agreements concerning the transfer of real-estate ownership on behalf of the present authorities. Can one therefore cast suspicion on a person who, following verification, remains a state official entrusted with the confidence of the present authorities? By formulating such a statement, are you not exposing yourself to the criminal liability provided for in Article 178 of the Penal Code?
Perhaps the claim that the “greengrocer’s” conceals a structure recognized as the most interesting realization of 1992 is convincing, but the greengrocer’s was built at a time when the city’s spatial development plan did not yet include a religious building. The vegetable kiosk was built on the basis of an approved architectural design. We realize that its architectural form differs markedly from that of the “most interesting building of 1992,” but our modest means do not allow us to make the necessary changes.
Unlike you, we sign our names: Kazimiera and Waldemar Kasperscy.
From the editorial office:
A letter on the same matter was also sent to the editorial office by Reader A.D. (name and surname known to the editorial office), who writes, among other things: “...Mr. ‘eko’ proposes that the demolition of the ugly structure and its reconstruction in a new location should be paid for by the city, that is, by all of us. I do not know who authorized Mr. ‘eko’ to speak on my behalf as a taxpayer, because I see much more urgent needs in my city. Mr. ‘eko’ further laments that the owner of the greengrocer’s purchased the land in perpetual usufruct. This sounds almost like a warning to all tenants of commercial and service pavilions. Because if someone builds a prettier structure next to theirs, Mr. ‘eko’ will take action to ensure that, God forbid, the agreement with the tenant of the ugly structure is not extended... I would like my city to look beautiful, but in this case pragmatism must prevail. The owner of the greengrocer’s supports his family with this work and employs someone. Closing this outlet may mean that his family and the person employed will have to turn to the state for unemployment benefits.
As we move toward Europe, let us respect an individual’s right to private property..”
THE CRUEL ONES
I sincerely thank Mrs. “ETA” for taking an interest in my article “A Troublesome Legacy,” published in the February issue of “Głos Bolesławca,” which gave me immense pleasure because my publication did not go unnoticed but instead provoked a very lively reaction. I would remind readers that in my article I tried to present the reasons that guided the Municipal Council when adopting resolutions to abolish the name “Avenue of the Distinguished” at the municipal cemetery, change the inscriptions on the monument at the former Red Army Square, and remove the monument located next to the District Police Headquarters.
In her “Reply to Mr. ‘eko’” (“GB,” March), containing a whole series of serious accusations against me, Mrs. “ETA” completely ignores the role of the Municipal Council in eliminating relics of communist institutions, thereby suggesting to readers that I adopted the above-mentioned resolutions on my own. The consequence of Mrs. “ETA” considering me the sole destroyer of mementos of the glorious postwar past is also that I alone was called by her a cruel person disturbing the peace of the dead. I hasten to explain, therefore, that the resolution abolishing the Avenue of the Distinguished was adopted unanimously in the presence of 26 councillors, while the resolution concerning the removal of the monuments was passed by 26 votes, with 2 abstentions; thus, it cannot be hidden that the Municipal Council includes at least 26 cruel ones....
From the editorial office:
Since we do not have much space to publish the full texts of our readers’ statements, we apologize both to Mrs. “ETA” and Mr. “eko” for presenting their positions in abbreviated form, and we explain to readers interested in the polemic what the main issue was.
Mrs. “ETA” (this can be verified by reading her statement carefully) expressed her concern about denying everything that had been accomplished in the past while simultaneously glorifying contemporary achievements that are not always praiseworthy. In fact, more letters expressing a similar position arrived. Readers are not concerned so much with the fact that resolutions are being adopted as with the immodest admiration of achievements that do not always correspond to people’s feelings and attitudes.
BE KIND (AT LEAST) IN SPRING..
I dedicate these words, borrowed from a song by Wojciech Młynarski, to the ladies and young women at ZUS in Bolesławiec, located on Kwiatowa Street. For many years I have been (what can one do?) a pensioner. Fortunately, I rarely visit offices and institutions—perhaps once every few years. And that is good. I therefore have a basis for comparing interpersonal relations in offices and institutions where “clients” (what an ugly word!) unfortunately have to go in order to get something done. I find that each successive generation of female officials treats clients worse and worse. This is sad, especially since supposedly, in a situation of high unemployment, people were expected to respect their jobs... Recently I had to deal with something at the aforementioned ZUS. Clients are dealt with incompetently there, and often in a dismissive manner as well. People are sent from one room to another, only to be told that they need yet another room. It is not like this only at ZUS. Someone wrote in “Głos Bolesławca” about the poor treatment of pensioners at the post office. And yet “a human being is the highest value...” It is worth remembering this maxim. Ladies at the service windows! Be kinder to old and ill people, at least in spring. Years will pass and you will be handling your own pension matters. And unkindness will not be pleasant to you either....
SKW (surname and address known to the editorial office).
TELECOMMUNICATIONS’ RESPONSE
In response to the note published in the “to and from the editorial office” column, the Telecommunications District in Bolesławiec informs readers:
1. The investment plans for 1993 provide for the construction of a cable between the exchanges in Bolesławiec and Osiecznica. This will improve call clarity and access to connections (currently, 25% of the required lines are in operation).
2. The route of this cable does not pass through Kwiatowe Housing Estate by accident, as we want to install our equipment in the estate. The telephones currently connected in Kwiatowe Housing Estate were installed provisionally in the mid-1980s.
3. The amount of 10 million for connecting a telephone, assuming 100 interested applicants, is an estimate. This money will finance the construction of the distribution network in Kwiatowe Housing Estate (that is, bringing cables to individual homes). The exact costs will be known after an estimate is prepared on the basis of the technical design. The technical design for construction of the cable, together with construction of the distribution network in the estate, is currently being prepared.
The cost of the design is covered by the Jelenia Góra Telecommunications Facility.
4. A Social Telephone Installation Committee has been formed in Kwiatowe Housing Estate, operating in accordance with a decision of the Director General of PPTiT. On this legal basis, an agreement will be signed between the Committee and the Telecommunications Facility in Jelenia Góra. Under this agreement, the Committee will undertake to cover the costs of constructing the distribution network in the estate, while the Telecommunications Facility will connect 100 telephone numbers (new subscribers or transferred lines). The difference between the amount spent on construction of the network and the connection fee (currently PLN 2,500,000), with any transfers costing PLN 1,160,000, will be settled through services over a maximum period of 4 years, individually for each Committee member.
5. Any doubts can be clarified by telephone with the Telecommunications District at 3 Chrobrego Street, Bolesławiec, tel. 23-11, 31-11, or with the Social Telephone Installation Committee (information point – Bar Kawowy, Sadowa Street).
MEng Zbigniew Kasprowicz
acting Director of the Telecommunications District
IN BRIEF ...
Reader Izabela Kozłowska sent us a letter asking us to convey her respect and thanks to Dr. Krzysztof Bąk for his articles on heart disease and medical advice.
Mrs. Izabela also approves of the initiative to raise funds for a heart ultrasound machine. However, she expresses her disapproval of the conditions created by ZOZ at the mental-health clinic on Zwycięstwa Street. Sharing a corridor while waiting is embarrassing for nervous people who come with various ailments, seeking different advice and treatments. It causes stress and discomfort. Some patients give up their appointments.
Mrs. Krystyna W. (surname and address known to the editorial office) has submitted, through us, a proposal to the Municipal Office: move the notary’s office from the ground floor of the high-rise to a higher floor, and move some of the Tax Office rooms most frequently visited by clients to the ground floor. The notary’s office is used by individual people, whereas during the day hundreds of people take the only, overloaded lift to the Tax Office, or have to climb many floors on foot. A great deal of time is lost, and the overloaded lift may not hold out for much longer. Could the second lift not be put into service?
On this occasion, a request to the younger employees, especially the women at the Tax Office, to treat taxpayers more politely.