I am an old, sick man over 70 years of age. I have difficulty breathing (asthma related to my work in mining). I have always been proud of our town because it had its own “green lungs” – beautiful mini-parks and small green spaces located right behind residential buildings, even within the old downtown development. Tourists who visit in large numbers (including German tourists) are still envious of this, unable to marvel enough at the fact that magnificent old trees grow within the defensive walls. A dozen or so years ago, I personally planted beautiful hawthorns and other trees opposite my windows on Prusa Street; some neighbours did likewise, planting lime trees, chestnut trees and maples. I hardly need to explain to anyone how beneficial this is for health and aesthetics.
Unfortunately, someone recently had the “brilliant” idea of building a car park on Magistracka Street, even though a vacant lot by the church is just a dozen or so metres away, where numerous cars traditionally park, especially on Sundays. I am watching the construction of this project and I am horrified: hedge shrubs have been destroyed, the roots of old trees on the road side have been exposed, and tons of gravel and crushed stone have been poured over everything. Heavy vehicles have driven over the lawns. In the collision with technology, the plant world and the beauty of our town have lost. These are irreparable losses. The automotive lobby has won. For the convenience of car owners, my health and that of my neighbours have been sacrificed. Toxic exhaust fumes will shorten my life by months, because I am already counting months rather than years.
I have many doubts and grievances regarding this action by the municipal authorities. Why, in our democratic country, is there no good tradition of asking residents for their consent, allowing them to express their views on such a matter, for example in a plebiscite? I do not know at whose request this car park was built, because walking to do shopping at the stores in the Market Square or on Prusa Street would benefit even car owners. There is therefore no logical justification for such a decision. The trees by the car park – which is cramped and inconvenient – will dry up. I protest against governing my town in this manner.