JANINA P1ESTRAK-BABIJCZUK: DIRTY PKP RAILWAY STATION, CRITICISM OF THE POST OFFICE.
The eighth session of the City Council (14 February) was marked by criticism. The councillor stated that the PKP railway station in Bolesławiec, the city’s showcase, presented a picture of misery and despair: it was a shelter for homeless people and those on the margins of society, and was constantly dirty. PKP supervision and systematic cleaning of the facility were lacking. Objections were raised about the opening hours of post offices on Sundays and public holidays (they are open from 8 to 11 a.m.). In these matters, the Mayor will seek assistance from the Sanitary and Epidemiological Station and Poczta Polska, with proposals for constructive solutions.
ZDZISŁAW ABRAMOWICZ: INFORMATION POLICY, RODENTS IN ZABOBRZE, A TOURISM-THEMED CITY COUNCIL SESSION.
There is a need for broad information coverage of the local government’s activities that would reach residents: City Council decisions should be explained to the public, for example those concerning changes in rent rates, taxes and local fees. Rodents—mice and rats—are roaming the Zabobrze estate. Car owners park their vehicles wherever they please, including on lawns and pedestrian pavements. This is a new type of nuisance resulting from the development of motorisation. The councillor also submitted a motion to prepare a session devoted to tourism. The Mayor agreed with the remarks and announced that drivers violating traffic regulations would be disciplined (this is the police’s responsibility), pointed to the information potential of our newspaper and local TV, and also saw a need to promote the city as a tourist destination, although given its meagre accommodation base and geographical location, the city is unlikely to join the ranks of major tourist centres...
ELŻBIETA CHODYRA: PETITION CONCERNING CPN FILLING STATIONS AND SIGNAGE FOR THE REAR ACCESS ROAD TO ASNYKA STREET
The councillor passed on a letter she had received, together with councillor A. Skobliński, from a group of residents of Asnyka Street concerning signage for the rear access road to the street and the closure of the CPN filling station. The councillors took an official position on this contentious matter, and the conflict is gradually subsiding. Its final(?) act was a meeting between city authorities, councillors and those concerned on 21 March this year. We will return to the details and most important findings next month.
ELŻBIETA GAWLIK: ILLEGAL DUMP, APPEAL FOR AN MZK BUS SHELTER.
The pedestrian crossing between the grounds of the military barracks and the allotment gardens is constantly being covered with rubbish and waste. It has been a favourite walking spot for many years, and such a state of affairs must not be allowed to continue. Residents of the estate also tasked the councillor with seeking the installation of a covered shelter at the MZK stop within the bus terminus near Łasicka Street. Both matters should fortunately be resolved.
PAWEŁ ŚLIWKO: “GŁOS” AT THE COUNCILLORS’ DISPOSAL, MOTION TO PUBLISH A HISTORICAL SUPPLEMENT, ECOLOGICAL HEATING FOR THE HALL, CITY CHRONICLE.
An extensive report on the achievements and plans of the “Głos” editorial office concluded with a request for cooperation and articles from the councillors themselves. The newspaper will join the information service covering the city’s life while retaining its autonomy and independence. It is worth considering increasing the frequency of its publication. The publication of a historical supplement was approved to mark the 50th anniversary of the return of the Bolesławiec Land to the Motherland. A motion to change the heating system in the Mechanical Technical School’s sports hall—from coal-fired to gas-fired—will be implemented this year. The councillor proposed establishing a commemorative book—a city chronicle—and creating a museum of the city’s history. These proposals were accepted, with the decision of the Council on the matter duly justified. We are also printing the text of the “information poster”, among other places, in “Głos”.
MIROSŁAW KUNECKI: THE PARKING NIGHTMARE, THE DOG PROBLEM, CRITICISM OF LOCAL TV, PROTECTING THE ALLOTMENTS WITH A HEDGE
The development of motorisation is disturbing residents’ peace and giving rise to controversy. Residents of Polna Street are demanding a ban on car parking, while those on Widok Street want a car park to be built (it will be completed by the end of this year). It is difficult to satisfy everyone. The problem of stray dogs must be solved: at the “Supersam” they attacked an elderly man. Viewers criticise some local TV programmes. This is probably the most expensive local television station in Poland today! During the construction of the municipal district-heating pipeline, the company “Winstal” removed hedges beside the “Hutnik” allotment gardens. They protected the crops from dust raised by traffic. The access road for cars was also destroyed in the process. Nearly one thousand allotment users are demanding that the previous condition be restored. The Mayor promised that the city would help restore the protective green belt. The speaker also appealed for safety to be ensured in the Market Square and its vicinity, especially after 8 p.m.; there is a real danger to pedestrians there. This is an important task for the police.
WOJCIECH KRZYWDZIŃSKI: THE “DOG PROBLEM” ONCE AGAIN.
Quite a few stray dogs—and not only stray ones—roam Bolesławiec, fouling pavements, lawns and even stairwells. Sometimes with the approval of the owners who take them for walks. What action do the city authorities intend to take in this matter? In the Mayor’s view, an ideal solution is difficult: the issue lies in the owners’ level of civic culture and in the reaction of those around them—in other words, all of us. Acts of boorishness must be publicly condemned. That generally works.
ANDRZEJ CHODYRA: WILL THERE BE PAVEMENTS ON BATOREGO STREET?
Prompted by residents of the estate, the councillor asked about the fate of the surface on the other side of Batorego Street: a pavement had been laid on one side of the road, while there was nothing on the other. The Mayor’s explanation was that, for reasons of economy, grass should be sown there: the city simply lacked the funds for other solutions and followed this practice. Well—it will be green and ecological...
CRITICALLY: A DISPUTE OVER STREET NAMES
The smooth conduct of the difficult budget session, including the submission of interpellations, was disrupted by a dispute over the names of new streets. Apparently, something remains of the recent tradition, when the predecessors of the current city councillors carried out a genuine revolution in this area—regardless of the cost...
This time, only “proper” names were selected: neutral, short, pleasant-sounding and friendly, yet the discussion and disputes still continued for a very long time. Ultimately, the streets TUNELOWA, GÓRSKA, JASNA and WIADUKTOWA “won” the vote, while Sokola, Kamienna and Morska were rejected. The last of these—for the second time already. Well—Bolesławiec ceased to be a “maritime” city deep inland a long time ago...