During the December session of the City Council, held on Wednesday, 17 December, Mayor Piotr Roman presented the councillors with a multimedia presentation on planned investments. The Mayor spoke, among other things, about the establishment of a nursing home, the construction of the International Ceramics Centre, the modernisation of the wastewater treatment plant, repairs to the sewage system on Kubika Street, the reconstruction of Zabobrze Street, and the construction of a water park on Popiełuszko Square.
After Piotr Roman’s address, Deputy Chair Józef Pokładek took the floor: “A budget is like running one’s own household. I have no doubt that you, Mr Mayor, are a good manager. My Bolesławiec XXI group will vote for this budget.”
Cezariusz Rudyk of PO admitted that the presentation was impressive, but that it contained “many things that go beyond the 2009 budget.” The councillor stressed that his group supported the planned provision of infrastructure to plots of land. “We differ when it comes to costly investments,” he added.
The PO councillor again raised the issue of developing Popiełuszko Square. A shopping centre and water park are planned for the area with the greatest investment potential. “This idea is not the most fortunate one,” Rudyk said. – “My political group is very often labelled as being opposed to the swimming pool and shopping centre. But that is not the case. We support the construction of both. However, we oppose combining them on Popiełuszko Square.”
“Is this a good time to sell Popiełuszko Square at all – amid a recession, falling property prices and investors withdrawing?” Cezariusz Rudyk asked. – “We have very serious doubts. This budget is dangerous. We will not take responsibility for it.” Bogusław Nowak of PO held a similar view: “My life experience tells me that sometimes one should err on the side of caution. We may become carried away by certain investments.”
Voices of approval
Hubert Prabucki of Ziemia Bolesławiecka joined the discussion: “We believe that investing in the city is a way of counteracting the crisis.” The budget proposal was also highly rated by Eugeniusz Kowalski of PiS: “As chair of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee, I see a significant increase in spending on culture, education and sport. I will vote for it.”
Mayor rejects accusations
Piotr Roman said that he was continually analysing specialist publications. According to experts, local governments should invest in order to effectively counteract the effects of the economic crisis. “Investments mean new jobs,” Roman stressed. Responding to the accusation that the municipal government wanted to sell the square during a recession, he said: “The specialist press indicates that the shopping-centre market has not collapsed.” In the Mayor’s view, this means that the city has a chance of finding an investor who will offer a fair price. “The budget is very realistic. We are taking responsibility for it and will endeavour to implement it responsibly,” Piotr Roman added, referring to the PO councillor’s remarks.
Despite the opposing votes, the Council adopted the 2009 budget. Thirteen councillors voted in favour (coalition councillors and Lesław Śliwko). The PO councillors and Irena Dul of SLD voted against. Stanisław Andrusieczko (SLD) abstained.
(information ii)