January
The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity revived after a year-long absence in Bolesławiec
Jurek Owsiak sends greetings to the people of Bolesławiec and encourages them to take part in the finale
In 2009, the Via Sudetica association organized WOŚP in Bolesławiec. The charity campaign was revived in the city after a year-long absence. The Bolesławiec headquarters raised more than PLN 44,000. The IstotneInformacje.pl portal was the event’s only media patron. In total, we prepared eleven news items, which were viewed more than 25,000 times!
February
Staff changes at the Bolesławiec Cultural Centre
Personnel changes at BOK
Bolesławiec Mayor Piotr Roman made the most mysterious decision in the city’s history. Without giving a reason, he dismissed the director of the Bolesławiec Cultural Centre, Ewa Zbroja. Roman justified his decision with “substantive grounds,” but did not want to explain precisely why he had dismissed the director. She was replaced by Ewa Lijewska, the former director of the Youth Cultural Centre. In March, during a City Council session, councillors asked the mayor about the reasons for the dismissal. In the report Councillors Criticize the City’s Promotion and Ewa Zbroja’s Dismissal, we presented a question from Irena Dul of the Democratic Left Alliance, who wanted to know the reasons for the dismissal. Maciej Małkowski, the deputy mayor, informed the councillors that Mayor Piotr Roman was not obliged to give reasons in such cases. In addition, he had agreed with Ewa Zbroja that the matter would not be made public.
March
Motorway construction
Dispute over 29 kilometres of motorway
The media were abuzz about the conflict between the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways and the Strabag consortium, which was building a 29-kilometre section of the A4 motorway. Strabag demanded €14 million from the GDDKiA for speeding up work on the Krzyżowa–Wykroty section. The General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways had never before paid a contractor for completing an investment ahead of schedule. The completion of this section of the A4 stirred considerable emotion in the city. Along with the motorway, Bolesławiec’s streets and bypass were expected to become less congested, while the A18 road to Jędrzychowice would become safer. Entrepreneurs, mainly in the hotel and catering sector, feared a decline in revenue. There were warnings that the city would be forgotten and bypassed by tourists. This concern was fuelled by the lack of signs indicating the Bolesławiec exit from the A4. Following protests by the Glinoludów and efforts by the City Office, signs indicating the Bolesławiec exit appeared on the A4 in autumn: The A4 Exit to Bolesławiec Finally Signposted.
April
Trade unions versus management at a municipal institution
Mobbing at MOSiR?
In April, a press conference devoted to violations of workers’ rights at the Municipal Sports and Recreation Centre in Bolesławiec was held at the headquarters of the OPZZ District Council. Members of the MOSiR Employees’ Trade Union informed the OPZZ District Council that director Dariusz Jośko had intimidated his employees. They claimed that Jośko had surveilled them, used mobbing and threatened them with dismissal. All because of their membership in the trade union, which was formed on 18 March. In our pages, we presented the union members’ position in the programme “Into the Light”. A notification was filed with the prosecutor’s office. The District Prosecutor’s Office discontinued the proceedings.
The decision to discontinue the proceedings did not become final. The case files were reviewed again. In December, the prosecutor charged the director with violating the Trade Unions Act. Jośko will answer for discriminating against employees because of their trade-union membership.
May
City Days
A concert decision – Janusz Radek in Bolesławiec
In May, the weather was unkind to the organizers of City Days. A recital by Janusz Radek, the main star of the city festival, had to be moved from the stage in the Market Square to the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help because of rain and cold. An excellent decision was made quickly, residents were efficiently informed of the change, and the concert delighted the audience.
June
Death of Bolesławiec’s Honorary Citizen
Father Władysław Rączka Has Died
In June, Bolesławiec’s Honorary Citizen passed away. He had been the longtime parish priest of the Parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Nicholas and was one of the most respected pastors. He was 84.
Council of Europe Flag of Honour
Bolesławiec Receives the Council of Europe Flag of Honour
Bolesławiec joined the group of 18 cities in Europe (and four in Poland) that received this prestigious award that year. The European Flag is the second of the Council of Europe’s four honorary awards. The first—the European Diploma—was presented to Bolesławiec in June 2008. A grand celebration took place in the Market Square. However, the most important thing—the flag itself—was not checked. It was hung upside down. We wrote about it in the article Mistake with the European Flag.
July
Storms
Storm over Bolesławiec
Several storms passed over Bolesławiec County in July. Heavy rainfall was accompanied by hurricane-force winds and lightning. The elements caused considerable damage. Several people suffered minor injuries and required medical assistance. Dozens of basements were flooded. Many roads became impassable, including the A18 motorway and the road toward Zielona Góra.
Cloudburst
Cloudburst over Bolesławiec
A sudden downpour also passed over Bolesławiec at the beginning of July. Heavy rain was accompanied by lightning. It rained for about 1.5 hours. Many city streets turned into raging streams. Zgorzelecka Street, near the Carrefour supermarket, looked like a river. Spółdzielcza and Spokojna streets were also flooded, among others.
August
Rape in Osiecznica
Prosecutors Search for Rapist
In Osiecznica, an unknown perpetrator attacked a 13-year-old girl on 30 July. In their search for the perpetrator, prosecutors asked for help from people who might be able to establish his identity. A photofit of the rapist was published. The incident outraged county residents.
Ceramic Festival
Rate the 15th Ceramic Festival
That year, the Ceramic Festival lasted five days. There were many excellent events, good concerts, performances and activities. The people of Bolesławiec rated it five-plus out of five.
Gliniada
Royal Gliniada
That year, the creators of Gliniada adopted a courtly theme. The main motifs were ball gowns, fans, shoes and wigs. In addition to Versailles-inspired creations, there were many individual outfits and costumes. The people of Bolesławiec enthusiastically welcomed the parade, the grandest in three years.
Blues over the Bóbr
Jesus the Good Bluesman
In August, the city also lived to the sound of blues. As always, one of the most important events of Bolesławiec’s Blues over the Bóbr was a blues-themed Mass. This year, we were patrons of the workshops. Unfortunately, the passing year proved to be the event’s final year in our city. Blues over the Bóbr will no longer take place in Bolesławiec in 2010.
September
New investments in the county
Japanese Invest in Wykroty
In September, a ceremonial groundbreaking was held for the construction of a new TBAI Poland factory in the Kamienna Góra Special Economic Zone. A production complex will be built on a plot of more than eight hectares. Starting in June 2011, the company intends to produce 280,000 frames and seat covers for cars annually. The corporation is to employ more than 420 people.
Outrageous road accident
Two Injured in a Collision on Żwirki i Wigury Street
The incident outraged the people of Bolesławiec and sparked another discussion about drunk drivers. It occurred on Żwirki i Wigury Street. A Volkswagen Transporter hit a scooter. After the collision, the van pushed the scooter for several dozen metres and then collided with a correctly travelling car. The collision was caused by a 33-year-old man from Bolesławiec. When arrested, he was completely drunk. He had almost 2.3 per mille of alcohol in his system. Two people were injured: the young man riding the scooter and a woman travelling in a Passat.
October
Viaduct show
PKP Celebrates Completion of Viaduct Renovation
Several thousand people attended the spectacle prepared to mark the completion of the renovation of Bolesławiec’s viaduct. The videos of the show that we posted on the website received a record number of views.
New Swimming Pool in the City
PLN 6 Million for a Swimming Pool
In October, the Municipality of Bolesławiec received PLN 6 million in funding from the Regional Operational Programme to build a new swimming pool. The facility, whose construction was scheduled to begin at the turn of December and January, was planned to include a sports pool (25 by 15.4 metres and 1.2–1.8 metres deep) and a recreational pool. The main recreational pool basin (200 m²) was to include a section for learning to swim and attractions such as loungers with air jets, a water carousel, a waterfall, water cannons, a cascade and underwater geysers.
Construction of Galeria Piast
City Protests against Construction of the Shopping Centre
Galeria Piast is to be built on Asnyka Street. The County Office issued a permit for construction of the facility. The Municipality of Bolesławiec appealed the decision. The reason was the allegation that the gallery had too few parking spaces and that its sales area was inconsistent with the spatial development plan. The voivode upheld the County Office’s decision. Work will begin, and the gallery is scheduled to open in November 2010. The investor agreed to build additional parking spaces at its own expense.
Change of Coach at Bolesławiec Sports Club
Changes at BKS: New Coach and Reactivation of the Supporters’ Club
Bolesławiec supporters followed the change of coach of the BKS Bobrzanie team with excitement. The BKS Bobrzanie board appointed Leszek Dulat as coach of the first team. The contract was signed on 1 October.
November
Trade Union Conflict with Management at a Second Municipal Institution
A Social Scapegoat – Collective Dispute at MOPS?
A collective dispute between employees and the employer is taking place at the Municipal Social Welfare Centre. MOPS employees formed trade unions so they would no longer be mistreated. Their work had turned into a nightmare over the course of ten years. There was talk of management setting the staff against one another, humiliating individual employees, failing to appreciate their work, damaging their authority and undermining their self-esteem and belief in their abilities.
Municipal Ice Rink
Ice Rink Opens on Saturday
The covered ice rink opened on 21 November. It is managed by the Municipal Sports and Recreation Centre in Bolesławiec. The ice surface measures 20 by 40 metres and can operate even at a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius. In addition, the facility includes a well-equipped skate rental shop and a bar.
Bolesławiec Residents on “Mam Talent”
Bolesławiec Group Eliminated from “Mam Talent”
A group from Bolesławiec called Infinity Pain reached the semi-final of the popular nationwide programme “Mam talent”. Unfortunately, the Bolesławiec contestants did not appeal to TVN’s audience. Data published on mamtalent.tvn.pl showed that Infinity Pain received the fewest votes.
December
Hero Policeman
Policeman Helps Save a Child
Following an officer’s instructions over the phone, a father administered first aid to his son. Krzysztof Policht, the duty officer at the Bolesławiec County Police Headquarters, answered a call from a desperate father. The man said that his one-year-old child was not breathing and that he could not get through to the emergency services. The policeman instructed the caller to check whether the infant’s airways were clear and whether the child had a detectable pulse. The officer then ordered the infant’s father to begin artificial respiration. The baby was taken to hospital.
Christmas Preparations
Bolesławiec Residents Show Kindness at Christmas
The Kindness Star, as every year, was organized for all residents. Over three days, people could listen to carols in Bolesławiec’s Market Square, buy Christmas tree decorations, sample holiday treats and visit a live nativity scene.
(information ii)