In our interview, the councillor sums up his achievements, shares his perspectives for the future, and talks about the strength of cooperation with residents and non-governmental organisations that drives these positive changes. We invite you to read this conversation, which sheds light on the changes taking place in Żeliszów and shows how commitment and determination can transform a local community.
What were the main motivations and objectives that prompted you to renovate and build municipal and county roads in our gmina?
Our priority was to increase safety and travel comfort on the roads most important to residents. We focused on the sections most in need of work, improving road access and functionality, which significantly facilitated residents’ daily travel. These included, above all, the county road Suszki–Żeliszów and Bolesławiec–Stare Jaroszowice, as well as shorter, severely damaged sections. In addition to building and renovating roads, creating pavements was very important to us. We built a pavement in Żeliszów running along the entire length of the village, which significantly improved pedestrian safety. I would like to continue this initiative in other localities. One priority will be improving the road to “Agro-Efekt” in Stare Jaroszowice, as well as raised pedestrian crossings: in Żeliszów near the school, in Stare Jaroszowice by the playground, and in Suszki.
The construction and modernisation of roadside lighting is an important element in improving residents’ safety. Could you tell us more about the scale of this project and its impact on everyday life in our community?
Across the gmina, we invested in modern LED fixtures and energy-efficient lighting to improve visibility and safety after dark. This is not only a step towards greater safety, but also towards environmental protection and savings for the gmina. All bulbs were replaced and we increased the number of lighting points. In addition, we inspected the existing installations and added lighting where necessary.
Organising mass events such as the Harvest Festival and local fairs is very important for integrating the local community. What were the biggest challenges in organising these events, and what are your reflections after they ended?
Events such as the Harvest Festival and local fairs are an opportunity to celebrate our community. We tried to create events that bring people together, promote local culture and traditions, and bring joy and a sense of belonging. We organised the municipal Harvest Festival in Żeliszów twice, Kresy–cabbage festivals, as well as many events at the Żeliszów Village Community Centre. I am proud and would also like to thank the local community enormously for its involvement, beginning with residents, officials and the village head, through the parish priest, to the Żeliszowski Potok association, the Rural Housewives’ Circle and the GOKIS centre. Each of these events attracted great interest from gmina residents and visiting guests. Our Harvest Festivals attracted the attention not only of local media, but also of regional newspapers and television stations—they were excellent promotion for Gmina Bolesławiec. I am also very pleased that visiting guests could taste local products and discover our area in this way. Following these experiences, we plan to modernise the Village Community Centre in Nowe Jaroszowice so that it too becomes a lively place, like the one in Żeliszów.
The restoration of PKS public transport was an important step towards improving residents’ mobility. What benefits, in your view, has this brought residents, and what are your plans for public transport in the future?
In response to residents’ transport needs, we restored PKS services after many years. This is an important step in ensuring accessibility and mobility, particularly for older people and young people. Through regular dialogue with residents, we adjusted the timetable to their needs so that they could get to work, the doctor or school on time without difficulty. PKS services are very popular, which only confirms that we chose the right direction.
The modernisation of the football pitch in Stare Jaroszowice, including the installation of a modern irrigation system, is a major step towards improving conditions for athletes. What prompted you to undertake this initiative, and what have been the results?
The modernisation of the pitch in Stare Jaroszowice was carried out from the ground up. Professional irrigation and fencing were installed. As a result, it meets the licensing requirements of the Polish Football Association for leagues higher than the one in which the team currently plays. Naturally, this has improved the comfort of our athletes, whose matches attract considerable interest from the local community. Conditions for watching matches have also improved thanks to the new stand. I have high hopes for continuing this project, and I would like youth groups to be included because I believe our gmina should offer more activities for children and young people—this is something I will strive for.
The purchase of a fire engine for OSP Stare Jaroszowice is a significant contribution to residents’ safety. What were the key factors behind the decision to make this purchase?
Residents’ safety is our priority. The lack of a fire engine was a major problem for our localities—the previous vehicle had long passed its prime and was unfit to attend rescue operations. OSP Stare Jaroszowice is the only unit ensuring safety, and the new vehicle allows firefighters to respond to threats more quickly and effectively. The new vehicle is not the end of our efforts: we are already discussing the expansion of the OSP, have a completed audit and have prepared a cost estimate for thermal modernisation.
The construction of the car park in Żeliszów was a response to what needs of residents? What were the project’s main objectives, and how do you assess its impact on the community’s daily functioning?
The new car park solved the shortage of parking spaces by the parish church and cemetery. It was a decisive step towards better organisation of public space. In addition, there had been a formal problem: the plots designated for the car park had not been legally established, and we wanted to put this in order.
The renovation of the Village Community Centre in Żeliszów is an important project for culture and community integration. What were the most important aspects of the renovation and modernisation, and what changes has it brought to the local community?
Modernising the Village Community Centre is an investment in a place for meetings, culture and education. The lack of facilities, utility rooms and storage space was a major problem. The modernisation will enlarge the centre by adding these spaces and will also include a complete renovation of the building. Everything is now at the stage of finalising the details of cooperation—the contractor has already been selected. Renovation will probably begin shortly and take approximately three months. I have already mentioned how important the centre is: it is our hub, used to organise many events—not only cultural but also sporting ones—with regular exercise classes for residents. It is open to everyone; we offer the possibility of renting it for special occasions and family events. The importance of this place is demonstrated by the number of events held there. In the next term, we would like to modernise the Village Community Centre in Nowe Jaroszowice in a similar way and enjoy such a place in another locality.
Securing funding for existing infrastructure is crucial to the gmina’s development. Which strategies proved most effective in obtaining funds, and which projects were completed thanks to them?We successfully obtain external funding, which allows us to carry out ambitious projects without burdening the gmina budget. This is the result of our active work and good cooperation at many levels. With the help of European and government funds, we modernised the lighting throughout the gmina and some of the renovated road sections mentioned earlier. From village funds, we obtained money, among other things, to purchase a mower and sound equipment for the School and Preschool Complex in Żeliszów. We of course plan to continue obtaining such funds, and my personal priority is, above all, renovating agricultural transport roads. We will soon announce a tender for one such road in Suszki, as funding has already been secured for this purpose. I would also like to use external infrastructure funding to modernise the existing playgrounds for the youngest residents. I also hope to obtain funding for organising our events, which would then be able to take place on a larger scale.
Cooperation with various non-governmental organisations is extremely important for the gmina’s development. Which organisations had the greatest influence on the implementation of your projects, and what did this cooperation look like?Working with diverse organisations involves exchanging experiences that bring tangible benefits to our community. This allows us to carry out projects that address a broad spectrum of residents’ needs. As I mentioned earlier, I worked with the Żeliszowski Potok Association; with the help of the gmina and association members, among other things, we helped people from the Kresy region and organised trips to Ukraine before the war. Another organisation I had the pleasure of working with was the Rural Housewives’ Circle, of which I am a member, as well as the GOKIS centre in Kruszyn. I believe that only by cooperating on many levels with local non-governmental organisations can we achieve our goals and improve the lives of residents of our Gmina.
What plans and objectives do you have for the next term if you are re-elected as a councillor of Gmina Bolesławiec?
In my plans for the next term, the key priority is to continue strengthening the foundations of our community through investment in infrastructure, education and safety. Continuing the development and modernisation of the road, pavement and lighting networks is a priority, so that our gmina becomes even more accessible and safer. I also want to encourage senior citizens to become more active. We plan to open a new department at the Culture and Sport Centre dedicated solely to this task. Senior citizens would be provided with transport from their homes to the Village Community Centre, where activities for them would take place. In addition, I would like to focus on further promoting a healthy lifestyle among residents through the development of recreational and sports facilities. It is also very important to me to organise as many activities as possible for children and young people. At present, this group does not have a sufficient range of extracurricular activities, and I would like to change that. For years, I have listened to residents’ needs and problems and tried to help them through my daily work as a councillor. I believe I cannot determine all the objectives for the next term on my own at this point, because residents will certainly raise their current needs during it. Naturally, another overarching goal is to continue securing external funding, which will allow us to carry out ambitious projects without excessively burdening the gmina budget. I believe that these actions, carried out in close cooperation with residents and local organisations, will contribute to the further development and improved quality of life in Gmina Bolesławiec.
Why did you decide to run from the Electoral Committee of Voters of Roman Jaworski and support him for the position of wójt of Gmina Bolesławiec?The decision to run from the Electoral Committee of Voters of Roman Jaworski stems from a deep conviction that we share the same values and vision for the development of our gmina. Roman Jaworski is a person with experience, competence and, most importantly, genuine commitment to the wellbeing of the local community. His approach to managing the gmina, focused on openness, innovation and practical action, fully corresponds to my convictions about how local policy should be conducted. By supporting Roman Jaworski for wójt, I believe that together we can continue and expand our previous efforts, striving for even greater development and prosperity for all residents of Gmina Bolesławiec. The full programme of the Electoral Committee of Voters of Roman Jaworski is available on the Facebook profile “Roman Jaworski – candidate for Wójt of Gmina Bolesławiec”. I encourage you to read it.The local elections will take place on 7 April. Residents of Gmina Bolesławiec, especially those from electoral district no. 1, which includes Nowe Jaroszowice, Stare Jaroszowice, Suszki and Żeliszów, will be able to cast their votes at the designated polling stations in their localities. I encourage you to do so and thank you for the interview.
The election material was paid for and provided by the Electoral Committee of Voters of Roman Jaworski.