J.C.: – This is already your third run for the highest office in our Gmina. What made you decide to run again?
Krzysztof Malina: – In this case, it was the voters who decided; a great many of them urged me to run in these elections. But, in reality, it was also because the previous heads of the gmina made many promises, including that they would build water-supply and sewerage systems in Gromadka and Borówki. I do not want to make promises; I will simply do it. They paid too little attention to municipal and county roads, which are in a deplorable condition. This must be done first. The Gmina needs good management so that everyone can benefit from its resources. This and many other matters led me to make another attempt to run in these elections. I have strong support in the county, in the voivodeship, and perhaps even in the government. This is demonstrated, among other things, by the fact that my letter to the deputy prime minister led to a major acceleration in the construction of the access road from the airport to the A-4 motorway.
Everyone knows what Gmina Gromadka is like. What have you managed to change as a councillor during the current term?
A councillor’s task is to support, with their vote, all social initiatives and investments that create jobs and generate revenue for the Gmina, so that the head of the gmina can act “on the council’s instructions” for the good of the citizens. One councillor cannot do much alone, but if they have the understanding of the Council, together they can achieve a great deal, and that is the point of serving. One can also vote against something when I believe that what others propose—councillors or the head of the gmina—could be bad for the local community. I strongly supported the construction of municipal and county roads; the completion of the water-supply system in Osła, begun by my predecessor; water-supply systems in Motyle, Pasternik and Nowa Kuźnia; and the construction of the Orlik sports complex. I helped write a grant application for the school in Wierzbowa, which received PLN 70,000, and personally wrote an application to the Ministry of Education for sports-hall equipment, through which the Gmina obtained more than PLN 220,000.
However, my main objectives were the airport access road to the A-4 motorway and a water-supply and sewerage system in Gromadka and Borówki. We managed to complete the first task, and the head of the gmina is now finishing it; the second will be carried out next year, despite having been postponed since 2008. We are currently working on taking over the school in Wierzbowa, which became a community-run school when the previous-term Gmina Council wanted to close the “small schools”—in the end, only Wierzbowa was affected. We want this school to return as a unit of the gmina office in order to rectify the previous Gmina Council’s thoughtless and unfair decision. After all, all children in our Gmina must have an equal start. I realise that many things did not work out for various reasons, but I think we will make up for these shortcomings in the next term, provided the voters allow me to do so.
What tasks and issues should be priorities during the next term?
I think the priorities should be completing the water-supply and sewerage systems in the Gmina and improving the quality of public roads. The economic zone at the airport, which will provide jobs for Gmina residents, is also very important. To achieve this, we need to obtain funding from European Union programmes that will help us complete these tasks.
The roads in our Gmina, both county and local, are terrible. How do you intend to improve the situation?
I agree with you. Our roads have been neglected for many terms. This must change, and in cooperation with the county and the government, whatever government that may be, we must renovate the Krzyżowa–Gromadka–Wierzbowa–Pasternik road to the Gmina boundary, then the Gromadka–Modła–Nowa Kuźnia road to the Gmina boundary, followed by the Modła road towards Stary Łom, as well as the road through the village of Osła and the completion of Sikorskiego Street in Gromadka. In many parts of the Gmina, existing municipal roads should be reinforced. Obviously, everything cannot be done at once, but by proceeding systematically and obtaining EU and other extra-budgetary funds, we can renovate them one by one.
Where will you obtain the financial resources to carry out all the tasks listed above?
As I said earlier, applications should be submitted for funding under broadly understood European Union programmes, as well as government programmes with available funds, for example, for the so-called “Schetynówki” road programme with the participation of the county. We need to hurry, because these funds will be available only until 2012, and they can provide 50% co-financing. In the zone, the Gmina owns more than 250 hectares worth approximately PLN 80 million—that is the Gmina’s capital.
It is known that your opponent in the election is the current head of Gmina Gromadka. In your opinion, what is he doing wrong that he is being criticised so harshly?
The current head of the gmina has made quite a few mistakes, mainly stemming from his character. But I would not like to judge his term; I leave that to the voters.
What will the Gmina look like if you become its head?
Our Gmina will become more beautiful and develop as never before. I cannot reveal the details of how this will happen, because I would be giving my opponent my ideas. But I can say that things will be normal, honest, fair and lawful. The Gmina exists for its residents, not the other way around. In this interview, I have already revealed many details anyway. We must prevent the police station from being closed and help renovate it.
Everyone around says that things will be as they used to be—“jobs for cronies.”
I have lived in Gromadka for almost 30 years and have no family here. I have several acquaintances and several friends who, as far as I know, are not interested in “lucrative positions,” so I have nothing to fear from cronyism, as you called it. In the past, I hired my “colleagues” and in many cases it turned out badly for me. Instead, I would like to rely on competent and hardworking people in order to work together to develop our beautiful Gmina.
Nowadays, without connections, it is impossible to get much done. What opportunities do you have to help implement the plans you have mentioned?
One should not speak openly about connections, because that is rather provincial. I will put it generally: I was a county councillor. I remember that period of community service best because we were creating a new reality—the counties, which returned to the map of Poland after more than 20 years. To this day, the county’s starosta is Cezary Przybylski, with whom I have always found common ground and who supports my potential initiatives. On behalf of the Lower Silesian Voivode, I am a representative on the Social Council of the Health Centre, so I am not anonymous in the voivodeship either. And, as I mentioned earlier, I wrote to the deputy prime minister about the access road from the airport to the A-4 motorway, asking him to intervene with the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways. The matter quickly got moving.
I also think I am a creative and sociable person, and gaining the trust of higher authorities is only a matter of a short time. There will be no embarrassment.
The current head of the gmina, residents say, is a fun-loving person who adores parties and festivals; he has even acquired the nickname “Mr Let’s Have Fun.” Will that be your priority too—bread and circuses?
I am not someone who shies away from entertainment—I organised several events myself when I was a school principal—but I believe there is much to be done in our Gmina, and this is where money should mainly be spent. I think an annual programme of cultural events should be prepared—two or three a year—and followed. Festivals are organised by social groups and associations; that is their initiative. We will have cause to celebrate when we are satisfied with what has been done in the Gmina: first bread, then circuses. Folklore groups should be supported because they excellently reflect the character and residents of our Gmina.
What proposals would you have for young people?
I believe that until now the young people of our Gmina have been undervalued and treated as an afterthought. Something must be done about this. My proposals are as follows:
- Youth Council for Culture and Science (MRKiN) as an advisory body to the head of the gmina
- cycle paths throughout the Gmina using the existing railway infrastructure
- a well-lit and safe Gmina
- organisation of sports and cultural events at the airport
- renovation of the football stadium, including stands and changing rooms
- a cultural centre for juniors and seniors
- use of the municipal bus for trips to external events—matches, concerts, a water park, etc.
- financial support for talented students—an MRKiN task
Would you like to add anything?
I wish everyone success in their personal lives and happiness in the elections.
Krzysztof Paweł Malina. He is 52 years old, holds a master’s degree, has a wife who attended school in Gromadka, and has three daughters. He has lived in Gromadka for almost 30 years. For 13 years, he was principal of a primary school and later of the School Complex in Gromadka. During his tenure, a new school was built, and children went on summer and winter holidays—nearly 600 children went away for summer and winter recreation. During the 1998–2002 term, he was the first county councillor elected in free elections. He served twice as a councillor of Gmina Gromadka—in 1994–1998 and during the current term. He has completed postgraduate studies in management and human resources management.
Publication financed by the Krzysztof Malina Electoral Committee of Voters