Политика

Dear fellow citizens,
On the 1st of November, it will be 3 years from the day I took on the responsible task to manage the Municipality of Velingrad. At the beginning of the term, as any ambitious person to prove himself and give his all, I believed that there are no unsolvable problems. Now, from the distance of 3 years of work, I already know that people actually have a lot of problems. I was convinced that despite my great desire and that of my entire team to help resolve them, we could not, because many of them are beyond our capabilities. In fact, it would be naive to think that from the position of local leader, one person or even an entire team can handle all the difficulties. In my opinion, the more important thing is that the direction we were going was the right one because it was towards the only goal - prosperity of the city and the municipality, following the strategy and guided by the development plan.
I am sure that for people with an active civic position, what we have done so far is not unknown. Thanks to the media, which I consider a serious corrective of local self-government, everything, good that we have achieved in these years, what we have not been able to cope with, has become known to the general public. I am grateful to them because, in addition to applauding our achievements, they have often helped us by pointing out the mistakes, and I think this is extremely useful in the work of the government.

UNCONSIDERABLE FACTS
What can be seen is an indisputable fact, so on a personal level I am extremely pleased with what has been done this year. I hope the citizens will share my joy of what has been achieved, because it is for all of us. In m. August the new complex service building in the central square was opened. In place of the various, outdated and unsightly prefabricated pavilions, a modern edifice now stands. Even on the cooling autumn days, people like to meet on the sunny spacious terraces of the building. Here, in the very center of the city, both residents and guests of Velingrad can use services of first necessity.
Undoubtedly, one of our best achievements is the City Stadium. After many years of ruin and complete oblivion, a completely renovated and modern facility stands on the site of the old stadium. In addition to being used by the citizens of Velingrad, the stadium will be able to welcome many visiting teams for competitions and preparation. The 2004 Olympic Games are to be held in Greece. We hope that the base will be equipped with everything necessary and modernized so that it can be used for pre-Olympic training in 2003.
Only a month ago, the first concession with concessionaire ET "Viki-94" was opened in the city. The work was done qualitatively and on time, and all the requirements of the contract have been met so far. Besides another cozy restaurant and cafe for the residents and guests of Velingrad, there is already a children's milk kitchen, which was missing for many years. I am pleased that we have found just such a facility to help young mothers, where qualified staff will take care of the proper nutrition of their children. The kitchen is equipped with modern equipment, and the premises are strictly designated in relation to hygiene requirements. Preparation of food is monitored by a medical specialist-dietologist.
As a good management decision, I would define the awarding of the three city baths as a concession. If we had not done so, the Municipality had to look for ways to repair these collapsed buildings, and our funds are extremely insufficient. In addition, funds had to be provided to prepare documents for the use of the mineral water. However, all this was not foreseen in this year's budget and would have made it very difficult for us. The significant improvements that concessionaires made to these sites are already a fact. The fact is also the preferences, which I am very proud that we were able to get for the people of the third age. Pensioners have long used the services there for free or at a discount.
Preferences they also use in urban transport, as this was one of our requirements to the tenants of the transport lines in the city. We continue our work on one of the largest projects in the municipality - "Sutka". For November 12, the public discussion of the new EIA is scheduled and I use the opportunity to appeal to all residents of the municipality to come to the discussion and support the project.
A good investment in the municipality was made by the German company Bianca. The factory offers perfect working conditions and in two stages will provide jobs to 293 people. A production process is already underway there, and the official opening will be done by the end of the year.
Next year we expect the opening of two new sites that will raise the tourist services offered in the city to a qualitative new level. The Palace and Chaika will become modern four-star hotels that will be able to meet high-paying tourists in Velingrad, whose requirements so far have met very few bases.
The ranking of the Municipality of Velingrad for participation in the project "Beautiful Bulgaria" gave us the opportunity to improve the urban environment to a large extent - something extremely important for a resort town with ambitions for a European resort. Repairs were made to the three churches, to monuments, to sidewalks, to the community center "Otets Paisii". We are now making steps to continue working on the project, which will enable us to reconstruct and update more sites.

MUNICIPALITY AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Last year under the project "Beautiful Bulgaria" we also started working on the construction of a Children's Sports Complex next to Velyova Banya. It will offer wonderful conditions for sports and entertainment to the children and adolescents of Velingrad - something for which we were indebted to them until now. Construction activities continue this year. The significant merit here belongs to the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child in Velingrad, whose idea and the working project for this complex were. After the election of a youth mayor last year, in this year we have already started working towards a closer relationship between local government and youth. At the round table we held in October and at which the young people put their problems, we identified specific activities. A draft agreement between us and the young people has already been prepared, it will be discussed and signed at the beginning of this month. During the three years of government we gave a chance to many young specialists to start working in the field of local government, because they are the people we will all rely on in the future management and management of the Municipality. We have won projects concerning the training of staff, and this will contribute to the faster adaptation of young employees and will build them as good specialists. We hope that the results will be expressed in more effective service to citizens seeking the services of the Municipal Administration.

IN SUPPORT OF SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESS
Under a project won by the Agency for Regional Development this year, funds amounting to 70,000 euros were allocated and a nursery was established for growing cultivated herbs. The idea of the project was aimed at providing employment to those working in the mining industry and their families. Its implementation provided 7 permanent and 40 temporary jobs. 100 people were trained who could start their own business in this field.
As follow-up activities, ICICB and RDA envisage the creation of a virtual incubator for cultivation of herbs, production of homemade sweets, development of new craft products, development of tourism activities. One of the tools that the ICICB and the ARAs use in their work is financial leasing. Thanks to it, 343 new jobs were opened and 278 were retained. Approval for financial leasing through the center have received 14 companies, 43 machines have been purchased. The good work of the specialists in the center also led to good results. 708 companies were surveyed and visited on the territory of the municipality, 281 of them were consulted, 398 people were trained - clients of ICMSB, 5 groups of producers were created.
For the third consecutive year, the Municipality of Velingrad organized a celebration of potatoes. The event allows for exchange of experience, contacts, connections between producers, information about prices and markets. As a result, even after its first holding, the Potato Growers Association was established, which is to help all involved in this business on the territory of our municipality.
In October, the main topic in the work of the TSU was the legalization of carpentry workshops. In this regard, Ch. The architect of the municipality summarized and through the media provided the owners of illegal workshops and workshops with the necessary documents and the order of their receipt. Also for this purpose, the schedule of expert councils held was significantly compressed. As a result, so far 4 workshops have already obtained Act 16, and the others are in the process of receiving it.

CULTURE - WE CELEBRATE TWO IMPORTANT ANNIVERSARY
Thanks to the joint efforts of all cultural institutions in the municipality, the work in this area during the year was very effective. I can say that since the beginning of my management period until now the complex of mechanisms in this activity through which citizens express their cultural needs best has been greatly improved.
The visible part of the work here is mainly related to what is set out in the cultural annual plan. All official holidays of the Republic of Bulgaria were celebrated with due respect and respect. The realization of local customs and traditions fulfilled its main purpose - to preserve the best created by the people, not to break the link with the traditions and to preserve the spiritual appearance of the region.
The main accents were on celebrating the 80th anniversary of Vela Peeva's birth and the 30th anniversary of the Velingrad holidays of culture. Both events passed under extremely good organization and received high praise from the public.
This year we took a look at something new and promising, which we hope to turn into a tradition. For the first time Velingrad offered its hosting to guitarists from different countries and launched the First Balkan Classical Guitar Festival. We will be very happy if it continues in time, all the more so that according to the participants the city creates a unique atmosphere for such kind of events. We already have the support of one of the media to hold it next year. There is already a strategy for the development of culture in the Municipality of Velingrad, which is yet to be discussed and adopted, and the adoption of a status for the Velingrad holidays of culture is forthcoming.

FINANCE - REGULAR PAYMENTS AND SOCIAL AIDS WERE PRIORITIES IN OUR WORK
The budget of the Municipality of Velingrad for 2002. was BGN 9,763,183, of which: own revenues BGN 3,157,862, from the Central Republican Budget BGN 3,697,460. and transfers 872 800 lv. The number of transfers includes the targeted funds for heating, for fund rehabilitation and social integration, for maintenance of roads and ongoing repair, for winter maintenance of roads. At the end of the nine-month period, we can boast of overfulfillment of our own revenues. Of the budgeted such funds, amounting to 75.35%, 84.66% were implemented in the Municipality, i.e. BGN2,672,766 The RB subsidies are also being rhythmically implemented so far, according to the State Budget Act. They are met at 74.35%, i.e. 7 258 720 BGN
Like most municipalities in the country, the Municipality of Velingrad started this year with financial obligations. Towards the end of M. February they were in the order of 672,324 leva. However, they did not include the obligations of priority payments, such as health insurance, social security, salaries, which we are currently paying on time. As a result of sound financial management, I can argue that the trend is towards a significant reduction in our obligations. Thanks to help from the Ministry of Finance in m. August we extinguished a large part of them.
Of the translated 281,920 BGN, 151,312 BGN were repaid to the Energy Supply, 115 608 BGN. for fuels. 15,000 leva were also paid. for medication. To m. September the figure of debts was reduced to 485 183 leva. During the year, the Municipality of Velingrad, as a result of well-prepared technical assignments and working projects, managed to obtain significant funds from the PC for disasters, accidents and natural disasters to the Council of Ministers. In m. BGN 10,938 were translated in April. to build a heating in the school of Sarnitsa and 434 021 in April to strengthen ravines and build retaining walls there.
In August 19,639 leva. were translated for street repair and construction of water supply and sewerage facilities in Draginovo. For repair and construction of streets 30 000 BGN received c. Birkovo, and 10 000 lv. Velingrad for the renovation of V street. Levski". The last funds received on this line so far amount to BGN 440 000, with the largest part of them allocated to Sarnitsa, where as a result of the heavy snowfalls and rains there are the greatest damage. The remaining funds will be distributed between the villages of St. Petka, Grashevo, Pashovo and Krastava.
The work of the Municipality during the past period has been repeatedly checked by various financial institutions. I am pleased with these frequent checks because through them at all times I had a real view of what we were doing. After each inspection, we informed the entire public in due course of the results given. I would like to emphasize once again that none of the violations were found, which is indisputable evidence of the legal spending of funds on our part.

SUCCESSFUL PRIVATISATION
For the three years of management in the Municipality are more than 10 privatization deals.Among them as the most significant stand out those for the bakery and the former polyclinic. Of these alone, the two in an off-budget account of the Municipality received about BGN 1 300 000, which we invested mainly in infrastructure.A large part of the funds we also invested in working projects. We expect by the end of the year to finalize the deal for the sale of a restaurant and diner in Bulgaria Hotel, from which the proceeds will be about 171,000 leva. We hope for a final decision in our favor to conduct concession procedures for Municipal Market and Cultural House. In 2002 created 4 commercial companies with municipal participation, expressed in in-kind contributions. Thanks to our joint participation, the mineral beach in Sq. Kamenica and the stadium - two sites of extreme importance for the vision of our city as a resort.The other important moment with social effect in the creation of the companies, as well as in the concessions, is the opening of new jobs. During the year, about 150 were actually discovered.
We have conducted tenders for a granted building right, with which we hope to some extent we have managed to satisfy the housing needs of the people in the town halls. About 10 plots of housing were sold. The problem of conservation of agricultural lands was solved by leasing them again to people from the mayoralties.

IMPROVING INFRASTRUCTURE
It is no secret for the citizens of Velingrad that thorough asphalting in the Municipality has not been done for 20 years or more. The road infrastructure was in very poor condition, so we directed a large part of the privatization funds in this activity. We started with the larger and connecting thoroughfares, and at subsequent stages we will also asphalt the smaller streets. The funds we mastered last year amounted to BGN 550,000 and the streets for which the technical assignment was prepared were 22. This year, BGN 59,000 were invested for asphalting, with which we are repairing 23 new streets. Two of them are intended for complete laying of asphalt pavement, the others will be carried out partial repairs. We hope to successfully complete the planned by the time such activities can be carried out - November 15. In the coming year, infrastructure will again be a priority in our activities and we will continue with asphalting.
There is already a contract for the reconstruction of a bypass road along the Crystal plant in the direction of Sarnitsa. We hope that the funds there, which amount to 120,000 leva, will also be utilized effectively, and the work will be done on time, taking into account the season.
This year, energy-saving lighting was installed on the territory of our municipality. It will help to reduce electricity costs to a large extent. The sites will be managed by a computer in the municipality building.
I am pleased that important sites in the city have already been properly lit: the buildings of the community center "Otets Paisiy" and that of the Municipality, the church in the district. Ludjene and one of the monuments. Our desire is in the future to be able to do this for other significant sites, and we very much hope that the companies with which we are in contractual relations will help to do so.
As a significant achievement this year, I would also like to note the establishment of the water association and a contract with Eurovodcommerce. According to this contract, the company undertakes to make investments in the Municipality of the order of 25 million in a period of 10 years. Left. Currently, work is underway on the design of a wastewater treatment plant, which is one of the mandatory requirements for a resort city.
This year, by order of the Executive Director of the Cadastre Agency, the digital and graphic appearance of the cadastral plan of Velingrad - Central City Area was approved. The area of the accepted part is 89 ha. By the end of the year, it is planned to add another 150 ha for the Ledgene and Chepino districts, also in digital form, with a deadline for adoption of the plan in 2003. A software product for administrative and technical service was provided in order to use the digital model of the cadastre. Since last month we have already switched to computer drawing sketches for central city part of Velingrad. All this will give us the opportunity for greater precision, accuracy and speed in performing the services.

WORK ON THE LAW OF PUBLIC CONTRACTS
In connection with the implementation of the PPA and the Ordinance to it, we worked on the three groups of activities provided there: carrying out construction, delivery of goods and provision of services. The public contracts, the value of which at the date of their announcement is within the limits described in the law and the ordinance, were awarded under procedures provided for in these acts.
For the period 01.01.02 until 25.10.02. We conducted 21 procurement procedures, 9 of which ended with signing contracts with a contractor, namely: *for delivery of goods, stationery, cars, building materials *for carrying out construction - replacement of external joinery SOU "V. Levski", repair and complete re-assembly of street pavements, sewerage at P Str. Evtimii", bypass road engineering, restoration works in the village. Sarnitsa to liquidate the consequences of disasters (rainfalls), restoration works in the village. Draginovo - also to eradicate the consequences of natural disasters/rainfalls.

HEALTH - ANOTHER PRIORITY
On the territory of our municipality there are several health institutions with different focus in the offered health services, maintaining good communication with each other and with the Municipality. I can say that the health reform started successfully in all the settlements by the Municipality and not only as a mayor, but as a doctor I am calm that thanks to the help from the World Bank and subsequently the winning projects we were able to repair and equip the health services in the villages so that the people there could receive the necessary health care and not have to travel for miles to be given help, which often has fatal consequences. Many times over the three years we have received assistance from the BRC, which at our discretion and after consulting with the OSSP have been distributed to different social gurus according to their needs. Another very important thing we were able to do this year is the renovation of the Multiprofile Hospital. With the financial assistance we provided, amounting to 25,000 leva, old obligations were paid, which in turn enabled the funds received in the hospital by the RHIF to be repaired the facade and to make park lighting of the area around it. 10 new energy-saving lighting fixtures were installed. Repair of storage rooms, kitchen block, corridors and lobbies was carried out. A repair of the steam plant has begun. Specially for him the funds allocated are under the Construction Program of the Municipality 10 000 BGN. and voted by the ObS funds from privatization 7000 lv. The expected results are a significant reduction in fuel costs and greater efficiency. The construction brigade of the Municipality was engaged to carry out all repairs. There will be activities for shaping the park area and repairs of the stationary wards, as well as redevelopment of the washing machine, for which the hospital can fully rely on our help again, as our common goal is obtaining a higher accreditation assessment and granting more health trails.

EDUCATION
On September 16, the new school year starts in all municipal schools without exception. All students are enrolled and covered. In the process of validation is a list-model #1 for all schools. As of 01.10.02. 729 full-time pedagogical and support staff were employed in the Municipality of Velingrad. The cuts made in connection with Ordinance No5 of the Ministry of Education and Decision No612 of the Council of Ministers - a total of 78 staff units. By decision No. 193 of the Obs voted 57. educators to work under the terms of PMC No. 66. This was one of the most appropriate options to keep the semi-internary groups and the respective educators.In personnel terms, we have complied with all the normative requirements for the appointment and reduction of pedagogical staff, as well as for the formation of the individual classes.
By decision of the ObS we further revealed the PDG in the village. Upper Oak. Classes were also voted - mixed and undersized in the schools of the area, with the aim of more optimal conditions for the development of children, avoiding unnecessary transportation and saving means of transport.
The summer school renovations we do annually have been successfully completed. By decision of the ObS, 91,600 levs were voted. for these activities in schools and kindergartens. As of the nine-month period, the spent part of these funds amounts to 65 639 BGN.
After in 2001 We furnished a modern computer cabinet in the school in Sarnitsa, we also performed the planned for this year - a computer cabinet in Secondary School "V. Levski” Velingrad. At the meeting with the young people in October I made a personal commitment with computers to be equipped and Secondary School "Cyril and Methodius".
With funds under the Construction Program of the Municipality and after a decision of the ObS was replaced part of the joinery of the school "V. Levski", where in fact the repair was the most extensive. One important thing we were able to achieve for schools is that we got numbers for school doctors and dentists.

TRANSPARENCY AND REPORTING
Transparency and accountability are two of the main commitments I made to people who put their trust in me three years ago. This is also my reason at the end of each of them to offer a detailed report on the work done. These promises I tried to keep all this time through regular press conferences, meetings and interviews, because it is through them that the connection from the citizens to the local government is best realized and vice versa.
In every annual report, I express my gratitude for the good work with the Municipal Council, because most of everything good achieved so far we owe precisely to it. Thank you to everyone who has worked with care for the prosperity of the Municipality during the three years! Special thanks to the companies that have made investments in the Municipality of Velingrad and to assure that we will continue to work towards creating a good investment climate for all who decide to invest funds and implement their ideas on its territory. I apologize to all citizens whose problems we have not been able to solve locally and I want to believe that with the opening of the front office at the entrance of the Municipality we will be able to perform their requested services qualitatively and timely, we will save them time and negative emotions.
I rely on the positive thinking of the residents of the Municipality of Velingrad, because positive thoughts lead to constructive deeds.I would be very happy if the achieved good is sincerely enjoyed by all people, because it concerns us and the successful development of our wonderful city.
Mayor of Velingrad Municipality: Dr. Tsvetan Dafov