Истината

During the past week, the independent candidate for mayor of the municipality of Velingrad Nikolay Deliev, supported by NDSV, made donations in kindergartens in the district. Chepino and Draginovo and SOU "St. Sv. Cyril and Methodius”: balls, drawing sets, cassette players, sports equipment, volleyball and basketball nets, sweets for all participants in the sports holiday. At the Home for the Elderly in Velingrad Mr. Deliev donated 40 flu vaccines.

- Mr. Deliev, the municipality of Velingrad is among unique nature. At the same time, her financial situation is not the best in the field. Why?

- You know that I am an economist, I know in detail the economic instruments through which the best for Velingrad can be achieved. I have a concrete plan, and I'm convinced that in four years. the city can become a European tourist centre. When we make our European tourism, businesses will also appear to serve it. We have a chance to do tourism year-round. I have asked myself how many of us realize that every house, fountain, yard in our city are undeveloped capital, which with good ideas and skillful leadership waits to be utilized. It takes, of course, money. It should be clear that Velingrad can be one big enterprise. In it, personal and public interest coincide, because what is good for everyone is good for the municipality as a whole.

- What do you think about transparency in government? Does every resident need to know how his taxes are being spent?

- My answer is a resounding yes. Whether through the media or in other forms, transparency in governance should be a daily occurrence for any institution. Every important issue for the development of Velingrad should be solved with the help of the citizens. A mayor must answer citizens' questions at least once a week, and his deputies must answer every day. This transparency is particularly important for business people. Clarity in each transaction that the municipality makes will help many entrepreneurs to get involved in a given venture and develop their investment as well.

- Are you prepared for such a serious challenge as our entry into the EU?

- Currently, Europe is opening up to Bulgaria, one of the forms being accession funds and programs. The municipality is a mediator between these funds and the state. Velingrad is a municipality where much can be done through them to improve infrastructure, for the development of small and medium businesses, of agriculture. Take logging, for example. Currently, we do not prepare a final product of the timber extracted in the municipality. It is produced and sold semi-product - boards, planks. It is my desire that the people who engage in this activity be created conditions to close the cycle. - Different ethnic groups coexist in your municipality. In some of them, social problems are significant. Do you see a solution?

- There is a formula and it is in the program of the Social Ministry, in which the municipalities are a partner. Since March, unemployment in the municipality has fallen from 36% to 28% thanks to the program "From Aid to Employment". From the tour I did, however, I got the impression that the current administration has not made full use of this program. Here the key is attracting investors to create new jobs. I want to note that among them I put local small and medium business owners who are underutilized potential.

The other important thing for Velingrad is that in the municipality the companies that create jobs are exempt from profit tax because of the high unemployment. Already quite a few investors have sought contact with me, attracted by this ministry decree. Here I can point out the great interest in the budding balneological tourism.

- How do you assess yourself?

- I'm not the kind of person who looks in the rearview mirror. I don't want to and won't look for the negatives for the last 13 years. There is a story by Gianni Rodari about the hope seller. It is about a man who, seeing the tortured and angry faces of people on the streets, stands on one corner and decides to sell them hope. I don't want to sell hope. I want to give hope. Or rather, to fulfill the hopes of my fellow citizens.

Are you a rich man, Mr. Deliev?

The property I own is like that of an average Bulgarian. I can say that I have no financial problems. I am prepared to declare my property and income. I have nothing to hide. Lyubomir Ilkov

(The interview with Mr. Deliev was published on October 16 in the newspaper. "24 Hours")