Политика

Interim Mayor Atanas Vodev:
On April 1, the interim mayor Atanas Vodev gave his first press conference after the elections on February 12 this year. Mr. Vodev touched on the most topical topics for the municipality, among which was the situation of the last days in the first place. Vrid the mayor was adamant that
THERE ARE NO PRESENTATIONS FOR CIVIL INDEPENDENCE
He told that an informal meeting was held the night before the blocking of the municipality with the participation of the chief of police, the district attorney, the temporary mayor and members of the so-called Initiative Committee for a stable local authority. The obligations under the Law on rallies and meetings were explained, according to which they must apply for permission to protest actions to the mayor of the municipality. Although such a request was not filed, on March 31 in the morning a group of citizens blocked the municipality building. The inspection showed that the Initiative Committee was illegitimate, as there was no registration under the People's Enquiry Act. At the call of the IC, people have gathered for a "civil disobedience", but the law does not provide for such a form of protest. We referred to the law enforcement authorities because the public order was violated; the municipality employees were not allowed to their jobs and the people were deprived of administrative services; many citizens failed to pay their taxes, for which the deadlines expired the same day, announced Vrid Mayor Atanas Vodev. He stressed that the protest had no organizer, goals and demands and that everyone has the right to express their opinion, but in compliance with the legal order, without violating the rights of the other citizens. On the issue that the protesters declared him an illegal interim mayor, Mr. Vodev recalled that the District Court had upheld the decision on his election and had determined as unlawful the appeal of Stoyan Dulev against this decision of the Municipal Council. The court decision was granted to Georgi Pachalov by the so-called An initiative committee, but there is not a word about it in the committee's declaration.
NEW
OA STRUCTURE
The main goal of the changes in the structure of the Municipal Administration is the optimization of the work, said A. Vodev. There are currently 4 directorates without directors in the municipality and competitions will be announced to fill the seats. The administration is working well, the most pleasing thing is that since 3 months the normal relations between the administration and the Municipal Council have been restored. Contacts with important municipal associations such as NAMRB, ARO, Hebar, etc., have also been restored during the previous management.
DRAFT
READY
Atanas Vodev announced the main projects the municipality is working on:
* two projects have been approved to the Ministry of Ecology, on which grants will be received for water supply of Sarnitsa - 900 00 leva and St. Petka - 1 500 000 leva. A project for 1,850,000 levs for Draginovo is pending approval. A treatment plant is being designed at the exit of Velingrad for 4 million euros, the funding of which is possible to be implemented in 2006.
* to the Ministry of Regional Development were deposited 4 projects of 100 000 leva for sewerage, asphalting, retaining walls and circular traffic in front of the railway station in Velingrad. On March 29, the project for the ring road from the Beevi Brothers gas station to Kleptuza was entered, which was agreed by the Regional Road Administration without remarks. Grants of up to BGN 50,000 are also expected on the road safety line.
* 6 proposals for small demonstration projects up to BGN 15,000 have been submitted to the Regional Administration.
* the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy approved a project for 370,000 levs from the Social Investment Fund for a major repair of Secondary School "V. Levski". Under the project "Beautiful Bulgaria" were approved the internal repairs of the community center "Otets Paisiy" and the home for elderly people "Ella". The Ministry of Finance will return 40 000 leva of the money with which the municipality co-finances the projects to the SIF and Beautiful Bulgaria. With the returned funds A. Vodev will propose to repair the church in Kamenica and the mosque in Krastava.
* under an energy efficiency project, the school in Sarnitsa receives 80 000 leva for renovation, and for a complete renovation, 400 000 leva are needed, for which will also be applied.
A response from Minister V is expected. Ivanov-Luciano to support children's and youth sports, there is also a project ready to repair the hospital. The projects are not in a conceptual version, but are on the agenda and their management will be a test for the administration and the Municipal Council, emphasized the temporary mayor.
STATEGIC
INTENDATIONS
Strategic decisions are about to be made for important for the municipality sites such as the Beach and the Market. There will be a public discussion of the ideas, the best financial parameters will be assessed, Mr. Vodev declares once again. A common strategy for geothermal energy and mineral waters will be worked on, with the actual state of the underground water transmission infrastructure to be clear within two months. A precise analysis of the cooperation contract between VKTV and the water association EVKK will be made and will be discussed with both parties for an optimal solution. Negotiations to open an office of the Tax Office in Velingrad are also renewed, and according to the interim mayor, we have enough arguments to defend it before the Ministry of Finance.
PLOSTAD "V. LEVSKI IN KAMENITSA
During the blockade in front of the municipality there were citizens protesting over rumors of streets closing in the square in front of the community center in Kamenica. The interim mayor showed to the media a project prepared by arch. Consular and in agreement with the Traffic Police. The idea is to organize the movement of cars and buses so that it does not endanger pedestrians. For this purpose, a parking lot with 8 seats will be differentiated and the lane will be raised to separate the bus stop. Dame Gruev and Falcon streets will not be closed. Walking trails will be marked and landscaping will be done. To stop cars from going diagonally from bul. "Unification" to ul. "Dame Gruev", a turn will be formed, as cafe "Tochi" will use 13 sq.m. municipal area. This area is adjacent to the establishment and for it the owner St. Ushev will pay sidewalk right, explain A. Vodev. Mr. Ushev's project is worth 32 000 leva and is seeking funding from ISPA.
Mr. Vodev also responded to a question whether he expected the situation in Velingrad to calm down or the escalation of tensions would continue: "For 2 months I have given nothing to raise tensions. I do my job, and I will do it until the court rules. No tension or disturbances of public order should be allowed."
Elena Baeva