Zakopane. They want to dismiss the mayor, a collection of signatures has started

The mayor of Zakopane Łukasz Filipowicz may face an appeal. A collection of signatures under the application for a referendum in this matter started in the city. To take the referendum, 2,100 signatures are needed.

The initiators of the campaign accuse Filipowicz of not realizing promises, chaos in the office, investment omissions and lack of promotion of the region's tradition. The representative of the group of residents collecting signatures is former councilman Jacek Kalata.

– There are 2100 signatures to collect. The cards have already been sent to volunteers who will reach various social groups, including carriers, traders and hoteliers. Public points for signing will also be organized – said Kalata.

He added that only active voters registered in Zakopane can sign the application. Collecting signatures will take six weeks. The signatures will be successively forwarded to the electoral commissioner in Nowy Sącz – in accordance with his suggestion – in stages to enable the electoral commissioner to verify the data within a statutory period due to the increased holiday period. 30 days after the collected signatures, the election commissioner is to set a referendum.

– Letters with signatures begin to circulate around the city. We are fed up with the arrogance of the authorities of Zakopane – emphasized Kalata.

Criticize the mayor

According to the prepared announcement, the initiators of the referendum calculate numerous irregularities in the current mayor, including: unclear rules for renting city real estate, no publication of audit results, reorganization of the office leading – in their opinion – for destabilization of work, ignoring the social side, lack of continuation of the investments started, resignation from funding, as well professions related to the tradition of the region, such as Fiacras. Decisions considered harmful to local entrepreneurs are also criticized – including admission to the city of international transport corporations, which – according to the initiators – hit local carriers. There are also allegations regarding the increase in fees and taxes as well as organizational chaos at the collection of the so -called local fees on tourists. Activity is also criticized to the so -called Gray room rental zone.

“We believe that for the sake of the good of Zakopane, it is necessary to verify the way and quality of city management through a referendum, which will give residents the opportunity to express their opinion after a year of work of new authorities. This initiative is justified by the voices of many environments and individuals, concerned about adverse changes in the city, and often also the arrogance of the mayor towards the local community, lack of understanding and support. The mayor can be catastrophic, and negative processes of the Referendum is a chance to effectively prevent and restore their residents to feel safe to feel safe, listened and respected in it, “reads in the announcement.

“I'm not going to give up”

Mayor Łukasz Filipowicz referred to the allegations. – The city is in a difficult financial situation after years of distribution. You need to make difficult decisions, unpopular socially, so as not to bring Zakopane to bankruptcy – said Filipowicz.

The mayor added that he understands the dissatisfaction of some of the inhabitants, but as he emphasizes, the city has the lowest taxes in the region, and the system of fees, e.g. for garbage, is unprofitable and requires correction. He also pointed to the need to enforce provisions, including regarding the paid parking zone or Krupówka Cultural Park – as in his opinion – causes frustration of groups accustomed to “equal and more equal”.

He explained that in the event of introduction to Zakopane the so -called Carriers for applications, “no municipality in Poland has effective tools to limit them, because it does not allow this free market right.” – I'm not going to give up or undergo political blackmail. We have to lead the city out of the crisis and if not now, when? Zakopane deserves order, transparency and development of a world resort – summed up Filipowicz.