[Similar things may happen anywhere in the world. I saw an abuse of democracy in one of the prettiest little towns in Canada too, where its mayor treated it as his own property. But what is Polish specific is this open disregard to feeling of others and this infatuation with monuments of dead people, who were not even heroes. - boletus]
Wołomin near Warsaw is the political bastion of PiS. The party of Jarosław Kaczynski has its own mayor, governor, and it co-rules here with the local right-wing committee. The struggle for independence is promoted here by the local ''Wołomin Voice - a free newspaper of patriotic right-wing circles of Poland and inhabitants of Wołomin Region'' and ''Patria'', which appears under the slogan ''Polishness - this sounds proudly''.
Recently, however, within the city and the internet one hears more and more about a protest regarding the bust of Lech Kaczyski in front of the town hall.
Only recently, a timid gossip began to circulate along the office halls. It grew louder on October 13 - the day when Wołomin's Municipal Wastewater Department began digging and laying of a new pavement just in front of the office.
Igor Sulich, a councillor from the PO opposition could not wait any more. He decided to identify the mysterious digging. He approached the mayor Madziar (PiS) during the nearest session of the city council.
Sulich: - I say to the mayor that I can see changes in the town square. I ask, if it is true that they are preparing the ground for the monument. And he answers me this: - It's good that you notice changes in our town.
- But what about the monument? - I inquire.
- You'll get an answer in writing at proper time - said Madziar.
A few days later, during a city council party the subject returned. - It was Saturday, October 15 - says Sulich. - A SLD colleague approached the mayor and asked: ''Rysiek, is this true about this monument?''. - Mr. Madziar just smiled and walked out.
Two days later Sulich wrote to the governor, asking - invoking the decree about access to public information - if the county has received a message about ''start of renovation, modernization and construction" in the centre square of Wolomin.
During the initial interview with "Gazeta" Governor Uściński (PiS) confirmed that he had heard about the project of ''Lech Kaczynski's monument''. But he adds that this is only the beginning of the project. He advises not to associate digging of that sidewalk with the monument. But during the conversation he finally admits that he is one of patriotic social activists who have decided to honor the memory of the former president of Poland.
And they were recently joined by Mariusz Blaszczak, Sejm deputy and head of the PiS club.
- All funds are collected by the founders, among whom I am as an individual - the governor explains in the end.
- And when will you enter as a governor, to fulfil formalities? - We ask him.
- I am going to answer with painful honesty: I do not know. But everything will happen in accordance with the procedure.
Councillor Sulich has another view. - The mayor's action, with the applause of the governor, is in my opinion a clear circumvention of the law. There is a clear plan and date of the unveiling of the monument, while no one gave a permission for its erection in the first place. I mean the city council, which is responsible for this sort of decisions.
The PO councillor warns that if this initiative fails the procedure laid down by law, this may end up with a complaint to the prosecutor office.
Yesterday afternoon, a Facebook page was created ''I do not want a monument of Kaczynski in Wołomin''. In the portal Petycje.pl there is a petition to the mayor from residents opposing the construction of the monument.
The monument is ready
County Councillor Ryszard Walczak, associated with the Law and Justice party, is the leading organizers of ''A cluster of organizers for the construction of the monument of Polish President Lech Kaczyński''. It is part of the nationwide Social Committee for the Construction of National Memorial for Victims of Tragedy in Smolensk.
Walczak has much experience with memorials. He erected monuments for Roman Dmowski in Warsaw and Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko in Ząbki. In this city has initiated construction of monument of John Paul II. Since one and half year he participates in monthly commemoration of the disaster at Smolensk, and he also accompanies Jarosław Kaczyński in the rallies outside the Presidential Palace.
About the Wołomin's bust of Kaczynski he says: - I have it at home, already cast in bronze, the sculpture is one and half meters tall. The granite pedestal is ready too. The monument can be erected within a week - he estimates. - The bust has been made by sculptor Jerzy Nowicki from Warsaw, on its own initiative. He gave its plaster version to the Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński.
We know now, that the bust is to stand in the center of Wołomin, in front of the town hall, on two-meters pedestal. Walczak stresses that the monument has gained a positive opinion of the Chairman of PiS. And according to unofficial information, it may already be unveiled on November 11.
Wołomin near Warsaw is the political bastion of PiS. The party of Jarosław Kaczynski has its own mayor, governor, and it co-rules here with the local right-wing committee. The struggle for independence is promoted here by the local ''Wołomin Voice - a free newspaper of patriotic right-wing circles of Poland and inhabitants of Wołomin Region'' and ''Patria'', which appears under the slogan ''Polishness - this sounds proudly''.
Recently, however, within the city and the internet one hears more and more about a protest regarding the bust of Lech Kaczyski in front of the town hall.
Only recently, a timid gossip began to circulate along the office halls. It grew louder on October 13 - the day when Wołomin's Municipal Wastewater Department began digging and laying of a new pavement just in front of the office.
Igor Sulich, a councillor from the PO opposition could not wait any more. He decided to identify the mysterious digging. He approached the mayor Madziar (PiS) during the nearest session of the city council.
Sulich: - I say to the mayor that I can see changes in the town square. I ask, if it is true that they are preparing the ground for the monument. And he answers me this: - It's good that you notice changes in our town.
- But what about the monument? - I inquire.
- You'll get an answer in writing at proper time - said Madziar.
A few days later, during a city council party the subject returned. - It was Saturday, October 15 - says Sulich. - A SLD colleague approached the mayor and asked: ''Rysiek, is this true about this monument?''. - Mr. Madziar just smiled and walked out.
Two days later Sulich wrote to the governor, asking - invoking the decree about access to public information - if the county has received a message about ''start of renovation, modernization and construction" in the centre square of Wolomin.
During the initial interview with "Gazeta" Governor Uściński (PiS) confirmed that he had heard about the project of ''Lech Kaczynski's monument''. But he adds that this is only the beginning of the project. He advises not to associate digging of that sidewalk with the monument. But during the conversation he finally admits that he is one of patriotic social activists who have decided to honor the memory of the former president of Poland.
And they were recently joined by Mariusz Blaszczak, Sejm deputy and head of the PiS club.
- All funds are collected by the founders, among whom I am as an individual - the governor explains in the end.
- And when will you enter as a governor, to fulfil formalities? - We ask him.
- I am going to answer with painful honesty: I do not know. But everything will happen in accordance with the procedure.
Councillor Sulich has another view. - The mayor's action, with the applause of the governor, is in my opinion a clear circumvention of the law. There is a clear plan and date of the unveiling of the monument, while no one gave a permission for its erection in the first place. I mean the city council, which is responsible for this sort of decisions.
The PO councillor warns that if this initiative fails the procedure laid down by law, this may end up with a complaint to the prosecutor office.
Yesterday afternoon, a Facebook page was created ''I do not want a monument of Kaczynski in Wołomin''. In the portal Petycje.pl there is a petition to the mayor from residents opposing the construction of the monument.
The monument is ready
County Councillor Ryszard Walczak, associated with the Law and Justice party, is the leading organizers of ''A cluster of organizers for the construction of the monument of Polish President Lech Kaczyński''. It is part of the nationwide Social Committee for the Construction of National Memorial for Victims of Tragedy in Smolensk.
Walczak has much experience with memorials. He erected monuments for Roman Dmowski in Warsaw and Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko in Ząbki. In this city has initiated construction of monument of John Paul II. Since one and half year he participates in monthly commemoration of the disaster at Smolensk, and he also accompanies Jarosław Kaczyński in the rallies outside the Presidential Palace.
About the Wołomin's bust of Kaczynski he says: - I have it at home, already cast in bronze, the sculpture is one and half meters tall. The granite pedestal is ready too. The monument can be erected within a week - he estimates. - The bust has been made by sculptor Jerzy Nowicki from Warsaw, on its own initiative. He gave its plaster version to the Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński.
We know now, that the bust is to stand in the center of Wołomin, in front of the town hall, on two-meters pedestal. Walczak stresses that the monument has gained a positive opinion of the Chairman of PiS. And according to unofficial information, it may already be unveiled on November 11.