At the beginning of this year, the coalition "Lutsk is European" was created in Lutsk. And already in April, a deputy faction of the same name appeared in the city council. It would seem a usual event, of which there are several a year in councils of various levels. The piquancy of the situation lay in the fact that the new coalition included deputies who for three years had been members of the opposition faction "Our Ukraine." The new deputy association was headed by city council deputy Dmytro Moskvych, Oleksandr Martyniuk became coordinator, and Anton Sosnovskyi was elected head of the executive committee. It is with the latter that we spoke about the problems of the life and existence of the city of Lutsk, as members of the "Lutsk is European" faction see them.

- After the well-known orange events, when everyone saw who came to power, the "Our Ukraine" faction began to grow rapidly in quantity, but by no means in quality. These were people who, just a few months earlier, had been twirling their fingers at their temples during our speeches or remarks about what was happening in the city. Then suddenly they all found themselves in "Our Ukraine." We, who stood at the origins of the faction, could no longer remain in it.

- Anton, doesn't this resemble a childish grievance?

- It's not a grievance. It's a principle. Take at least the decision-making procedure, which is fundamentally different from the one that prevailed until recently. The "Lutsk is European" faction has a secretariat that analyzes the legislative framework, adopted decisions, and prepares proposals that we voice. We meet, consider and vote on each issue, including land issues, such as allocating a plot for each garage, each vegetable garden. So in four months of the faction's activity, we managed to "tank" several absurd projects of the Lutsk city authorities.

- For example?

- The very same project for building an underground passage in the city center. In general, it is unknown who came up with the idea of constructing it. Without discussion, in violation of land legislation issues. Apart from the idea, there was nothing. As a result, this could have backfired not only on the city's residents but also on the businessman who intended to invest funds. Not even an estimate was approved; moreover, it only increased every day. We simply avoided another long-term construction project, because it was unrealistic to complete it by August. The same fountain on Teatralnyi Square, which is much simpler from a technological standpoint, has been under construction for almost two years.

- Actually, why "Lutsk is European" specifically, a name behind whose facade the political background of the association is lost?

- Yes, the name is somewhat apolitical. Our main task is for Lutsk to live and develop according to European principles. Because being close to borders does not yet mean being a European city. In our conviction, to be a European city, it is not enough to pave all the sidewalks with cobblestones. First of all, we must talk about transparency in decision-making, the functioning of the housing and communal sphere, and proper landscaping. Regarding the latter, the faction is initiating consideration of the issue of chaotic felling of green spaces in the center. We take this seemingly secondary issue very seriously. Many trees have been saved, as they say, from under the axe. A few weeks ago I witnessed how on the central avenue near the "Fuji" store some people were cutting down trees. At the same time they had no documents, nor was there a site supervisor on site. I left a business card so that he would call - I am still waiting. As soon as a new store appears in the center, trees fall under the axe, because, you see, their sign is not visible.

- A banal question that has become a sore point for everyone - the roads...

- For two months now, "Lutsk is European" has been conducting the campaign "Europe begins with roads." We have investigated that over two years about 13 million hryvnias went from the city budget to the enterprise "Lutsksavtodar" for road repairs in the city. The quality of this repair can be assessed by both Lutsk residents and guests of the city. Many questions arise. Why "Lutsksavtodar" specifically? This private firm receives 80 percent of all orders from the city executive committee. There are other firms in the regional center that can lay asphalt, but for some reason they do not work with them. The faction sent a request to the Prosecutor General's Office, and an investigative group is now working in Lutsk to study this issue.

- Do you think someone is personally interested in ensuring that only "Lutsksavtodar" receives these contracts?

- It's not even about that. Let it be personal interest, but do the work properly! For eight months I have been corresponding with this enterprise. At one of the sessions in 2002, it handed out to deputies certificates indicating the streets that would be repaired during the following year, and the cost of the work. A year has passed, but, for example, the streets belonging to my electoral district were never repaired. So when I approached "Lutsksavtodar" with a request to explain what the budget funds were spent on, I received the answer that this, it turns out, is a commercial secret. Another example. In 2003, the question arose of granting a loan to "Lutsksavtodar" secured by the "Promin" cinema and the Palace of Student Youth. At first the enterprise gave a guarantee of completed works for seven years, later - for five, and subsequently - for only three years. As we can see, they did not even last that term. Another example of the "European" management style of the current leadership. Here is an application from an entrepreneur for the allocation of a land plot for parking official vehicles. And here is the decision, dated... a month before that. Isn't that nonsense?

- Anton, will there be an aquapark near Sapalaivka?

- Just last week we had an incident around the "900th Anniversary of Lutsk" park. For some reason they allowed a traveling circus to set up there, which cut down trees, mutilated bushes, and left behind plowed earth and piles of manure. In addition, there is an insolent statement by the head of the culture department of the city executive committee, Yurii Voinarovskyi, that a plot there will indeed be asphalted where circuses and amusement parks will stop. But this is a green zone of the city, people should rest there! A few years ago all touring performers stopped at the stadium in the park named after Lesia Ukrainka, which suited everyone quite well. But not long ago this territory with an area of 17 hectares was leased to the enterprise "Ahrotekhservis" for setting up a racetrack. At the time, deputies were convinced that this was a very good idea, because one could bring children to ride ponies. Now this is a good reason to tease those who supported this senseless decision: "Well, did you ride the ponies?" After all, during all this time they only fenced off the territory. So when the circus arrived, the tenants simply threw them out. The faction will initiate consideration of the issue of terminating the lease agreement.

- In my opinion, the city authorities pay considerable attention to the landscaping of the city...

- Yes, we all admire the beautiful flowerbeds on Voli Avenue. But do Lutsk residents know how much this costs them? Responding to our request, the head of the housing and communal services, Ms. Semeniuk, reported that in 2004, 800 thousand hryvnias were spent on this, in particular on the arrangement and repair of lawns - 45 thousand hryvnias, planting flowers - 380 thousand, care of flowerbeds - 200 thousand, crown formation and pruning of shrubs - 75 thousand. All the work is performed by the enterprise "Flora-Service." Why spend such fantastic sums every year when one can plant perennial crops? At the same time, only (!) 20 thousand hryvnias were allocated from the city budget for the youth housing lending program. And then responsible employees of the city executive committee approach entrepreneurs whose establishments are located on Voli Avenue and demand payment: "We made a flowerbed near you, so you owe such and such." And if you don't pay - don't even think about going to the city executive committee for a certificate or permit.

- Is the faction not satisfied with the management style of the city executive committee?

- Of course it is not satisfied. We are observing a phenomenon that is well characterized by the term "stagnation of power." Even when good ideas begin to be implemented, it takes on some distorted forms. Doctors practice such a procedure as bloodletting. I believe the city leadership lacks fresh blood. I am convinced that new leaders have already grown up who are capable of taking on the burden of responsibility for the life of Lutsk and working in a civilized, lawful and European way.

Interviewed by

Serhii SHYNKAR

P.S. The opinions expressed by city council deputy Anton Sosnovskyi are valid, original and to a certain extent debatable. It would be interesting to hear the opinion of Lutsk residents regarding the problems raised in the interview, as well as those that have so far remained aside.