For them, he is a kind of personification of the era of trials that the city endured with dignity. But times change. The new authorities demand that yesterday's authorities bow down. Begging for blessing. However, it is not in Anton Kryvytskyi's style to indulge someone's tyranny. He philosophically wisely decided to defuse the situation by going... no, not into retirement, but on vacation! And upon returning to full-time work, on the very first working day he volunteered for an frank conversation with readers of the Western Information Corporation.

— Anton Fedorovych, let's start with an event pleasant for you, for the sake of which you interrupted your vacation and appeared at the premises of the Regional State Administration — the signing of a Memorandum on promoting the investment intentions of the "Bohdan" corporation regarding the production of buses and trolleybuses at the Lutsk automobile plant. You always defended LuAZ, even at the time when Petro Poroshenko's concern invested in it, and for you, as secretary of the regional committee of the SDPU(O), such actions could have had negative consequences...

— Such was my position, and ultimately it turned into corresponding consequences. Now I can say frankly: because of this, I was expelled from the SDPU(O). Although formally this was not the main reason, at that time it became the drop that overflowed the cup of certain negative moments regarding me. As a person who has not only considerable experience but also scientific knowledge in solving problems of city development — my candidate's dissertation is devoted specifically to issues of economic development of cities — I clearly understand: there are industries that are not just budget-forming for a city, but it is precisely they that make a city a city that has a certain image in the state. And if a city has such an industry, then in a market economy it will never perish.

For example, every city has its own bread factory, dairy plant, meat processing plant, brick factory, garment factory, and so on. But far from every city has its own automobile, shipbuilding, or aircraft manufacturing plant. Each of them is a concentration of technical progress. Around such an enterprise, the chemical industry, electronics, and other related industries and productions develop. A city that has this will successfully withstand any competition.

— You mean what the Minister of Industrial Policy of Ukraine, Volodymyr Shandra, stated during the signing of the Memorandum: one workplace at the automobile plant means 10 additional workplaces in related industries?

— Of course. This awareness prompted us to form and introduce a cluster system in the economy. This is precisely what, say, Italy's economy rose on. The essence is simple: a region that produces a certain type of product builds its economy in such a way that the entire region works for this elite product. Starting from the production of buttons and ending with, say, laces for footwear... Today I have every reason to state: if not for such a position, perhaps Lutsk today would no longer have its automobile plant. But we cared about the future of our city, so we did everything possible to preserve this strategic facility for future generations of Lutsk residents.

As an economist, I realistically forecast that the Lutsk automobile plant can become the center of the region's industrial progress. After all, Lutsk has a powerful bearing plant with Swedish investments, an instrument-making plant, an electrical apparatus plant, a plastics plant, a municipal machinery plant, which are capable of producing individual elements for the "Bohdan" trolleybus or bus. Moreover, the region has specialized plants in other cities. In Kovel — "Kovelsilmash," in Novovolynsk — the STO plant. These enterprises are also capable of manufacturing component products for the Lutsk automobile plant.

Currently, Lutsk accounts for 45% of the region's total industrial production. At 1 billion 200 million. And if LuAZ reaches its planned capacity, it alone will provide over a billion hryvnias of industrial production. One "Bohdan" bus today costs about 200 thousand hryvnias, and it is planned to produce up to 6 thousand "Bohdans" per year. Lutsk can occupy a niche of up to 65-70% of industrial production in the region and become a true industrial bridgehead.

And this is objective. Because the number of rural population will decrease over time. If today in developed countries 6-8% of the population feeds the entire country, then here in Volyn the rural population is about half. This is a imbalance. Consequently, there will be migration of people from village to city. And this means new working hands, new productions. Such is the global trend in the economy.

— And what about your idea of building near Lutsk, in essence, another automobile plant of the German concern "Kromberg & Schubert"?

— Why do you say "near Lutsk"? It's in Lutsk, more precisely, on its outskirts. Only the land there is not ours, but of the Boratyn village council. Everything else — communications, transport, engineering networks — is all located compactly there and tied to Lutsk. And those three thousand workplaces that will be created there will be workplaces not for the village or district, but specifically for city workers. This plant is a solid strengthening of the industrial potential of both the city and the region.

By the way, the industrial potential of the city grows substantially year after year. We finished 2004 with a gross product growth indicator of 24%. This year we are going at the level of 20-23%. That is, if the country has an average of 4.5-5%, then we actually do not lose the pace of economic growth. And when the volume of gross product grows, then wages grow, and the number of workplaces grows. So the general economic situation in the city in recent years has stable positive trends.

— At staff meetings in the Regional State Administration, Lutsk enterprises are often named among debtors. Their managers respond: "We paid everything long ago, and they are 'hanging' debts on us again." For example, the Lutsk brewery...

— It happens in different ways. There are firms that don't pay 200-300 thousand, or even 2-3 million. Some believe that they can't be touched because they have a capital "roof," although everyone knows everything... We need to conduct appropriate work with them, and only then make decisions. So that it doesn't happen as it recently did with the municipal enterprise "Lutskteplo." Apparently, to please the superiors, tax service employees publicly stated that "Lutskteplo" paid two million less in taxes than last year. Without fully clarifying the situation, they accused the heating workers of hiding taxes. It turned out that last year VAT on "Lutskteplo" went to the local budget, and from it — directly to the State budget, that is, to Kyiv. It is clear that the reduction in taxes occurred due to a change in the payment structure.

Such things must be treated carefully. Regarding the situation around the payments of the Lutsk brewery — the same thing. People are not used to being responsible for their actions. Especially since the authorities have changed, before whom some want to show their feigned principle and responsibility. One must take into account that a figure carries not only an economic or moral burden but also a political one. If a manager who does his job properly is also unfairly accused, he will also begin to treat such authorities accordingly.

— "Milk" strikes took place in Volyn, during which Lutsk residents were urged not to buy dairy products. What is your attitude to this problem?

— I fully support the producers, because it is nonsense when a bottle of mineral water costs 1.5-1.6 hryvnias, and milk — 60 kopecks. Price disparity. I think that producers are artificially lowering purchase prices, and here the authorities were obliged to intervene. Milk in "Tetra Pak" packaging, with 2.5% fat content, costs 4.2-4.3 hryvnias. At current purchase prices — this is wrong, because the main costs of energy and material resources lie with the producer.

This issue must be resolved at the level of the authorities. Include a system of subsidies for the direct producer, find other ways of support. Although, in principle, the subsidy system is not a blessing for anyone. There should be a system of assistance specifically for those who cannot buy milk at such a price — large families, single-parent families. Let others earn and buy at the price dictated by the market. Because the system of benefits and subsidies spoils people, provides opportunities for abuse and deception. No one complains about the price of beer, no one shouts: "Give us a subsidy!"

— What are the plans of the Lutsk authorities for the second half of the year?

— We have talked with practically all heads of enterprises, institutions, and organizations. For each, we know approximately what portfolio of orders they have, the market for goods and services. Based on the year's results, we plan to reach a level of gross product growth of no less than 20%. This will give us the opportunity to solve many social issues and keep the unemployment rate in check. In Lutsk it currently reaches 2.5%, which is at the level of natural unemployment and is one of the lowest indicators in the state.

I believe that our city benefits from a diverse sectoral structure of industry. We have no monopoly enterprises, no giant enterprises whose demise would cause the city's demise. We always have 4-5 enterprises reducing production. Why? Because there is technical re-equipment, the search for new sales markets, the development of new types of products. And at such a moment they do not have production growth. But since not only they work in one or another sector of production, this is not of decisive importance for the volume of total gross product.

Also, at one time we freed enterprises from social infrastructure — boiler houses, secondary productions. And now the main productions are not burdened with excess costs that affect the cost price. Instead, they focused on improving their own products and optimizing production. That is why our plants withstood the competitive struggle, having undergone technical re-equipment. Now both the automobile, bearing, cardboard-roofing, plastics products plant, and "Elektrotermometriya" and others are developing normally.

— If industry is developing, then the housing and communal complex should also be developing?

— We commission 700-800 apartments every year. For a city of 205 thousand, this is not so little, considering that the state does not finance the construction of new housing. In addition, we provide areas for the construction of elite buildings and apartments in exchange for dilapidated housing stock. This concerns Kopernyka Street, where we are building new housing. Then in the same way we will proceed to Kovelska Street, and in about 5-6 years, I hope, we will be done with the dilapidated housing stock.

— With such achievements, why has there been an almost "mythical war" between the Lutsk city hall and the Volyn Regional State Administration for so long? Or is it not so?

— I don't think it's a war — it's simply a clash of interests, since the interests of the city do not always coincide with the interests of the region. The city is a kind of enclave within the region. But there are certain approaches of both teams to individual problems, and there is a different vision of these problems. More precisely, both the city and regional authorities are aimed at a final positive result. But there are different approaches. From our region in the Verkhovna Rada there are 11 deputies from different party structures; they simultaneously represent certain clan, factional, and party interests. For example, some deputies want to bring their construction organizations here from other cities of Ukraine, to push through their acquaintances. We are not supporters of such approaches, because we have our own organizations whose teams work quite competently and have the desire to work...

As I see it, economic policy is like this. Let me explain using the example of gas stations: the more gas stations there are in Lutsk, that is, the more different companies are represented, the better for the city. Because with ten traders, someone will have gasoline, but with one monopolist there could be problems.

— Anton Fedorovych, after all, what was your June vacation connected with? Everyone is used to you going on vacation in July and returning by Independence Day?

— First of all, with my 60th birthday. I have an ambiguous attitude to such things, so I decided to spend this period in the circle of friends, relatives, and close ones, which, in the end, I did. And I don't regret it. I stayed at home, went to Svityaz for a few days, rested. Although all this time I kept my finger on the pulse of city life. Where I could, I intervened and corrected things. In short, I rested normally and am ready for further work.

— Usually, you appear at work at six in the morning, and go home late in the evening. When do you rest?

— On weekends. I read literature, the press — both central and local. I like to reread the newspaper "2000," previously — "Dzerkalo Tyzhnia." On the Internet I'm interested in "Obkom," "Obozrevatel," "Ukrainska Pravda" — I look through everything. Now I don't bypass "Western Information Corporation" either...

Lately I've been enjoying my grandson, spending time with him, helping him grow into a real man, so that he knows what, where, and how. I planted a little garden near the house. I love gardening; it was passed down from my father Fedir Antonovych. I love making things. That's how I rest.

In short, I am not an interior of a sofa. I love fishing, winter hunting, although a suitable opportunity rarely comes up. This year I've only been hunting once. It also happens that during a whole hunt I never fire a shot. Because I only shoot at wild boar. I don't even aim at a hare or a goat. It's a pity to watch them being shot. But at a wild boar — that's a completely different excitement...

— And how did your career as a manager develop?

— I first had to gain managerial experience in Novovolynsk. When I was sent there as head of the city executive committee, I sat down at an empty desk and didn't know where to start work. From then on, I made it a rule: at the end of each day, write down what I did. And within a year I already knew by heart what I should do tomorrow, in July, in August, so as not to miss some moments...

In general, this should be constant work on oneself. A city mayor has no defined working hours. I leave the house — I'm already at work, because I see what is happening on a specific street, at an intersection, in a square, or on a flowerbed. I heard information on the radio, read it in the newspaper — and I already know that there are problems that need to be solved. I saw a TV story about a new approach that someone somewhere is implementing, wrote it down for myself — maybe it will be useful to us too.

That is, this is constant work that must be loved, and then everything will succeed. And if some party accidentally pushed someone into a position... Well, we have already seen party ministers and how their work ended. Such people ended up in leadership positions by accident, and there can be no accidents here.

— How do you assess whether your team is working properly?

— I believe this: every team has main players and there are substitutes. The city council team today is sufficiently competent. Over these years, our city has not lagged behind in any matters — neither economic, nor social, nor in matters of housing and communal reform or social sphere reform. We have repeatedly taken first places, nationwide seminars on landscaping are held here, and so on.

Yes, we have problem issues, such as roads. And they will always exist. But this year is very difficult for us, perhaps the hardest in all my years of work. We have practically no money left for maintaining the city. We hope that next year everything will be a little different...

If objective problems do arise, personnel changes do not always lead to better results. If someone is not coping or is suspected of abuse — that is one question. If there are any claims, they must be raised. But to simply change the team because someone wants to take someone's place — I will not do that.

I'll admit honestly: to a person who has a high level of professionalism, I can sometimes forgive some oversight or mistakes in work. He who does not work does not make mistakes. It's hard to imagine how much negativity I personally received from our residents over three terms in the mayor's position! But always after that came thanks...

Of course, personnel must be rejuvenated. However, a blanket attempt to change everyone is an unwise approach. Personally, I do not accept it. A city is a very serious life entity where people are born, study, work, rest, and die. And this process must be controlled, directed, and developed, thinking about everything in advance. Both where to take the garbage and where to bury, and in what conditions to give birth. This is not at all the same as pressing buttons in parliament. Therefore, replacements here must be careful, balanced, and sufficiently justified.

Of course, it is sad and painful when criticism is unfounded, attacks for the sake of attacks. For example, when they shout "remove Makhomed" (head of the education department of the Lutsk city executive committee — Author). But why remove? Are our schools in a penal colony? Our schoolchildren have been taking first places in olympiads in Ukraine in recent years. And where was it that the capital took fewer places than another city? 60% of our graduates enter higher education institutions, schools are in normal condition, discipline is at a high level...

After all, we have a democratic society where everyone has the right to their own opinion. But when a person does their job professionally — let them do it. We will continue to approach personnel matters in exactly this way.

— In the previous elections you received 66% of trust, now, according to some research, you have 70%. Will you run in the 2006 elections? Many believe that currently, as a city leader, you effectively have no alternative.

— You can't say that, because there is always an alternative. A dead end exists only in the head, because one or another variant of getting out of it can always be found. There are certain laws of human and societal development. Sometimes one should stop and regroup forces. At the same time, today it is hard to predict what will happen in six months. During this time, very many events will occur in the city and the state, in the economy, as well as political regroupings. Actually, it is not yet known how we will perform by the end of the year. There will still be many possible variants for one or another step. In particular, on my part. We'll live and see...

— How would you characterize today's post-orange situation in the state?

— One gets the impression that today in the state everyone wants to govern, everyone wants to grab power as quickly as possible. Power and once again power! And they don't feel that power is a high responsibility. But all parties proclaim their intention to take power in parliament and locally. And they promise one after another...

You can promise very much, but there is real harsh life. Power must be directed for the benefit of people. The effectiveness of governance lies in the ability to find the golden mean between people's needs and the financial capabilities of the authorities. A leader must have the courage and will to tell people that some problems — potholes on roads and so on — we will not solve today. But truly urgent problems that directly affect people's lives — creating workplaces, ensuring normal housing and communal conditions — must be solved first of all.

One must prepare for power, acquire economic knowledge, knowledge of the theory of city development. Know that a city falls into crisis every 10-12 years and be able to take preventive measures to prevent it. Governing is not just waving your hands. Behind each of our decisions are the fates of hundreds, thousands of people, and always any decision is simultaneously a blessing for someone and a grievance for another. We must be guided by the interests of the majority. Such is the logic of life. For example, some deputies of the Lutsk city council believe that flowers are not needed by the city, that grass should be sown. But it doesn't have the proper aesthetics, and besides, it needs to be mowed. Tastes differ, but if there are flowers in the city center, then it is for everyone. Oksana Bilozir, while in Lutsk, was delighted with our flowers. Of course, we cannot plant flowers throughout the entire city, but in the center they must be.

As a leader, when making a decision, I take responsibility upon myself. The thing is that even a collective is not always right. There is collective egoism, collective misunderstanding, collective mistakes. There are artificially created situations when everyone is forced to choose not the best but "of two evils." Therefore, for me in life the most important principle is to be a patriot, one who works professionally for the state, and not one who is the first to shout "hurray!" Professionalism must always come first. Why did Russia rise under Peter I? Were Germans or Dutch patriots of Russia? They were professionals; they taught Russians to build ships, manufacture weapons, taught carpentry and metalwork.

— Anton Fedorovych, aren't you planning to join a party again?

— No. You know, the social-democratic idea is a normal idea, and the SDPU(O) program differs in almost nothing from the program of the "People's Union 'Our Ukraine.'" Absolutely. For example, the main postulates regarding property are the same. It's just that the social-democratic idea has not yet taken hold of the main mass of people here; the image and authority of the leaders have been superimposed on it. And when ideology suffers for the sake of leaders, I don't agree with that...

Unfortunately, all parties in Ukraine are, in essence, closed joint-stock companies where the controlling stake belongs to the party leader. And therefore they can expel you from the party without even meeting with a former fellow party member. The communists at least had a party commission that considered the matter; a person could express their opinion, then the politburo met, and no one was expelled in absentia. But here they simply expelled in absentia...

Current party structures need to change a lot in their activities, because they are all authoritarian and have copied their statutes from the CPSU.

— Haven't there been "walkers" from the ruling parties — NSHU, "Batkivshchyna," or some other — coming to you?

— No, there haven't been. (Laughs — Author's note). Everyone knows my independence, knows that agitating me with some promises is not even worth trying. I am a self-sufficient person; I know my own worth and the worth of my actions, as well as of parties and their leaders. I have my own attitude toward each of them. Some I support silently, others — with words, and still others I do not accept at all.

For example, if we take Yulia Tymoshenko, I support her, because somewhere in character she is the same as me. Or rather, I have the same character as she does. In principle, although she makes many mistakes, sometimes even too many, she also takes concrete actions. And that's the main thing — that she acts. Because if a person moves toward some goal, then perhaps not very quickly, not at a run, but gradually advances forward. Any improvements must be created, must be brought closer. And that is why she impresses me, and in this respect I support her, because she is a person of action. She is persistent in achieving her goal, in understanding the situation. And she will achieve her success, I am certain of it.

Vitalii Buriak, Western Information Corporation

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