Nikolai Sherstnev on working with citizens' appeals: one cannot be indifferent to another's misfortune
Housing and communal services and road maintenance issues prevailed during the direct line with the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Nikolai Sherstnev.
During the direct line, 25 calls were received from residents of the regional center, cities, and districts of the region. The largest number of appeals came from Vitebsk. The governor also received calls from residents of Orsha and Orsha district, Novopolotsk, Dubrovno, Vitebsk, Gluboksky, Tolochinsky, Beshenkovichsky, and Senno districts. People mainly complained about leaking seams between panels of apartment buildings, dampness, and unacceptable living conditions. At the same time, citizens vividly described how the service organizations try to solve these problems – they come, look, promise, do something, but there is no effect.
The governor demanded that order be established and that the work be systematic. "Such cases are not isolated. People suffer. We need to find out how many such apartments have leaking seams and fix everything. The problem must be resolved," emphasized Nikolai Sherstnev. He added that appeals regarding leaking roofs should be resolved as quickly as possible. "Such situations are emergencies for residents. One cannot be indifferent to the troubles of others. Measures must be taken immediately," said the head of the region.
Both city and village residents spoke about road problems. For example, on one street on the outskirts of Vitebsk, the road was dug up to lay a cable, and now public transport cannot reach the bus stops, and passengers are picked up in the middle of the road. In one of the villages in the Orsha district, the road was damaged by timber trucks. Now, neither mail delivery, nor a mobile shop, nor an ambulance can reach it.
Residents of another settlement in the same district reported a similar situation – the direct road to the village is broken, and people have to drive around. The same problem exists in the Beshenkovichsky district, and there are also road issues in the Vitebsk district. Nikolai Sherstnev instructed the heads of the districts to sort out the road fund. To take all problematic roads under control, to assign equipment for timely grading and backfilling. And if serious repairs are needed, then resources should be concentrated and the necessary work carried out.
The direct line also received calls regarding employment issues. A female pensioner, working as a janitor, asked for intervention with her employer. The organization warned that they would not extend her employment contract, despite no complaints about her work. The Governor instructed to thoroughly investigate the situation. A mother of a law school graduate also contacted regarding employment, as her daughter cannot find a job. Nikolai Sherstnev promised to assist in the graduate's employment and gave relevant instructions to the relevant services.
Additionally, there were appeals concerning cemetery maintenance (felling of hazardous trees). A resident of Vitebsk district reported that she cannot get an old maple tree, growing near her house, cut down. According to the pensioner, the tree might fall. No one is willing to help remove the threat due to fear of being fined by environmental organizations. This led to the woman having to ask the Governor for permission to cut down the maple tree under her window. Nikolai Sherstnev promised assistance. Several calls concerned the sphere of trade and services. Residents of a Vitebsk apartment building are against the opening of a grocery store on the ground floor of their building, which will offer beer and low-alcohol beverages. A pensioner from Orsha, on the other hand, reported that a nearby retail outlet is characterized by high prices and old stock. A store of another retail chain is located at a considerable distance, requiring transportation. This is inconvenient for elderly people and physically demanding.
The head of the region instructed to study the situations and take all necessary measures to resolve the identified problems. There were questions regarding landscaping, medical services, and the realization of housing rights. A comprehensive set of issues was raised by a resident of the village of Suikovo, Vitebsk district. The woman reported that local authorities are unable to start the construction of a water pipeline (they only make promises and set new deadlines for the start of work). She also informed that the road in the settlement is completely ruined (according to her, repairs have not been done since 2010), and complained that in the village
constantly flooded households. Instructions have been issued for all problematic issues raised during the direct line, and their implementation is under control.