Natalia Kochanova: local authorities must always make decisions for the benefit of the people
Based on each specific situation, heads of local authorities must make decisions for the benefit of the people, is convinced the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic, Natalya Kochanova:
- In all matters, local authorities must always side with the people and do everything in their power to help. This is a key position from which we all must start. This is how we should work. Then we will have fewer people with perfectly solvable problems at our receptions, and the population will have more trust in local authorities.
Touching upon her reception in Vitebsk, Natalya Kochanova noted that proposals to hold it here were often received by her during previous personal receptions in other regions of the country. Therefore, such a decision was made. As it turned out, not in vain. The problems voiced by local residents showed that the northern region has its systemic issues that require increased attention from the authorities. Moreover, some of them are related to the regional center, believes the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic:
- The housing and communal services in Vitebsk need to work more systematically in terms of city improvement, orderliness, and major repairs of the housing stock. City cleaning, storm drains, and roads must be systematic. Otherwise, complaints from residents will constantly pour in. Analyzing previous receptions, I can say that we practically no longer have such issues. They are being resolved and must be resolved at the level of local authorities.
An important topic raised at the reception by a Vitebsk resident was the poor performance of homeowners' associations. Natalya Kochanova recalled that this issue had been previously considered by an expert council, and emphasized that the problem is known at the republican level:
- A large number of complaints about the work of homeowners' association chairmen are coming in from all over the country. There are many grievances. In this regard, the Ministry of Housing and Communal Services is preparing amendments to legislative acts. They are to be introduced in July. However, we will try to expedite this issue.
Some of the appeals received during the reception required a personal decision at the highest level. For example, a resident of the Verkhnedvinsk district faced a difficult life situation. His wife passed away last year. The family has 11 children, seven of whom are minors. The man is used to relying only on himself and his relatives. But his eldest daughter is currently on maternity leave, the second is a student studying in Vitebsk, one son is undergoing compulsory service, and another is awaiting conscription in the autumn. However, it is precisely on his help that the father is counting, so he came to the reception in Vitebsk to ask for a solution regarding his son's deferment from service. Natalya Kochanova showed sincere concern for his family's fate, emphasizing that life situations are different and sometimes personal decisions are necessary. In this case, she promised to do everything possible to help.
During the conversation with journalists, the father of many children stressed that both he and his brothers had served in the Armed Forces:
- Therefore, there is no question of exemption from service. We are talking about a deferment so that my children can help me in the current situation. I have always tried to do everything myself. Our family is known in the district, and they always treat us well. But this issue is of a completely different level. Now I have hope that everything will be resolved well. I am grateful that in our country there is such an opportunity to turn to government representatives and find support.