Nikolai Sherstnev held a 'direct line' with residents of the Vitebsk region

Around 30 calls from residents of the Vitebsk region were received by the chairman of the regional executive committee, Nikolai Sherstnev, during a "direct line" held last Saturday. Summing up the communication with the public, the head of the region emphasized that such a form of work as "direct lines" is undoubtedly useful. People mainly ask pressing issues that are not being resolved for one reason or another. However, most of them fall within the competence of local authorities. Some believe that a call to the governor guarantees a positive outcome. But, as noted by the head of the department for working with appeals from citizens and legal entities of the regional executive committee, Ilona Shulga, only 15% of appeals are resolved in favor of the applicants. Any representative of the authorities, and this was emphasized by Nikolai Sherstnev during conversations with residents of the Vitebsk region, is guided primarily by the law.

The head of the region noted another trend: people have been increasingly contacting about everyday problems: tidying up the entrance, installing a curb, filling a pothole. There were quite a few such calls during the past phone line. In particular, a summer resident from Vitebsk district was interested in how to check the water quality and arrange a well on her plot, a woman from Orsha would like to plant flowers near her house, but the housing and utility department does not bring soil, and the residents of the house at Beloborodov, 5 in Vitebsk asked to improve the yard. And although there are sidewalks and flower beds, they want it to be better. They also requested the installation of a barrier for cars that often park here, as there is a shopping center "Belarus" nearby. However, the traffic police do not allow this, as the barrier would hinder the access of ambulances and fire trucks to the house.

There were other life issues, for example, about the insufficient number of city bus routes to the Kopti cemetery.

– They run only on weekends, and on weekdays you can get there by suburban bus, which has only two runs. Another problem is the frequent lack of water at the cemetery, – explains a resident of Vitebsk.

The governor ordered to study the demand for this route and promptly solve the water supply problem. He also drew attention to the fact that all cemeteries, including rural ones, should be well-maintained. And not only for holidays. Perhaps caretakers are needed to constantly monitor the order.

Along with Nikolai Sherstnev, the chairmen of all district executive committees (via video conferencing), as well as the heads of the regional executive committee departments, were present at the "hotline" with the population. They clarified this or that problem and also took note of the instructions of the head of the region. Calls were received from Vitebsk, Polotsk, Orsha, Braslavsky, Ushachsky, Dubrovensky, Chashniksky, Lepelsky and other districts.

Among the pressing issues are delays in wages and child benefits. A mother of many children from Ushachi district has not been able to receive her due money since May, and livestock breeders at Chashniki Rayagroservice have not been paid their wages for three months. A builder in one of the farms in Sennensky district was not paid for his work. As assured by local government officials, the debts will be repaid to the people in the near future. However, it is more difficult to help a resident of Orsha who got a job at a parking lot without any documents being processed. But the chairman of the district executive committee, Nikolai Lisovsky, promised to figure out why this is happening.

New settlers from Novopolotsk complained that they had to move into an apartment building without electricity, gas, and water. They are told that the delay is due to the fact that a homeowners' association has not been established. But the residents do not yet see anyone in the role of chairman. The housing and communal services department, to which the building was transferred, does not conclude individual contracts for the use of utility services. Dmitry Demidov, chairman of the Novopolotsk District Executive Committee, who participated in the conversation, promised the residents to connect the building to utilities by August 1.

Among the calls received were expressions of gratitude to the employees of the Lepel District Executive Committee, a proposal to hold the Days of Writing in Polotsk, and concern about the unfinished hospital in Orsha. This means that people turn to the head of the region not only to solve personal problems, but also want to express their opinion and show interest in the common cause.

Instructions have been given to responsible services for each call to objectively address the problem and find a legal solution.

Tatyana Pasternak, "Vitebskiye Vesti"