Andrzej Stelmasiewicz, a Gdańsk councillor and founder of the Gdańsk Community, talks about the newly dealt cards, new perspectives for Gdańsk and the burning problems that politicians should face on the wave of post-election emotions.
What are your expectations for Gdańsk just after the elections?
As good as possible. I hope that such decisions of the voters will result in an even stronger development of Gdańsk, in line with the trend that has prevailed for several years. On the other hand, I must admit that the election campaign was a bit surprising.
Something special?
All the candidates for councillors and mayors spoke mainly about one thing. They focused on districts and investments that will make life easier for residents.
A new trend?
Yes, such are the times. However, I’m far from defining them as fashion. We are witnessing a historic moment in which the attention of politicians is directed towards ordinary people. The authorities do not look only at the strong group of elites, but act in accordance with the reflection that apart from active citizens, there are crowds of those who act less. Remembering that you can’t stop noticing them and their needs.
Do they want to notice if it was a campaign decoy?
I don’t know, but I have a deep faith that the declarations will be true. Paweł Adamowicz is an interesting case to analyse. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of observing how my “Chief” has changed. He learns, draws conclusions, observes this world. He is an exceptional man.
What more could you want from a Leader?
Indeed, this political dimension is extremely positive. Especially since we have to take into account the roots. The president came out of a conservative-Christian position, but also from a pro-independence one, in the context of the social revolution that is taking place. What is important and praiseworthy is the pursuit of change, and this is quite rare in politicians, their transformations tend to be rather incidental. That is why I strongly believe that this is not an electoral sausage and Paweł Adamowicz will actually keep them by declaring contracts for districts.
Only districts?
I am sure that large investments in the city will take place in parallel. If Gdańsk is to develop, it must be done in a sustainable way. However, I am not overusing this word in the currently fashionable interpretation.
Which one, then?
Common sense. Investments large and small are needed. Hard and soft.
What do they mean for Oliwa?
This district is the closest to me, although I was elected in constituency number 6 and I feel that I represent the inhabitants of Jelitkowo, Żabianka, Oliwa, Osowa, Matarnia and Kokoszki. And, as a city councillor, I am responsible to all Gdańsk residents.
Will there be a chance for a new version of Spacerowa Street?
That’s what I’ve got on my banner. I can’t promise to clear it. I don’t think anyone knows how to do it today.
What’s the problem?
The problem is not Spacerowa itself. Every case has its bottleneck. If we turn Spacerowa into a seven-lane highway and don’t change the bridge at the Mill, it won’t do us any good. I talk to all kinds of people and everyone has an idea. Usually, it is a proposal to clear one street. So what, if it will automatically block the next one. That’s why I’m planning to make a round table.
Will history come full circle?
The aim is to bring together road construction and public transport professionals, activists, pedestrians and residents. There is no point in talking about making Spacerowa more accessible, but about improving the communication system in Stara Oliwa and Nowa Oliwa.
Does the upcoming “new” mean that the local community will feel more cared for by politicians?
It all depends on the councillors they have chosen. In my understanding, a councillor should act on two fronts. On the one hand, he must be active in the City Council. The second thing is to be in frequent contact with voters. Without talking, without being among the residents, he will not know what the inhabitants consider to be valuable. It’s not easy. There are as many ideas as there are people, and the conversation allows you to balance certain things. Decisions should be made when we find a common denominator, assuming that such a compromise will be acceptable to everyone.
Andrzej Stelmasiewicz was a participant of the debate of local government representatives “Gdańsk after the elections. What Will Be Left of the Promises?” organized in Olivia by the Jagiellonian Club. They discussed, m.in, what will be the next five years of Gdańsk self-government, what is the role of self-government in Poland 2018-2023 and whether it must be subordinated to national policy. The conversation was also attended by Anna Golędzinowska, Gdańsk City Councillor (Civic Coalition), Jolanta Banach (Better Gdańsk), Andrzej Skiba (Law and Justice).
