A personal reception of citizens at the regional executive committee was held by the President's Aide – Inspector for the Vitebsk Region, Vladimir Yurgievich.
The issues considered cover a wide range of topics. Among them is the dissatisfaction of citizens with the placement of a public catering facility on the ground floor of a residential building in Vitebsk.
An 83-year-old pensioner from the Gorodok district sought assistance. The man said that he had already been to several authorities with a request for the necessity of installing a pedestrian crossing on the Gorodok-Vitebsk road near the "Batali" stop, leading to the village and a horticultural partnership.
– Help us solve this vital issue, – he began. – We use public transport – some go to Gorodok, some to Vitebsk. We don't stay at home. Local residents, including schoolchildren and summer residents, desperately need a pedestrian crossing across the road. But we are told that this is impossible.
The Deputy Chairman of the Gorodok District Executive Committee, Valery Zhdan, explained that technically a pedestrian crossing could be installed, but it would contradict the Traffic Rules. There is a turn on one side and an ascent on the other, which limits visibility for drivers. This issue concerns safety.
Vladimir Yurgievich promised to visit the site with the relevant services to investigate the situation in more detail.
Among those who sought assistance from the President's Aide was a group of citizens from Vitebsk who are against the opening of a public catering facility on the ground floor of a residential building on Lenin Street.
– We have an old building, – said the applicant. – There used to be a bookstore nearby, but it closed. Now, a Japanese restaurant is planned to open in its place. We are strongly against this, as we understand that there will be noise, including in the evenings and on weekends, smells, and a concentration of cars. There are many vacant premises in the area where not only a restaurant but also a whole food court could be organised. Moreover, there are already many catering establishments in the area without this one. There must be other solutions. We understand that the law does not require our opinion to be taken into account, but it does not prohibit it either.
Incidentally, the day before, Vladimir Yurgievich visited the site and spoke with the tenant of the premises.
– I was shown where the entrance will be and where the equipment, including refrigerators, will be located. This will not cause you any inconvenience, – noted the President’s Aide. – The tenant has taken into account the creation of comfortable conditions for residents, including sound insulation.
The Chairman of the City Executive Committee, Aleksei Geroev, added that there are indeed enough places in the city for doing business. However, this facility was put up for auction. The procedures were followed. And as of today, there is no possibility to terminate the deal in accordance with the law, except for cases where the tenant decides to abandon the lease themselves.
– We are interested in the tenant fulfilling all the terms of the contract and residents feeling comfortable. Vitebsk is a festival city; today, the country's northern capital is considered a venue for major international events. This requires developed infrastructure, including in the food service sector, – stated Aleksei Geroev. – We will set strict requirements for the restaurant's fit-out, check the technical condition of the building, including the electrical system, sewage, and other aspects.
– I understand those who ask me for help. Everyone strives to live in comfortable conditions, and this is quite natural, – concluded Vladimir Yurgevich. – For example, regarding the organisation of a food service outlet in a residential building, it is difficult to say what the optimal solution would be. If you put yourself in the residents' shoes, living next to a restaurant can sometimes cause certain inconvenconveniences. However, it is also necessary to consider the possibility of using vacant premises. This entails a whole range of measures, including the creation of new jobs and tax revenues to the budget.
The President’s Aide is convinced that personal receptions of citizens are of great importance. Local authorities sometimes, based on legislative acts and resolutions, refuse people, and this may seem fair. Nevertheless, in some cases, it is necessary to accommodate applicants and look for ways to resolve their requests. Receptions of citizens encourage authorities to seek ways to help resolve their issues.