Oświęcim is a Top
Priority to Me

Panorama talks with Józef Krawczyk, mayor of Oświęcim
Oświęcim was founded in the 12th c. at the crossing of water and land routes in the Cracow region. Modern Oświęcim is the capital of an interesting tourist and economic sub-region. It is spread over an area of 30.3 sq. m. and has a population of over 43 thousand. Oświęcim is a member of the worldwide Association of Cities of Martyrdom and Cities of Peace actively working for a future world without wars and violence. In economic terms, Oświęcim is the seat not only of one of the largest chemical plants in Poland, but also mechanical, construction material, machine, and electrical engineering industries, as well as dozens of construction and building companies.  The city offers a well-developed communal infrastructure, modern road network and investment sites. Experienced technical personnel and friendly city administration guarantee prospective investors favorable conditions and

assistance in solving any problems.
- Mr. Mayor, you promote your city by your travels. How do you convince others that Oświęcim is a modern city that can be famous not only for the Auschwitz concentration camp.
- On one hand, I make people aware that Oświęcim is a city with a long tradition, attractive location, beautiful sights and attractive modern structures. Auschwitz-Birkenau is only a painful fragment of the 800 year history of Oświęcim. It is not my intention to diminish the importance of what happened there, and I do not want it to be belittled. However, what I promote is one of the largest chemical plants in Poland, three thousand businesses, as well as the schools, cultural and educational policy of the local Culture Center, parishes and Na Stronie amateur theater run by students of the St. Konarski's high school (liceum). I talk about the successes of the Unia Oświęcim hockey club, which is the Polish champion and M. Siudek and D. Zagórska, the world's third best figure skaters, as well as the achievements of Mr Lennert, short subject director whose films are entered into the Guinness Book of Records.
- Apart from local policy, work on the international arena is of importance to you. Don't you neglect problems of

Oświęcim's residents?
- Although due to my many domestic and foreign contacts, people sometimes call me mayor of foreign affairs, it is  .

Oświęcim and the well being of its residents that is a top priority for me. So are economic, communal, cultural and educational issues.
 After settling the problems related to environmental protection, such as the construction of a sewage treatment plant carried out with the Dwory chemical plant, the opening of a communal waste landfill, introduction of a CommunalWaste Segregation System, modernizing the heating and sewage networks and providing local residents with recreational facilities, we have moved on to communal issues. We have taken over the run-down schools and health system and created a new Outpatients' Clinic. We are also building new apartment and detached houses. We have modernized our road system and built six new traffic circles. However, a lot of work is still ahead of us. We need to modernize housing, build new car parks, cycling paths, and continue expansion of sewage and heating systems. We intend to develop telecommunications network, renovate the old town, and continue building a city park on the Soła River and access roads to the cityThe pro-investment policy implemented by the city authorities has been approved by the city council and local residents, which is best proved by the fact that the investment index for total budget expenditure is higher than 25%.
- Economic development, ecology, abatements for investors and ambitious plans for the future, you intend to create a brand new Oświęcim in the 21st c.?
- We do not need to be ashamed of anything. We have created a strong base for further development. We have worked out a Strategy for Development of Oświęcim. We have one of the best developed engineering networks, as well as service, trade, sports and recreation facilities. Modernized road network and fast developing housing are among other assets. We wisely use state funds, and most of all our residents are judicious and involved

in development of the city. I want to invite investors and tourists to our city. Welcome to 'the City Advocate of Peace' (the title awarded by the UN Secretary General) and a 'Wise Municipality 1991-1999' awarded with a Golden Laurel of Competence and Skill'
- Mr Mayor, do you still find time to listen to Chopin, your favorite composer?
- Well, I am an ordinary man, flesh and blood. My answer is short, I have to.
- Thank you for your time