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Debate held in Gushavc proved to be successful

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Debate held in August 24 in elementary school, "Harun Beka" in Gushavc proved to be quite successful. Citizens at the meeting expressed their gratitude for holding such a debate, because the needs are great, but addressing them is almost impossible. 13 years after the war the "deaf ear" of municipal officials has made this community in northern Mitrovica suffer for basic living needs.

The debate organized in the framework of the project "My need, my decision" implemented by the Community Building Mitrovica - CBM and supported by SOROS, is exceptionally welcomed by residents of Gushavc and Vinarc.

Among other things, they said that the only way out, and the only communication that is left with local authorities is through civil society, because so far we have used all the official ways but the result has been very minimal or insignificant.

Avdi Hajdari, head of village Gushavc, presented with practical facts the requests that were forwarded to the municipality, respectively to the Mayor Avni Kastrati, starting from 2009 onwards. Among the key needs that were written in the request, which even today remain the same, are as follow:

Regulation of water supply and sewerage system, construction and asphalting of road from village mosque to the upper neighborhood, replacement of electric system (it has never been repaired for more than 40 years),  completion of local office in the village of Gushavc, reconstruction of primary school "Harun Beka"; (today the school is in miserable condition compared to pre-war time), providing the village with waste containers, investment in agriculture and increase of the number of employees.

Though the first three projects are envisaged on this year's budget, the village still has not acquired any benefit, although eight calendar months are completed.  Just as stated by Ahmet Beka, who said that "It is very painful to see at this time the residents of a village of no more than 4 km from the city center to be supplied with water from Iber river filling and carrying tanks that do not meet any hygienic condition.” 
To see children in winter, with shoes full of mud and snow walking on a destroyed street.

Breathing the sewer odor in every corner of the village, our children are at risk of being infected by more severe diseases, just because the municipal project is not yet completed. Mayor is informed about all these issues but no improvement activity is undertaken yet, “the above mentioned resident said.

As for the debate organized by the Municipality in July 2012 on "the budget plan for 2013," citizens expressed more skeptical. Among other things they mentioned the fact of improper information and also the negligence of officials present at the meeting.

Officials did not respond fairly to almost any question or did not know relevant information. Therefore it is considered that the meeting was in vain like all requirements that were addressed to the Municipality of Mitrovica until today. 

Recommendations that emerged from the debate, set needs, requests and complaints made are very strong facts that this community desperately needs official support from local institutions. Citizens of this locality called on the public to make their voices heard, because it is high time to invest something in this country.

Also, the same citizens expressed their regret and appeal to Eset Ujkani and Ferit Jashari, the Municipal Assembly members, who were elected by this locality but until now they have not raised their voice to influence local policies.

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