GRATZ PRESENTS PRIORITIES We will build a complex in Centar modeled after 'Safet Zajko', underground garages, fix facades…

(Patria) - Candidate for Mayor of Centar Municipality Dennis Gratz (Democratic Front) spoke to Radio Kalman about the situation in this local community, as well as his plans.

Gratz pointed out that Centar faces numerous problems, from dirtiness, landslides, bad roads, to a lack of facilities for young people.

“Centar is a very wealthy municipality. It is shameful that in the last three years, the municipality's money has not been spent. Out of a 75 million budget, you have an implementation of around 50%, year after year. Budget implementation is poor, partly because the current mayor has not communicated with the Municipal Council. For the last two years, we have had a blockade of work in the Municipality. The reasons are various, but the responsibility always lies with the top person. He is the one who must ensure his budget is passed,” he said.

Gratz emphasized that it is the government's job to have leadership initiative and for people to feel valued.

“I talk to citizens every day, I go door to door. The effect you have when you are in direct contact is incredible. Maybe someone didn't like me, maybe someone disagrees with my party's policies or with me personally, but they react completely differently when you come to their door,” he said.

When the host remarked that he is “politically stubborn,” that he even left the party he led when he no longer agreed, he said:

“I am a bit stubborn, and I lose my temper. I am emotional. But you know why? Because I care. I care about this city and its people. When we already have, thank God, money, when we have good ideas, let's start implementing them. I have plans for a couple of capital projects that will improve life in our municipality,” said Gratz.

When asked about the Municipality's approach to the Koševo stadium, Gratz said he understands the fans' current frustration.

“This project cannot be completed in four years. It might take 5, 6, 7 or longer. But you know what the idea is? Let's start it. Not to make 3D presentations every now and then, announce various signings, do classic Instagram PR, projections, pretend to work…,” he said.

Gratz said that his strategy for expanding parking space includes building underground garages.

“It is 2024. People are sending rockets to Mars. We can build underground parking so that citizens are not harassed and so that citizens benefit the most in the end. They will get parking space at a symbolic price,” he said.

He said that it is not easy to implement large projects because they “take time and cost money,” but that it must be done and that he is ready to take responsibility.

“You see what Mayor Efendić did with the barracks – he turned military infrastructure into the Safet Zajko center, where people come in large numbers, spend their free time, and children are safe. He was ready to tackle that problem, and I congratulate him for it. My proposal is to build our Safet Zajko on the Betanija site,” he said.

He said that the current park in Betanija is unlit, lacks sufficient facilities, and is not accessible enough, and cannot be compared to the Safet Zajko center.

“Currently, 35 million marks remain unspent, carried over from year to year. Now imagine if you spent that money, and additionally invested all those unspent millions into existing investments,” he said.

Gratz pointed out that the current government in Centar, in the draft budget, planned only 100,000 KM for facade renovation.

“With that amount, not even two facades can be renovated. Serious funds must be allocated, and we must do it, because facades are collapsing, and the city has become a dangerous place,” he said.

When asked about how to increase transparency in the work of the Centar Municipality, Gratz said that he will publish all project contracts, as well as service contracts, through which party appointments were made.

“In order for people to generally get the feeling that work is being done honestly and fairly, you have to publish everything. The current mayor does not submit reports, there are many service contracts, amounting, as I found out, to 1.2 million KM, with individuals he has chosen. They are not permanently employed. No one knows what these people did, why they received that money, because the contracts are not public,” he said.

He concluded that the government must have the trust of the citizens to work effectively, and it must work honestly to have that trust.