The Letňany lentils project could be a beautiful bite in pre-election times: trees are being cut down, the budget will be exceeded, residents are complaining. But such criticism would be unfair. We will probably all agree that the old “Avian” settlement was not exactly a representative locality. I like the method of solution chosen by the Letňany town hall: instead of gradual partial modifications, a radical and relatively quick solution.
We will certainly agree that what a person has, an opinion. Some people like the solution of the whole project, some do not, some may only mind the details. Personally, I like the fact that the project has its idea that it is not just a “reconstruction of a housing estate”. I also appreciate small things like dog urinals. On the other hand, it is probable that after the completion of the construction it will turn out that some details could have been resolved better, but I am sure that if possible, minor finishing or changes will take place so that the final appearance of the housing estate meets the needs of most resident.
The original budget of the event will be exceeded. In many public contracts, such “unplanned” exceedances are somehow planned in advance. But even here I have to stand up for Lentilek. Anyone who has ever renovated an old house knows that once he kicks it, skeletons that could not have been foreseen at best will begin to pour out of the closet. While in many projects carried out in previous election periods the effectiveness of the funds spent could be successfully questioned, in Lentilek I believe that the money will do a good service and it made sense to invest it.
I also understand the indignation of some residents over the discomfort associated with the construction. I remember very well the feelings I experienced when jackhammers began to rumble in our street at seven in the morning on Sunday during the reconstruction of the sidewalks. But these inconveniences disappear and in the end it outweighs the pleasant over the unpleasant.
Despite all the partial complications and inconveniences, I think that Letňany lentils are a good project and that, unlike many others, they will make Letňany a slightly better place to live.
Tomas Raska (SZ)
representative of the Prague 18 district
Source: Letňanské listy, October 2014
