We founded the group "Osturňa se Zabáva" [Osturňa has Fun] to delight our fellow citizens and foster a stronger sense of community in the village. The two activities that have already taken place, a Christmas light decoration competition and a winter sports competition for children, were successful and we were proud to have been able to organize them. The next activity, originally scheduled for Saturday, March 25, 2023, was to be a workshop where people would learn the traditional art of decorating Easter eggs using the batik method (applying wax, dyeing the egg, applying more wax, dyeing again...). We approached people with the necessary skills and prepared the purchase of the tools needed for the job.
One of the important tasks in the organization was to get the necessary premises. Therefore, on Monday, March 13, 2023, I wrote an email to the Mayor asking for space in the former library of the community center.
From – Thom Kolton
To – Osturňa Municipal Office
Date – 2023-03-13Madame Mayor,
On Saturday, March 25, 2023, our group "Osturňa Sa Zabáva" is organizing a workshop where we will learn the art of traditional Ruthenian Easter eggs. The workshop will take place from 11.00 to 15.00, but we will confirm these times later.
We expect to attract a total of approximately fifteen adults and children to this workshop. We would prefer to hold the workshop in the room where the former library is located as a venue. However, if this room is not available, although it is too large for our purposes, we could also use the large hall. After the workshop we will clean and restore the room to its original state.
Please confirm that this room will be available for use on that day. We anticipate that as members of the community we will not be charged for the use of this facility. If this is not the case, please state the charge.
Sincerely,
Thom Kolton
When I did not receive a reply after three days, I wrote another email reminding the Mayor that she had not replied. Nothing.
From – Thom Kolton
To – Osturňa Municipal Office
Date – 2023-03-15Ms. Kristina,
You haven't responded to my e-mail from three days ago.
If there are any extenuating circumstances that are delaying your reply, I would like to know what those extenuating circumstances are. Otherwise, I expect you and your staff to do your job and serve the community for which you are paid.
Thom Kolton
And then finally a response.
From – Osturňa Municipal Office
To – Thom Kolton
Date – 2023-03-20Hello, based on your request we would like to inform you that it is possible to provide you with a room in the cultural centre for the above mentioned date, i.e. 25.3.2023 ( for technical reasons without heating ). The fee for the use of the premises is set at 100.- EUR plus overhead.
We ask you to confirm whether this is convenient for you. If so, you will come to take over the space on 24.3.2023 between 1.00 pm and 1.30 pm, with the proviso that a deposit of 50% must be provided when taking over the protocol.
Yours sincerely
Kristína Gregoričková
Mayor of the municipality
So, I posted the emails and the following text online:
The decision to cancel the seminar this weekend was made before it was announced. I was as disappointed as a boy who only gets a lump of coal for Christmas. And it's just as well, because on Monday 20 March 2021 I received an email from the mayor saying that the cost of organizing this activity would cost over €100+ - without the heat! Apparently, we will have to decline her generous offer.
What we are doing as part of Osturna has fun, we are not doing for personal gain, but for the good of the village. We acknowledge that in the past we have given both time and personal money to facilitate these activities. But we have not complained, nor have we solicited admission fees, etc.
I have always believed that the community center is the 'people's house' and that its use should be free of charge unless it is for personal purposes. However, the mayor apparently sees nothing wrong with charging - or overcharging - for premises which, in my opinion, should be free.
We need to find a new place for our activities.
The response to my post as swift and angry. Many people, both who live in the village and those who only have family here, complained about the mayor and the mayor’s office. Good! Still, the activity remains cancelled.
The mayor followed up with a personal email to me. The rambling text essentially asked me to be quite, meek and patient. I wrote back that, among other things, these qualities were not in my DNA.