February 11, 2010
On February 2, the annual meeting of labor collective representatives from Berdsk enterprises, organizations, and institutions was held at the Rodina cultural center for the seventh time.
The meeting was attended by representatives not only of labor collectives, but also of public organizations, honorary citizens of the city, and deputies of the city and regional councils.
City mayor Alexander Terepa presented the assembly with a report on the results of Berdsk's socio-economic development and shared plans for the current year.
The mayor noted that in 2009 the previously achieved pace of development had been lost, and not everything that had been planned was realized. The downturn in the construction sector — which had previously been the locomotive of the economy — dragged other branches of industry along with it.
Yet social stability was maintained in the city. The core budget-forming enterprises were preserved. BEMZ, Sibbiofarm, Berdsk Bread Plant, and NOTIS not only maintained their previous levels, but also ensured production growth. A revival of production compared to the previous year was noted in such activities as food production, mechanical product manufacturing, machinery and equipment manufacturing, and energy. Growth in these activities ranged from 103 to 109%.
NOTIS not only maintained its previous level, but also ensured production growth.
At certain enterprises (BEMZ, Master i K, Berdsk Bread Plant, Step), a process of technical re-equipment continued despite the crisis.
The volume of housing construction work declined last year, but housing construction rates were maintained. The housing delivery plan was fulfilled at 120%. For the fourth consecutive year, Berdsk has been delivering more than one square meter of housing per resident — a fact for which the city was recognized with letters of appreciation from the Novosibirsk regional construction department.
In 2009, investment was expected to fall by half, but thanks to participation in capital repair and housing resettlement programs, the state guarantee program, and housing purchase subsidies, investment came to 13%. A total of 97 million rubles was attracted from all sources for the capital repair of the housing stock, and 452 million rubles for the demolition of dilapidated housing.
Positive momentum was maintained in the consumer sector. Retail turnover grew by 1.5%. Goods worth around 12.5 million rubles are sold in Berdsk daily.
Population growth is also among the positive results. The city gained 900 new residents. The demographic situation stabilized: 11 more children were born, and 76 fewer people died than in 2008.
The real income of Berdsk residents declined by an average of 3%. But at small and medium-sized enterprises in the city, wages fell by an average of 14%. Of 5,815 Berdsk residents who turned to the employment center for help finding work, more than 3,000 found jobs. Benefit payments totaled 69 million rubles — five times the figures of previous years.
For 2010, plans include beginning development of the first phase of construction of homes in the Razdolny residential district and the Yasnaya Polyana complex, and providing assistance in completing construction of two "problem" buildings on Gagarina Street, 2 and Krasnaya Sibir Street, 17. In total, no fewer than 70,000 square meters of housing are to be delivered this year.
The mayor noted the need to develop a planning solution for creating a system of green spaces, squares, and boulevards based on natural forest areas, and to address city street lighting using energy-saving technologies.
Regarding the gasification of private homes, this figure is planned to double compared to last year. The 2010 budget provides for 50% funding of the installation of metering devices.
To address the shortage of kindergarten places, five additional groups are to open, which will reduce the waiting list by one hundred places. Capital repair of a kindergarten on Karl Marx Street is planned.
Against the backdrop of the dry facts presented by the Berdsk mayor, the address of first deputy mayor Evgeny Martyanov stood out as particularly original.
He began with interesting figures concerning Berdsk residents working in Novosibirsk: today there is insufficient land for the city's development — industry occupies one third of the territory. Yet approximately 8,000 people do not work there — this is a commuter migration. Multiply that figure by the average wage of 15,000 rubles, and we get 120 million rubles per month earned by Berdsk residents outside the city. Because of this, we are losing 82 million rubles from the budget revenue. Two years would build a new kindergarten. And all of Berdsk's industry brought us around 72 million rubles in income tax. Two thirds of those eight thousand are young people. Our task is to keep young people in the city. If young people leave, we will turn into a bedroom suburb of Novosibirsk. Already today, a quarter of the city's population is elderly.
Speaking about cooperation between branches of power, Evgeny Valeryevich told a parable about two people who met the Almighty, who offered one of them a wish — but with the condition that the other would receive twice what the first wished for. After a long argument, the first person asked to have one of his eyes put out. Evgeny Martyanov generally left the audience puzzled: jokes and parables, but to what end was unclear.
Deputy governor Vasily Yurchenko, who spoke after Evgeny Valeryevich, admitted that he had not been to Berdsk for a long time and was surprised to discover that the city had no curator from the regional administration — as every district of the region has.
— And if you have no objection, — said the deputy governor, — I will represent your interests in the regional administration and help resolve the challenges you set for yourselves. There were no objections.
The meeting of labor collectives concluded with the presentation of certificates of honor by the Berdsk mayor. BEMZ's team was recognized for its successful business strategy. Kristall received an award for social responsibility in business. Boarding Lyceum No.7, Berdsk Construction Trust, and NOTIS received diplomas for the implementation of innovative technologies. Apelsin spa salon and Borvikha resort hotel were recognized for high quality and service. The Rodina cultural center was honored for reputation and trust; the Volodya Dubinin Children's Health Camp and the Express-Service transportation company were recognized for potential and prospects. Kolorlon was named Debut of the Year.
Maria Terentyeva
Svidetel newspaper