Translated material
Interview with the head of the Solovki administration
This summer, one of the high-ranking tourists said that expressing my views about what is happening on Solovki is a socio-political activity, therefore, I must be able to not only express / prove / expose /, but also “be friends” with opponents. In general, he did not open America to me, but he showed me, using my example, how “public opinion” forms for itself the “image of a social activist.”
My “Solovetsky” story began a long time ago, but I always openly said that I was simply protecting my business. In defense, I prefer to attack, hence the mass of my publications on the Internet and print media about spiritual distortions in the Federal Target Program for the development of Solovki, archaeological violations and corruption schemes, blocked monuments and stolen millions. “Society”, having received great food for thought, willingly built for itself the image of a “close-minded social activist” who lulled my enemies. When my trap slammed shut, there were two people in it: one is now on trial, the second is giving me an interview. This is the political game of positions: yesterday we were irreconcilable opponents, today we have a common goal: we want Solovki to become better. Nothing public, just business.
To implement the federal program for the development of the archipelago, the President of the Russian Federation created the Solovki Development Fund, and the Almaz-Antey company was appointed as the general contractor. Heavy-duty equipment will soon be available again - cranes, dump trucks, etc. Do the village administration have any agreements with Almaz-Antey regarding routine road repairs?
- Yes, definitely. Moreover, these agreements will be recorded on paper, within the framework of the relevant agreements. The concern, represented by its “daughter” - Almaz Antey Stroy LLC, generally promises to be very attentive to issues that are important for the village. I can say that this year the organization’s contribution to infrastructure will amount to more than 15 million rubles. This is a huge amount for us.
At the meeting, the patriarch spoke out against expanding the area of the municipality at the expense of forest areas, urging “not to rush.” Does this mean that the patriarch is, in principle, against the socio-economic development of the Solovetsky village? After all, there is no development without expansion.
– I absolutely disagree that the Russian Orthodox Church is against the development of the village. Paradoxically, now the main “opponents” of expanding the territory of the village are the Russian Ministry of Culture and UNESCO. But it is important to understand that the village, in principle, does not need forest areas. The existing general plan already has a huge area of recreational areas, which are just a burden to us. I see the inclusion of the Kirpzavod tract lands in the village as completely justified and logical - none of the participants in the process objects to this. Yes, we were significantly cut off from the south-eastern part of the village, but they cut it off not from what we have, but from what we wanted. That is, in all the adjustments to the village that are constantly being carried out, the territory of the village... believe it or not, is growing.
Solovki is officially included in the list of settlements in the Autonomous Region with unstable communications and the Internet. There are many places in the village where mobile Internet is practically absent. During the summer season, there are often situations when regular mobile communications are lost. Does the village have at least some prospects for the development of mobile communications and the Internet? Or should we wait for the launch of Elon Musk’s satellites?
– In recent months, cellular operators have become significantly more active in this direction – this is the result of the relevant work of the Fund. Next year Tele2 is due to arrive, MTS promises to improve the quality and coverage area, and appropriate measures are being taken. Here, I see the task of the settlement administration as constantly “teasing” the higher authorities and not allowing these issues to be obscured.
In the water taps of Solovki residents, in hotels where tens of thousands of tourists live, it is not drinking water that still flows, but industrial water... In what year should Solovki residents and guests expect real drinking water to appear?
– Knowing the difficult situation with the construction of water supply and sanitation systems in the village, I will predict this event of grandiose significance for 2020.
When Archrechport OJSC received a “cargo berth” as a concession, the former head of the MBU promised that local residents would receive significant discounts when ordering cargo operations (we have an island, after all!). However, there are no discounts, as well as ease of unloading - Solovsk residents mainly send small cargo for household needs, and the Archrechport site is intended for bulk and construction cargo. As a result, all residents use the only option - the ship "Dauria", which is clearly not always enough to deliver everyday necessities. Can the municipality improve the organization of cargo delivery from the mainland? For example, agree with the concessionaire so that on each flight he carries, for example, a “Solovetsky container” intended for groupage cargo of residents?
- Yes, this is a good idea - I think the carrier may well agree to this. However, as practice shows, it does not happen year after year; it is always difficult to determine when the next barge is formed. If the cargo is not urgent, this can be done. “Dauria” is also a temporary topic, no one guarantees us that it will go further - it depends on the owner. In general, I think that with the start of the Fund’s activities, there will be a certain reorientation in the transportation of goods towards Karelia - after all, for the Fund it does not matter which region to give preference to, they are simply looking at what is faster and cheaper (and more convenient for Solovki residents).
Is it true that the concession amount for the “cargo berth” through which construction cargo is transshipped under the federal program worth hundreds of millions of rubles is only 300 thousand a year? If “it just happened”, and the former head and deputies approved this economically unprofitable decision for the village, then is it possible to convince the successful concessionaire to take on any social burden? (I’m fantasizing): for example, pay all the monthly fees of Solovki residents to kindergarten...?
– As far as I remember, the amount payable to the regional budget under the agreement is 1 million rubles per year. Indeed, the village does not receive direct income to the local budget from the concession. However, it is impossible to say that Archrechport JSC does not help. They take a very active social position - they help the school, kindergarten, they always give gifts, provide sponsorship, several times in winter they sent potatoes and milk by plane... For the administration, their help is expressed in free construction materials, free delivery of goods, and the use of equipment. I am satisfied with our relationship.
The Solovki Development Fund ordered sociological research in the summer, where I was also interviewed in an “in-depth” interview. The meaning of the survey was on the surface: how to make the population leave for the mainland? At a meeting with the patriarch, a certain priest Leonid said that tourism on Solovki is not needed at all - you just need to create a 7D model of Solovki (he cited the Grand Canyon as an example) and show Solovki virtually. In the fall, two women were walking on the territory of the Varyazhsky Farm, and in a conversation with me they said that they were developing a federal program under which Solovki would receive the status of “ROM” - a religious and historical place. And they complained that the program was being developed without public discussion. Does the municipality know about the development of a program to give Solovki the status of a religious and historical site? How will giving this status affect the life of the village and the development of tourism?
– The question is very important. I can definitely say from first-hand experience that no one will relocate or evict anyone anywhere. My words will be confirmed by the events that will be implemented on Solovki in the coming years. In addition to the practical development of the concept of a religious-historical place, next year the Concept for the development of Solovki will also be prepared. In fact, there is nothing yet to discuss widely, but such a discussion will definitely be organized next year. For now, I cannot say what it will be and what regimes, what restrictions, within what boundaries it will be proposed to introduce. Our task will be to ensure that all these conceptual things do not negatively affect the development of tourism, the rights and interests of local residents.