President of the Club of Independent Councillors and county councillor Mladen Kešer publicly responded on Facebook to statements by Križevci mayor Tomislav Katanović regarding allegedly long waits for the issuance of building permits and his initiative for the City of Križevci to take over these tasks. Kešer stated he felt obliged to respond publicly, noting that citizens have the right to an efficient system, timely resolution of cases, and clear information about where problems may arise.
Kešer emphasised that citizens have the right to know that responsibility must not be unfoundedly shifted onto individuals who have performed their duties conscientiously and professionally for years. He added that he has worked with employees of the county administrative department in Križevce for over 20 years, who handle the issuance of building and use permits as well as other documents within their remit. In that period, he noted, he had no reason to question their expertise, professionalism, the timelines in which they operate, or their willingness to assist citizens, entrepreneurs, and local self-government units.
He cited Zdenko Stančić, Darko Žarković, Brankica Knak Sačari, Branka Tenodi Šatvar, as well as their younger colleagues Matija Bedovec and Andrea Markulin. Kešer stated that through their expertise, experience, and responsibility, they had assisted in the realisation of numerous private and public investments in the area of Križevci and its surroundings. He highlighted that he could not remain silent when it appeared that these very individuals were being blamed for alleged months-long delays and administrative slowness.
Kešer acknowledged that the mayor was fully justified in proposing that the city take over the issuance of building permits, and that it was a legitimate political and organisational initiative. However, he believed that if the city assessed that such a model would be more efficient, it should present concrete financial calculations, an organisational model, the required number of staff, implementation timelines, and measurable indicators of improved performance. Legitimacy of the initiative, he warned, did not equate to the right to unfairly criticise employees.
"Criticism of the organisation is one thing, but creating a negative image of specific individuals is quite another," said Kešer. He stated that if there were cases of unjustified delay, the public had the right to know which cases were involved, how long they had taken, why they were delayed, and who was responsible. He called on the mayor to present evidence publicly and precisely if he had proof that cases were standing for months without justification or that officials were not acting in accordance with their duties.
If such evidence did not exist, in Kešer's view, it was irresponsible to create the impression that people were to blame for systemic failures. He clarified that he was not claiming that any system was perfect or that it could not be improved, but that this was to be achieved through facts, open dialogue, and responsible proposals, rather than shifting blame without evidence. Citizens, he concluded, deserved an efficient system, but also truthful and verifiable information, which is why he urged all parties involved in the debate to focus on data, competencies, and solutions that would genuinely benefit citizens.
It is worth noting that Križevci mayor Tomislav Katanović and his closest aide, Ivan Majdak, had protested against the building permits, announcing the separation of Križevci from Koprivnica County.
