Slezské Rudoltice - It was only a week ago when representatives of Slezské Rudoltice were having a fierce fight with the Ministry of Health over the local chateau.
Minister Julínek´s office wanted to sell the historical building located in the village to a Cypriot firm for a minimal price.
Julínek then gave in and decided to offer the chateaus (in the north of Morava, where he intented to sell a number of castles) to town halls. In Slezské Rudoltice, they know what they will do now: They will turn down Julínek´s offer.
Municipality´s property
The reason for that is that mayor Martina Jalamasová discovered in historical documents that the chateau is actually the municipality´s property. Information which dates back to the time before the communists´ nationalization.
The municipality then has the right to become its owner.
"For years, so called Proposal of Land Allocation Plan and other documents have been lying untouched in my drawer. Based on these documents, we can prove that the chateau used to belong to our municipality," explained Jalamasová.
Other documents prove, that the chateau was owned by the municipality between the years 1947 and 1949. Then it was nationalized by the communists.
Restitution to be approved by Ministry
Jalamasová submitted the documents to the officials of the Land Register Office and they confirmed that, based on these documents, the municipality of Slezské Rudoltice can be registered as the owner.
"The paradox is that we still need the consent of the owner of the property. Therefore, just to be sure, I have sent out the request for consent to three different authorities: Medical Relief in Crisis Situations, the Ministry and the State Property Authority," described Mayor Jalamasová.
Even if the municipality does not receive the consent of the current owner, they can still plead in court with the presented documents.
When worst comes to worst, Jalamasová is determined to turn to the court. She would have difficulties finding nearly five million CZK in the 8-million municipality budget to purchase the chateau.
Mayors heading to Prague
Originally, the state was selling three chateaus (in Brantice, Dívčí Hrad and Slezské Rudoltice) in one package together with other 17 properties in the competition procedure.
Various buildings scattered throughout the Czech Republic used to serve as storehouses of Medical Relief in Crisis Situations. A development firm from Písek with some Cypriot roots bought the property for 113 million CZK.
Mayors of the municipalities, which had been trying for years to get a free of charge conveyance, strongly protested against the sale of the chateaus.
Eventually, the Ministry gave in and is willing to remove the chateaus from the package, if the municipalities purchase them for the appraisal prices.
Officially, the Ministry has not yet informed the mayors about this intention. They only learn about it from media. "We are invited to Prague on Thursday. I guess, we will be formally informed," stated mayor of Brantice Vlastimil Machů.
