In K. Varech, a controversial official will head urban planning

Karlovy Vary - Controversial civil servant Ivana Doubová, a long-time head of the building department of the Karlovy Vary municipality, will lead the strategic city department for development and urbanism from January. The council decided to appoint Doubová after she succeeded in the selection process. There was one other candidate in the selection, Deputy Mayor Petr Keřka (ODS) told reporters today. However, Doubová is accused by the opposition in the council of a series of incompetent decisions that she allegedly made at the building department.
    According to Keřka, Doubová is an expert in her field, which she has already proven several times in recent years. This has guaranteed her success in the selection process. She is expected to ensure that the development and urbanism department, which was established last year, gradually expands its activities. It should fulfill the mission that the city's urban center once had, the deputy stated. "In addition to architectural concepts, it will also be responsible for preparing city projects seeking grants not only from European funds," noted Keřka.
    The decision of the councilors to appoint Doubová as head of the development and urbanism department is considered by opposition councilor Petr Kulhánek (Karlovy Vary Civic Alternative) to be one of the most absurd among many absurd decisions made recently. "Maybe I would take it as a joke in some satirical program. But as it seems, this is a fact. We will definitely demand that the council address this. The question is whether it will be of any use. We have pointed out Doubová's contentious decisions several times, but always in vain," added Kulhánek.
    Doubová released a statement regarding her appointment, in which she states, among other things, that the constant criticism of the building department troubled her. That is also why she decided to apply for the selection process. She also mentions that she considers her previous experience in public administration and self-government to be an advantage. She hopes to fulfill the essential function of the development and urbanism department and help prepare documents ensuring the long-term development of Karlovy Vary.
    The opposition in the council this year accused the head of the building department, for example, of acting contrary to the zoning plan. According to the opposition, she did not disclose the ownership of agricultural plots that later changed into lucrative building areas in the zoning plan. The civil servant earned millions of crowns from the change in the zoning plan that she proposed herself. However, the councilors had several legal analyses prepared and agreed that Doubová did not err. "There is no reason to doubt her abilities," stated Keřka.