December 2018: Continuing the Fight for Justice in Rasova

December 2018 was a challenging month in Rasova, as I continued my fight for justice and accountability amidst resistance from the local administration. After a year filled with advocacy, petitions, and meetings, the close of the year presented another series of obstacles, but also small wins that kept my determination strong.

One of the key developments this month was the escalation of my efforts to hold the mayor accountable for mismanagement of public funds. Throughout December, I worked diligently to document instances where local resources were misused, including funds that had been allocated for essential community needs but were either redirected or simply left unutilized. I approached the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) again, with new evidence that highlighted patterns of misconduct and negligence by the local authorities.

An important moment in this journey was a meeting with a group of residents who shared their stories of being systematically excluded from community programs due to their perceived lack of loyalty to the mayor’s administration. Many of these families were struggling, and their exclusion from public support was both unjust and deeply disheartening. Their testimonies were instrumental in showing how corruption was not only a financial issue but one that affected the social fabric of Rasova, deepening the divisions between those connected to the mayor and those who were not.

I also faced a significant setback in December when my formal request to audit the mayor’s office was denied. The response from the authorities was that there was “insufficient cause” for an audit, which was both frustrating and disheartening. Despite the denial, I used this moment to further galvanize the community, making it clear that our collective action and voice were more important than ever. We organized a community meeting, where we discussed how to proceed and keep pushing for transparency. The support and resilience of the people reminded me that, although the path to justice was far from straightforward, there were many willing to stand by my side.

Another significant event in December was a donation drive that my wife and I organized to support needy children in Rasova. The local administration had only provided gifts and support to families they deemed loyal, leaving many children without any help during the holiday season. This exclusion prompted us to take matters into our own hands. We started a community-wide campaign to gather donations for Christmas gifts for the children who had been left out. The response from the community was heartwarming—many residents contributed, and we were able to distribute gifts and bring joy to the children who otherwise would have been forgotten.

Reflecting on December 2018, it was a month marked by both setbacks and small victories. The struggle for justice is never easy, and in Rasova, it seemed particularly daunting. However, the stories from the community and the small successes we achieved by bringing more light to corruption and exclusion reminded me why this fight mattered. It wasn’t just about holding one person accountable, but about changing the system and ensuring a fairer, more just Rasova for everyone.

This December also held a special significance for all of Romania, as the country celebrated its 100-year anniversary. There was a sense of unity and reflection on what freedom truly means and how far the nation had come since its founding. The hope was palpable—that the new century would bring the long-awaited freedom from the grip of corruption and nepotism that had held Romania back for so long. The centenary inspired many of us to keep believing in a better future. The hope for change was everywhere, and this added an extra layer of motivation for my work in Rasova, as I felt a renewed sense of responsibility to contribute to the kind of Romania that people had dreamed of for the past 100 years.