May 2019: Rasova’s Tourism Potential and Continued Struggles Against Corruption

In May 2019, we welcomed our first visitor from England, who was cycling along the Danube. This was a significant moment for me, as it demonstrated Rasova’s immense tourism potential, which could be harnessed through local initiatives. With no support from the local authorities, I decided to initiate a private project to develop the necessary infrastructure and create opportunities for tourists. I began searching for people willing to offer rooms and host the cyclists traveling through the area. Furthermore, I continued to draw public attention to the community’s issues, such as the impassable internal roads due to heavy rains and the landfill that had affected the quality of drinking water in Cochirleni. The authorities’ response to these problems was negligent, but I managed to bring the situation to the attention of the Prefecture of Constanța, and an inspection led to sanctions against those responsible. The inspection conducted by the central environmental authority in Bucharest confirmed that the initial assessment was wrong, highlighting the severity of the situation. Additionally, the water supply issue became critical, as the landfill was dangerously close to the drinking water source, and there were signs that the water no longer met quality standards, leading to a ban on its consumption. My fight against corruption and abuse of power continued, and the resistance from the mayor and her allies did not relent. On May 14th, I faced two lawsuits against me for “moral damages.” Nevertheless, I managed to get the demanded sum from the municipality’s lawyer reduced from 1680 RON to 800 RON—a small victory in the face of intimidation. Despite the challenges, I feel increasingly confident in our potential to transform Rasova into an attractive tourist destination and a fairer community for all its residents.