History of the Krosno Poviat

            Poviats, just as the starost office, have been present in the Polish tradition since the 13^th century. In the early days they were districts subject to land courts; however, with time they became a fundamental unit of the administrative division. The “older” chosen from among the gentry played the role of a Starost. The administrative division formed during the 14^th and 15^th century was maintained within the Polish lands for several centuries. No information concerning the process of this division on the Krosno-Gubin land was preserved. We only know that as early as in the 12^th century, when Bolesław Wysoki was reigning, the ducal chatelaine, which was a model for future poviats, was established. Its range covered the current south-western Polish border, in the north it lied on the Pliszka River, in the east the Ołobok River. The first documented castellan was Wisław (witness on the document from June 1203).

            In 1482 as a result of war on Głogów succession between heirs of the last Piast ruler of the Krosno land – Henryk XI and the Brandenburg elector Albrecht Achilles, by the power of the concord signed in Kamieniec Ząbkowicki, Krosno Odrzańskie was granted to Achilles. In 1526 the Gubin land belonged to the Czech territory, and in the 20s of the 17^th century it became a part of the Sas state of the Wettins. By the power of the provisions settled on the Congress of Vienna (1815) Gubin and Łużyce became a part of the Prussian state.

            In 1701 the Prussian Kingdom (Königreich Preußen) was established. Together with the beginning of state’s functioning, its administration was organized. Offices of country counsels, the landrats, were established. In 1787 poviat assemblies (Kreistag) were created. Starost, who was chosen from three candidates, was subjected to War and Economic Treasury (Kriegs und Domänenkammer) in Kostrzyn. Other fundamental changes took place at the beginning of the 19^th century. During the years 1808-1816 all levels of administration underwent reorganization. In 1815 Provinces were created (Provinz) as well as the administration of the lower level – Regencies (Regierungsbezirk). On 25 March 1816 Poviats (Kreis) were established and starosts (Landrat) were governing them. They were subjected to the regency authorities. Poviat assembly was an organ of the poviat self-government responsible for passing resolutions, while the executive power was the responsibility of the poviat department (Landratsamt). Landrat, chosen by the king, was governing the authorities and the department. In 1816 the Gubin Poviat (Landkreis Guben), with Ernst von Manteuffel as the starost and the Krosno Poviat (Kreis Crossen) with baron von Troschke as the starost, were established.

            Both poviats shared the fate of the Brandenburg Province, Frankfurt an der Oder regency, as they were subjected to them. In 1867 these poviats were incorporated in the North-German Union, and on 1 January 1871 they became a part of the German Reich. In 1884 the Gubin township poviat was created (Stadtkreis Guben). Erich Zweigert was its first starost. In 1905 the Gubin country poviat had 43 833 inhabitants, Krosno poviat – 59 252 and the Gubin township poviat – 36 636. The premises of the first of those three poviats covered in 1908: 177 communes and estates (Fürstenberg a. Oder municipal commune), while the second one included 152 communes and estates (Krosno Odrzańskie, Bobrowice and Lubsko municipal communes). During the interwar period the name of the Krosno Poviat was changed from Kreis Crossen a. O. into Kreis Crossen (Oder), and on 1 January 1939 it ceased to be a poviat and became a country poviat.

            Actions of World War II and the approaching front line during the years 1944/1945 forced yet another changes. The number of communes and estates constituting the poviats decreased. The last starosts within the region were Erich Krüger (Crossen poviat), Kreisleiter NSDAP Erich Schmiedicke (Guben township poviat) and Ernst Kaempffe (Guben country poviat). The vicinity of Odra and Nysa Łużycka, the last barriers leading towards Berlin, became a reason for fervent defence of both Gubin and Krosno. As a result, Poviat suffered a significant material loss (60-90%).

War actions and major destruction, lack of clear competency division and the fact that during the initial period the power was in the hands of the Soviet war commanding officers did not facilitate the work of the first settlers and administration organizers. The problem of the administrative centre arose both in Krosno Odrzańskie as well as in Gubin. Centres from Wielkopolska, Lower Silesia and Western Pomerania sent their representatives. According to the resolution of the Cabinet dated on 14 March 1945, both cities were incorporated into the Western Pomerania district. One of the groups (a group from Legnica) delegated to Gubin created an office in Krosno, due to major damages. Czesław Zalewski, who proclaimed the establishment of the Krosno-Gubin Poviat on 6 June 1945, led the group. He also appointed himself as the starost. Nevertheless, the above mentioned actions were illegal as it was the Poznań Voivode who had the power to rule over this area. During an inspection, which was executed on 31 May 1945, Józef Maciejewski, Engineer, the representative of the western Pomeranian district, performed the division of functions. The Poznań Voivode, the future first starost of Krosno, appointed Józef Kaseja the plenipotentiary of the Krosno district. Industrial, provisions, trade and general organisational sections were established and, what is more, country commissioner and police commandant (Borkowski officer cadet) were appointed. Offices of the Polish Workers Party and the mayor were excluded from the building. Two weeks later the Voivode issued a decision incorporating the two poviats into the Poznań Voivodship. The official confirmation of this fact was stated in the Resolution of the Cabinet from 7 July 1945 (“Monitor Polski”/”Polish Monitor” 1945, No. 29, item 77). According to “Poznański Dziennik Wojewodzki”/“Poznań Voivodship Journal”, the Gubin poviat included, among others, Gubin (Guben) and Przybrzeg (Fürstenberg a. Oder, currently Eisenhüttenstadt) cities and 107 country communes. Krosno poviat (as it was written in the Journal) covered three cities: Krosno, Lubsko and Bobrowice (which lost its municipal rights the same year) and 93 communes.

            The initial stage related to functioning of poviats was characterised by lack of funds for renovation and supply, as well as lack of qualified officials. Due to significant migrations of people, it was suggested that the Starostship should be open 24 hours a day, and the report concerning its activity was to be delivered once a month to the Voivodship office. The matter was made even more complicated by the large number of German inhabitants, next to the order of the Supreme Commander of the Polish Army, who assigned poviats along the Odra River and Nysa River solely for the army colonization. Yet the adversities were quickly overcome.

            In March 1950 further changes within the local administration took place. National councils were appointed, following the Soviet example, and poviat starosts were liquidated. The leaders of the national poviat councils governed Poviats, and the presidium became the executive power. Councils were chosen during elections, and the State Council was supervising their operations. Jan Koleńczuk was the first chairman of the Poviat National Council. Both poviats were a part of the newly established Zielona Góra Voivodship. In October 1954, as a result of another reform a new poviat, Lubsko Poviat, was created from partial areas of the Krosno Poviat (Lubsko, Górzyn), Gubin Poviat (Biecz, Mierków) and Żary Poviat (Jasień, Brody).

            In December 1961 the Gubin Poviat was cancelled. Gubin, Chlebowo and Wałowice were incorporated into the Krosno Poviat, and the remaining communities into the Lubusz Poviat.

            Next significant reforms were implemented during the years 1972-1975. A change of Constitution was essential to implement these changes. Creation of strong communes in 1972 led to marginalization of poviats. In 1973 forms of poviat management were changed – administrative works at this level were managed by the Governor of the Poviat (Jan Krompiewski was the Poviat Governor in the Krosno Poviat). The ultimate liquidation of poviats in PRL (People’s Republic of Poland) took place on the basis of the act dated 28 May 1975 (“Dziennik Ustaw”/”Journal of Laws”, 1975, No. 17, item 92 dated on 30 May 1975), which implemented a two-level administrative division from 1 June 1975.

            In 1990, in accord with the Ordinance of the Minister Head of the Cabinet dated on 1 August 1990 (on determining centres and the territorial scope concerning the activities of the Regional Offices), offices were established, which then became a foundation for forming poviat starosts. During the initial period Jarosław Tyc was the head of the Krosno RO, and then Regina Olek took on this function. On the basis of the act dated on 5 June 1998 (Dz.U. from 1998 No. 91, item 577 and 578) the three-level division of the self-government administration was restored.

            Democratic Left Alliance won the first election to the Krosno Poviat council, and Wiesław Mackowicz - the then president of the School Board Representation became the starost.

            The Konin Poviat was established, which comprised: Gubin municipal commune, Krosno Odrzańskie country-municipal commune, country communes: Gubin, Bobrowice, Bytnica, Maszewo, Dąbie. As one of the 14 poviats it became a part of the Lubusz Voivodship. Krosno Poviat takes up the area of 1391 km² and has 56 325 inhabitants. Jacek Hoffman is currently the starost.

History of the Krosno Poviat -    video .avi