Kalinak: Defence Ministry to Dim Big LED Screen at Night at HQ

Bratislava, 6 February (TASR) - The Defence Ministry will adjust the large LED screen at the future headquarters of the ministry, known as Kukurica [The Corn on the Cob — due to the building's shape] in Bratislava's Nove Mesto borough, with the screen either to be switched off at night or its brightness adjusted to match the surrounding light conditions, stated Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) on Friday. Speaking in response to criticism from Bratislava Mayor Matus Vallo and the borough, Kalinak added that the ministry doesn't plan to turn the screen off completely, though. "We'll adjust it so that we don't bother the local residents. We'll adjust the brightness, perhaps switch it off at night entirely so that people can sleep, and we'll also take into account the level of light in its surroundings," said Kalinak, describing the move as a way to limit light pollution. Commenting on Vallo's remarks, Kalinak said that he understands that it is important to get upset about such an issue and to consider people's ability to enjoy a peaceful sleep at night. At the same time, he recommended that the mayor should focus more on transport in the capital. "Because I don't know what's worse - this LED screen or his cycle lane that nobody uses," said Kalinak, referring to a cycle lane built on the Danube riverside that led to a dispute between the government and the city. The minister also apologised for the building being lit throughout, or for most of, the night. He said that this has been due to the need to meet deadlines under the Recovery Plan. Regarding the brightness of the LED screen, he noted that it's been calibrated and tested. The mayor again criticised the LED screen, claiming that its placement runs contrary to the zoning plan. He also pointed to the long-standing efforts of the municipal authorities to combat visual smog, which shouldn't belong in a city and bother its residents. "I'm sad that the rules adopted by the city council, which are at the level of the law, simply don't apply to the state," said Vallo. According to him, it would have been enough if the state had asked the local authority for its opinion "out of decency", and an alternative could have been found. In the mayor's opinion, the fact that the government doesn't have to ask anyone and that the rules don't apply to it like they do to everybody else is "more than insane". mf/df