Local Students Engage in Political Talk with Mayor Marco Steffens
In a unique opportunity for engagement, students from three eighth grade classes at Grimmelshausen-Gymnasium invited the Mayor of Offenburg, Marco Steffens, for a “Political Talk” session in the multipurpose room of the auditorium. Mayor Steffens dedicated a double period to openly and honestly answer the students’ questions. The discussion took place within the context of their current social studies curriculum on “Local Politics,” led by their teachers Heike Dietz and Silke Herbert.
The students had prepared various topics related to local politics for the conversation with Mayor Marco Steffens. Each keyword prompted a dozen questions from two to three students. The moderators of the talk show went the extra mile, dressing up in suits and ties for this esteemed visit.
Mayor Marco Steffens answering students’ questions.
An Open and Honest Exchange
The students fearlessly asked personal questions, such as “Were you nervous before your first election?” and “What were the consequences of the election for you personally?” Mayor Steffens answered all questions openly and honestly, noting that like any politician, he too felt nervous since it ultimately concerned his own person. He explained that as the mayor, he is on call 24/7, with no script on how to lead a city. Often, decisions need to be made to the best of his knowledge and conscience, and he encouraged the students not to hesitate in making decisions, emphasizing that progress can only be made with courage.
Responsibilities and Commitments
The students learned that the city administration, with around 1,700 employees, is one of the largest employers in the city, serving over 63,000 citizens. They also discovered that being an Oberbürgermeister (mayor) does not involve repetitive, mundane tasks. Instead, each day is structured and varies significantly, with numerous roles and commitments both within and beyond the city limits. Mayor Steffens asserted that a key ingredient for success in his job is a genuine liking for people.
Insight into Local Governance
One of the main themes that piqued the students’ curiosity was the functioning of politics. Mayor Steffens explained that German local politics is based on compromise and consensus, aiming to find solutions that are acceptable to the majority. While the city sets the agenda for topics, there are guidelines dictating when specific issues are placed on the city council’s agenda. As the elected chairman of the city council for an eight-year term, Mayor Steffens has his own voice but the final decisions are made by majority vote within the entire council. Every five years, citizens directly elect the members of the city council.
The students eagerly inquired about current city issues, leaving no topic unexplored. They discussed the significance of a strong economy for a socially thriving city, the importance of tax revenues in financing various projects, and how Offenburg residents can influence political decision-making processes through diverse forms of civic participation.
Hilzinger Group Increases Revenue and Plans for Growth
The Hilzinger Group recently held its annual Partner Day event at the Europa-Park stadium in SC Freiburg, with numerous guests from the trade and construction industries in attendance. The event was opened by Helmut Hilzinger, who shared data and facts about the company’s performance. The cumulative revenue of the group saw a growth from 287.4 million euros in 2022 to the current 290.2 million euros in 2023. The group currently employs around 1,430 people across 45 locations, including 24 in Germany, 14 in France, and seven in the Czech Republic.
The Hilzinger Group operates at 19 production and sales locations, while the remaining 26 are dedicated sales sites. Their customers primarily consist of retailers in Germany, Switzerland, France, and the Czech Republic, as well as the construction and housing industry, and private builders and renovators. The group is aiming to continue expanding and gaining market share in all areas, particularly in the trade segment.
Positive Outlook and Investment Plans
“The current challenging economic situation in the industry, due to a decrease in building permits and uncertainties among builders and homeowners, is seen as temporary,”
says Helmut Hilzinger, expressing confidence in the group’s ability to overcome these challenges. He further adds, “On the contrary, we are investing and gearing up so that we can fully accelerate when construction activities increase again.”
Hilzinger also highlights the significant investments planned for the present and upcoming years. This includes the expansion of wood window and wood-aluminum window production, with the goal of substantially increasing the company’s capacity. The group is firmly rooted on a solid foundation and is ready to weather the current economic difficulties.
Focus on Innovation and Expertise
In addition to Helmut Hilzinger’s address, the event featured expert lectures and presentations on various topics. These included aluminum doors, renovation funding programs, window calculation software for partner businesses, and a new system related to modular construction, where windows are pre-installed in the factory. The group also unveiled a unique guidebook for window installers involved in the renovation of historic buildings.
The event was accompanied by a specialized exhibition and offered guided stadium tours, giving attendees a comprehensive experience of the Hilzinger Group’s offerings and expertise.
Continued Growth and Market Expansion
The Hilzinger Group’s overall growth strategy centers around expanding market share in all sectors, particularly in the trade segment. Their commitment to investing in cutting-edge production capabilities and maintaining a strong network of sales locations across Europe positions them well for future success.
Expansion of Management Board at Volksbank Mittlerer Schwarzwald
The Volksbank Mittlerer Schwarzwald eG has recently appointed three new prokurists, Fabian Papa from Titisee/Neustadt, Sebastian Steiner from Oberwolfach, and Daniel Vollmer from Zell a. H. These three executives have been promoted to the extended management board and will represent the bank jointly with a board member or another prokurist.
Contributions to the Bank’s Success
The continuous growth and modernization of the Volksbank Mittlerer Schwarzwald eG have been significantly influenced by the dedication and innovative ideas of Fabian Papa, Sebastian Steiner, and Daniel Vollmer. Their exceptional leadership qualities and extensive expertise have played a crucial role in shaping the bank’s success.
Introduction to the New Prokurists
Fabian Papa, a member of the Volksbank family for five years, currently oversees the entire organization and IT department. With a background in finance and a strong affinity for IT, he has been appointed as the Head of IT/Organisation.
Sebastian Steiner, who started his career as a bank clerk and later specialized as a bank operations economist, has taken on various leadership roles within the bank. He is passionate about innovation and digitalization and has played a key role in establishing the bank’s comprehensive Bitcoin service.
Daniel Vollmer, who completed his apprenticeship at VBMSW and continued to gain further qualifications in finance management, is now responsible for the digital sales channels department. He has successfully planned and implemented the bank’s customer service centers.
Acknowledgement and Future Role
The appointment of prokurists serves as both a sign of trust and recognition for their outstanding work. The entire management board, employees, and supervisory board extend their congratulations to Fabian Papa, Sebastian Steiner, and Daniel Vollmer on their new roles. They are confident that these new prokurists will actively contribute to the bank’s strategic development and wish them success in their endeavors.
Growing Prokurist Team
In addition to the three new prokurists, the Volksbank Mittlerer Schwarzwald eG now has a total of eleven prokurists, including Sandra Harter from Bollenbach, Rainer Dieterle from Schiltach, Axel Moosmann from Gutach, Thomas Thiel from Haslach, Johannes Kaspar from Hofstetten, Matthias Rüdiger from Fischerbach, Matthias Trautwein from St. Georgen, and Alexander Wöhrle from Gutach.
The renovation works on the road network of Klingelberg in Haslach and the Kessel area in Tiergarten have been successfully completed, bringing a sense of relief and satisfaction to the local residents. The efforts were spearheaded by the Knäble Straßenbau GmbH from Biberach, with technical assistance from the municipal construction department. The project, which began at the end of last year, involved a financial investment of approximately 60,000 euros from the city.
Ensuring Safety and Enhancing the Agricultural Landscape
The completion of the road renovation holds significant importance for the farmers in the steeply sloped areas. Haslach’s local representative, Jürgen Mußler, emphasized the necessity of maintaining the pathways in these areas to ensure the safety of the farmers during their work. The successful conclusion of this project is not only a cause for celebration among the local community but also highlights the collaborative effort and valuable contribution of the farmers towards preserving the agricultural landscape.
Recognizing the Contribution of Farmers
It is often underappreciated how vital the work of farmers is in sustaining our surroundings. Mußler and Benz express their gratitude and appreciation to the farmers for their excellent cooperation and their ongoing dedication to maintaining the natural beauty of the region. Their commitment deserves recognition, as their tireless efforts play a significant role in preserving the local landscape.
Looking Ahead
The completion of the road network renovation project sets the stage for improved connectivity and safe travel for both locals and visitors alike. It is crucial to acknowledge the positive impact that these infrastructure upgrades have on the overall well-being and quality of life in the area.
About the Article: Rathauschefs setzen auf interkommunale Zusammenarbeit
In a significant step towards enhancing cooperation and collaboration, the mayors of several municipalities in the Achern region and Renchtal came together for the first time. This meeting marked the beginning of intercommunal collaboration, a vital initiative aimed at fostering unity and addressing shared challenges.
Image:
Promoting Unity and Future-Oriented Solutions
Oberbürgermeister Gregor Bühler and Oberbürgermeister Manuel Tabor graciously welcomed their colleagues to the Oberkirch City Hall, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and looking beyond individual municipalities. Regular meetings within the established Bürgermeistersprengel of Renchtal and Achern’s surrounding communities have long served as a platform for the exchange of ideas and the exploration of cross-community future-oriented topics.
“The cooperation within the existing districts is of great importance. However, we also recognize the necessity to think outside the box and further strengthen intercommunal ties,”
highlighted Oberbürgermeister Gregor Bühler on behalf of the mayors present.
This gathering of the Bürgermeistersprengel marked an important milestone in regional collaboration. The mayors expressed their commitment to pooling resources, learning from one another, and finding sustainable solutions for current challenges through ongoing dialogue.
Financial Contributions and Potential Legal Disputes
During the meeting, the financial contributions of surrounding municipalities towards school construction costs were discussed. All attendees agreed that this topic would continue to create intercommunal waves. In some parts of the country, demands for contributions from neighboring municipalities towards the construction costs of schools have already been made. Some of these amounts reach millions of euros, impacting smaller communities whose students attend schools in neighboring cities.
The mayors voiced concerns about potential legal disputes and the potential strain that such financial demands could place on intercommunal relationships. They called for stronger guidelines from the state government to ensure that the municipalities do not end up in conflict with one another. The involvement of interest groups such as the Städte- und Gemeindetag (Association of Cities and Municipalities) was also suggested to address these challenges collectively.
“Together, we are stronger,”
emphasized the mayors, expressing their delight at the prospect of deepening collaboration between municipalities moving forward. The next meeting is already scheduled for the second half of 2024.
Recent Break-In at Crossen Swimming Pool Prompts Police Investigation
Authorities are on the lookout for witnesses following a recent break-in at Crossen Swimming Pool in Zwickau. The incident occurred between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, leaving local residents concerned about security at the popular recreational facility.
Unidentified Perpetrators Cause Damage and Theft
During the break-in, the perpetrators forcefully gained access to the premises of the swimming pool via the Birkengrundbach area. The police reported that the thieves targeted the outdoor clock, stealing its electronic component and rendering it inoperable. The stolen electronic equipment is estimated to be worth approximately 1200 euros. Although they did not manage to enter a nearby building, the intruders left behind significant damage.
A Pattern of Break-Ins at Crossen Swimming Pool
This incident is not an isolated occurrence, as Crossen Swimming Pool has been targeted by thieves in the past. Over the years, the facility has experienced several break-ins, prompting concerns among local residents and authorities about the security measures in place.
Appeal for Witnesses and Information
“Authorities are appealing to the public for any information that may help identify the individuals responsible for this theft,” stated a police spokesperson. “If you noticed any suspicious activity or have any relevant information, please contact the Zwickau police station at 0375 428 102.”
With the investigation underway, residents are hopeful that the police will swiftly apprehend and bring the perpetrators to justice. In the meantime, it is crucial for the local community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to the authorities.
Hallo, we have redesigned our old website and changed our web hosting on October 20, 2021 Therefore, the previous review software we used is no longer compatible. These review videos were shot directly from the review system we used previously. We had to flash them very quickly because these reviews contain customer emails, and we don’t want to disclose them.
Below are some screen shots of our reviews. Customer emails were blurred out for privacy.
