More than 400 visitors followed the podium discussion in the Unterhachinger Kubiz.
Unterhaching - One thing has to be said right from the start: Almost no candidate lacked quick-wittedness during the panel discussion on the local elections on Tuesday evening in Unterhaching . Little swipes and cheeky word skirmishes brought momentum into the political debate. Around 400 visitors came to the Kubiz to learn in three hours how incumbent Wolfgang Panzer (SPD), the mayor candidates Renate Fichtinger (CSU), Armin Konetschny (Greens), and Peter Hupfauer (FDP) as well as Julia Mittermeier , top candidate of the Free voters, beat. The moderators Martin Becker (Münchner Merkur) and Iris Hilbert (Süddeutsche Zeitung), in cooperation with the Volkshochschule, had prepared seven topics from traffic to noise protection to local design and climate as organizers.
Noise protection: Speed limit and noise barrier on the A995
As expected, opinions differ on the subject of noise protection. While Wolfgang Panzer, Julia Mittermeier and Armin Konetschny advocated a speed limit instead of structural noise protection as a quick and good solution, Renate Fichtinger held on to a noise protection wall especially on the A995. Panzer held against it. Two reports would have questioned the efficiency and statics of a noise barrier at this point. Fichtinger said that she had other information. The wall carries and a noise reduction by five decibels is enormous. When asked how exactly she knew this, the CSU candidate replied: “I can just stick my finger in the ground and say that it is firm. I'm not a structural engineer. ”Peter Hupfauer once again recalled that the FDP had once applied for a feasibility study for a noise barrier, which, however, had been rejected by all other groups - including the CSU. In the end, however, there was agreement that the topic should be dealt with more objectively and with less heated emotions in the future. "We have to discuss all possibilities objectively again and ultimately decide what is best," said Armin Konetschny.
Mobility: bike paths, bike lanes and express buses
All candidates saw that the conditions for cyclists in Unterhaching are more than just right. There is a lack of developed cycle paths, bicycle roads and protective strips, not an easy mission in the sometimes cramped road conditions of the community. Footpaths and cycle paths are merged. "This is out of date and dangerous," says Konetschny. The expansion of local public transport, including express buses , is proceeding slowly. Konetschny: "We have to create attractive alternatives so that people do without the car," Peter Hupfauer argued for a mix of all modes of transport. “I don't believe in discriminating one mode of transport in favor of another. You have to be able to decide freely depending on the purpose. ”Renate Fichtinger brought a shuttle bus into the industrial area. After all, something should soon happen on the station forecourt, as Wolfgang Panzer reported, the municipality had acquired the property in order to build a bike path and expand the bus stop.
Climate: geothermal and citizen energy
Armin Konetschny believes that one of the big mistakes was that the Unterhachinger Geothermal energy company was handed over to Grünwald. Mayor Wolfgang Panzer was "dismayed" by this statement. Millions of debts due to the non-functioning technology for electricity generation almost drove Unterhaching into ruin. The sale and the synergy effects with Grünwald meanwhile could supply 6,000 households in the community with district heating. CO2-free electricity can be obtained from Unterhaching Citizens' Energy. Armin Konetschny and Julia Mittermeier once again campaigned for the fresh air aisle. “We have to fight against this area being built up. The landscape park must also remain as it is, ”said Mittermeier.
Local design: a topic for everyone
The revival of the center of town has all the candidates on the flags. But the businesses that are currently developing there would not help, says Peter Hupfauer. "We need places to meet." All candidates spoke out in favor of creating a handicraft yard where handicraft companies can find space for their workshops and vehicles. Julia Mittermeier reminded once again not to forget the shopping center in the Fasenanpark. Many older people would benefit if a café, restaurant and supermarket were built here. In the end, all the candidates promised to reflect on the cooperation in the local council. According to Julia Mittermeier, the good style and tone of conversation have suffered recently. You want to go back to objectivity. "In the interest of the common good, you should simply put your party affiliation in the back," said Peter Hupfauer.
We have listed the mayoral candidates for all municipalities from the Munich district in our overview article on the 2020 local elections. You can also find out more about the candidates running in our article on the district elections. All other background reports can also be found on our topic page on the 2020 local elections in the Munich district.
