"Swam over it, we have difficult times ahead of us!"

It remains exciting in the Petershausen council. Because even at the constituent meeting of the committee there were controversial discussions

Petershausen - Also on Thursday for the constituent meeting, the local council of Petershausen did not meet in the boardroom but in the school gymnasium. There were extra large tables in the semicircle for sufficient distance. Since the local politicians, including seven newcomers, were able to position themselves freely, not all factions sat together. A seating arrangement that reflects quite well that this municipal council with the now six instead of three parties still has to find its mode of work.

Mayor Marcel Fath (FW), who was confirmed with a large majority in the runoff election, now offered everyone a fresh start after much controversy in the previous term and heated election campaign. "Swam over it, we have difficult times ahead of us. Let us work together in trust. That is my request and my offer. "

It remains to be seen whether the town hall chief's appeal has been received. In the run-up to the meeting, however, there was apparently still little evidence of consensus and cooperation. In the two preparatory meetings, the political groups were unable to agree on some issues, as Fath reported.

And at the meeting, several candidates applied for almost every post. At the very beginning, the prepared ballot papers sparked debate when the second mayor was elected. All council members were listed on the papers, "but I am not standing for election," complained Gerhard Weber (CSU). Finally the notes were accepted.

Hildegard Weßner (CSU) was proposed as a CSU applicant who brought "the necessary feeling and closeness for our fellow citizens", said parliamentary group spokesman Günter Fuchs. Wolfgang Stadler (SPD), who has held the deputy post for 24 years, also started again. He has "many years of experience and knowledge of all community matters," said Bernhard Franke (SPD).

Stadler also competed against a CSU candidate six years ago, when it was Josef Gerer (CSU). This time the Greens named Lydia Thiel, another applicant. But Stadler immediately received eleven votes, albeit a narrow majority, on the twenty-member committee, and remains the second mayor.

The unsuccessful applicants ran for the office of third mayor. Here the free voters sent Margarete Scherbaum into the race. Since Scherbaum and Weßner initially received nine votes each, a runoff election was necessary. But this position remains with the CSU: Hilde Weßner received eleven votes and is now the third mayor.

Controversial views were reflected in further resolutions. Only with a small majority against the CSU, Greens and Non-Party Citizens' Community (ÜBP) did the statute regulate issues of local municipal constitution law. According to the mayor, the number of seats in the large committees, such as the construction committee, was controversial, and now remains at eight on the proposal of the administration. The CSU and the Greens had asked for ten.

The new rules of procedure were approved by a majority, but six municipal councils also voted against this set of rules, including the CSU parliamentary group.

The councils also disagreed on whether and how to set up a vacation committee that has not yet existed in Petershausen. Such a committee is currently of unexpected importance in the corona pandemic because - even on the advice of the state government - holiday committees have been held in many places in recent weeks instead of the full bodies. However, a majority rejected the administration's proposal to set up such a body and entrust the main and finance committee with this task. He welcomes a vacation committee, but as a separate body, said Gerhard Weber (CSU). The local council will soon discuss this.

On the other hand, the previous specialist committees will remain; in the eight-member construction, work and main committee each will receive one seat based on the election results of free voters three, CSU two, Greens, SPD and the new committee community of FDP and ÜBP.

After initial plans by Martin Seemüller (ÜBP) to join the CSU parliamentary group caused resentment, the now agreed cooperation between Jürgen Junghans (FDP) and Martin Seemüller (ÜBP) in a committee community is not an issue.

When, after a three-hour voting marathon, all the municipal council posts were filled (see also box), Mayor Marcel Fath (FW) presented the municipal councilors with small provisions bags with fairly traded products. "As a refreshment after long sessions." Petra Schafflik

PETRA SCHAFFLIK