After 24 years on the city council: Now she finally has time for her hobbies

Her presence and commitment have repeatedly brought Gerlinde Zachmann to the Olchingen City Council. Now the 74-year-old has finally said goodbye.

Olching - She had been promised that she would not be elected. That was the only reason why Gerlinde Zachmann had agreed to be on the city council list of free voters for a candidate who had failed at short notice. Her husband Ewald had just ended his second and last term as mayor. Nothing appealed to her about a seat on the local council. But she wouldn't get it either, she was assured. No one was ever voted in from 29th place. And then it did happen.

Massive hostility

"I was almost hit by the blow," recalls Gerlinde Zachmann and laughs. That was 24 years ago and she should be re-elected three times. The second time, she wanted to prove that it wasn't just the name Zachmann that had moved - that was exactly what she was often accused of in the first session. "I was pretty hostile and had to live with the poison arrows for six years," says the former social secretary. She took note of it without being worn down. That would be even nicer.

The second time she got more votes from the citizens. It was the term of office in which the idea for a social center came up - a project of the heart for the then managing director of the Olchingen social service. And because planning and construction dragged on until after the next election, she remained loyal to the local council for another six years. But now should be the end of the strenuous meetings that could have taken place "in a quarter of the time" if it had always been factual.

Focus on projects

In the 2014 city council election, Zachmann retired to list position 15 - and was nevertheless re-elected. Its popularity may have been a surprise to itself, but it quickly becomes apparent to outsiders. "I am not a politician. I was always concerned with projects, ”says the 74-year-old. She is sitting in the sunny courtyard of the senior citizens' complex on Isabella Street and is completely happy.

Committed to seniors

A guest commentary by Gerlinde Zachmann in the Tagblatt from 2004.

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Many acquaintances were surprised when Gerlinde Zachmann and her husband dug out of their large home at the relatively young age of mid-60s. But the Zachmanns haven't regretted their decision for a moment. Everyone knows the two here, every moment someone stops for a chat. Since the onset of the Corona crisis, Gerlinde Zachmann has organized a meal order for everyone from a local business every Sunday and a delivery of cakes every Monday. As chairwoman of the association “Growing older in Olching”, the mother of three and grandfather of seven started the Log in project last summer, which familiarizes seniors with the use of smartphones, tablets and the like - without knowing how important the technology is to a few Would be months later. Now everyone is happy that they have learned to chat and whatsapp with relatives.

Tragic experience

Caring for people was always Gerlinde Zachmann's thing. She started her professional life as a pediatric nurse in Ravensburg and experienced dramatic situations early on. Once she woke up to a heart-sick girl during New Year's Eve. When the fireworks were over, the little girl asked for a sip. Zachmann wasn't quite out of the door when a late firer shook the whole hospital. "I turned around and the child was dead." Since then she doesn't like the bang.

From her native Baden-Württemberg, she followed husband Ewald to Munich, temporarily earning money for both of them because he was still studying. When the first daughter came in 1969, he naturally took over part of the childcare, which was incredibly progressive at the time. “My mother-in-law was horrified,” says Gerlinde Zachmann and laughs.

In 1972 the family settled in Esting. The young mother quickly became involved in public life, built a playground with other parents and volunteered in the social area. "It was a great time."

Nursing service established

At the age of 40, she returned to full-time employment as a nurse in the Brucker Josefstift. And occasionally had to be asked whether, as a mayor's wife, she had “that necessary”. People couldn't believe that she genuinely enjoyed elderly care. But it was like that. And because Gerlinde also liked to organize Zachmann, she took it when the AWO offered to set up an outpatient care service in Olching.

As experience, she ticked off the fact that during the first mayoral election campaign of her husband, she was literally scared by the SPD-affiliated carrier. "I was never resentful and I have no resentment." She moved with the entire care team to the Olchingen social service and later became its managing director.

No time for hobbies

The passionate cook doesn't mind that she never had time for hobbies. "My hobby has always been work." Today, the bearer of the Federal Cross of Merit enjoys spending more time with her husband and is happy when the grandchildren can come back to visit. The seven children, adolescents and young adults shine with their parents from photos in the hallway of the spacious apartment. "They're all great people," says Zachmann, looking at the pictures. Her life balance sheet ("I'm so satisfied with everything") is believed.

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