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"I'm 50 hours and more in the town hall"

2020-08-13T10:46:22.887Z


Rainer Spicker has been in office as mayor for almost 100 days - the town hall chief has been working full-time in Althegnenberg since this year. An interview.


Rainer Spicker has been in office as mayor for almost 100 days - the town hall chief has been working full-time in Althegnenberg since this year. An interview.

Althegnenberg - Until now, the 50-year-old, who was deputy town hall chief for six years, had to drive on two tracks - as a community leader and at his employer KUKA AG in Augsburg. And that wasn't always easy-

How was the first time as First Mayor?

It was of course not that easy. Corona had a big impact. Everything didn’t go as usual. Inaugural visits, events, municipal councils - it all took a lot of getting used to. It was even easier during the lockdown, after which it became difficult. There were always questions about what is allowed now and from when - whether it's playgrounds, hard courts, football. Our mayor seminar on March 17th also had to be canceled. We, Robert Bals from Adelshofen, Franz Ostermeier from Mittelstetten (the new official colleagues in the administrative community Mammendorf, d. Ed.) And I will do that soon.

Was it an advantage that you already had six years of experience as vice president?

In any case. I was very well trained by my predecessor Paul Dosch. Even now he is still at my side with words and deeds, if necessary. But for someone who is brand new, it went from zero to 100. I have now completed the wedding seminar and the first wedding is planned for the end of September.

How was the dual function as a full-time mayor and employee of a company?

I have been in the home office since March 13th and in the town hall from May 1st. There were two main days for my company. The double burden was very stressful. There have been six municipal council meetings so far, the building committee met twice, and we had mayor meetings in the VG three times. I had five meetings with my two deputies, plus the school association.

Not only the mayor is new in Althegnenberg, the municipal council has grown by two seats and there are also many new ones.

The start was a bit bumpy indeed, but it's going to be slow. We immediately had a baptism of fire with the new building area, the referendum, the village center and the sewage treatment plant. Another big topic is the conference room, which is now too small for us, especially when there are a lot of listeners. At the moment we are in the superstructure in the sports center, but that is not a solution in the long term. The rectory could be a possibility. The Althegnenbergers are very interested in politics, sometimes we have 20 people there. And if the fire department requirement plan is presented now, we may go to the gym again.

Have there ever been days when you are desperate and wished you hadn't run?

In fact, I've had such a day so far that I've really doubted the system. It was about changing the question posed by the council request. And then our flyer was criticized - none of that would have needed it. But that's not why I regretted my candidacy for mayor. I am still here.

How does the mayor create a balance to official business?

The family is fully behind me, that helps a lot. The popularity in the place is very positive. I still pursue my hobby as a beekeeper. I started with two peoples, now there are nine. And I also try to switch off, do sports at least every other day.

Were there any nice moments during the turbulent times?

Yes of course. The encouragement from the population gives a lot of strength. I also like to talk to people, but of course you can never please everyone.

Is it a problem when you go from council member to mayor and then you are boss?

I am now the fourth term on the parish council, and I grew up with most of the council members. There are also only a few councils who are more senior than me. I've had to make decisions and lead people in my job, and that's helpful now. Perhaps I am still taking things too loosely, but there will be the right balance.

Many citizens thought that when you took office you were working exclusively for the community. Was that a problem?

Yes, that was actually the case, but it will be much easier now after I say goodbye to KUKA. So far I haven't had a week in which I haven't been to town hall for 50 hours or more, sometimes on Saturdays and Sundays too. Serving two masters is difficult. In the future I can be available in the church for two and a half days.

What are the hopes for the future of the church?

Become liquid and get the issue of sewage treatment plants under control. Unfortunately, that had to stay lying around for a long time. The referendum, the village center and the Graf-Dux-Straße extension building area have cost a lot of time and energy so far, but we succeeded. And the topic of fire services is only really getting started now. We do not yet know what the first citizens' meeting will look like. And on the subject of the environment and energy: the community must think and act in a CO2 and climate-neutral manner. We have to rely more on regenerative and renewable energies.

Has there been advice from your predecessor and father-in-law Paul Dosch?

Yes, in the beginning, but it has become less. He is still very interested in what is happening, but he does not interfere. He doesn't say anything of his own accord, only when I ask.

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2020-08-13

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