Around 9,500 Peitingers entitled to vote were allowed to decide on the future of the Marienheim yesterday, Sunday. 5181 people from them have cast their votes on the controversial project. The result is clear: the Marienheim is to be rebuilt on Bühlach.
- A referendum took place in Peiting on Sunday
- It was voted on the new building of the Marienheim am Bühlach
- The result is clear
Peiting - Long was discussed, with the result of the referendum it is now clear: The Marienheim, a closed social-therapeutic facility for people with chronic mental illnesses, is to be rebuilt at Bühlach in Peiting. Even if some permits are still required, at least nothing stands in the way of the municipality.
The two polling stations that were set up in the Peitinger Middle School were quite contemplative on Sunday. Only 76 people came over during the day to vote on the future of the Marienheim. But that does not mean that the Peitinger were not interested in the election. On the contrary. Because a large part of the Peitinger had made use of the postal vote recommended in Corona times, the participation according to the municipality was 54.4 percent. "A good value," says managing director Stefan Kort, "especially for a referendum when the issue actually only affects a small group of people."
Citizens' decision on the new building of the Marienheim: Clear result
However, according to the presumption of one election worker, some of them used postal voting for the first time: an above-average number of votes compared to other elections were namely invalid. "In total there are 14 so not that drastic," said Mayor Peter Ostenrieder. He had expected a "very clear, positive decision." In fact, the result is quite clear. 3643 Peitiger voted for a new building for the Marienheim am Bühlach. That corresponds to 70.5 percent. In 1524 Peitinger (29.5 percent) wanted to prevent the construction project.
The initiators of the citizens' initiative against the new building of the Marienheim had set up a “phantom scaffolding” at Bühlach.
© Schlotterer-Fuchs
Including Jürgen Schleich, spokesman for the initiative that initiated the referendum. By late Sunday afternoon, he and a few colleagues dismantled the phantom scaffolding on the Bühlach. They are ultimately disappointed with the final result. Such a clear result was "not necessarily expected". One does not want to comment on the whole thing in great detail and instead refers to the success of having doubled the number of signatures for the citizens' initiative again. "We have proven that it is not about individuals." Now one wants to wait and see how the district office thinks about the construction project, after all, according to the citizens' initiative, the floor is not ideal.
Marienheim: The managing director hopes to be a good neighbor at Bühlach
Charlotte Straif, manager of the Marienheim, on the other hand, feels "huge joy, relief and gratitude."
Hoped for a vote in favor of Marienheim in the referendum: (from left) Mayor Peter Ostenrieder, AWO chairwoman Cornelia Emili, Marienheim manager Charlotte Straif, Jörg Reiprich (deputy facility manager) and Adolf Kapfer.
© Christoph Peters
Adolf Kapfer, whose family holds the majority in the operating company of the Marienheim, is also happy. He is particularly pleased with the high turnout. “It is remarkable how many Peitingers have committed themselves.” He also emphasizes that the residents of Bühlach have nothing to fear. Charlotte Straif is also hoping for acceptance and a good neighborhood and is open to discussions with local residents. "We will now let everything come our way," says a representative of the citizens' initiative. So far there has at least not been an exchange.
Peiting's Mayor Peter Ostenrieder is happy about the result for two reasons. It confirms the decision of the municipal council and ensures that "a Bavaria-wide model facility is kept in place."
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