Mayor Christian Pröbst: No council meeting when Bavaria is playing

He has now been in office for a good 100 days: Wartenberg's mayor Christian Pröbst speaks in an interview about his change of character, the danger of Leberkässemmeln - and how he doesn't want to miss any FC Bayern game.

Wartenberg - He was the big draft horse of the CSU landslide victory in the local elections in Wartenberg. Since May 1st, the Christian Socials have owned almost half of the seats in the market council. After a good 100 days in office, Mayor Christian Pröbst speaks not only about his goals, but also about his change of character, a fall on a mountain bike, the danger of Leberkässemmeln - and about how the ardent Bayern fan wants to make it in the future despite all the deadlines. never miss a game of his FCB.

Mr. Pröbst, new mayors are usually asked whether the stress has increased. But I ask you: Did you recover well in the first 100 days in office?

(laughs) When I was still replacing my predecessor Manfred Ranft, I went to my metal construction company, back and forth between her and the town hall, and the working day lasted from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. Now it's like this: I get up in the morning and just leave for the day. I have more time now. I start at the town hall between 6 and 7 a.m. I'm just an early riser.

You have left the company, haven't you?

On May 1st, my contract was completely terminated. Things are still going very well there. I always come by on Saturdays to chat - for example if you have a question. I gave a big protest party. By the way, I can come over to do handicrafts. My wife Nina runs a wood atelier called "Treetop". I make racks for them.

Physically, the work has definitely become less strenuous.

I miss that a bit. I liked to lock up. But now I don't have a backache anymore. (points with his index finger at his desk) This is a telescopic table that allows you to adjust the height and work while standing. That is good for me.

You also keep in good shape with mountain biking.

(rolls up his sleeves and points to bruises on his arm) On the Wednesday before the market council meeting, I was thrown at 5 p.m. As a mayor, you get a lot of meat loaf rolls. I have to make sure that my size doesn't change. I got the order from Billmayer, my tailor. I get a new suit from him every six months (laughs).

You have just come back from your vacation in Croatia. The first in a long time?

We were gone for a week (in addition to Mrs. Nina, the sons Benedikt / 7 and Maxi / 10 were also there; editor's note). We rented a boat and were in the Kvarner Bay and Millstätter See in Austria. But we were already gone at Pentecost, with the mobile home. I am a camper.

As the representative of the mayors Manfred Ranft and Peter Schickinger, who had been ill for a long time, you were already the man in the town hall for months before taking office. Has anything surprised you since May 1st?

The worse things, like unexpected deaths, were before. What's new for me: I'm the chairman of the school association. I was positively surprised by the amount of the contract for the renewal of the Aufhamer Bridge. It is significantly lower. I can't say more details yet. This week is the submission.

How are things going with the new market council? Many are new.

It's a good job, we get along across the groups. The public session lasted less than an hour on Wednesday, but we sat together in the Trachtenstadl until two in the morning. We do that regularly. The butcher then offers hand-sausages, pretzels and rolls.

You're an ardent FCB fan. As the 3rd mayor in the back of the plenum, you liked to let SkyGo run on your cell phone when Bayern were playing. This is probably no longer possible.

(smiles) I have a ritual like this: Before every meeting there is a big Red Bull. And then I have my gummy bears. It is still like that. SkyGo is of course no longer possible. You can't do that. But I can calm down. Because I looked at the Bundesliga and Champions League fixtures and arranged the meeting schedule so that it doesn't overlap with Bayern. Or we do it like in the Lyon game, so that the session doesn't last that long (laughs with a wink). Incidentally, I have a season ticket for the stadium and I was there for the Champions League finals in Milan and London. And at the final there - unfortunately.

The mood also seems to be right among the three new VG mayors.

Sepp, Done (Josef Straßer / Langenpreising, Anton Scherer / Berglern) and I get along great. Once a month we go to the landlord together.

You are now on the market council with your brother Michael. Does the mood still fit there?

He has his own opinion, but that's a good thing. Incidentally, there is no compulsory brotherhood in votes. Joking aside: he has good connections with the clubs. This is important.

You have slowed down your quick temper from before. You emphasized this again and again during the election campaign. Does the Christian Pröbst volcano no longer exist?

I didn't even scold in town hall. If I'm angry about something, I get on my mountain bike. Shouting around at the company didn't do anything in the past. You have to be more sensitive in the town hall anyway. We have many more women than men.

After the setback with the orthopedic surgeon, what about medical care?

We're still on hold. The orthopedist wants to come, he's already practicing in Wartenberg. But he's looking for other spaces. We are now proceeding with a new supply analysis; we have not made any progress with the old one. The cost is just under 15,000 euros. Incidentally, the CSU is planning an application to introduce a health working group. Experts should also be involved here.

What else is up next?

From October 16 to 18, the market council will go to a retreat. The redevelopment statute is an important topic. The entire area of ​​the upper market square is to be upgraded. For this, the market has bought the former Siebenbürger restaurant and two buildings around it. A plan should be laid over this. Here, too, we should take action on the topic of doctors. In addition, the small butcher's shop on the market square has not existed for six months due to a lack of staff. The marketplace must by no means bleed to death, it must be strengthened.

What else is there to do?

We need a new building area because we have so many requests from citizens. There is a similarly high level of demand in commercial areas.

The current topic is the new recycling center.

The move from the temporary facility on the fairground to the new location at the TSV sports field is planned for September 14th. This year we also want to start renovating the Aufhamer Bridge. The house for children will then be renovated in 2021, and a throttle structure will be built for the canal in Strogenstrasse. Then Strogenstraße 2022 can possibly be renovated. In addition, our social housing should then be renovated and increased. But we haven't had the hottest topic yet.

The expansion of the Marie Pettenbeck School.

This week is submission. Then an architect is hired for the feasibility study. It has to be ready by Mardi Gras 2021. 2021 must be the year of the procurement process so that we can plan from 2022.

Are you planning an extension or a new building?

I dont know. We'll see. One thing is certain: we have to expand. Do you want to hear something bad too?

Go ahead!

The sewer fees will rise - because of the renewal of the sewage treatment plant, which cost 3.1 million euros. I can't give exact numbers yet.

At 44 you are a relatively young mayor. Have you already calculated how many terms you could bring together?

(laughs) I'd like to do at least two.

Finally, you can ask yourself a question.

How's Corona going on, where do I get the money from? The question drives me. We have so much to do and we don't know what to do next.