Schongau - Jürgen Erhard has been the district home administrator for the areas of monument protection and building culture since May 1st, a good six months.
Time for an interim conclusion with 37-year-old Schongauer, Master in Communication Studies, History Didactics and Political Education and Dr.
des., about its beginnings, its tasks and its goals.
Half a year as a district home nurse - is it how you imagined it?
Erhard:
“No, it's not.
Of course, I did some research beforehand, but the last few months have shown that there is a lot behind it that is more in the background - for example through the many interdependencies with the State Office for Monument Preservation and the lower monument protection authority.
That makes it more interesting than I thought it would anyway;
I am pleasantly surprised.
And I was received very nicely by everyone. "
How much time do you spend on the work of the district homeschooler? After all, it is a voluntary position and is remunerated monthly with an expense allowance of 292 euros.
Erhard:
“Money is a form of recognition, but my main motivation is my passion for the topics that the job involves.
On the one hand, there are daily trips of around ten hours each around once a month, which either involve an inventory or very specific renovation or restoration work.
In the office, at home and during on-site appointments, I am busy two to three hours every weekday. "
What does a normal working day as a district homeschooler look like?
Erhard:
“It starts like in probably many offices: First of all with a look in the mailbox to see what has accumulated there.
A lot revolves around land-use planning and statements as well as contact with the lower monument protection authority, with whose premises my office is located at Münzstrasse 33.
As a district home nurse, it's also about actively looking for your projects.
Of course, it is best if I am encountered or come across a topic.
A lot happens outside. "
Was that made more difficult by Corona during your initial phase?
Erhard:
“Yes, when I started at the beginning of May, the day trips were still completely canceled.
After that, each of the four of us had to travel in our own car.
That is no longer the case, but a lot has been left behind during this time.
And for me that meant an initial wait until I could gain my experience.
As a newcomer to my position, I find it important to attend events, occasionally make contacts by chance, and thus create a basis that facilitates communication.
That was missing and that's why I'm still driving to the churches.
There are plans everywhere, an exchange about them, a 'what's coming up?'
makes a lot of things easier. "
Keyword 'what's coming up?': Which tasks have you identified as your current most important ones, which topics do you deal with recurring?
Erhard:
“It was noticeable from the start that cemeteries are a bigger issue. That is also clear, because first of all these are places that document the history of a place and that have meaning for everyone. Whenever, for example, a grave is abandoned in the listed city cemetery, I see whether it is historically significant and give my opinion; For example, because the buried person is a historically significant person or the tombstone is artistically exciting - there are more of these in the inventory than you think. It is now my goal not to first view the graves when they are released and individually, but to create a comprehensive overview, which is then consulted when necessary. We are also experiencing a change in funeral culture,which has a visible effect on the cemeteries - there should also be a concept for this. In general, many of my tasks involve different projects, but recurring questions. I want to standardize that to a certain extent in order to save effort. "
Why is that important?
Erhard:
“At the moment there is still a lot of discussion about individual cases.
To standardize this to a certain extent, streamlines my work and creates a legible security for everyone - even if it is only about the question of the color of a house facade.
For example, it can also be helpful to make municipalities aware of the advantages of a conservation statute that states that a rural village character should be retained.
It's not about getting involved, but about showing possibilities.
Even if the topic may seem a bit dry to outsiders. "
When does it get less dry as a district home nurse?
Erhard:
“You meet a lot of people and come to a lot of different spots that you wouldn't otherwise see - old sawmills, winding courtyards, church roof trusses or baroque farms that are far away.
The on-site visits are extremely exciting when everything becomes real and alive - the old hammer forge in Schwabsoien, which unfortunately is not yet a listed building, or the Schongau city wall, which is a real pearl.
It is great that more is being devoted to her now and the topic of the Middle Ages is an obvious one in Schongau. "
