The spokesman for the new youth council in an interview: These are their goals

Created: 01/21/2022, 20:00

The spokespersons of the new youth council: Isabella Schrills and her deputy Eric Buchalik.

© Hans Lippert

Isabella Schrills and Eric Buchalik are the two speakers of the newly elected youth council in Geretsried.

In an interview, they tell us about their ideas and goals.

Geretsried – Isabella, who was elected with 77 votes, was already a member of the committee during the previous term.

She is First Speaker.

Her deputy, Eric, who received 42 votes, is new to the youth council.

Our employee Tanja Lühr spoke to them about their ideas and goals.

Hello Isabella and Eric, can you briefly introduce yourself?

Isabella:

I'm 20 years old, live in Gelting and study marketing and media management part-time.

My hobbies are music and social life.

I live in Geretsried, I'm 14 years old, I go to secondary school and I'm interested in music and sports.

Are you involved in clubs?

Isabella:

I'm in the Gelting folklore group, in the marching band and in the boys' club.

What was your motivation for running for council?

Isabella:

I decided to run for office a second time because I really enjoy working in the youth council and I can make a difference.

I can represent and implement the wishes of young people in the city where I live.

It's nice to be heard and to be able to help shape where you live, no matter in what way.

So I'm glad to have been elected a second time.

The time in the youth council also helps you to develop yourself.

My motivation was to represent the youth because I personally find that our opinions and suggestions are often ignored.

What are your goals?

Eric:

I don't have any personal goals.

I get ideas from conversations with the Geretsried youth.

We in the youth council want to formulate what seems sensible and feasible as a proposal to the city council.

In this way we can show the young people that their wishes are heard and dealt with in the city council.

Specifically, I would like to organize a major event like a Blade Night.

Isabella, during the election campaign you announced that you wanted to do more for the interests of young people in Gelting.

Isabella:

Yes, I would think it would be nice if you could create a connection between the Geltinger youths and the Geretsrieders - that a few Geretsrieder youths come to Geltinger festivals and vice versa.

We should all pull together and everyone should be heard.

That's why I'm all the more pleased that Laura Wimmer is another candidate from Gelting this time.

I haven't envisioned any concrete joint projects yet.

I hope for a good cooperation between us members.

Due to the pandemic, many things could not take place in the past term of office.

In general, young people are certainly suffering from the restrictions, or what is your impression?

Isabella:

Social distance has severely limited our work in the youth council. Our meetings have been canceled or have been moved to digital. It was also difficult for us to implement projects after the requirements changed every few days. I think we are all suffering from the current situation. I'm honestly glad to be out of school. Because when I see how few trips young people can make, for example, it's just sad. Schooling is so important for a youngster's social development. It can in no way be continued in the same way in the digital world. Something is just missing. School friends are often the ones you spend the most time with in your life. Sometimes I even miss my school days myself. This is why our latest projects are so important to us:on the one hand the youth benches. Here the young people should have the opportunity to meet outside in the fresh air and have fun. With the planned redesign of the playgrounds, children and their parents should also get out of the social distance and get back into the fun.

In my circle of friends, I can already see the suffering from the pandemic.

Many want to meet in places that are partially closed or have access restrictions so complex that one or two have to stay outside at all times.

Karl-Lederer-Platz is well received by young people.

Egerlandstraße is also currently being modernized.

What do you think is missing in the center for young people?

Isabella:

Actually nothing.

If events for young people of all ages would also take place on the large square, that would be great.

I like bars and shops for younger people.

I let myself be surprised.

As spokesman for the youth council, you are in the public eye. For example, you should present proposals to the city council and be present at events. Do you feel a little queasy about it or do you see it quite relaxed?

Isabella:

Of course you have respect for all city councilors and the mayor.

But everyone is super nice to us and tries to help us where they can.

However, our applications must always be solid in order to be successful.

Eric: I personally don't feel queasy about something like that.

I can speak to the youth officer Felix Leipold or the city youth worker Julia Brandner at any time and ask for tips.

Even if neither of them have any tips, I just carry on as usual.

The worst that can happen is that an application is rejected.

Then we just have to do an even better job with the next application.

How do you rate the cooperation with the youth officer Felix Leipold?

Isabella:

Felix gives us helpful tips about how the city council works, which helps us immensely in our work.

Felix was once a youth councilor himself.

He can put himself in our shoes very well.

What are the next projects?

Isabella:

The next steps would be to further develop our youth benches and playgrounds and to implement the projects.

On February 24th we will hold a workshop with the company Krämmel and an artist for the graffiti project at Banater Street.

A team building weekend is also planned so that we can get to know each other better in the youth council.

Can you imagine running for city council after your time on the youth council?

Eric:

I can't say that yet.

: I could imagine continuing to get involved in politics after my youth council work.

Whether that will be exactly in the city council, I do not know today.

I could imagine.

But it's so difficult to say what will happen in the future, whether I will stay in Geretsried or will be there when the election takes place.

Tanya Lühr

Also read: City youth worker Julia Brandner: At eye level and still authentic

By the way: everything from the region is now also available in our regular Wolfratshausen-Geretsried newsletter.