Utting's "future maker"

Created: 02/14/2022, 13:15

By: Dieter Roettig

80 young people with a lot of zeal in the KJR campaign "Zukunftsmacher": Here standing mayor Florian Hoffmann, municipal councilor Jakob Kettler, Julia Baumann, Birgit Geier and Isabel Wildner from the district youth council and municipal councilor Simon Hafner (from left).

© Roettig

Utting – That was a tailor-made start!

More than 80 young people between the ages of 11 and 17 took part in the pilot event of the "Zukunftsmacher" series of the Kreisjugendring (KJR) in Utting.

Mayor Florian Hoffmann invited 310 young people from Utting by letter, but did not expect such a positive response.

For one evening, the elementary school's gym and multi-purpose room were transformed into a noisy creative workshop.

According to the motto "Do it, Utting - shape your community", the young people developed ideas and suggestions for optimization of their village, but also their personal environment.

Strengthened by twelve XXL party pizzas, lots of sweet pastries and boxes of Spezi, divided into five groups, they put their thoughts down on paper - guided by organizer Julia Baumüller from KJR Landsberg, KJR chairman Birgit Geier and other KJR employees.

Astonished observers and occasional advisors were the municipal councilors Simon Hafner (CSU), Jakob Kettler (GAL) and Mayor Florian Hoffmann (LWG/CSU-BL).

He is also a fire brigade commander and was proud that two thirds of his young fire fighters were eagerly taking part in the future workshop.

As Baumüller explained, this “low-threshold involvement and participation format” can be used to ideally involve young people and expand their understanding of democracy.

Young people could experience that adults and politicians hear their voices, take them seriously and thus counteract disenchantment with politics.

"The fresh wind and the unconventional thinking can be an added value for the community," emphasized the educational worker at the KJR Landsberg.

After two hours of discussions, criticism, questions, ideas and requests, the points recorded on paper and flip charts were prioritized and presented to mayors and local councils in groups.

Complaints were made about the security staff, who often harshly drove the young people out of the summer park after 10 p.m.

On balmy summer nights one would like to stay longer here.

Mayor Hofmann was able to appease the fact that no security service has been committed for the current year.

Another group complained that the prices at the lido kiosk were too high for kids.

"Besides, the Leberkäs rolls are too small," added loud applause.

According to the mayor, the lido including the kiosk is leased and the municipality has no influence on the pricing.

"But I'll talk to the tenant

whether there's something special for our youth," he promised.

The third group wanted a place to party without supervision with a fireplace, tables, hammocks and a refrigerator.

A "Beer Pong table" is important for the trendy ball throwing drinking game.

Mayor Hoffmann raised hopes for a community property behind the town hall.

At least until the youth cellar in the future refuge near the train station is finished.

Another group had a similar wish, and they campaigned for large wooden hammocks in the summer park and football goals on the meadow by the old villa.

In addition, the municipal ice stock pond should be upgraded so that you can play ice hockey here.

A very sensible suggestion from the fifth group was a pedestrian traffic light at the REWE supermarket across the busy Dießener Strasse.

Since this is a state road, the municipality can only strongly suggest this, according to Mayor Hoffmann.

The State Building Authority in Weilheim alone is responsible for making a decision.

The municipal council will soon deal with many other ideas and suggestions from the youthful future workshop in Utting.

"By the way, the meetings are open to the public, why don't you go?" advised Julia Baumüller in her closing remarks.