Scandal about the tractor for the building yard: the third mayor threatens to leave the meeting in protest because of Seemüller

Created: 09/27/2022, 12:22 p.m

By: Dieter Dorby

The vehicle request from the Miesbacher Bauhof makes waves in the city council.

© Dieter Dorby

The dispute over not purchasing a tractor for the building yard caused an uproar in the Miesbach city council.

When Markus Seemüller (FWG) wanted to get rid of an explanation on the agenda item "Unforeseen, wishes and requests", Franz Mayer (CSU) got too colorful.

The third mayor gave his fellow councilors a choice: either Seemüller refrained from speaking or he, Mayer, would leave the meeting immediately.

A development that obviously surprised even Seemüller.

He finally gave in, refrained from further explanations and announced a press release.

What angered Mayer: The tractor issue was already on the city council's agenda in July.

As reported, the plenary voted 17:4 against selling a tractor that had been leased from the building yard and leasing a new one in its place.

The building yard feared that the vehicle would become increasingly susceptible to repairs, especially during winter service.

Alois Fuchs (CSU), on the other hand, argued: "Now that it has been paid off, the machine is worth it." And the costs for any repairs are manageable compared to the leasing costs.

As a farmer, he has no qualms.

An argument followed by the great majority of the city council.

But not Seemüller.

FWG parliamentary group spokesman Markus Seemüller.

© THOMAS PLETTENBERG

When Mayor Gerhard Braunmiller (CSU) was on summer vacation, he submitted an application for the September meeting.

The aim: to withdraw the July decision.

The problem with this is that the city's rules of procedure stipulate that a topic that has already been voted on can only be voted on again if there are new facts or new important points of view.

Braunmiller's deputies - Second Mayor Astrid Güldner (Greens) and Third Mayor Franz Mayer (CSU) - presented the case for the security of legal supervision at the district office.

In case of doubt, this advised that the application be approved and the topic discussed in the meeting – or to submit a non-referral application.

Mayer presented the motion for non-referral at the meeting.

He pointed out that "there were no serious changes compared to the July meeting".

As a point of order, this took precedence and was accepted with 16 votes to 6.

Only the SPD, Seemüller and his parliamentary colleague Florian Ruml voted against it.

Seemüller did not have the opportunity to present his motives.

Third Mayor Franz Mayer (CSU).

© THOMAS PLETTENBERG

So he waited until shortly afterwards it was the turn of the "unforeseen" item.

When he wanted to put on record that a new situation had arisen, Mayer burst out: "There are two decisions – once with 17:4, today with 16:6." Seemüller should please accept that.

Mayer did not accept his answer that he wanted to say something about it.

"Then I'll leave the room immediately." It can't be that a topic comes up again and again in the session.

decisions are to be accepted.

Seemüller replied that he had the right to be listened to.

Turning to Managing Director Gerhard Führer, he asked: "Has the city council ever experienced something like this?" Führer's answer: "No."

But the topic did not end there - it went underground, so to speak: Seemüller sent out a press release in which he referred to the situation on the procurement market for machines and tractors.

According to this, the building yard has “current, written information about the tractor, for which a delivery time of around 20 months can be expected.

This fact was not discussed and taken into account when the decision was made in July because it was not known.” And snow clearing is a mandatory task.

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Güldner and Mayer contradict this in a joint press release.

The problem with supply chains and long delivery times was already known in July.

The decision was also taken with a clear majority.

The services of general interest can be fulfilled with this tractor - if necessary with repairs.

On the other hand, there are new leasing costs that the city can avoid in its tense financial situation.

Similar vehicles can also be easily obtained on the Internet.

The current resolution with 16:6 votes "confirms our understanding of democracy," write Güldner and Mayer.

“Good democratic cooperation in our city and our city council is important to us.

This also means that decisions made by the city council with a large majority are respected and supported by all city councillors.”

ddy