City council elders criticize the critics

Created: 12/29/2022, 10:00 am

By: Magnus Reitinger

In her Nestor speech, Ragnhild Thieler criticized "increasing irreconcilability" on political issues.

© Gronau

There were thoughtful words at the end of the year in the Weilheim city council.

As the doyen of the committee, Ragnhild Thieler called for a different tone - and looked back at 2022 with critical comments on the topics of "bypass" and "energy transition".

Weilheim - "We live in incredibly turbulent times", this is how Ragnhild Thieler (BfW) began the traditional Nestor speech, i.e. the speech of the council elders, in the annual closing meeting of the city council.

"After two years marked by the corona pandemic, we had the bitter certainty that there was war in Europe again," said the 77-year-old, concerned.

"With his criminal war of aggression in Ukraine, Putin made it painfully clear to all of us what it means to feel threatened." City", says Thieler: "But let's not forget the people who previously sought and found refuge and protection with us."

Complicity of social media

Events such as the war, the energy crisis, inflation and lateral thinker protests also shaped everyday political life on site, the city councilwoman stated - and added: "With all political and ideological issues, unfortunately, there has to be an increasing division and irreconcilability in society, yes even within friendships and also here in our committee.” The exchange of information is important, but the choice of words is often questionable.

"I have really big problems with the current tone, sometimes with us and in society," complained Thieler, and also gave the social networks "a certain degree of complicity".

The doyen named the debates about a bypass road and climate protection as local examples of “highly emotional topics that unfortunately had nothing in common with a factual discussion in the end”.

The latter is no longer a voluntary matter, but "an obligation for each of us".

The city may have done “too little in the past”, but it is important to acknowledge “important decisions” in recent times.

As far as the planned Kranlöchl thermal power plant is concerned, Thieler criticized “that there are so many reservations about such a good idea.

It's not even about the concrete planning of the combined heat and power plant, but only about changing Weilheim's land use plan.

Discussion welcome, but at a different time.”

Looking forward to new solutions

The BfW representative emphasized that the result of the citizens' survey on the bypass road "there is nothing to interpret": "A clear no against a bypass of Weilheim, that is to be respected, even if I would have liked a different vote." The state building authority had to do this Vote "now duly consider and reconcile with supra-local interests".

An additional city council decision, as demanded by some, "would not have had any legally binding influence".

"Now we are all asked again," Thieler continued, "especially the opponents of the bypass, how can we solve the traffic problem in Weilheim?"

I am very excited about the new proposed solutions and, above all, about their implementation”.

As the council's culture officer, Thieler was pleased that art and culture are bringing the city back to life: "Concerts, theatre, readings, cinema and exhibitions invite you - please accept the invitation!" Regarding the board's narrow no to a city museum extension ( we reported) - fallen in the November meeting, in which Thieler himself could not attend - the culture officer only hinted at her disappointment.

But she promised: "You will continue to be able to count on me, I will not let go."