The local elections were in 2020, it is half-time in the Geretsried city council. In interviews, the parliamentary groups take stock. Today: Hans Hopfner of the SPD.
Three years in office lie behind the city councillors. They still have three years ahead of them. At the halfway point in the city council, our newspaper sent the same questions to all the spokesmen of the parties represented there. They had 500 characters for each answer. Today it's Hans Hopfner's turn. He is chairman of the SPD parliamentary group, which is represented by one woman and three men in the city council.
+Hans Hopfner, chairman of the SPD parliamentary group in the city council
© SPD/Private
Half-time in the Geretsried city council: SPD parliamentary group takes stock
Mr. Hopfner, it was a start under extraordinary conditions: The Corona pandemic had an impact on the work of the city council in the first few years. Has the committee nevertheless grown together? How do you get along with your colleagues from the other groups?
Hans Hopfner: Due to the Corona pandemic, the start of the city council work was very bumpy. The meetings took place in the council chamber and the division of seats alone did not bring about any real cooperation. The committee therefore works together more or less constructively and the contact with the other groups is very different.
Three years after the election, what are the three things they are proud of?
Hans Hopfner: Pride may not be the right word, but we are very happy that in 2021 we were able to complete a project that was very close to our hearts with the opening of the inter-municipal indoor swimming pool. The two lunchtime care facilities at the schools and the design of the "New Center" are also things that we were happy to support. Very important, the implementation of the Geretsried model in the OpusG with one third each of social and socially subsidized housing.
The construction work on the Egerlandstraße is scheduled to be completed in the summer. Opinions are divided on the design of the "New Center". What do you think is successful in the center?
Hans Hopfner: The quality of stay in the area of the newly designed Karl-Lederer-Platz has increased significantly due to the rededication to a pedestrian zone. The watercourse and the greening, which can certainly still be expanded, also contribute to this. For the tradespeople and their customers, the underground car park is a great benefit.
The city needs to save. Where does this hurt you the most?
Hans Hopfner: It hurts when necessary measures in the area of day-care centres or schools are postponed due to the financial situation. Due to the growth of the city, more should actually be done in this area. This also applies to the planned community centre in the Stein district. We are concerned to see that donations in the social, cultural and sporting sectors are being scaled back.
You can read the latest news from Geretsried here.
Purely hypothetically, the city will receive 100,000 euros as a gift – with the condition that it be passed on immediately. Where would you personally put the money?
Hans Hopfner: In the already mentioned facilities. Day care centers and kindergartens, schools and clubs.
The term of office still lasts three years. What do you definitely want to implement during this time?
Hans Hopfner: The start of construction of the community centre in the district of Stein and implementation of the planning for an additional primary school.
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