Wants to run for mayor again in three years: Markus Huber. © Ralf Ruder
It's halfway through the mayor's term. Time to take stock. Today: Markus Huber from Huglfing.
Huglfing – May 1 was half-time: the mayors have now been in office for three years, and three more years lie ahead of them. We wanted to know from the town hall chiefs, who were elected to office for the first time in 2020, how they have settled in, what experiences they have had, what has changed in their private lives. Today: Markus Huber, Huglfing.
You come from the private sector and were managing directors in the construction industry. Now you are in charge of an authority. Was the change big?
The changeover was a challenge, but the support I received from the administration, the local council and my environment made it easier for me to get started. Being able to get out of the spiral of turbo-capitalism in the construction industry (higher, faster, further) and to be able to play a decisive role in shaping the municipality of Huglfing gives me new joy every morning.
As a former municipal councillor, you knew a little bit what to expect as mayor. Were you still surprised?
The range of tasks is already enormous. We have a very powerful and good, but lean administration and so many tasks are left to the mayor. However, I rate this quite positively, since you are completely involved in almost every process and work out processes yourself.
The footsteps of her predecessor Bernhard Kamhuber are big. Already grown into it? Or do you prefer to go your own way anyway?
I think that because of the mutual trust and support from my predecessor, a smooth transition has been achieved. I have my own style and approach, but I benefit from the good conditions that Bernhard Kamhuber has created during his term of office.
The mood in the municipal council is, in contrast to some other municipalities in the district, good. Is that because of your predecessor and you? Or does the cohesion of the village community rub off on politics?
When I took office, I found a local council that treats each other with respect and friendliness, and the newcomers have also integrated very well. Nevertheless, it is quite possible to have very controversial discussions without insulting each other. Anyone who follows our meetings can confirm that we take the mandate of our voters seriously and only try to set the right course together for our village and not to give room to personal well-being or clientelism.
Are you the "Lord Mayor" or "Mark" in your office for the citizens?
For the children in the village, I am the "Hello Mr. Mayor". That's nice. But I prefer to be Markus or "Huaba".
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Which personal decision has been your best in the past three years, which would you make differently today?
The best decision of the last three years was definitely my candidacy for mayor of Huglfing. However, as a newcomer to the office, I was overwhelmed by dealing with an unprecedented pandemic and the associated, sometimes exaggerated measures that we had to implement. In retrospect, I would behave in a more differentiated way in one or the other situation.
Can you tell us about your most positive and your most negative experience in your new position?
Every day I enjoy the friendliness and openness of the children, citizens and also the elderly in the village, whom I get to know during the anniversary visits. As a local politician, I find the changed media landscape with regard to social networks (I deliberately stay out of this) and also some letters to the editor cultures or articles negative. Mutual respect, objectivity in the right place, not devaluing other opinions, that would be something.
The municipal council has pushed a lot in your term of office so far. What do you consider to be the three most important decisions for the municipality?
Planning of 21 apartments in municipal housing as affordable housing, implementation in 2024/2025. Construction of an adventure playground with immense citizen participation from young to old. Barrier-free conversion of the town hall with civic hall and thus also good working conditions for our administration in the future.
Profession mayor: 24/7 or still time for family and leisure?
Of course, the office is labor-intensive, but there is time for family, leisure and friends, albeit a little less. I am lovingly supported by my wife and daughter and I think it is the quality and not the quantity of time together that counts. However, I would like to be able to spend more time with good friends.
If you want to switch off from the mayor's everyday life – what do you do?
Family, cooking with friends, long road bike rides and making music with an orchestra for fun!
This year, Huglfing can become the national winner of the competition "Our village has a future". In June, a jury will come to the village for the fourth time, after district, district and state decisions. Is the enthusiasm among the people of Huglfinger still as great as it was at the beginning?
The village and the many participants have grown with the competition, and of course there is enthusiasm. First and foremost, we will enjoy participating in the national decision, even if we Huglfinger are of course always ambitious.
What about your enthusiasm and your future? Will you run again?
I look forward to every day in office and the contact with the citizens, even if sleepless nights are part of it from time to time due to difficult decisions. It is important to have a good dose of humor and not to take yourself too seriously. I definitely want to run again in three years.
Ralf Scharnitzky