As of: February 3, 2024, 2:55 p.m
By: Jannis Gogolin
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Like the town hall doors, Königsdorf's mayor Rainer Kopnicky is open to creative ideas - the basis of his work as town hall boss.
© Sabine Hermsdorf-Hiss
Königsdorf's mayor Rainer Kopnicky relies on team spirit
Königsdorf - None of us is as smart as all of us - Königsdorf's mayor Rainer Kopnicky seems to have internalized this saying.
Even with the challenges that the community had to overcome last year, he relied on his strongest horse in the town hall: the community.
We spoke to the 56-year-old about the past year, why he is only proud of others and in which area he would have liked to have achieved more.
“Sometimes I’m just a cog in the system”: Königsdorf’s mayor Rainer Kopnicky in an interview
Mr. Kopnicky, 2023 is over.
A new year with new challenges has begun.
Which is stronger: anticipation or worry?
We were able to make good progress on many of the things we tackled last year.
So we are more happy about what we can achieve for the community in 2024.
Do your fellow councilors see it that way too?
I'm sure.
Of course, there are sometimes tough discussions.
That's part of working on a local council.
But we always care about the matter.
We don't attack each other personally, we are all close to each other.
And that's good.
You have demonstrated unity on the subject of photovoltaic (PV) systems in Mooseurach.
The largest solar park in Upper Bavaria has been a done deal since May.
What has happened since then?
A lot, but so far only on paper.
The decision to draw up changes to the land use plan and the development plan in May 2023 was the first small step.
We are in regular contact with those involved.
There is still a lot of coordination that needs to be done so that everyone is satisfied at the end.
And that takes time, of course.
But from the bureaucratic side the path could be paved by the end of 2024.
And who knows, maybe the first panel will be ready at the end of this year or in spring 2025.
The PV system is one of two major projects in the community.
What about the new construction of the gym and lunchtime care?
We were able to almost completely complete the external work in 2023 and make the building winter-proof.
The windows still need work.
When that's finished, it's time to work on the interior.
Tenders for heating, plumbing and ventilation are currently underway.
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“Get everyone involved at the same table” – team spirit in the town hall
They call it the largest building construction project in 30 years.
That inspires respect.
No matter what it is, we bring everyone involved together at the table.
This helps with such large dimensions - whether it's the new construction of the gym and lunchtime care or the 23-hectare solar park.
We founded the Königsdorf Association especially for the Christmas tree campaign.
And for the gymnasium and lunchtime care, everyone sits at the same table, from the architectural office, the building committee, the local administration, the sports club, the youth support association to the school management and the sports teacher.
Everyone has good and creative ideas that are incorporated into the implementation.
So team spirit is required?
Exactly.
Sometimes I'm just a cog in the system.
In my opinion, it's better to have a lot of gears that mesh well with each other than to have sand in the gears.
You can find the latest news from Königsdorf here.
Seven million euros have been budgeted for the construction of the gymnasium and lunchtime care.
A stack of money.
That's correct.
Until 2023, we operated exclusively from our liquid assets.
That will change with this.
We still have reserves to cover the costs of the new building.
But we don't want to melt them down to excess.
So we have to take loans.
The ice is getting thinner.
The renovation of the property alone cost just under one million euros.
And the last word has not yet been spoken – keyword district levy.
But we took good precautions last year and concluded building savings contracts that we are already servicing and can now lend on.
So far we are well within budget.
Is there anything that really worries you?
You mean the district levy?
I think about some things more than others.
An example: the accommodation of asylum seekers.
But in the past and also in 2023, a lot of things were possible because a lot of people volunteered.
Hopefully that will not change this year or in the next few years.
Christmas tree from Munich comes from Königsdorf – “I was proud”
And yet there was a lot of responsibility on your shoulders in 2023.
On the one hand, that's true, but on the other hand, when you work on something together, the burden is distributed.
Like the Christmas tree donation to the state capital.
I was wondering when we would talk about this in more detail.
That was of course a highlight last year: a needle-like ambassador from Königsdorf on Munich's Marienplatz.
That was great.
Putting up the Christmas tree was a special moment.
How did you feel there?
I was proud, of course.
But not on me for doing it.
But to everyone who helped.
In the final phase, shortly before the Christmas market began, we met almost weekly.
Preparations began at the end of 2022. The idea of applying as a municipality to supply the Christmas tree for Munich came up with a municipal council under former mayor Alfred Stangler at the beginning of the 2000s.
And the main work was carried out by the Königsdorf local associations under the umbrella of the overall association.
From transporting trees to managing the mulled wine stand in the ceremonial courtyard of Munich City Hall.
All in all: How did you feel when you left 2023?
Basically I'm satisfied.
In some places I would have liked to have done more.
Social housing is an example here.
That's not ideal, but it's also not easy for us.
But I'm glad that at least everything else worked that way.
We were even able to maintain the decentralized accommodation of refugees.
Many helping hands are needed for the community to function well.
By the way: Everything from the region is also available in our regular Wolfratshausen-Geretsried newsletter.