New start for Bad Hersfeld: FWG fights for the city center and budget!

New start for Bad Hersfeld: FWG fights for the city center and budget!

The summer talks are just around the corner in Bad Hersfeld, and the newly started discussions with representatives of city politics, especially from the FWG, are bringing important topics to the table. The current budget situation of the city parliament will be discussed in an opening discussion led by Jürgen Richter and Michael Barth from the FWG. This is seen as challenging, especially in view of the upcoming local elections, which have a strong influence on the political agenda HNA reported.

Small parties are finding it increasingly difficult to assert themselves against the majority of the CDU and SPD. Nevertheless, Richter emphasizes that closer cooperation between the small parliamentary groups is necessary in order to find joint solutions to the pressing budget gap. A steering group should look for cross-party solutions, which, in Michaels Barth's opinion, is urgently needed to compensate for the deficits.

Budget debate with many challenges

According to Barth, a central problem is the city's level of spending, which can be seen, among other things, in the Solztalhalle, which is in need of renovation. A proposal from the FWG envisages selling urban real estate to private investors in order to attract fresh capital for urgent infrastructure. Particular attention is also paid to the cities of Sorga and Kathus, where local amenities need to be improved.

The expansion and renewal of roads are also high on the FWG's agenda, which is clearly in favor of superficial renovation. Another point of criticism is that the city parliament failed to determine appropriate financing after the abolition of residents' contributions. Used proceeds from a municipal property on Petersberg should also not be used to cover the budget.

The importance of security and culture

However, amid these challenging financial conditions, FWG is confident and sees no reason to panic. At their budget meeting, the focus is on important topics such as fire protection, security, culture and the promotion of the districts East Hesse News. Mayor Thomas Fehling has already presented a draft budget that has a small surplus for the current year, which, however, limits the scope for design.

A key concern is, among other things, the safety of the population. In this context, the FWG is urgently calling for investments in the construction of new fire stations in Solztal and Petersberg, which are classified as essential in the fire service needs plan.

In addition, the cancellation of funding for the German Red Cross (DRK) and the German Life Saving Society (DLRG) is perceived as incomprehensible; The FWG has already submitted applications to receive this funding. The increase in the city's subsidy will be firmly rejected as long as mandatory tasks are not fulfilled.

The Bad Hersfeld Festival remains a well-known topic at the FWG, which is willing to support these cultural offerings, but at the same time emphasizes the need for solid public services. In addition, the fight against vacancies in the city is highlighted as a major concern and there are calls for rethinking development plans in order to convert commercial space into living space.

At the end of January, the main and finance committee will work intensively on the draft budget, which will ultimately be approved by the city council on February 6th. It is clear that the coming period holds some challenges for the FWG and Bad Hersfeld, which should be mastered with a fresh approach and powerful concepts.