Numerous awards at the garden festival in Braunshardt Castle Park
At the parliamentary garden party in Braunshardt Castle Park, the city of Weiterstadt honored numerous citizens and former elected officials for their many years of volunteer service. More than 150 people registered for the event. City Council Chairman Sebastian Sehlbach hosted the event, with Mayor Niklas Gehnich serving as co-organizer.
Even before the garden festival began, numerous guests took the opportunity to take a guided tour offered by the Friends of Braunshardt Castle association and visited the historic castle.
Eight state honorary letters were awarded
Eight citizens received a special award: the Hessian State Medal of Honor. The recipients were Bernd Brunner, Andreas Enzmann, Jutta Klein, Christian Michael Kurpiers, Dr. Johanna Lisa Meinhardt, Maria Schnellbächer, Reinhold Stein, and Maria Donata Tomasulo.
Deputy District Administrator Lutz Köhler presented the awards on behalf of the Hessian Minister-President. According to the city, seven of the honorees served as city councilors for three terms or more and some also held other honorary positions. Maria Donata Tomasulo was involved in the Foreign Residents' Advisory Council for almost 30 years.
“Our democracy depends significantly on citizens being willing to volunteer in local politics for many years and to take responsibility for their fellow citizens,” explained Köhler.
Former elected officials honored
The garden party also focused on recognizing the long-standing service of those who served on Weiterstadt's local political bodies. City council chairman Sebastian Sehlbach honored 18 retiring members of the city council and executive board for their contributions.
Four long-serving members also received honorary titles: Manfred Dittrich, Martin Möllmann, Wilhelm Fischer and Eugen Moczygemba.
"Local politics takes place very close to the people. It thrives on citizens being willing to dedicate their free time, to debate different opinions, to work together to find solutions, and to take responsibility for our city," said Sehlbach.
Mayor Niklas Gehnich also presented 13 deserving citizens with the City of Weiterstadt's Certificate of Honor. This award recognized their long-standing service to the city and the common good.
Exchange in Braunshardt Castle Park
Among the guests were representatives of the city councils, as well as the city fire inspectors and fire chiefs of Weiterstadt, Schneppenhausen, and Gräfenhausen. Les Clochards provided musical entertainment. The Gajanana participatory circus of SG Weiterstadt offered a program for children.
The parliamentary garden party takes place on a rotating basis throughout the legislative term. Its purpose is to bring together the newly constituted parliament, to honor outgoing members of parliament, and to facilitate exchange between politicians, administrators, and the public.
(WEITERSTADT – RED/PSW)
