Only net uffreesche
By W. Christian Schmitt
Between 1950 and 1975 there was the legendary series of events "Darmstadt talks", which was about making socially and culturally relevant topics visible in public discussions. The “Darmstadt table talks” should be a little less, where those who make their contribution to preservation and further development of our society at different points. This time, the journalist and publicist W. Christian Schmitt, together with cameraman Werner Wabnitz, will be a guest at Darmstadt Mayor Hanno Benz at the end of the "Darmstadt table talks" series.
Where the hotel "Die Traube" used to be based and a new building has been filling the gap since the 1990s, there is (Post address Luisenplatz 5a) on the OB office on the 3rd floor. When Hanno Benz looks out of his window, on the long Ludwig, the rain of tram and bus traffic and among themselves all the people who rush from A to bite- then he is certainly one of the few local politicians who can experience Darmstadt and its citizens up close. Up here we meet him, on the desk of which we first notice the framed saying "only Net Uffeesche".
At the start of the conversation, we ask him how it was at the time on the election evening when it was clear that he would move into this office. What did he get through his head? Hanno Benz: "A lot, but basically it was the relief of such a positive result". Don't worry, of all the tasks that suddenly come up with him? The mayor looks back: "No, there was no moment of fear, but respect for this office and the associated expectations of the citizens who had chosen me".
And what does it look like today, does he gradually think of everything that the schedule will give him at breakfast? In the morning, he says, he "likes to run very much, towards the sunrise", because this is "to be clarified in the head". After such a review, my next question: "What did you have done for the six years of tenure?". I listen to what he-original sound-says: "We have had developments here in Darmstadt in recent years where many people felt that we were no longer taken away. In many areas". And before I can continue to ask, he adds: "The most important thing is how I explain political decisions to the citizen. Because politicians are obliged to do the common good not to interest in clientele". I understood, and certainly some Darmstadt.
Photo: Werner Wabnitz
And then we came to speak to the most important topic that I am also interested in: what about inner -city traffic planning. To do this, I hear sentences from Darmstadt's head of the city like: "We want to tackle the topic of traffic in such a way that all modes of transport feel taken into account. We want to screw the confrontational approach back.
When I ask how he wanted to do this, since he and the SPD wearing him have no majority in the city parliament and his scope for maneuver is probably rather limited, the mayor replies as follows: "I am at the top of the magistrate. And in principle I also speak for it". In addition, he has a directive and distributing "the business". This could "quite tax". Even more: he uses the opportunity to "bring his own templates directly to parliament". For which he then has to find majorities.
Since he drives to work every morning, he experiences directly as well as commuters and locals: Tempo 30, non -meaning traffic light circuits, traffic jams, diversions, etc. And in terms of transport policy, he adds: "We have to be converted, find a practical approach and take into account all road users. the interests of society. " Pragmatic, non -ideological traffic policy is "in the interests of the community". There is hardly any more plain text ..
And then we come to the topic "The Future of Culture in this city", which used to be promoted with the postmark: "The arts live in Darmstadt". We talk about all those who used to set standards in terms of literature and language, for example, from this city nationwide, for example Karl Krolow, Gabriele Wohmann, Wolfgang Weyrauch, Heinrich Schirmbeck, Katja Behrens or Georg Hensel - and I would ask the OB, who he could call everything today. Which access he, who traditionally also holds the office of the head of culture, has equally to music, visual art or literature and how he holds it with the sentence that is also common among local politicians "Culture is a voluntary achievement". Hanno Benz: "I do not share that. Culture stands for versatility and for social participation. Of course, a tense budget situation will not go without any restrictions even in culture - but we pay attention to the importance of culture for our city society."
When I already press the downward button in the elevator, I remember that Hanno Benz - after Günther Metzger, Peter Benz and Walter Hoffmann - was already the 4th mayor that I was allowed to interview.
To person
Hanno Benz has been the mayor of the science city of Darmstadt since 2023. Born in Darmstadt in 1972, Hanno Benz spent his childhood and youth in the northern district of Arheilgen, where he still lives today. After graduating from school, he studied at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt on Main Politology and German Studies and ended the degree with the master's degree. Before his office as mayor, Hanno Benz worked at the interface of politics, business and communication, UA as a senior consultant Public Sector and political communication with a renowned consulting company in Berlin, most recently as head of the public affairs and association management of a municipal energy supplier in Frankfurt am Main.
With Mayor Hanno Benz, after 18 episodes we end the series "Darmstadt Table Talks". From the next issue of the "Kultur Nachrichten", memories of encounters with well -known representatives of social and cultural life can be found under the title "unforgettable" W. Christian Schmitts.
