Special session honors decades of service to the city and democracy – Jochen Auer posthumously appointed honorary city councilor
The district town of Groß-Gerau has honored numerous local politicians for their many years of voluntary service. During a special session of the town council in the town hall, council chairwoman Julia Hartmann (CDU) recognized the honorees' dedication to the town and local democracy, some of which spanned decades.
A particularly emotional moment was the posthumous appointment of the late Jochen Auer as honorary city councilor. The Social Democrat had served on the city council for more than 30 years, from 1993 to 2023. His wife, Inge, accepted the certificate of appointment. Those present rose to their feet in a long round of applause.
"Democracy thrives on participation."
In her speech, Hartmann reminded everyone how much time and personal commitment is involved in holding voluntary positions in local politics. Meetings of parliamentary groups, committees, and city councils, political debates, and the search for compromises are anything but a given.
Democracy thrives on participation, emphasized the city council chairwoman. This is precisely what those being honored have done for many years. "For me, you are role models."
At the same time, Hartmann addressed the increasingly harsh treatment of people in political office. Elected officials are repeatedly confronted with accusations, insults, and even threats, particularly on social media. "I hope that we as a society will treat each other with more care and respect, because behind every public official is, above all, a human being."
Wieser and Meinke will become honorary city council chairpersons
Christian Wieser (CDU) and Klaus Meinke (SPD) also received special honors. Both were appointed honorary city council chairmen and received a standing ovation.
Wieser was a member of the city council from 1981 to 1984 and subsequently from 1997 to 2026. From 2011 to 2016 and again from 2021 to 2026, he served as speaker of the city council. In his speech, he emphasized the defense of democracy across party lines. Although he belonged to the CDU (Christian Democratic Union), his overarching principle was democracy. Democrats, he argued, must work together to prevent people from using democratic processes to later abolish democracy itself.
Klaus Meinke also advocated for a vibrant political culture of debate. "Democrats must be able to argue, but also to find compromises," the Social Democrat explained. After all, the city council is "not a harmony choir.".
Meinke was honored for more than 35 years of service in local politics – a length of time for which, according to the city's bylaws, there is currently no specific provision in the city's statutes. He was a member of the city council from 1972 to 1976, re-elected in 1993, and served again as a councilor from 2001 to 2026. From 2001 to 2006 and from 2016 to 2021, he chaired the council meetings. Between 1997 and 2001, Meinke also served as an honorary First City Councillor.
Further honors for decades of dedication
The city also honored Joachim Hartmann, long-time CDU parliamentary group chairman, Ilse Scheuner, Eva-Maria Krings (CDU), Abraham Naduvilezhath (CDU) and Volker Sperfechter (CDU), long-time chairman of the Culture and Sports Committee, for more than 30 years of voluntary service.
Long-time Kombi/FWG parliamentary group leader Karlheinz Wamser and Karin Rückert (Greens) have been honored for more than 25 years of involvement in local politics. Horst-Dieter Becker (Greens), Elke Weber (Kombi-FWG), Petra Bog (CDU), Günter Bertrams (SPD), and former honorary First City Councillor Jürgen Schulz (CDU) were recognized for more than 20 years of service.
Sonja Dewald (SPD), Julia Hartmann (CDU), Christina Reinhardt (SPD) and Elisabeth Schweikert (Greens) as well as the secretaries Indra Lämmermann and Tanja Henzel have been involved for more than twelve years.
Honorary titles are awarded in Groß-Gerau for at least 20 years of service in a mandate or official capacity. According to current practice, the award is conferred after leaving the municipal bodies.
Personal thanks instead of big gifts
Given the tight financial situation of the district town, Groß-Gerau decided against giving gifts at the ceremony. Instead, city council chairwoman Hartmann baked homemade cookies as a personal token of appreciation for those being honored.
In addition to the certificates, Mayor Jörg Rüddenklau (SPD) and honorary First City Councillor Susanne Theisen-Canibol conveyed their congratulations. Rüddenklau wore the city's chain of office for the special occasion. Those who were unable to attend the special meeting will receive their certificates at a later date.
(GROSS-GERAU – RED/PSGG)
