With a memorable meeting at the end, the Island Council said goodbye to the break at the turn of the year on Thursday evening. In addition to a few detailed decisions, the focus of the actual agenda was on the economic plans of the private company Schiffahrt und Tourismus-Service (TSL) and the budget of the island community. The council mostly followed the recommendations of the committees on all points and approved the plans for 2021, which provide for an annual profit of more than 400,000 euros for shipping. For the first time, the previously debt-free company is taking out a loan. The business plan for the TSL shows a slight loss of 70,000 euros. The island community does not budget any loans for investments or investment measures.
Jan Martin Janssen (Union for Langeoog) noted that the proposal for voluntary spending includes a reduction in support for the senior citizen’s home “stay here” by 20,000 euros from 2024. This formulation is unfortunate, Langeoog has an obligation to support the house without having to employ two community nurses, whose remuneration would certainly be significantly higher. There are also still questions about the establishment plan that have not yet been answered in the management committee.
Mayor Heike Horn agreed that “stay here” is important. Then other voluntary benefits would have to be checked and, if necessary, questioned. As an example, she cited 200,000 euros for the doctors. Sigurd Uecker (CDU) replied that you couldn’t compare apples with pears. The 200,000 euros are not annual costs and he refrained from comparing different recipients in this way, instead of considering exactly how to cover the costs without creating a threat. The community has an obligation to the residents. Chamberlain Cornelia Baller pointed out that these are only budget figures for 2024, one should wait for further economic development.
Heike Horn then informed about the further procedure for the future of the Kurviertel. There was a meeting with the council in which Cornelia Baller also took part. The council had confirmed that the alternative concept, which was supported by seven council members, was feasible and was currently being further developed. The goal of not having to sell the HdI can thus be achieved. The mayor asked the council to take a decision on January 14th so that the administration could examine the proposal and make a statement about what was feasible.
She informed that the administration had been very active on the issue of subsidies, but had apparently received completely different information than the council members. Jan Martin Janssen reminded that he had already given the contact details after the meeting on November 26th and that no one from the town hall had contacted the contact person until the day before the meeting. The main focus of the informative discussions was how to set up a community well.
The general representative Ralf Heimes pointed out that the applications for the energetic district concept were made in 2017 and approved in 2018. Since then, the applications have been suspended, as the buildings to be considered could not be named. A few hours before the meeting he had a very good conversation with the above-mentioned office, which is very helpful and has agreed to support if there is a need for further advice. Only after a decision on the spa district can one check whether the application needs to be renewed. Cornelia Baller added that the N-Bank had informed that at the moment there were no funds available for the overall concept.
Jan Martin Janssen then read out a letter from a local lawyer confirming that the council’s plans are not only possible under local law, they are even required. In the current situation, he recommended an objective, moderated dialogue in order to develop suitable solutions. As an example, Janssen cited the Wilhelmshaven municipality, which had set up its own business to develop its properties. The model is very interesting. Since there had been corresponding criticism in the social media, he explained once again that the aim was not to create many small, but large, high-quality apartments and penthouses with a comparatively small number of beds on the roofs of KWC and HdI for financing. So you are able to keep essential parts of the Kurviertel in your own hands.
Heike Horn protested against the impression that the municipality did not want any funding. You just shouldn’t arouse false expectations, so you first have to secure the financing without subsidies. The administration would be happy if the information received from the Council were correct. What matters is what goes on in the end. It would be wonderful, she added, but the local authority has provided different information so far.
The 2018 expression of interest process was well prepared and she herself still considers a conference hotel with 80 to 120 beds to be suitable for Langeoog, as some of the conference participants will then spend the night in holiday apartments.
Sigurd Uecker pointed out that when it comes to the future of the Kurviertel, they are in the same boat. The council did its homework. This is done on a voluntary basis in addition to normal employment. He praised the great commitment of Jan Martin Janssen, who had done a remarkable job that was very fruitful for the search for a solution. At the same time, the Council stretched out a hand in cooperation. Kim Streitbörger (CDU) added that they wanted to make progress in 2021 “to make the sack”.
Heike Horn announced that the community will receive 545,000 euros after an elaborate application process for state aid after the corona-related losses. She also informed her that there was still no information on whether there would be mobile vaccination teams on the island or Langeoog appointments at the vaccination center in Esens. She then announced that from December 23rd to January 3rd a reservation requirement for ferry trips would be introduced and the ferry capacity would be reduced to 250 people each. A contingent of places for islanders will be kept free.
In the report on important matters, she then sharply criticized the coverage of the Langeoog News. Numerous incorrect contents would be very problematic, as an example she mentioned that there were not six alternatives to the development of the Kurviertel, but two, that she was not against the new proposal of the council, but legal reasons oppose it. In addition, a reference to the closure of the daycare was not coordinated with the management of the facility. The editor mentioned referred to a previously held personal conversation about the same content and described the public repetition in a political meeting as very problematic. This gives the impression that the existing trust in the free press, which, as a pillar of democracy, enjoys constitutional status, should be destroyed. These are also details that are also within the scope of the perception of statements in the meeting. Langeoog News reports factually and independently and always to the best of its knowledge and belief.
Sigurd Uecker described the public scolding as inappropriate and called for a return to the rules of procedure. Heike Horn rejected the term press scolding, it must be possible to address it publicly, just as she communicates publicly with other press representatives. You expect 1: 1 coverage.
The Council then read out its request for a comprehensive citizen information system, which should also include streaming of the meetings. Heike Horn welcomed the fact that the council supported her proposal, Sigurd Uecker explained that it had been rejected at the time because the administration used the various means in an unstructured manner and was not transparent to the public. Therefore, a complete concept is required, which is still missing.
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