NÖN: You have been elected the new mayor. Was it an easy decision for you to accept this position?
Franz Jaschke: Yes, my predecessor said before the last local council election that it would be handed over in the course of the next period. With 370 preferential votes in the last election, I was clearly number two. Time passed in no time and now everything has happened very quickly – but very harmoniously.
NÖN: You are following in big footsteps, have you ever been afraid of not living up to them?
Jaschke: As Markus Glück wrote in his NÖN commentary, I will not try to follow in footsteps, but go my own way. Serving everyone is an art no one can do, but I will strive to do what is best for our citizens.
NÖN: Your predecessor polarized. Which line will you represent?
Jaschke: I rely on “togetherness”, also across party lines. It’s about living together on a daily basis, accepting and tolerating other opinions.
NÖN: What goals have you set yourself personally?
Jaschke: Hofamt Priel is a residential community. I hope that Hofamt Priel will become even more worth living in, that everyone simply feels comfortable here and is proud to live here.
NÖN: Disenchantment with politics is increasing. How do you intend to counter this?
Jaschke: Involve people more, arouse interest. I don’t think there’s any point in just ranting. Especially in the community you can get involved and help shape it. And when you’re there yourself, you identify with it.
NÖN: What can the Hofamt Prieler expect from you?
Jaschke: Openness, honesty and transparency. I want to be there for everyone: supporting, helping, mediating. There are many decisions to be made. I wish that people would not talk about me, but with me.
NÖN: Are there any specific projects that you would like to implement?
Jaschke: Yes, I oversee the fiber optic project and the goal is to bring the rest of the community onto the information superhighway as well. As a rural residential community in particular, it is important to me to take part in digitization and then to take advantage of the appropriate opportunities – a kind of personal digitization. Another important concern for me is security and independence. This also includes medical care. The health center will be pursued further and projects such as a PV system with an emergency power function and the establishment of an energy community.
NÖN: As the local chief, you will have to keep a lot of appointments. How much does your private life suffer as a result?
Jaschke: I am aware that the mayor’s office takes a lot of time. However, I would like to allocate fixed times for “private” and I think this is possible with appropriate planning.
NÖN: How important is the support of your family to you?
Jaschke: Family is very important to me – family first! My personal environment is behind this decision and I appreciate that very much. I want to dedicate my free time to my family.
