New council has started work

The meeting in the auditorium of the vocational college was opened by Dieter Beelmann (CDU), who swore in the new mayor. Beforehand, Beelmann addressed the new council and called for constructive debates that put the people of Beckum at the centre.

Mayor Michael Gerdhenrich, who was re-elected to his office, thanked the people of Beckum for the trust they had placed in him and assured them that he would continue to stand up for their concerns with determination.

The 44 members of the Council were then sworn in.

This was followed by the election of the honorary deputies to the mayor. The following were elected:

• Andreas Kühnel (CDU) as 1st Deputy Mayor,
• Dr Rudolf Grothues (SPD) as 2nd Deputy Mayor,
• Karl-Heinz Przybylak (FDP) as 3rd Deputy Mayor.

The farewell ceremony for the 16 retiring councillors was particularly emotional (see picture gallery below). Mayor Michael Gerdhenrich honoured their individual merits and many years of commitment. Together, they have worked for the development of Beckum's local politics for 279 years.

"That is impressive and deserves all of our recognition, respect and thanks. You have all made your home town of Beckum an affair of the heart," emphasised the mayor in his speech. Local politics, Gerdhenrich continued, encompasses all areas of life and never ends.

After the individual achievements were honoured, a photo was taken with the mayor:

Not in the picture: Sigrid Himmel, who was unable to attend the meeting.

The audience rose from their seats and applauded Theresia Gerwing for her 40 years of council work over four decades. She represented the town as Deputy Mayor for 21 years. She chaired the school, culture and sports committee for 16 years. "Dear Resi, thank you for your energy, your time, your humour and your infectiously positive attitude. Thank you for 40 years of local political commitment and local political responsibility," said the mayor, who described her as the "grande dame of local politics".

5 to 31 years of political activity on the council of the town of Beckum

Gregor Stöppel (FWG parliamentary group chairman for 25 years) and Sigrid Himmel (initially SPD, later Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) were honoured for their impressive 31 years of work in local politics.

Peter Tripmaker (SPD parliamentary group chairman for 5 years) and Peter Goriss (CDU) retired from the council after 26 years.

Karin Burtzlaff and Angelika Grütter-Lütke (both Alliance 90/The Greens) have served on the council for 21 years. Both have represented the city as deputy mayors. Angelika Grüttner-Lütke chaired her parliamentary group from 2014 to 2020.

Hubert Kottmann (SPD) can look back on 20 years of council work. Josef Schumacher (CDU) has been a member of the council for 16 years. Felix Brinkmann and Alexandra Poppenborg (both SPD) have spent 11 years on the council.

Felix Markmeier-Agnesens (SPD parliamentary group leader for 5 years), Tanja Brunnert (SPD), Tobias Krüger (FWG), Justus Lütke (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) and Udo Pielsticker (CDU) have worked for the people of Beckum on the council for 5 years.