There are moments when everything comes together at first glance: delivery of the state examination, does it say “passed” or the opposite? Post from the clinic including the long-awaited findings. Or, in that case, official notification in the case of “infidelity” that dem Bamberg Mayor Andreas Starke (SPD) accused becomes.
Two such moments will go down in the history of Bamberg on July 28, 2022. The first one got your blood pressure pumping at 9:01 a.m. – and it takes a look back to fully understand it.
In fact, the allegation of mayor infidelity has been around since 2020, a test report suggested this. Initially, however, those who published the secret report were criticized Not for a trifle: secret traitors, well poisoners! Later, when dozens of investigators stood in the town hall, those calls became quieter, they never really stopped.
Receipt of the first announced mail. What does the public prosecutor say about the cause? hold your breath. infidelity, indeed. The district court has already issued a penalty order against the mayor.
The second mail, the one from the town hall, is still missing. in another matter the mayor has already accepted a penalty order, a year ago, also in office. He wanted to spare the city a public trial at the time. So that should be the same now. But would a mayor with two penal orders still be reasonable? Or is he throwing it down now?
The first hour passes, the second, the third as well. Then, at 12:11 p.m., it bling. Post from City Hall. hold your breath again. open mail. Notice: At the beginning of August, the annual mowing work is carried out along Memmelsdorfer Straße.
Whether there was debate that exactly this message is spread first? After all, one could have used something else, also sent on that memorable day: “Rare toad species discovered.” Be that as it may: In the meantime, the message “The public prosecutor’s office in Hof is not bringing charges” was sent out. Which may have reminded some of historic success stories such as “GDR develops the world’s largest microchip”.
Anyway, no mayor resignation. In the meantime, the town hall has even followed up. The message announced at a citizens’ meeting including the mayor was: “The mayor as a crisis manager. Bamberg can handle a crisis.”
Who knows, maybe that’s really the case. But one thing is quite obvious: Bamberg definitely has a sense of humour.