Inauguration of Lord Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke
Normally, the city councillors meet in the meeting room in the town hall, but on the occasion of the inauguration of Lord Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke, the meeting took place last Friday, 19 January, in the festive ambience of the Capitol Theater in Goethestraße. Schwenke was confirmed in office by the people of Offenbach in September 2023 with almost 70 percent of the vote; the inauguration was attended by family and friends, political companions and representatives from the worlds of culture and business.
Stephan Färber, head of the city council, chaired the meeting, while Lydia Maria Bader and Peter Josef Kunz-von Gymnich on the piano and the Pro-Ton Gesangsverein Concordia 1874 provided the musical accompaniment. Deputy Prime Minister Kaweh Mansoori spoke on behalf of the Hessian state leadership, who had come to know and appreciate Schwenke as an impressive doer: "Word has gotten around that he has created a great opportunity for the city" and referred to the successful settlements during Schwenke's first term of office, including Samson AG. Their decision to relocate to Offenbach was painfully acknowledged in Frankfurt, emphasized Frankfurt's Lord Mayor Mike Josef. "But if not Frankfurt, then at least Offenbach." In any case, the only way to survive in the international competition between locations is to work together, "we are the Rhine-Main region and we are taking on the challenges together." The friendly relationship certainly helps here, he said, appreciating Schwenke as a reliable and good friend who fills the office with diligence and closeness to the people: "You are the top business promoter and at the same time approachable Uff de gass."
"You think almost like an entrepreneur," Dr. Andreas Widl from Samson AG attested to the old and new Lord Mayor, who scored points with reliability, speed and pragmatism and was able to convince people of Offenbach as a business location in close cooperation with the economic development agency. The company has purchased an area on the Innovation Campus site where it can now grow in a sustainable manner.
After taking the official oath of office in front of Mayor Sabine Groß and the head of the city council, Schwenke promised that he would continue to devote all his energy to the economic development of the city. There are already 1,100 more jobs than six years ago, "so", said Schwenke, "the trend has been broken. Offenbach is a good business location and is being treated as such again." In addition to attracting companies and creating jobs, he will continue to focus on the development of the city center, education, culture and all issues that concern the people of Offenbach.
