Around 800 new citizens have found a new home here this year. People who were born here, who see a professional perspective or who have fled a terrible civil war and are seeking peace here. They have come to a city that has developed a unique welcoming culture for people of all nationalities since it was founded. A city that prides itself on its tolerance and respect for people from other cultures. I am convinced that the new citizens will find open hearts in Salzgitter and will feel at home here in the long term.

I would also like to open my review of 2014 with a clear commitment to my home town. I feel very fortunate to be able to play a key role in shaping the destiny and future of Salzgitter. An overwhelming majority of citizens re-elected me as Lord Mayor for another seven years until 2021. 65 percent of the votes cast for me in the first ballot are a strong - and, incidentally, unique - signal in Lower Saxony. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you once again for the great trust you have placed in me. This recognition of my work makes me proud, but is also motivation for the challenges ahead.

And I think you will be pleased to read that you do not have to adjust to something completely new! Because your vote confirms that I will continue on the path I have chosen and continue to work with you on what has been tried and tested:

"My" Salzgitter, let's put that first, has to be a strong and district-free one. Effective political responsibilities and streamlined administrative structures must not be abandoned. With me, there will be no encirclement of our city, nor any kind of special status. I will know how to prevent Salzgitter from being broken up. I will continue to promote my three-center concept with Braunschweig and Wolfsburg. The economic strength, scientific density and the dynamics of innovation in these centers are the engine for a positive and sustainable future development of the entire region. The fact that the mayors of these three cities are pulling in the same direction was impressively and successfully demonstrated in their joint efforts to shape the future of the state's regional planning program.

But it goes without saying that I will continue to tackle issues in order to make our city fit for the future on its own. I would like to highlight a few key points at this point:

• Together with the Council, AG Schacht Konrad, IG Metall, the Landvolk and many other social groups, I will campaign vehemently for a reassessment of Schacht Konrad in line with the latest scientific and technical knowledge, with a move away from "final disposal". The Federal Commission for the Search for a Final Repository must review Konrad for its suitability and not regard it as irrevocably set.
• The enormous financial costs for the long-term conversion of Watenstedt into an industrial and commercial area and the necessary voluntary resettlement of the people living there can only be achieved with strong financial support from the EU, federal and state governments.
• The delay in the expansion of the Salzgitter canal is annoying. We see the unconditional support of the state, now the federal government must follow up its promise with action. Postponing its realization for another five years is unacceptable.
• The city supports - most recently through a resolution and petition - the demand of the St. Elisabeth Hospital Salzgitter-Bad in its corrected claim for state funding that has since been rejected. We need the hospital to provide secure and local care in our city and for the region.
• The old hospital in Salzgitter-Bad is to be demolished from 2018 and developed into an attractive residential area.
• I guarantee the continued existence of the tried-and-tested system of professional and volunteer fire departments.
• The new central bus station in Lebenstedt with optimized rail connections to Braunschweig is a big plus. I am particularly pleased with the highly attractive redesign of the Lebenstedt city center.

Salzgitter's successful orientation as a child- and family-friendly learning city must be consistently continued. Despite our tight financial framework conditions, we have managed to achieve better educational opportunities for our children and a turnaround in demographic development in this future-oriented field through our own efforts. With these successes, Salzgitter is also setting standards at state and national level.

As Vice President of the Lower Saxony Association of Cities and Towns and member of the Presidium of the German Association of Cities and Towns and the German Association of Towns and Municipalities, I will continue to campaign vehemently to ensure that local authorities are adequately funded to take on federal and state tasks, particularly in the education and social sectors. This also applies to our city! Salzgitter does not have a spending problem, but a revenue problem! I am therefore calling for the state of Lower Saxony and the federal government to provide Salzgitter and all local authorities with adequate funding.

And inclusion is just one issue here, as is the provision of all-day schools, language support, school social workers and much more. At this point, I would like to emphasize that it is not about the usefulness of these services, on the contrary, many of these services support my child and family policy and I am pleased and proud to say that we have taken on a pioneering role in Salzgitter with the path we have taken, but exclusively about the question of financial responsibility.

What fascinates me again and again is the traditionally strong voluntary commitment in Salzgitter. Countless young people, women and men are involved in associations and clubs, promoting a sense of togetherness in social, sporting and cultural areas. Volunteers are the pillars of our society. I can only express my gratitude for their commitment time and time again. People's attachment to their city is also reflected in their involvement. Examples include 10 years of NOW Salzgitter-Bad, the launch of the neighborhood park, the design of the market square in Salzgitter-Bad and the climate protection concept.

I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a successful 2015 filled with happiness, health and - above all - peace. Peace on earth, which unfortunately cannot be taken for granted and for which the international community must work every day, and at the same time inner peace for you and your families. I conclude my greeting with the promise to remain a Lord Mayor for all the people in our city.

Yours
Frank Klingebiel
Lord Mayor