Wangerland mourns Rainer Tammen: 33 years on the local council!

Wangerland mourns Rainer Tammen: 33 years on the local council!

After more than 33 years of serving the community of Wangerland, Rainer Tammen is saying goodbye as a council member. The 70-year-old, who worked for the Greens, announced his resignation today because he is moving to Jever to live with his partner. This marks the end of an era of political work that was characterized by a multitude of commitments. However, Tammen, who has tirelessly advocated for the community's interests since 1991, does not see his decision as overdue. “I have always promoted open and fair exchange,” he explained.

His political career began on November 1, 1991 as a lone fighter. Over the years he has been valued for his honest and critical opinions. Mayor Mario Szlezak gave a moving eulogy at the official farewell and praised Tammen's courageous and consistent stance, which often also included unpopular positions. Tammen himself notes: “It is always possible to make friends across party lines” and this was also reflected in his cooperation with other council members, for example from the CDU and FDP.

The challenges of political work

During his long term in office, Tammen shaped numerous decisions, with the prevention of factory farming and the development of the Wangermeer being particularly important to him. In particular, he called for a critical examination of the need for seven local fire departments in Wangerland and openly addressed the problems with the construction of the Hooksiel guesthouse. These commitments illustrate how Tammen's commitment not only made Wangerland more diverse, but also “greener,” as Green Councilwoman Angelika Kirschner noted.

However, Tammen will retain his district council mandate and position as deputy district administrator. “I am resigning from my council mandate, but my political commitment continues,” said Tammen. In his statement, he also pointed out that there had been rumors about possible investigations, but these were not the reason for his change of registration. The ZUW group in the local council had also expressed interest in his current living situation and submitted an application to review his council membership.

The role of parties in local politics

Tammen's many years of activity also raise questions about the role of parties in local politics. Political scientists observe that parties' policies are often evaluated differently. While some prefer the participation of voting communities in smaller communities, others advocate greater involvement of the established parties. In recent years, the influence of free voting communities has increased, especially in East Germany, where they achieved significant electoral success.

The local political landscape shows the need to continually reassess the role of the parties. In Wangerland, however, Rainer Tammen leaves behind an impressive legacy that is characterized by his many years of objective work.