Dr. Lichtmann: Oberberg needs a breath of fresh air and real solutions!

Dr. Lichtmann: Oberberg needs a breath of fresh air and real solutions!

In a lively exchange, the SPD Oberberg district administrator candidate, Dr. Sven Lichtmann, recently presented his priorities and visions for the Oberberg district together with various mayoral candidates. Under the motto “Shaping Oberberg together – a district that sticks together,” he advocates for closer cooperation between the district and municipalities. The 33-year-old, who has a doctorate in philosophy and political science, wants to bring a breath of fresh air into the district administration and offer the population a real alternative. “We have to take citizens’ problems much more seriously,” emphasizes Lichtmann, addressing a massive loss of trust in democratic institutions. This worries not only him, but also many citizens, who often have the feeling that their concerns are not sufficiently valued.

The most pressing issues that he and the mayoral candidates present address include public services, the quality of daycare operations, medical care and the urgently needed affordable housing. Public transport connections are also discussed, which are under particular pressure in the Oberbergischer Kreis. “We have to change district politics so that it serves the people,” says Lichtmann, who sees himself as the “first caretaker” on site.

Joint efforts for a better future

In a lively discussion it becomes clear that the challenges of the Oberberg district cannot be overcome alone. The mayoral candidates Emilie Machholz (Radevormwald), Thorsten Konzelmann (Gummersbach), Christian Hannes (Bergneustadt), Fabian Geisel (Marienheide), Dennis Hennecken (Nümbrecht) and Gerald Zillig (Reichshof) consider cooperation with Lichtmann to be essential. “We have to work together to bring the concerns of all communities into the district,” they demand unanimously. Support from the background is also provided by Monika Verspohl (Hückeswagen) and Christian Welsch (Engelskirchen), who were unable to be present at the meeting but advocate for cohesion between the district and the municipalities.

One point that is particularly important to Lichtmann: moderation in the district levy and targeted investments in modern, digitalized administration. “We finally have to make progress with digitalization in administration,” he says. Home office and desk sharing would have to be taken into account in future planning in order to increase efficiency. Lichtmann also sees the need to improve medical care and public transport to meet the needs of all age groups.

Looking into the future

“The 2025 district election is not just an election for a position, but a personal decision for a new direction,” said Thorsten Konzelmann, chairman of the SPD Oberberg. The wish for an end to “business as usual” is shared by the candidates present. Lichtmann, as chairman of the SPD district council group, is very familiar with current issues in district politics, calls for a rethink and is determined to put the interests of the citizens at the center of his administration. “We have to prove to the population that democracy works,” concludes Lichtmann, who aims to regain trust in politics and make citizens’ voices heard again. Statistics show that the Oberbergischer Kreis is also the most expensive district in North Rhine-Westphalia, which only increases the requirements for affordable housing.

The SPD Oberberg has with Dr. Sven Lichtmann presents a candidate who not only brings fresh ideas into play, but also has the courage to question old structures. Under the motto “Shaping Oberberg together” the focus is on the ability to act that benefits the entire district. And this is an approach that is likely to be very popular in Oberberg in the coming months and years. Oberberg-current and spd-oberberg continue to report on the developments in this exciting election campaign.