Prince Karl-Uwe takes over the council

Many illustrious guests from local politics, the administration and city society once again came together for the carnival council meeting with the prince and his entourage. Even "Olaf from the Kreishausbau" did the honours and joined in the celebrations in the decorated auditorium at the Antoniusschule.

In his usual manner, carnival president Wolfgang Krogmeier welcomed the carnival revellers and began by praising yesterday's Rose Monday parade, which was more colourful, longer and sunnier than usual. "Despite the safety concept, the hangover didn't let up. We will not let others spoil our lives and celebrations," he emphasised. He had several tasks for the council: There must finally be a large statue of the hangover and the roundabout on Neubeckumer Straße, the centre of which should be adorned with a carnival monument.

Before Prince Karl-Uwe sang the Prince's Song with his court marshal Stefan Meier, he took up the cudgels in favour of the Beckum carnival, which must be cherished and nurtured as a unifying element. When he looked into the shining eyes of the schools, daycare centres and workshops, he was moved to tears, he said, because the people of Beckum are so enthusiastic about carnival.

Mayor Michael Gerdhenrich missed the celebrities at the event, only to announce a little later: "Oh, that's the wrong speech, the celebration of 50 years of the Warendorf district is only on Friday." The head of administration had the laughs on his side. District Administrator Dr Olaf Gericke took it in his stride, especially as he received a new car number plate from the mayor as a gift for the district's 50th birthday:
BE-DL 1.

Gerdhenrich was already looking forward to the "laughing muscle dynamics" at the meeting and admired the prince's hip swing as a "technical marvel". And then he thanked the assembled councillors, his "Pappenheimers": "I'm glad we have you!" Here, he didn't make out any real excitement and instead settled accounts with federal politics, with the "legend of the turnaround" and the self-proclaimed progressive coalition. "They didn't agree on anything, my God, that was embarrassing," he summarised. And then it was still about his "Pappenheimer". Resi Gerwing, who later appeared in several speeches, had bribed him to mention her in his speech. This laid the foundation for the running gag of the day.

District Administrator Dr Olaf Gericke explained that his bread roll almost fell out of his hand when he read the name of the new city prince. But that was understandable, because there is nothing greater in this city than holding Beckum's sceptre of fools in your hand. He looked back on the 800th anniversary celebrations in Beckum with enthusiasm and awe: "There was a lot going on there." Carnival played a major role there too. Like the following speakers, Gericke addressed the 4 candidates for the mayoral election and concluded: "Beckum residents like to take things into their own hands." The Hellbach pond should perhaps be preserved after all and from now on be called the Mayor Gerdhenrich pond, after all he used to skate there himself. He presented Gerdhenrich with a sign to this effect.

Rudolf Grothues (SPD) has prepared many a carnival delicacy as a chef. He would like to have a council cellar under the old pharmacy on the market square where he can cook his political soup. As deputy mayor, he offers himself as a neutral election o-mat for the mayoral election in September and looks at the qualities of the 4 candidates with a foolish instinct. "Too bad, only men," he criticises.

Faction leader Andreas Kühnel took to the stage on behalf of the CDU. He is planning a summer party for all parliamentary groups and reveals excerpts from the planning protocol: The FDP would only come if the party was declared a family party, and the SPD had made it clear: "Instead of Rambo Zambo, we're having Wamba Zamba". He wittily thanked those leaving the council: "Gregor, I'm torn, but I think I'll miss you." Just like "Resi as a primal force in blonde form".

Before Gregor Stöppel (FWG) quoted the "political rubbish from BE" from his previous speeches, he turned serious and took a worried look at the rise of the AfD in the Bundestag elections: "Let's work together to ensure that this party does not enter the council." All those present applauded. He then identified a "flood of candidates" in the next local elections, although the three challengers would have written off the 2025 budget if they argued in favour of better schools, fire service equipment and good economic development.

Timo Przybylak (FDP) had once again brought great dancing support with Elisabeth Rudek's dance group "Here we go". But before that, he mused with André Korte about Prince Karl-Uwe's "successful coup before the local elections". The two also emphasised the qualities of the three challengers for the mayoral office: CDU man van Kevelaer would save the Hellbach Valley with his navy, Georgios Staikos would drive forward construction projects in 3D and Thomas Lorant (FDP) would be sheriff for safety and cleanliness. He also makes it clear: No blue socks on the council!

What qualifications does a candidate for the office of mayor need to have? Nadhira de Silva and Karin Burtzlaff from the Green Party discussed this. The hourly wage for 24/7 work is pretty nasty. Nevertheless, "doctor" Peter Dennin registered as the 5th candidate. After all, he knows all about hearts and kidneys and also about syringes, so there's bound to be one or two cash injections for the town of Beckum.

Rolf Agnesens acted as a singing DJ and provided the appropriate singing and jokes, while the Department of Education, Culture and Leisure planned and organised the event. After the council meeting, everyone went to the market square to bid farewell to the prince and the all-round successful session.