"Wherever weacceptthe challenges of our time with understanding
and with heart,
we will find the necessary strength."
(Richard von Weizsäcker)
Dear citizens,
Another year lies behind us, which for many of you was certainly very different from what you had planned. But regardless of the external influences of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, adapting to new challenges and reacting to changing conditions is usually at the core of our lives. This is just as true for our community as it is for each of us personally. So let's remain optimistic and look to the future:
This year will see the start of other long-awaited, pioneering projects in our community, such as the renovation of the road to the hospital or the construction of the connecting path between Berlinerstrasse and Friedrichstrasse, which is important for Hennickendorf. The renovation of the cultural centre is picking up speed and the community centre in Herzfelde is also being modernised. There will have to be restrictions everywhere, but together with my entire team in the town hall, we are working to ensure that these are as minimal as possible and that you are kept regularly informed.
Let's keep our fingers crossed that not only Lichtenow can finally catch up on its 700th anniversary celebrations without any worries, but that the other districts can also celebrate all their traditional festivals as they fall!
However, celebrating festivals and being together requires that we do not allow ourselves to drift apart. Being able to express one's opinion freely is a valuable asset of our free and democratic basic order. However, this also means that you have to reckon with opposition to your own opinion. It seems to me that the greatest challenge these days is to enter into a dialogue about this and not to fall into a hardened black-and-white mindset.
On the one hand, I ask myself where has the trust of parts of our population in science and research gone when it comes to vaccination? Science and research, which have always been the driving force behind our progress - and not just in terms of health - for many hundreds of years.
On the other hand, it is also important to accept that people come to a different individual decision. I firmly believe that it is important to treat each other with respect right now and not to allow ourselves to be driven apart by those who hope to gain an advantage from the division of society.
I wish you a good start to the new year. Stay healthy, confident and optimistic!
Sabine Löser
Mayor