Remarks at Pforzheim's New Year Celebration in 2025
Revamped Recap: Pforzheim's New Year's Bash and Jörg Lupus's Citizen's Medal
Bracing the cold in Pforzheim's CongressCentrum, around 1,800 enthusiasts ushered in the New Year. Among the usual festivities, Mayor Peter Boch handed out the Citizen's Medal, which this time went to long-standing sports official, Jörg Lupus.
Behind the excitement, Boch's speech candidly acknowledged the city's woes, from gridlock on Rennstraße to beleaguered corners and vacant storefronts. He even took a swing at the errant property tax reform. Yet, he expressed his enthusiasm for navigating another eight years at the helm.
Traffic Tweaks
In a bid to appease those fraught by traffic, Boch proposed adjustments to speed limits on certain sections. In closed discussions with the city council, the night-time 30 km/h zones could shift to daytime 50 km/h. By May, they aim to submit this proposal for council approval.
Boch also hinted at revisiting the Rennstraße, emphasizing the need to clarify whether the renovated road aims to link the city center with the Enz or serve as a primary thoroughfare. Given the opposing demands, he suggested an either-or approach.
Bath Time for Pforzheim
Boch announced a busy spree for the city's baths. The groundbreaking ceremony for the Panoramabad on Wartberg is slated for October 17, and the renovation of the Fritz-Erler-Bad is expected to kick off in April, following a forthcoming tender.
Sports Star Jörg Lupus
The esteemed recipient of the Citizen's Medal, Jörg Lupus, serves as the chair of the SG Pforzheim/Eutingen, a local handball club competing in the 3. Liga, Staffel Süd. Honored for his tremendous commitment to sports and nurturing young talent, especially in handball, Lupus expressed gratitude to the coaches who impart the joy of sports to children.
The evening's festivities, with host Denise Scheider and musical guidance from the youth choir "Konzertissimo" under Salome Tendies' direction, concluded the celebratory event on a high note.
[1] SG Pforzheim/Eutingen (handball club) is currently ranked in the 3. Liga, Staffel Süd.[Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/SG_Pforzheim_Eutingen]
Politics dominated the discourse as Boch, amidst sports discussions and general-news debates, expressed his agenda for Pforzheim. traffic tweaks, proposed adjustments to speed limits, and a potential revisiting of Rennstraße were discussed as solutions to gridlock issues. The evening's event, culminating with Jorg Lupus receiving the Citizen's Medal, also marked his recognition as the chair of the 3rd league handball club, SG Pforzheim/Eutingen.
