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Honorary citizenship for Hans Gneihs: A farewell full of merit
Ceremony in Wartmannstetten: Hans Gneihs receives honorary citizenship and a gold medal for 40 years of political service.
Honorary citizenship for Hans Gneihs: A farewell full of merit
October 25, 2025 was an important day for the community of Wartmannstetten when Hans Gneihs, the long-time mayor, was honored in a festive setting. At a ceremony led by State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Gneihs received honorary citizenship for his extraordinary achievements and his commitment to local politics. At the same time as he was awarded honorary citizenship, he was also awarded the “Golden Decoration of Honor for Services to the Federal State of Lower Austria”. [OTS].
Hans Gneihs, who was born in 1955 and spent his childhood near the municipal office, initiated numerous projects during his time in office. He not only served as deputy mayor from 1993 to 2009, but also took over the office of mayor in 2009, which he will hold until the beginning of December 2024, when he will say goodbye as “local boss in peace”. During his 15 years in office, he championed significant projects, including the construction of a new community center, which opened in 2023, and various infrastructure improvements such as expanding the community road network and building a flood retention basin. NOEN emphasizes that Gneihs is considered a “deserved state employee” and has advised numerous projects in the field of tourism.
Honors and awards
The ceremony in Wartmannstetten was not only a homage to Gneihs, but also an opportunity to recognize other achievements of deserving citizens. In addition to Gneihs, Ernst Lohwasser received the Silver Badge of Honor, while Waltraud Lasser, Rudolf Lurf, Adolf Sagmeister and Gerhard Wagner were awarded the Golden Badge of Honor. Mayor Martin Scherz and Deputy Mayor Johannes Luef reflected on Gneihs' formative influence on community life and the successful collaboration across party lines. The celebration was accompanied musically by a brass quartet from the Wartmannstetten traditional band. OTS
Gneihs himself expressed his gratitude and highlighted the challenges of local politics, for which he received support from his wife Elisabeth. In recognition of his many years of service, honorary citizenship is a significant award that recognizes a person's special contributions to a community and thus occupies an important place in local tradition. Wikipedia shows that honorary citizens can be awarded for various reasons, and this is often for life.
The celebrations not only showed the appreciation for Hans Gneihs, but also the solidarity within the community, which looks back on his many years of commitment and laid the foundations for future developments thanks to his leadership work.