Dispute over refugee accommodation: Torgaus Mayor faces!

Dispute over refugee accommodation: Torgaus Mayor faces!

Torgau. The discussion about the planned community accommodation for 170 refugees in the hotel "Torgauer Brauhof" causes resentment in the city. Both the Torgau city council and Mayor Henrik Simon reject the project and would like to stop the plans of the North Saxony district office. Simon sees the location in the city center as problematic, especially since the accommodation is intended for asylum seekers with a low prospect of staying.

"The location is extremely unsuitable for the integration of the refugees," explains Simon, adding that the experience with the existing accommodation in Süptitzer Weg was positive. "There is space for up to 80 single refugees and the administration works smoothly." Around 260 refugees are currently housed in Torgau, with the city considers a fair distribution to all municipalities important. "If the district office wants to increase the number to 300 or more, this would not correspond to this principle," emphasizes Simon.

Alternative solutions for accommodation

The discussion about alternative accommodation options is of great importance. In Torgau there are 49 decentralized apartments for families that are also well received. Simon appeals to the district office to continue using the existing accommodation in Süptitzer Weg instead of creating a new large facility. "We have had good experiences there, and it would make sense to use the existing structures," said the mayor.

"By making the accommodation decentralized, we are more flexible and can react better to changes. If fewer refugees come, the living space can simply be brought back to the market," Simon continues. He expresses doubts about the economy of plans for the hotel, since the costs for long -term rental contracts and social care are unclear. Simon is concerned that the district office could be overwhelmed by an oversized financial responsibility that falls back to the taxpayer.

"Politics must make clear and understandable decisions," appeals the city manager. "The accommodation of refugees requires a high degree of sensitivity and should not be done without careful." It would make more sense to look for suitable solutions outside the city center in order not to endanger integration and social cohesion. Simon notes that the creation of central accommodations by the Free State would help to ensure "better coordinated support" of the asylum seekers.

Another point on the mayor's agenda is the upcoming building permit that the district office would have to apply for if the plans for the hotel are pursued. Simon wants to ensure that the arguments of urban development and social interaction are included in the decision -making process.

A call to reason also goes to the district councils. "I used my influence as a district council to demand answers and hope that we will come to a solution that offers a sensible alternative for the city of Torgau and the refugees," says Simon. In order to finally stop the plans, he warns that the administration and the city council must remain active, since such decisions have often been made across their heads in the past.

With a certain concern, the mayor looks into the future. He hopes "that logical arguments will be heard and that we can avert the conflict for the planned accommodation in the hotel". For Simon it is clear that the city administration will do everything possible to master this challenge and to represent the interests of the Torgau citizens. The ongoing talks and the exchange with the district office will be decisive. Further developments are to be seen, especially with regard to the reactions of the district councils and the next steps in planning.