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WORLD MAYOR 2018
Dedicated to women mayors The 2018 World Mayor Prize and Commendations will be conferred on women mayors who have made outstanding and long-lasting contributions to their communities. The organisers wish to show what outstanding women mayors achieve all over the world. By doing so, they hope to encourage more women to contemplate a career in local government and run for political office. The women, who will be awarded the 2018 World Mayor Prize and other honours, will be role models for young women and, indeed, men everywhere. Margret Mergen, Mayor of Baden-Baden, Germany, was shortlisted for the 2018 World Mayor Prize. |
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| FRONT PAGE About World Mayor City Mayors Foundation    WORLD MAYOR 2018 • Results 2018 • Project 2018 • Shortlist 2018 • Longlist 2018 • Raison d'être • World Mayor history • World Mayor Prize • Code of Ethics • Criteria • Meet the Press INTERVIEWS WITH • Mayor of Ancona • Mayor of Doncaster • Mayor of Rennes • Mayor of Zamboanga ESSAYS BY • Mayor of Ancona • Mayor of Cologne • Mayor of Doncaster • Mayor of Fort Worth • Mayor of Lille • Mayor of Paris • Mayor of Rennes • Mayor of Saarbrücken • Mayor of Trbovlje • Mayor of Tunis • Mayor of Zamboanga TESTIMONIALS • Mayor of Alphen / Rijn • Mayor of Ancona • Mayor of Baden-Baden • Mayor of Calais • Mayor of Chemnitz • Mayor of Cologne • Mayor of Cozumel • Mayor of Doncaster • Mayor of Fort Worth • Mayor of Grand Rapids • Mayor of Lille • Mayor of Lodz • Mayor of Molenbeek • Mayor of Narayanganj • Mayor of Oakland • Mayor of Omaha • Mayor of Paris • Mayor of Rennes • Mayor of Reutlingen • Mayor of Saarbrücken • Mayor of San Juan • Mayor of Trbovlje • Mayor of Tunis • Mayor of Zamboanga • Mayor of Zurich PROFILES OF • Mayor of Ancona • Mayor of Cologne • Mayor of Doncaster • Mayor of Fort Worth • Mayor of Lille • Mayor of Paris • Mayor of Rennes • Mayor of Saarbrücken • Mayor of Trbovlje • Mayor of Tunis • Mayor of Zamboanga WORLD MAYOR 2016 WORLD MAYOR 2014 WORLD MAYOR 2012 WORLD MAYOR 2010 WORLD MAYOR 2008 WORLD MAYOR 2006 WORLD MAYOR 2005 WORLD MAYOR 2004 |
Nominations for Margret Mergen Mayor of Baden-Baden (Germany) Nominated by Mechhild T., Altenberge, Germany: With my following statement, I want to underline the competence of Mayor Margret Mergen, knowing her since more than 45 years. 1. Mayor Mergen is used to cope with work difficulties, especially those day-to-day problems between political context and personal aims , in the service of the cause of Baden-Baden. 2. She has a creative determination in finding new ideas and gaining likeminded partners for implementation. 3. Mayor Mergen doesn‘t give up her ideals, but she can find und make compromises, when it is the better way. 4. She is a trustworthy manager and has a factually balanced personality, in office and in public. 5. Mayor Mergen is aware of the fact that her work will not convince everyone. But indeed, communication is her strength. 6. Mayor Mergen is a good choice for the city and I wish her all the best for the future! Nominated by Petra E., Cologne, Germany: Ich bin für die Dame aus Baden-Baden Nominated by Lisa P., Baden-Baden: I support the candidacy because I‘m convinced that MM is one of the best mayors our city ever had. She‘s a very strong, structured and world-open woman who looks forward with a clear and open mind, searching the best ways and objects to strengthen and prepare Baden-Baden against challenges in present times and in future. She learned a lot about the spa history of the former Capitale d‘Ete de l‘Europe - which uses thermal waters since roman times - and she takes this knowledge as basement for an innovative town development for citizins as well as for the international guests. Nominated by Dr Susanne A., Karlsruhe: Margret Mergen is a great model for all women to make their way towards a successful political career and thereby overcoming their shyness. Margret Mergen is an excellent mayor with very good ideas for her City and she is a very friendly and helpful person. Nominated by Ferdinand M., Baden-Baden: Meine Stimme geht an Frau Margret Mergen. Sie kann sich gut artikulieren, ist einsatzfreudig, kann sich mit den Bürgern identifizieren und bringt unsere Stadt wunderbar zur Geltung. Nominated by Gudrun M., Baden-Baden: Meine Stimme geht an Frau Margret Mergen. Sie passt ideal für Baden-Baden, ist tüchtig, freundlich, einsatz- und hilfsbereit. Nominated by Beate W., Baden-Baden: Mayor Margret Mergen is a very good Mayor: competent, fair and she always looks forward. She promote our city and she welcomes all people, disabled persons too and she tries to transform the city as fully accessible as possible. Nominated by Christine S., Muggensturm (BW), Germany: Oberbürgermeisterin Margret Mergen führt die “kleinste Weltstadt” der Welt mit seinen vielfältigen Aufgaben im Tourismus, der hochwertigen Kultur, den Kongressen und finanzpolitischen Herausforderungen überaus kompetent und entscheidungsorientiert auf kommunaler und nationaler Ebene. Auf internationalem Parkett vertritt Frau Mergen, die früher auch in Amerika tätig war, Baden-Baden hervorragend durch ihre weltoffene, souveräne und charmante Art. Ihre gleichwohl klare und entschiedene Art im Hinblick auf eine zu lösende Sache – in einem manchmal schwierigen Umfeld – prädestiniert Margret Mergen zur `female worldmayor`. Ich selbst habe Frau Mergen stets freundlich, vertrauensvoll und mit einem offenen Ohr für Vorschläge und selbst kleinere Belange der Bürger kennengelernt. Nominated by Ursula K., Weissach, Germany: Frau Mergen ist eine kompetente Fachfrau und bürgernahe Oberbürgermeisterin. Zur Zukunftssicherung von Baden-Baden scheut sie auch keine unliebsamen Entscheidungen. Sie lässt sich von egoistischen Lobbyisten nicht beeindrucken sondern hat immer das Gemeinwohl im Fokus. Nominated by Martina K., Münster, Germany: I have known Margret Mergen for 47 years during our schooldays, study period and further friendship. She is an upright woman fighting for her ideals. To work for her city always ranks first. Nominated by Dr W. P, Baden-Baden: I am voting for Mayor Margret Mergen to win the title as world mayor 2018! I am living in the city of Baden-Baden, so I can attest as a wittness, how dedicated she is practising her job. She represents the city of Baden-Baden on a very high level on local, national and also international events. I have been voting for her, when she competed for the job as a mayor of Baden-Baden, and there was not a single day, that I had to regret my decision. We can be proud to have her as our mayor! Nominated by Wolfgang H., Reutlingen, Germany: Mrs. Mergen should be the winner because she runs a metropolitan small city superbly. Well balancing the needs of the locals as well as making it an attractive destination for people from the world over. This creates a very special charm. Nominated by Johannes K., Baden-Baden: My support goes to Margret Mergen, because she does an outstanding job for Baden-Baden. She is open to everybody's suggestions and in spite working within a difficult environment she always reaches good compromises, is decisive and competent. Nominated by S. F., Baden-Baden: Frau Mergen ist eine kompetente und freundliche Oberbürgermeisterin. Nominated by Uwe M., Baden-Baden: Ich habe Frau Mergen als loyale, vertrauenswürdige und authentische Rathaus-Chefin kennen- und schätzen gelernt. Sie war mir gegenüber stets loyal und aufgeschlossen aufgetreten. Sie geniesst mein vollstes Vertrauen. Nominatd by Claire Mc., outside Germany: I had the pleasure of meeting Mayor Mergen last year during a conference in Baden-Baden. She had clearly done her homework as she understood and contributed to the topics under discussion. I was impressed by the competence and charm she displayed. Nominated by Julian B., Germany: Baden-Baden wird manchmal als die kleinste Weltstadt der Welt bezeichnet und irgendwie stimmt diese Beschreibung. Die Stadt, von Waeldern und Reben umgeben, hat lediglich 55.000 Einwohner und besitzt all die Vor- und Nachteile einer Kleinstadt. Gleichzeit ist sie aber eine renommierte Kur- und Badestadt mit einem kulturellen Angebot um das sie viele Grossstaedte beneiden. Ausserdem ist Baden-Baden eine der führenden Kongressstaedte Europas. Es ist nicht einfach eine solche Stadt zu 'regieren'. Einerseitz muss die Oberbürgermeisterin die Naehe zur kleinstädtischen und auch ländlichen Bevölkerung wahren und ihre Belange verstehen, andrerseits muss sie auch auf dem internationalen Parkett eine gute Figur abgeben. Ich finde, Margret Mergen macht das ausgezeichnet. Nominated by S. K., Baden-Baden: Competence in managing the everydays affairs of citizens with a lot of experience of other bigger cities Nominated by Helmut P. Germany: Margret Mergen is a very good female leader. Nominated by Reinhilde K.S, Baden-Baden: Qualities of Mayor Mergen: • Competence in managing the day-to-day affairs of her City • Acumen of financial, business and economic affairs • Honesty and integrity in decision-making • Belief in working together with other cities, nationally and internationally • Vision for a City that provides future Generations of citizens with prosperity, safety and happiness Challenges for Baden-Baden: Commitment for the traditional winding means of Baden-Württemberg for Baden-Baden, because the city is an important and historic city for tourism; Engagement for taking a stand of the city Baden-Baden as a world heritage. Nominated by Ursula L., Baden-Baden: Frau Mergen hat den Preis verdient. Sie ist eine hervorragende Oberbürgermeisterin, da sie fachlich höchst kompetent ist und darüber hinaus bei öffentlichen Auftritten mit großem Charme die Stadt Baden-Baden vertritt. Nominated by Margot R. H., Baden-Baden: Margret Mergen shows competence in managing the day-to-day affair of the city. She has the ability and ambition to be mayor for all citizens and has the vision for a city that provides future generations of citizens with prosperity, safety and happiness. She is very much liked by the citizens of Baden-Baden and looks out for everyone. The Mayor also accepts any challenge and will find a solution for it. Nominated by Edith S., Baden-Baden: • Kompetenz in der Verwaltung, • Visionen für die Stadt, Bürgernähe. • Sympatische Person, absolut souveränes Auftreten. Nominated by Peter W., Baden-Baden: Mrs. Mergen is co-operating with many other cities all over Europe to keep the idea of a spa alive. This is an outstanding help to keep that heritage. Nominated by Angelika L.K., Baden-Baden: Mayor Margret Mergen manages and guides very well the difficult transition from the famous past of Baden-Baden as the former "European Summer Capital" into a modern and open minded city with a historical face and a young heart, offering and combining highest culture (Opera House, Museum Frieder Burda and much more) well being (hot springs and thermal waters) and nature (Black Forest ) in a unique way, not to forget exquisite and famous restaurants and Hotels. Challenges for Baden-Baden: Aging population, rather high costs of living, difficulties to provide affordable places to live for young families, traffic and pollution problems due to big jams caused by many people coming to work from outside in the morning and leaving more or less all at the same time in the evening. Nominated by Uwe T., Germany: Mayor Mergen is doing a great job. Nominated by Hermann M., Germany: Sie ist einfach sympathisch! Nominated by Gerhard W., Baden-Baden: Brilliant personality with both, social and communicator qualities. Outstanding Management Competences with acumen of financial, economic, business and social affairs. Mayor for all citizens, dealing fairly with the varied needs of all citizens. Succesful cooperation with other cities, regional and federal governments, both, national and international. Convincing Future Vision. Challenges for Baden-Baden: 1. She successfully prepared a longterm financial concept up to 2030 and won the binding consent of the regional government, thus securing the longterm financial situation. 2. She skillfully handled the longterm innovation and needs of an extraordinary large number of cultural protagonists of superregional and European importance. Nominated by Christa W., Baden-Baden: Mayor Mergen is a very nice, qualified woman, open, honest and direct. She is on the side of her citizens, walk down the street and is speaking with people. Her high grade of ability in questions of finance, culture and Management is fantastic for the town. In times of the refugees she had good ideas for integration, is always on place. She has a vision for the town to have a balance between citizens and tourists and Russian people living in town only for few month the year. Challenges for Baden-Baden: • The Mayor is planning for longer time, plans for 10 or 20 Years. • She Looks for rooms to live, payable and look to save our nature, forests and parks. • She is telling the truth to the citizens, even when they will not hear. • She is in connection with Management of affairs to finance the cultural events, to get Money for Integration, to make life easier in town. • She is looking for the children for good schools and places for work. • She is often to see in town on events and citizens have a direct way to meet her. Nominated by Wolfgang P., Baden-Baden: In a sphere pretty rich of conflicts and disputes, Mayor Mergen is always very calm, unemotional and polite. I estimate her reliability, her Diligence and her permanent effort. The realisation of the G-20-meeting of the Finance Ministers in 2017 here in Baden-Baden was exemplarily and a great success for our town! She cared personnally for the accommodation of hundreds of refugees since 2015. She holds close contact to the local enterprises. Nominated by A.R., Germany: Wir loben die überkommunale Zusammenarbeit mit der Oberbürgermeisterin aus Baden-Baden Nominated by Sven, Baden-Baden: Mayor Mergen involves citizens in important decisions. If she is made aware of grievances, she ensures immediately that they are resolved. Challenges for Baden-Baden: In order to secure the country's financial resources for our city, long before it has expired, she has negotiated further funding from the country so that we could be sure soon enough that we could continue to run our cultural institutions. She has proven great foresight in this case. Nominated by E. M., Baden-Baden: Qur mayor is real leader.She is the very open-minded person.She loves her job and people.I am working last 10 years in education and love IB learner profile, which one for all: head of school, school staff, parents, students. I am thinking she wants to create a better and more peaceful world. Challengesfor Baden-Baden: Our life is a big challenge.Great solutions for this to be open to new questions and trying to find right answers. When you are mayor of the city, you need to find right answers for all, not for you. Our mayor always listens to the people and finding right answers for all new questions. Critical comments: Critical comment by MiGaCh.H., Baden-Baden: Schon vor Margret Mergens OB Wahl haben Bekannte aus ihrem vorherigen Wählerkreis vor dieser Frau gewarnt. Inzwischen wissen wir warum! Nach einem Unfall in der Fußgängerzone, den wir meldeten, wurden wir der Falschaussage bezichtigt, ohne dass sie oder eine zuständige Person sich nähere Informationen einholte. Seitens ihrer wurde sogar mit anwaltsrechtlichen Schritten gedroht, sollten wir weiter unsere Meinung (Lüge) vertreten. Sowas World-Mayor? Nein Danke! Fast kein Tag geht ins Land ohne diese Frau in der Tagespresse bildhaft aufgedrängt zu bekommen. Meine Meinung: Selbstverherrlichung! Kein Badener den wir kennen wird sie noch einmal wählen. Critical comment by Christian and Monica S., Baden-Baden: Sehr geehrtes Wahlkomitee: Meine Frau und ich werden Frau Margret Mergen keinesfalls unsere Stimmen geben! Frau Mergen macht für die Stadt keine gute Arbeit. Sie vergleicht die Kurstadt mit ihrer vorherigen Tätigkeitsstätte und möchte aus Baden-Baden wohl Karlsruhe machen. Die Stimmung der Bürger ist eher gegen sie gerichtet, und man hört von allen Seiten nur massive Kritik. So eine Politikerin kann man nicht zur Weltbürgermeisterin wählen. Critical comment by O.S., Baden-Baden: I do NOT support the participation of Mrs Mergen, she is the worst mayor, Baden-Baden ever had. Self-interested, arrogant and with poor outcomes in every daily aspect. Critical comment by Werner S., Baden-Baden: Als langjähriger Bürger der Stadt Baden-Baden lehne ich die Wahl von Margret Mergen ausdrücklich ab. Meine Frau ist auch sehr mit Frau OB. Mergen unzufrieden. - Die Stadt Baden-Baden blieb auf Kosten im 6-stelligen Bereich wegen des in Baden-Baden stattfindenden G-20-Gipfels sitzen, weil Frau Mergen die Kostenübernahme bei der Bundesregierung bzw. dem Bund nicht beantragt hatte. • Zur Zeit des G-20-Gipfels musste die "Leo-Baustelle" im Herzen der Stadt Baden-Baden hergerichtet werden, was nochmals € 60.000,00 kostete • Die Öffnungszeiten des Bürgerbüros wurden sehr stark zum Nachteil der Bevölkerung abgeändert. Erst durch heftige Proteste der Bürger durch Leserbriefe in der Tageszeitung wurde nach Monaten wieder eine bürgerfreundliche Lösung eingeführt • Frau Mergen kündigte für die örtlichen Vereine deutlich höhere Gebühren für die Nutzung der Hallen an. Erst nach heftigen Protesten der Bürger rückte Frau Mergen wieder von dieser Entscheidung ab • Frau Mergen kündigte den beiden einzigen privaten Aero-Vereinen, die in Eigenregie Motor- und Segelflug in Baden-Oos auf dem ehemaligen Flugplatz betreiben, um dort zusätzlich Gewerbeflächen schaffen zu können, obwohl es anderweitig noch genügend Gewerbeflächen zum z. B. Gewerbegebiet Oos-West gibt. • Die Baustelle in der Schwarzwaldstraße dauerte viel länger als ursprünglich veranschlagt • Die Baustelle in Baden-Oos entlang der Sinzheimer Straße besteht schon mindestens 1 - 2 Jahre! • Die Stadt Baden-Baden wurde vom Rechnungsprüfungsamt und vom Regierungspräsidium mehrfach wegen finanzpolitischer Verfehlungen gerügt • Verabschiedete Bauvorhaben bzw. Sanierungen z. B. des Fahrradweges zwischen der Weststadt und Baden-Oos (grüne Einfahrt) werden auf die lange Bank geschoben, obwohl direkt neben der grünen Einfahrt die Schwarzwaldstraße saniert wird!!! Noch nie gab es in der Reihe der letzten 4 Oberbürgermeister von Baden-Baden so viele Bürgerproteste wie bei Frau Mergen. Frau Mergen ist innerhalb der Stadt Baden-Baden bei den Bürgern sehr umstritten. Frau Mergen hat es nicht verdient, den Titel zu bekommen! |