Sister Cities Spoke

Actually, the two mayors spoke, Satya Rhodes-Conway and Martin Horn, representing the people of Madison and Freiburg.

The director of the Carl-Schurz-Haus, Friederike Schulte, had organized the Zoom Conference in the framework of the ongoing series Transatlantic Tuesdays, inviting top-level contemporaries to hold the Zoom floor.

Charming Friederike moderated the conversation with aplomb. Following the usual introduction, the pandemic was the first topic - what else? 

Martin Horn was the first mayor of a major city in Germany, courageously decreeing a complete lockdown for Freiburg. Other towns followed one day later.

Satja Rhodes-Conway said it had not been all bad with Corona in Madison. People closed ranks and helped each other. There was a push for solidarity. Her staff worked beyond the call of duty and crossed department borders in good collaboration.

Martin Horn said that during the pandemic, the slogan #freiburg900jahrejung (#freiburg900yearsyoung) was replaced by the better-fitting #freiburghaeltzusammen (#freiburgstickstogether). "We closed the ranks not only here at Freiburg. Neighboring hospitals created a functioning network."

Both mayors agreed that wearing a mask is not a political but a health issue. Science has to work more closely with politics. Concerning the presently low incidence rates, Satja said, "Don't go back to the old normal; get back to better! "

Vaccine fatigue is an issue on both sides of the Atlantic. Easier traveling is a good incentive.

Satja spoke about her Green Power Team. The aim is to generate 75% of electrical energy in Madison by solar panels. There are green programs, e.g., in forestry and parks. 

Martin mentioned Freiburg's new Townhall as a zero-energy building. The city is planning to create the new Dietenbach as a green suburb.

While Satja mentioned Madison's electrical fire truck, Martin alluded to Freiburg's hydrogen-driven garbage truck. 

Martin invited Satja to a match of FC Freiburg in Freiburg's new soccer stadium, where the most extensive solar roof in Germany covers the spectators.

She would like to welcome Martin to watch a football game with the Wisconsin Badgers.

Both mayors seemed keen to discover the highlights in their sister cities personally. 

At this point, Friederike did not forget to mention that the Freiburg-Madison-Gesellschaft got the US/German City Partnership Award for the most active German-American city partnership.

There remained only one big difference. While Satja is through with social media - very mean and painful - Martin has used them successfully in his election campaign. He continues on Facebook and Instagram, in particular, to bring young people in contact with politics.

Around 50 people watched the Zoom meeting, with participation from Madison somewhat higher than that from Freiburg.
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