Dispute over location

Tug of war continues over new care support center

There are to be 71 care support points throughout the country - like here in Schattendorf. Hornstein would also like to have one, but was not awarded the contract.

(Bild: P. Huber)

A total of 71 care support centers are to be established throughout the country. One of them is planned for the municipality of Wimpassing. However, the neighboring village of Hornstein does not like this at all.

Last year, as reported, there were already voices that would have preferred to see the care support point in Hornstein rather than Wimpassing. The fact that Hornstein has been left empty-handed has now led to criticism from Mayor Christoph Wolf (ÖVP). His municipality is the ideal location, a medical competence center already exists. There had even been talks with the state in the past.

"Had no insight"
He cannot understand why Wimpassing was chosen: "We had no insight into the state's selection process and were not consulted as a municipality." He has submitted a statement on the planned ordinance. "We appeal to reason, objectivity and putting people first. At the same time, we hope that party politics and arbitrariness will not be given a chance when deciding the location," explains Wolf.

Everything in place
SPÖ Deputy Mayor Rainer Schmitl would also like to see the care center in his home municipality. "Hornstein would be perfect for it. We have the land, the rezoning and the plan. All we need is the go-ahead and we could start building." The fact that Hornstein came away empty-handed is Wolf's fault. The original plans were drawn up under the red municipal leadership.

"Homework not done"
After Wolf became mayor, he no longer took care of SPÖ projects. "He didn't do his homework for years," says Schmitl angrily, adding that complaining now is the wrong approach. It has been clear for over two years that the contract would be awarded to Wimpassing.

First against, now for
State Councillor for Social Affairs Leonhard Schneemann (SPÖ) also reacted with surprise. After all, the ÖVP in the provincial parliament, of which Wolf is also a member, had explicitly spoken out against the care support point model - but now they wanted to claim one for their own municipality. The locations of the care support points have been selected objectively on a professional basis, it is emphasized.