Mayor's Blog
“Give of yourself what you wish to get from others. Enjoy bringing joy to others without expecting a return favor.”
The Honorable Dieter Hahn – Burgermeister of Pfaffenweiler, Germany
“Enjoy bringing joy.” Those words from my colleague, Pfaffenweiler Mayor Dieter Hahn, aptly describe the unique relationship between our two communities and our citizens. There is childlike glee from residents on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean whenever visits occur and during this year’s Jasper Strassenfest happiness is sure to abound.
2015 marks the 30th Anniversary of Partnership (Partnerschaft) between Jasper and Pfaffenweiler. While the two communities are involved in a formal Sister Cities program the ties that bind are far deeper. In the mid-1800’s Pfaffenweiler citizens were recruited to come to the United States with a significant number of German Roman Catholic families eventually settling in Jasper. In the last 30 years families have reconnected across generations and new friendships have formed to the point that the two communities are inseparable.
Nearly 40 Pfaffenweiler guests will arrive in Jasper in late July as our guests including current Mayor Hahn and former Mayor Fritz Gutgsell as well as Karin Horst who, along with Jasper resident Stan Jochum, will serve as Strassenfest Grand Marshalls. Jasper’s Partnership Commission, a formal organization in our city government, has been working diligently for more than a year to prepare for the 30th anniversary and they deserve your appreciation and respect. Members are: Raymie Eckerle, Stan Jochum, Kim Lottes, Irene Kapp, Steffi Schmuecker, Max Verkamp, Lisa Kieffner and Lois Kuntz. I am privileged to serve with such an outstanding team.
Cheers to bringing joy!
Mayor Seitz
