Railway ventures, COVID-19 complications, and red tape encumbrances
Santa Clara County Councilor Joachim Walter Retires After Nearly Two Decades of Service
After almost two decades serving as County Councilor of Tübingen, Joachim Walter is set to retire on October 1st. Walter, known for his tireless advocacy for bureaucratic reform and various major projects, has faced a challenging and rapidly evolving landscape during his tenure.
Walter's career has been characterised by a faster pace of life compared to his early days. Emails that go unanswered for hours are now a common occurrence, a stark contrast to the days when letters were typed on a typewriter and sent by post, with responses taking up to two weeks.
The job demands and pressure have been immense, according to Walter. The influx of refugees in 2015, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent refugee wave from Ukraine have put extreme demands on the county administration. Staff in the Santa Clara County Council office were constantly shifted to where they were most needed, such as providing refugee accommodation in sports halls or setting up a vaccination center.
One of Walter's most significant pursuits has been the Neckar-Alb Regional Tram project, a mega-project he has been pushing for several years. Initially, there was no funding for the project at the county level. However, Walter's persistence paid off, and the project now has an 80% funding rate, considered a big success. Walter, along with other supporters, travelled to Berlin to the Ministry of Transport every six weeks to push for the project.
Despite his efforts, Walter admits that the results of his advocacy for bureaucratic reform are meager. The financial straits of municipalities remain a frustrating topic for him.
Walter's motto has always been to be there for the people. He has served as County Councilor in Tübingen since 2003, a period marked by his dedication to public service. He is deeply grateful to the employees for their efforts and is planning to support a peace initiative in Israel, where families of Arabic and Jewish origin live together and raise their children together, after his resignation as district administrator in Tübingen.
As Walter prepares to lead a more relaxed life with his newly purchased motorhome, he reflects on his time in office. "I have always strived to make a difference, to improve the lives of the people I serve," he says. "While the journey has been challenging, I am proud of what we have achieved together."
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