Category: News from us

  • CDU majority excludes us from administrative work - parliamentary election shows lack of team spirit

    CDU majority excludes us from administrative work - parliamentary election shows lack of team spirit

    The recent meeting of the Dernbach municipal council on 14 January made it clear: The CDU majority group does not seem to want to participate together for Dernbach in the administrative work – contrary to all customs in the local municipalities of the association municipality and contrary to the idea of equal cooperation in the Council. Although we provide about a third of the Council seats, the administration and its three associates thus remain exclusively in the hands of the CDU.

    A fair offer – without a fair answer

    With Alessa Bode, our group had proposed a committed, locally rooted candidate for the office of deputy. Their active involvement in associations, at the youth lounge and their competence in digitization and communication have significantly enriched the administration.

    In our explanatory memorandum, we emphasized that all Council members are part of the a team are – without distinction between first and second class. Team spirit is spoken of on a regular basis in the Council, but nothing was felt in this election.

    Our municipality has no formal ‘government’ or ‘opposition’ – all members of the Council should share responsibility. Precisely for this reason, it can only be understood as a conscious exclusion of Together for Dernbach if we are once again overlooked in the occupation of the associates. This is a disappointing signal for us: It contradicts the democratic self-image of communal cooperation.

    Consequences: Constructive opposition

    Our election proposal was supported by only five votes, thirteen council members voted in favour of the CDU's election proposal, which had the CDU Group's unanimous approval, according to its chairman. The majority has clearly shown that they do not want a common design.

    We take this result as an opportunity to redefine our role: If fair participation is denied, we will take our responsibility as Constructive opposition true – critical, factual and in the interest of citizens.

    Other topics of the meeting

    It was unanimously decided to accept a grant for the expansion of the Südring. In the cemetery chapel, a clear cost ceiling could be agreed for Dernbach thanks to an amendment tabled by Together – an example of successful technical cooperation.

    In addition, the mayor informed about new company settlements, conversions in the community center (including an emergency power system) and cameras in the cemetery. Our requests for drainage in Dr.-Domarus-Straße remain on the agenda. Our suggestion on road safety on Ebernhahner Straße and K148 (bicycle paths intersect here in confusing places) was answered unsatisfactory – leaving it to citizens to complain to the Landesbetrieb Mobilität cannot be an effective approach. We'll stay here.

  • Give joy together - hearty Christmas greetings

    Give joy together - hearty Christmas greetings

    During the Advent period, ‘Together for Dernbach’ initiated a special action. Citizens, children, educators and teachers from kindergarten and primary school as well as the St. Josef and St. Agnes Association have made them a real community project with a lot of heart and commitment.

    Many people from Dernbach and the surrounding area have written loving Christmas cards for the residents of the senior citizens' centre. Individuals have even contributed up to ten cards, and here and there small gifts have been added that provide additional joy.

    We are particularly proud of the children's creative contributions: The pupils of the primary school and the children of the kindergarten in Dernbach have lovingly made Christmas decorations and cards that fill the senior centre with warmth – small hearts beat big!

    Handmade Christmas cards from the kindergarten for the Seniorenzentrum Dernbach
    With a lot of creativity designed Christmas cards of the kindergarten children as part of the Christmas campaign by Together for Dernbach.
    Christmas bastions of elementary school children for the Seniorenzentrum in Dernbach
    Lovingly designed Christmas bastions of the primary school children as part of the action of Together for Dernbach.

    The response from the senior citizens centre was consistently positive – the management of the home thanked them warmly for the beautiful action. It is wonderful to see how much warmth, compassion and sense of community is lived in our homeland.

    We thank everyone who took part in the action for their commitment and generosity. And, as we approach the end of the year, a big thank you to those who supported or supported us in 2025.

    Last but not least, we wish you, you and you a Merry Christmas full of joy, cozy hours in the circle of loved ones, relaxing holidays and a good start to a healthy, happy new year.

  • Open and successful exchange in autumn

    Open and successful exchange in autumn

    An open Group meeting was held today, to which all interested citizens were invited. The aim of the meeting was to provide transparent information on current topics from the municipal bodies, to prepare for the upcoming municipal council meeting and to take suggestions from the citizens.

    News from the committees

    We looked at the last Council meeting in mid-June back. On some open issues, including drainage (parallel to Dr. Domarus-Straße) – there is currently no new state of play. We ask the administration and hope for an answer in the Construction Committee on 12 November or in Municipal Council on 19 November – no agenda has yet been published for both meetings.

    In the open group meeting, the committees' topics were also raised: The Culture Committee deals with important dates, including fair planning, citizens' breakfast and Youth Day. We continue to collect suggestions from the citizenry to improve processes at events. For example, there are suggestions for improvement for the senior afternoon, such as organization and the selection of drinks.

    Other points from our public meeting:

    • We suggest a suitable location for the book phone booth. The idea of designing the telephone booth by young people (We reported) is to be implemented.
    • The use of communal spaces and locking systems has been criticised. We're going after it.
    • The opening of the library took place, which we found very successful. We commend the library team very much.

    Preparing for the next council meeting

    We have already collected and prepared topics for the upcoming Council meeting, including:

    • Industrial area: Potential analysis and file inspection in existing reports. The Central and Financial Committee has granted a new opinion as an investment in the budget.
    • Information from citizens on the critical traffic situation – here the intersection of cycle paths: In the context of road safety, we call on the administration to arrange for the road construction load carrier (probably state-owned mobility company here) to examine measures.

    General information from the place

    In conclusion, current developments in the municipality were summarized:

    • The primary school in Dernbach will be expanded to ensure a full-day offer.
    • A new siren was installed at the end of the road ‘Im Wehrholz’.
    • The no-hold zones around the Raiffeisen-Gymnasium are still not sufficiently complied with. We ask the administration if and what measures are foreseen.
    • The joints of the village well were repaired with synthetic resin.
    • Several sacked places in the local area – including Kirchvor- and Rathausplatz – have to be repaired.
    • The expansion of the fiberglass work continues to be unreliable, a decrease in the work is still pending, as a representative reported.

    Finally, citizens were invited to contribute their ideas for village development. The exchange clearly demonstrated the importance to many of strengthening community life, better coordination of events and open dialogue within the community.

    Together for Dernbach plans to maintain public group meetings at intervals of about three months. We hope to be able to continue to use the Council Hall for this purpose, for which we have worked very hard. We will announce the dates for 2026 here as soon as possible.

  • Open Group meeting on 17 August 2025

    Open Group meeting on 17 August 2025

    On Sunday 17 August 2025, our open Group meeting took place. Some citizens took part and brought in their questions and suggestions – from the future of the youth space to the fairgrounds and the ‘Kappesgarten’ building area.

    Review of our committee work

    At the beginning, we presented an overview of the ongoing work of the committees as well as the main topics of the last Council meeting of 18 June 2025.

    Suggestions from Citizenship

    Afterwards, we asked the participants for feedback and asked the questions:
    What is important to you? Where does the shoe press? What should the municipal council deal with?

    There was a lively discussion. Among other things, the following were mentioned:

    • The impression that little has developed in the place for decades.
    • Insufficient shops.
    • Questions about the current state of the Building area ‘Kappesgarten’.
    • The idea of having the dismantled telephone booth creatively designed by young people.
    • The desire for more Exchange of information.
    • The feeling of being left alone with some problems.

    Youth room

    Also the Youth room It was discussed in the discussion. As ‘Together for Dernbach’, we are committed – including across political groups – to ensuring that the Youth Space is filled with new ideas, is better known and accepted . Mentioned Days of action for young people and parents or joint activities such as cooking activities – as one of several ways to foster encounter and community.

    Celebration and Jubilee 2026

    The fair is a highlight for Dernbach in the course of the year: three days celebration including live music, rides, stalls and many encounters of locals and guests.

    In order for it to continue to be a positive experience for everyone in the future, good preparation, including the participation of the community, is crucial. This includes:

    • Transparency and communication in advance – so that local residents know at an early stage which processes are planned.
    • accessibility – Ways and accesses should be designed in such a way that older people and people with disabilities can easily participate.
    • Transport and construction planning – local traffic must be affected as little as possible, but local residents should at least be able to rely on specific information and procedures.
    • It is already the case that the Jubilee 2026 keep in mind that an attractive program can be expected, which must be accompanied by the community.

    Construction projects and shopping opportunities

    An associate informed the participants, upon request, that a development of the construction area was not possible until the end of the year. 2027/28 It's realistic. This raises understanding, but also expectations – we stick to the topic.

    According to our information stand, the opening of the still to be built supermarket including bakery and beverage market on Ebernhahner Straße is delayed and should take about a year.

    traffic

    We informed that from now on the Bus (line 420 Hachenburg/Selters to Montabaur) Dernbach arrives every hour on Saturdays. Although this is outside the immediate area of responsibility of the municipality, the improvement is also welcome in the sense of people who like to use public transport or are dependent on it.

    payphone

    There is no longer a telephone booth in Dernbach. From the round, the suggestion was renewed that a public bookcase be set up and that young people could take over the design.

    Katharina Kasper and the Heilborner Linde

    Another suggestion, which has reached us in advance by e-mail, concerns the St. Catherine Kasper. In the meeting, it was added that a citizen kept wooden parts of the several hundred-year-old linden tree, which had recently been damaged and felled by a thunderstorm.

    Here it is important to follow up on ideas: For example, pieces of jewellery or memorabilia made of wood, but also ways to make the history and meaning of Katharina Kasper more visible for Dernbach – for example through a monument or an information board at the birthplace, a brochure, a theme day, etc. One Coordination with participating groups, including the monastery, appears to be expedient here.

    outlook

    The meeting showed: There are many topics that move the Dernbachers. Especially the Reviving the Youth Space and the Preparation of the fair 2026 They will keep us busy.

    We would like to thank all participants for their open contributions and suggestions. Only in a joint conversation do ideas emerge that advance our place.

  • Clean into autumn - Clean-up action in the youth room at the end of the holiday

    Clean into autumn - Clean-up action in the youth room at the end of the holiday

    At the end of the summer holidays, young people from the youth lounge tackled together again. They were supported by youth godfather Mario Geldner, a community worker, Alessa Bode (Together for Dernbach) and Thomas Burchards (CDU).

    Untidy toilet room with lots of boxes, paint buckets and toys
    Toilet room before cleaning
    Clean and tidy toilet room
    Toilet room after cleaning

    Unnecessary rubbish was disposed of together, useful things were seen and sorted – and the ladies’ toilet was refurbished so that it can now be used again. Thanks to the active support and good cooperation, the action was successfully completed in a short time.

    A few small things like a new toilet lid or a toilet brush are still worried. What is still missing is a new cabinet for the proper storage of the existing materials. If you want to donate a well-preserved cupboard from the village, you can send an e-mail to alessa.bode@dernbach.de report – the Youth Room is happy to receive any support.

    Distidy washbasin area with lots of boxes, paint buckets and toys
    Toilet room before cleaning
    Clean washbasin area in a small toilet
    Washbasins after cleaning

    Many thanks to all those involved for their commitment – a successful start to the post-holiday period!

    And now the following applies: The Youth Room is ready – so come by, bring life to the booth and start the autumn together with us!

  • Derwischer Jugendlounge - meeting place for young people in Dernbach

    Derwischer Jugendlounge - meeting place for young people in Dernbach

    The Dervish youth lounge – the youth room in Dernbach – gets a new impetus! Together with Alessa, Thomas Burchards (CDU) and Youth godfather Mario Geldner In a short time, new promotional material was created to bring the lounge back to the centre of village life. With fresh flyers, colourful design and targeted public relations, the lounge is intended to revive – to a place of encounter, leisure and community for young people from Dernbach.

    The Dervish Youth Lounge is the perfect place for anyone between the ages of 12 and 18 who is looking for a place to hang out, meet people, listen to music or just have fun. Whether you have been living in Dernbach for a long time or have only recently moved here, you are welcome here. The lounge offers numerous possibilities to design your free time: A pool table, a music system, a big screen with projector, game consoles and cozy sitting areas for talking and relaxing are waiting for you.

    The youth lounge is accompanied by Mario Geldner, Our dedicated youth sponsor. He always has an open ear, is happy about new faces and supports you and others in realizing their own ideas and implementing small projects or actions. Thus, the lounge not only becomes a retreat, but an active part of village life.

    The Dervish Youth Lounge is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 18:00 to 21:00 in the building on Burgweg 3, directly at the castle sports complex. If you have any questions or interest, you can contact Mario Geldner (tel. 0171 / 776 74 19) turn around.

    So: Come by! There is always something going on in the Dervish Youth Lounge, and the fun is guaranteed!

    In the future, too, ‘Together für Dernbach“ together with Thomas Burchards and Mario Geldner actively work to strengthen the youth lounge and to maintain it as an integral part of village life. The focus is on new ideas, youth participation and an open, lively community. Because a strong youth is the best investment in a strong village community.

  • A breath of fresh air for Dernbach

    A breath of fresh air for Dernbach

    In a constructive Group meeting on 12 September, we appointed Dr Manuel Misgeld, who has extensive administrative experience, as Group Chairman.
    Roswitha Carmen Kästner moves in as a member of the Council, as this position of Cosimo Jankowitsch has also become vacant. In addition, the committee seats that have become vacant were unanimously nominated by us.

    All members of the electorate remain firmly committed to advancing the projects that make our village more livable. We are convinced that even a minority group can be successful if a strong team of smart and committed minds works on a citizen-oriented policy.

    Not only do we want to keep you up to date on our Council work, but we also want to play an active role in the public discussion. Because we are passionate about advocating for the issues and concerns that are important to us and to you. For this, we ask that you continue to trust us and support us in our joint work for our sustainable Dernbach.

  • Current position of the Group

    It is with great regret that yesterday we took note of the decision of our group chairman Cosimo Jankowitsch to resign all his offices and political mandates in the local council of Dernbach and the Verbandsgemeinde Wirges. His move came as a surprise to us, and we would have liked to have had a personal exchange with him beforehand.

    We would like to thank him for his efforts so far and his commitment to our home village Dernbach. He brought our group together, campaigned with passion and even as a candidate for mayor he achieved a respectable election result from the standpoint. We cannot understand his motives, which he only hints at in his contribution. Even if we would have wished for a continuation of the joint work, we have no choice but to accept his decision.

    Since we were not prepared for the situation, we have to reorganize the next few days. In any case, we want to pursue our concern and goal of working with full force for a Dernbach that is worth living and sustainable.

    We would like to thank all those who continue to place their trust in us and who would like to work together with us on a better future for Dernbach. We look forward to the challenges that lie ahead and remain optimistic that we will tackle them for the benefit of our citizens.

    Your group "Together for Dernbach"

  • Take a look at our first meeting

    On 28 August 2024, the first meeting of the newly elected municipal council took place in the community centre of Dernbach. We, the members of the Yankovich electoral group, We are pleased that six of us have been appointed as new members of the Council. This is an important step on our way to actively shape our community and represent the interests of the citizens of Dernbach.

    First personnel decisions – a new beginning?

    The re-elected mayor Ferdi Düber and the CDU parliamentary group have promised us a good cooperation. With this in mind, we also voted with the CDU parliamentary group in the elections of the first two associates (and representatives of the mayor). The list of committee members proposed by both political groups was adopted unanimously.

    Despite our good election result with almost a third of the votes and seats in the Council, however, the position of third associate was also awarded to a candidate of the CDU. It is particularly regrettable that our proposal to elect Gebhard Schmidt as a committed and highly qualified candidate with proven leadership quality was apparently unanimously rejected by the CDU parliamentary group.

    Newly elected deputy with local mayor of Dernbach and first deputy of the VG-Wirges
    The newly elected associates with local mayor (middle) and first associate of the VG-Wirges (right) – all CDUs

    What's next?

    This result gives us cause for concern and we are excited to see what the announced good cooperation will look like in practice. In any case, we are happy to accept the offer that Cosimo, as our group leader, can participate in the meetings with the mayor and deputy mayors. This gives us the opportunity to contribute our ideas and concerns directly and to be heard at the decisive points. We are ready to work constructively with all Council members and the top management and hope that this will be based on reciprocity.

    Our goal is to inform all Dernbachers regularly about our council work. We invite all interested parties to get involved with us and to contribute their ideas, so that together we can create a liveable and sustainable village.

  • Premiere: Voter group Jankowitsch now in the local council

    The faction team in the municipal council in front of the municipal centre

    The day before yesterday it was finally time: Our newly elected local council was officially introduced into office by the re-elected mayor Ferdi Düber. The Council was obliged by a handshake and thus heralded the start of a new term of office.

    For us – Alessa Bode, Stefan Görg, Stefan Heinz, Cosimo Jankowitsch, Frank Köhn and Dr Manuel Misgeld – work on the Dernbach municipal council has now officially started. We look forward to actively participating in the various committees and representing the interests of our citizens.

    The first official date is just around the corner: Next Wednesday 4 September 2024, to 7 p.m. The first meeting with important content takes place in the council hall of the Dernbach town hall, including the fee schedule of the community center, town hall and sports field building. All interested parties are cordially invited to join us and get an idea of our work.

    At this point, we would like to once again Many thanks to everyone, They trusted us with their vote. Your support is our incentive to work with full commitment for an even more livable Dernbach.

    In order to keep you up to date, we will regularly report on the developments in the Council via our homepage and social networks. We would also like to invite you as the Yankovich voter group to regular meetings. Together we can develop and implement ideas to further improve our beautiful village for all generations.

    We are looking forward to the upcoming tasks and to Together with you the future of Dernbach to design!

  • We say thank you!

    Working together for a clean landscape: Action day a complete success

    On 13 April 2024, together with more than 30 committed citizens, we took part in the Clean Landscape Action and made a huge difference!

    Actions instead of words

    Under the motto ‘Together for Dernbach’, we as the Jankowitsch voters' group showed our commitment to our homeland. Equipped with garbage bags, warning vests and gloves, together we freed roadsides, dirt roads and green areas from carelessly discarded garbage.

    Impressions on Instagram

    Some photos of the action are already on our Instagram channel to see. They document the success of the waste collection campaign.

    Many thanks to all participants!

    “We are very pleased about the great response,” said Cosimo Jankowitsch. “It is important to us to set a sign for a home worth living in and to actively ensure a clean Dernbach. The nature around Dernbach is now a little cleaner and more livable. Many thanks to all the environmental heroes who actively participated!”

  • New List of Citizens Sets Up in Dernbach

    Andreas Pandorf, Jürgen Heckenbach, Torsten Greinert, Frank Köhn, Silke Jankowitsch, Stefan Görg, Roswitha Kästner, Stefan Heinz, Alessa Bode, Dr. Manuel Misgeld, Cosimo Jankowitsch (from left to right), not in the picture: Daniel Jung and Gebhardt Schmidt

    More than 60 committed participants lived grassroots democracy and elected 13 candidates for the election of the municipal council.

    It was a first for the village: A good 60 citizens gathered in Dernbach on 24 January for a much-anticipated constellation meeting. They determined who would stand as a candidate for the open electorate ‘Gemeinsam für Dernbach’ (Together for Dernbach). The assembly proposed Cosimo Jankovich as mayoral candidate. He was placed in first place on the electoral list, whose surname she will thus bear.

    After the welcome of the participants by C. Jankowitsch, the mayor from Kroppach, Michael Birk, led as a competent and neutral meeting leader through the agenda and paid attention to the regular procedure. In the assembly, candidates were nominated who introduced themselves in person. Subsequently, the group of participants confirmed all candidates in a secret, equal and immediate election. This gives them the opportunity to represent their citizens in the local council. Jankovich thanked the participants: “The 60 people present, who actively participated in this democratic process, signalled the resurgent political community in Dernbach. Everyone has contributed to a respectful and confident atmosphere here. It is precisely in these times that I am enthusiastic about how committed citizens stand up for democracy and how they live.”

    The other candidates agree and emphasize that they want to bring a breath of fresh air to the municipal council. Last but not least, they complement each other with a wide range of experience, expertise and perspectives. Their diversity reflects the colourful mix of the municipality of Dernbach and promises a future-oriented and inclusive representation. Thus, the ‘List of Yankovich’ is intended to offer a genuine and democratic election to the municipal council on 9 June, where so far only one CDU list is represented.

    For “Together for Dernbach”, the assembly is the official starting signal to promote their ideas of a sustainable Dernbach. The elected candidates look forward to entering into an intensive dialogue with the citizens in the coming months about the visions and ideas with which they want to jointly shape a Dernbach that will continue to be worth living in the future.

    For further information and enquiries, the elected candidates are available.

  • Day of foundation

    On 22.11.2023 it was finally time, we, the electorate group TOGETHER FOR DERNBACH, They officially founded us.

    Now we can prepare for the 2024 local elections.


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