Honored were Werner Michel from Eppelborn, Dieter Lieblang, Horst Matheis and Peter Rammo from Spiesen-Elversberg, Wilhelm Kräuter from Neunkirchen, Peter Marx from Spiesen-Elversberg, and Hans Dieter Schwarz from Illingen.
“It is a special honor to present an award to so many dedicated individuals today. This award recognizes the extraordinary commitment to our community and is a sign of respect and gratitude for all those who go far beyond the usual measure with their dedication and tireless effort. Your engagement is the foundation for the smooth functioning of our cities, municipalities, and our entire country. In doing so, you not only create the basis for harmonious coexistence and strengthen our community, but also set an impressive example of the importance of voluntary work – both in social and political areas,” emphasized Minister Jost in his speech.
District Administrator Sören Meng: "The Freiherr-vom-Stein Medal is not just an award, but a symbol of lived commitment and responsibility. Simple solutions to questions and problems are rarely found in local politics, as the challenges are complex and interests diverse. All the honorees have been willing for decades to face these challenges and dedicate themselves with energy, perseverance, and passion to the common good. Through their commitment, they have not only served local politics but have also breathed life into our district with their ideas."
Werner Michel
In 1979, Werner Michel was elected to the Bubach-Calmesweiler local council. He served on the committee for 43 years. From 1986, he was also a member of the Eppelborn municipal council for three years, and from 1994 for 25 years. From 1999 to 2014, he held the office of second deputy mayor, and from 2014 to 2019 he served as third deputy mayor. Additionally, he looked after the concerns of his hometown Bubach-Calmesweiler as local mayor for 30 years (1992 to 2022). Werner Michel was active not only voluntarily in local politics but also with the German Red Cross. There, he chaired the local group for many years and founded the youth group. He also fulfilled the duties of a trainer and district manager. As part of his activities with the DRK, he participated in an earthquake relief mission in Italy in 1980/1981 and a relief mission in Poland in 1982. The recipient of the Bartholomäus-Koßmann Medal also founded, among other things, the Schloss Buseck interest group and had chaired the newly reorganized Bubach-Calmesweiler heritage association since the late 1980s.
Dieter Lieblang
From 1975, Dieter Lieblang was involved in the district board of the CDU Neunkirchen. Two years later, he took on the position of district treasurer (until 1992) and began his work on the state main committee (until 2012). In total, he held a seat on the Neunkirchen city council for ten years, from 1979 to 1984 and from 1989 to 1994. He then served on the municipal council of Spiesen-Elversberg for 13 years (2009 to 2022). From 2012 to 2019, he held the office of deputy local mayor of Spiesen-Elversberg.
Horst Matheis
Horst Matheis has been involved in the municipal council of Spiesen-Elversberg since 1994, where he serves, among other things, on the committees for Building, Personnel, and Social Affairs. As the municipality's nature conservation officer, he has been committed to environmental preservation for 25 years.
In addition to his political work, he was chairman of the SPD municipal association and has been an active member of the volunteer fire brigade for over 50 years, including as deputy fire chief. With great passion for football, he worked as a player-coach for almost two decades, always particularly committed to promoting youth work.
He is still active today as a volunteer arbitrator for the Spiesen district and is involved in the board of the Workers' Welfare Association. Matheis’ long-standing commitment demonstrates his deep connection to the community and the people on site.
Peter Rammo
For decades, Peter Rammo has been a prominent figure in local politics. From 1974 to 1984, he was a member of the Spiesen local council, and from 1984 to 2009, a member of the Spiesen-Elversberg municipal council. Since 1989, he has also been a member of the Neunkirchen district council, where he has served as deputy chairman of the CDU district council faction since 2019.
He actively participated in numerous committees, including Nature and Environment, Public Transport, Care and District Law, as well as in the assembly of the savings bank special-purpose association. From 2004 to 2009, he served the community as an honorary deputy. He was particularly committed to the modernization of public transport and the further development of the Finkenrech leisure center.
In addition to his political activities, Rammo served for many years as the nature conservation officer of the municipality and as a lay judge at the Saarbrücken Regional Court. As deputy parliamentary group leader of the CDU Spiesen, he also had a lasting impact on local politics. His long-standing commitment demonstrates his deep roots and responsibility for the region.
Peter Marx
Since 2004, Peter Marx has been a member of the Spiesen-Elversberg municipal council and has actively shaped local politics since then. From 2009 to 2018, he served as chairman of the CDU Spiesen-Elversberg and has been the CDU parliamentary group leader in the municipal council since 2014.
In addition to his political work, Marx is committed to environmental protection as the municipality's nature conservation officer. For his services, he was awarded the Silver Mine Rescue Honorary Badge in 2000. His dedication to the community demonstrates his passion for sustainable development and social cohesion.
Wilhelm (Willi) Kräuter
Wilhelm Kräuter was a member of the Neunkirchen district council from 2004 to 2024 and was active in numerous committees and boards, including the district executive committee, the school and construction committee, the district association, as well as the supervisory board of the Neunkirchen savings bank. In addition, he was involved in the Zweckverband Erlebnisort Reden and the school region conference.
As chairman of the SPD parliamentary group in the district council (2014–2024) and of the SPD local association Neunkirchen-Zoo (since 1994), he decisively shaped social democratic politics locally. From 2014 to 2022, Kräuter was also deputy chairman of the SPD district executive committee.
In addition to his political activities, he has been involved since 1991 as chairman of the Pro-Familia local association in Neunkirchen. Kräuter represents a long-standing and multifaceted commitment that has had a lasting impact on the political and social life in Neunkirchen.
Hans Dieter Schwarz
Hans Dieter Schwarz has been a member of the Wustweiler local council since 1994 and shaped local politics as the local mayor from 1996 to 2014. From 2014 to 2024, he was also a member of the Illingen municipal council and served there as an honorary deputy mayor from 2019.
Schwarz was active in numerous committees, including youth, social affairs, culture, health, town center development, and the economy, as well as in the works committee for leisure, indoor, and swimming pool operations. As the deputy parliamentary group leader of his party, he advocated for strong CDU policies.
In addition to his political work, Schwarz is involved as chairman of the KSV Illtal club and has been particularly committed to local events such as the Wustock festival and village celebrations. His dedication demonstrates his deep connection to the community and its people.
Background:
The "Freiherr-vom-Stein Medal" is an award that Saarland confers on citizens who have made significant contributions to local self-government. The award was established on September 14, 1989, by the Prime Minister of Saarland. Every two years, individuals are honored who have earned special merits in the exercise of their voluntary municipal political activity or office for local political self-administration.
