The region of East Prignitz-Ruppin undergoes a transformation. - Museum of Tucholsky: District Advocates Ending of Agreement
The Ostprignitz-Ruppin district wants the Kurt Tucholsky Museum transfer negotiations to be wrapped up speedily. Last Thursday, the district council agreed to approve the Rheinsberg city council-approved contract. The district spokesperson revealed this on Friday. The agreed-upon framework outlines the terms for the museum's transfer and was proposed to the district for consideration. The district demands that Rheinsberg's mayor, Frank-Rudi Schwochow (BVB/Free Voters), sign the contract by June 7th.
But Schwochow disagrees. He views the city council's decision as simply a starting point for negotiations rather than an already-agreed contract and is pushing for changes. Specifically, he wants co-determination rights for the city, the securing of the museum's location in Rheinsberg enshrined in the agreement, a cut in the city's financial contribution from the agreed-upon 85,000 euros to 30,000 euros, and the right to appoint a museum director.
The Ostprignitz-Ruppin district claims that employees from the Rheinsberg city administration refused to sign the resolution documents on Friday. However, no written confirmation of this refusal was received by the district administration.
Schwochow's actions were met with criticism from some Rheinsberg city council members on Friday. "This is infuriating," a fellow SPD councilor said about Schwochow's stance on the resolution being only a starting point for negotiations. "We fought over every detail and every word," she added, urging Schwochow to stop stalling and sign the agreement with the district. Schwochow has previously stated that he wanted to take his time to tackle the museum issue. "Thoroughness is more important than speed."
The city of Rheinsberg sees the museum as a significant financial burden. The state provided funding of 65,000 euros, and the district contributed 15,000 euros, but the city still had to cover a deficit of over 200,000 euros last year. The district has proposed taking over the museum's scientific leadership. The initial plan set the takeover date to be April 1st.
The deadlock between Schwochow and the district, along with certain city council representatives, has persisted for several months. The museum's scientific leadership has also voiced their bewilderment over Schwochow's behavior. Some in the city council believe Schwochow is trying to scupper the rescue plans for ideological reasons.
