After our tour of the Glaswerk factory, we were invited by Mr. Mättig, the mayor of Kreis Stadt Freital to visit with him in the city counsel chambers. He gave us information about the city of Freital and about how the government operates. It is similar to a typical city or borough in Pennsylvania.The students then had the opportunity to ask questions.
They found out that a typical term for the mayor lasts 7 years and that he can run again after his first term. He has several vice mayors who are responisible for specific departments.
The students also asked why he wanted to become mayor to which he replied, "after the fall of the wall in Berlin I saw the opportunity for change in Saxony and Freital and I wanted to lead the way".
He told the students that before 1989 Germany and the United States were separate but now we have come together.
He supports the exchange between BSZ Freital and North Montco. For this exchange he funded our entire visit to Berlin. In the future he wants to research ways to fully fund the exchange between our two schools.
He is also interested in having a partner city with a town in our area.
Mr. Tarlecki accepted a gift from Mr. Mättig on behalf of North Montco. In turn we presented a book about Philiadelphia and a North Montco baseball cap.
