25.10.02023

Featured photo: Tango dancer | © Shutterstock

city ​​council

It is doubtful whether it is actually a good thing for a self-proclaimed innovative location if the city administration describes itself as one of the largest employers in the Heilbronn-Franconia region. In any case, the fact is that the city administration now has well over 3 employees. Unfortunately, hardly in activities that would be needed in every city and especially in Heilbronn, such as: B. Field riflemen, law enforcement and cleaning staff.

But when I was able to read what the city administration wrote under the heading “responsibility”, I had to smile a little.

“Our employees are committed to the community and actively help shape Heilbronn. Economic activity shapes our work.”

City of Heilbronn – What would Heilbronn be without us? (25.10.2023)

If Heilbronn really wants to become a big city, then it first needs a lean, efficient and effective administration. But it looks like our city administration will soon even leave Audi behind as an employer.

man flu

I was really looking forward to an onion roast that I could have enjoyed at a birthday party. But then suddenly it happened very quickly and I had the flu in its grip - nothing to do with a birthday party and certainly nothing to do with a delicious onion roast.

Then my better half thought the man flu seemed a bit Spanish and had me take a test. The result is now COVID-19 and the cancellation of a few events. Now I'm hoping that I'll be fit again next week.

And there won't be any dancing this week either.

GEMA

I almost completely ignored the misery surrounding GEMA, but then I had to pursue an old idea again and not only want to reactivate the Europa Ball, but this time also want to make it an experience for all dance enthusiasts.

And now they're back, the nightmares that this institution gives every volunteer, only this time worse than ever before. For the Meeting Points Europe we always had to submit the GEMA registrations in advance and then submit our music lists, which is a real challenge when there are no professionals performing and the music being played is not in GEMA's repertoire.

In any case, we had to give around 600 euros to GEMA each time, although none of our performing musicians ever received a single mark from it. And because the EUROPA-UNION adheres to the rules, we also paid for our barbecues and “family celebrations” every time, but the costs were kept within limits.

And now I have it Europe ball also registered with GEMA, which the EUROPA-UNION would like to organize on April 13, 2024 for all dance enthusiasts in Heilbronn. As is usual with the EUROPA-UNION, the total costs are passed on to all participants, so that our association does not make any financial profit.

The first thing I noticed when registering was that GEMA wanted to force clubs like us into so-called “super-associations”, which would then regularly pay fees to GEMA, but would also save the clubs that joined there up to 20% of the GEMA fees — This takes the club culture to the point of complete absurdity!

The next thing I noticed was that the GEMA fees are calculated based on the area and the admission prices, which means that since we pass the total costs on to the participants, the GEMA fees rise ad infinitum.

So I capped the entry price at 50 euros for further calculations, because I can't change anything about the area. As a result, I receive a whopping 6 euros in GEMA fees!

My attempt to contact GEMA resulted in the friendly lady on the phone simply hanging up - but I'll certainly get the bill soon. And after the European Ball is over next year, like the amen in church, GEMA will come up with another recalculation, which is supposedly based on the music list that the band has yet to submit and which will certainly cause further astonishment in me.

GEMA, originally founded perhaps with good intentions, has now become a bureaucratic monster that not only bans music from our Christmas markets, but also makes social gatherings for us citizens increasingly difficult - our state disenfranchises its citizens wherever it can can!

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