WALDORF – Hosting a delegation of visiting government officials isn’t just for photo opportunities and gift presentations.  The Charles County Commissioners had a much more valuable experience than that with the recent delegation of city officials from the County’s sister city of Walldorf, Germany. 

Walldorf Mayor Heinz Merklinger & Commissioner Wayne Cooper

Willy (2nd from left above) & Christa (below right) Birkenmaier with Walldorf City Councilmen.

Board of Commissioners President Wayne Cooper enjoyed the exchange of ideas most. When the pomp and presentations were over, Cooper spent time listening to Walldorf Mayor Heinz Merklinger and members of the Walldorf City Council describe the workings of their city government. In return, Cooper answered their questions about the County’s school and government systems. Cooper told The Bay Net that he really values the ideas that he learns from other cultures. 

Board Vice-President, Commissioner Edith Patterson feels that official visits like last week’s give the commissioners a chance to dispel negative images of Americans, by replacing them with positive impressions and facts.

On Friday, April 27, 2007, the delegation visited the Charles County Government Building where the County Commissioners presented them with a proclamation declaring last week German American Week in Charles County. The Waldorf Jaycees Club helped sponsor aspects of the delegates’ visit and accompanied them to the weekend’s events.

The delegation visited North Point High School in Waldorf with Heidelberg USA executives to officially present the school with a Heidelberg printing press and support systems worth about $100,000.  The press was donated by the US division of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, which is headquartered in Walldorf, Germany. 

Willy & Christa Birkenmaier of Heidelberg attended the North Point presentation at the invitation of the Waldorf Jaycees.  Mrs. Birkenmaier told The Bay Net that she came to Charles County twenty years ago as the chaperone of a German student exchange group.  That visit began the partnership between the two cities.  Walldorf, Germany has had a Sister City relationship with Waldorf, Maryland, since 1997. The relationship was formalized in Germany in June, 2001.

On Saturday, April 28, the delegation joined the Charles County Commissioners, members of the Southern Maryland Delegation, and other dignitaries to celebrate the grand opening and dedication of the Walldorf Astor senior citizens apartments. The complex is a 96-unit, $13 million project by the Waldorf Jaycees and the Ingerman Group, and sits directly across from the Jaycee Apartments for the Elderly.

Commissioner Gary Hodge told The Bay Net that he was particularly impressed by Mayor Heinz Merklinger’s remarks at Saturday’s dedication, “Visits like this create a bridge between cultures.”  Merklinger thinks such ‘bridges’ are the foundation for World Peace. 

Hodge told The Bay Net that these official visits have a “noble and significant purpose”; when visiting officials return to their countries talking about their positive experiences, it creates a ripple effect for better international relationships.

Photos by A. Dailey for TheBayNet.com.

top:  Principal Peter Cevenini tours VIPs through North Point High School.  below:  Graphic Arts instructor Miller with Heidelberg USA technitions & executives.	top:  Mayor Merklinger, the Heidelberg Press & NPHS printing student Matt Gianino with Charles County Commissioners and the Board of Education.  below:  Merklinger with John DiAngelo of Heidelberg USA.