Jens Beutel (12 July 1946 – 8 May 2019) was a German judge and politician. A member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), he served as Oberbürgermeister (mayor) of Mainz, the state capital of Rheinland-Pfalz, from 1997 to 2011. During his tenure, the city improved especially by building projects, including the new synagogue, and new parks.
Jens Beutel | |
|---|---|
 Beutel in 2009 | |
| Mayor of Mainz | |
| In office 1997–2011 | |
| Preceded by | Herman-Hartmut Weyel |
| Succeeded by | Michael Ebling |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 July 1946 Lünen, Westphalia, Germany |
| Died | 8 May 2019 (aged 72) |
| Political party | Social Democratic Party |
| Alma mater | University of Mainz |
| Occupation |
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Career
editBorn in Lünen, Westphalia, Beutel studied law at the University of Mainz from 1968 to 1976 and then served as a judge in Frankenthal, Koblenz and Mainz.[1] He presided over the Mainzer Landgericht in the Worms abuse cases, which received nationwide attention.[2]
[3] He began his political career as Ortsbeirat in Mombach, a borough of Mainz, in 1974.[1] Beutel was elected to the city council of Mainz (Stadtrat) in 1989,[1] where he focused on topics such as building, traffic, finance, commerce and sports.[2] He became chairman of the Mainz SPD in 1995.[3][4]
Beutel was elected as Oberbürgermeister in 1996,[2] the first who was elected to the position directly by the citizens.[4] He took up the office on 3 May.[5] During his time as mayor, a new shopping passage, a new stadium and the new synagogue were built, the Sanctuary of Isis and Magna Mater was discovered. Projects which improved the appearance of the city included a new design of the parks along the Rhine river, especially a garage close to the Kurfürstliches Schloss which made more park area available, the Kunsthalle as part of the former Zollhafen, the expansion of the Rheingoldhalle and building along the Winterhafen.[2] The expansion of the Staatstheater Mainz by a modern rooftop was discussed controversially.[2] Other projects were the expansion of the Main Station, and a redesign of the area around Mainz Römisches Theater station at the Roman Theatre.[2][5]
Beutel was for many years president of the Städtetag Rheinland-Pfalz, and of the International Gutenberg-Gesellschaft (Gutenberg Society). He was active in the Council of European Municipalities and Regions and in several foundations in Mainz.[4] Beutel was re-elected for a second term as mayor in 2004. He resigned in 2011,[1] after a 2010 court case because he had accepted an invitation to a trip to Italy by an entrepreneur without a political reason.[2]
Beutel died on 8 May 2019 aged 72.[4]
Chess
edit
Beutel started playing chess at age 13 and became an expert player. He managed to attract the Chess Classic tournament to Mainz.[4][6]
Legacy
editBeutel's successor Michael Ebling (SPD) credited Beutel as a man of balance and dialogue (Mann des Ausgleichs und des Dialogs) and a committed team player, who always emphasized the community in the city (als engagierten Teamplayer, der stets das Gemeinschaftliche in unserer Stadt betonte).[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "Ehemaliger Mainzer Oberbürgermeister Jens Beutel gestorben". Die Welt (in German). 9 May 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Ehemaliger Oberbürgermeister von Mainz / Jens Beutel gestorben" (in German). SWR. 9 May 2019. Archived from the original on 9 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
- ^ a b "Beutel, Jens" (in German). Institut für Geschichtliche Landeskunde an der Universität Mainz. Retrieved 25 July 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f "Ehemaliger Mainzer Oberbürgermeister Jens Beutel gestorben". Mainz (in German). 9 May 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
- ^ a b "Nachruf / Diese Großprojekte werden immer mit Jens Beutel verbunden bleiben". Merkurist (in German). 9 May 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
- ^ "Jens Beutel: Schachfan und OB". chessbase.com (in German). 6 July 2006. Retrieved 11 May 2019.