In his laudatory speech, Minister Reinhold Jost said: “The individuals whom I have the honour of awarding the Freiherr-vom-Stein Medal today have devoted a significant part of their lives to serving society. In the case of Dr Michael Rinck, it is fair to say that he has even devoted his entire career to this cause. I would therefore like to express my heartfelt thanks, my deepest respect and my highest appreciation to him and his family for his outstanding commitment.”
“All those honoured have rendered outstanding service through their work in local politics, in some cases spanning decades. They have championed the interests of their fellow citizens with great dedication and passion. People who invest their time and energy in actively working towards a harmonious community form the backbone of our society,” the Minister concluded.
“The recipients of the Freiherr vom Stein Medal have always been, and continue to be, committed to the common good. For decades, they have dedicated themselves to the people in their local communities, going far beyond the scope of their roles in local politics. They are visionaries with a passion for shaping their communities, a willingness to compromise and great perseverance. Their efforts, which often involve sacrifices for their families, are a valuable gift to the district, helping to create a place worth living in. My thanks and appreciation therefore go to them and their families,” explains District Administrator Frank John.
The honoured:
Imelda Frenzel
Imelda Frenzel is a local politician who is particularly committed to the development of her home community. For 21 years, she worked with great passion as a member of the Medelsheim-Seyweiler local council (2003 to 2024) and, from 2009 to 2024, as mayor of Medelsheim; she also served on the Gersheim Municipal Council from 2014 to 2019. However, her commitment extends far beyond politics. For example, she is chair of the St. Cäcilia Medelsheim church choir and, as a member of the Gersheim local authority’s advisory board for older people and people with disabilities, represents the interests of these groups. Particularly noteworthy is her initiative to promote Franco-German friendship, including the creation of a cross-border ‘Friendship Trail’. She also launched the Leisure Fair in Medelsheim and has campaigned strongly for the restoration of wayside crosses and the Stations of the Cross. Back in October 2025, she was honoured by the Minister with the Local Authority Award for Voluntary Service. Her work is characterised by reliability and a determination to play an active role in shaping her local community.
Photo: Beate Ruffing
Arnulf Fricker
Over many years, Arnulf Fricker has rendered outstanding service to the common good and to social and cultural life in Niederbexbach. He was a member of the Niederbexbach Local Council from 1989 to 1996 and from 1999 to 2023, and served as the local council chairman from 2002 to 2023. To this day, he remains active in the Niederbexbach SPD local branch and on the executive committee of the Bexbach SPD district association. In his work, he was particularly committed to preserving local customs and traditions, and he actively supported the village fair and the ‘Pfingstquack’ festival in particular. Furthermore, he played a key role in organising numerous traditional events such as the Maypole raising, the village festival, celebrations for senior citizens, the Advent market and the St Martin’s procession, with the organisation of the celebrations marking the district’s 700th anniversary in 2010 being particularly noteworthy. As well as his involvement in and support for numerous clubs, such as SV 1928 Niederbexbach e.V., he provided important impetus for the village’s development. In 2021, for instance, he oversaw the construction of a community garden and spearheaded a comprehensive village development plan focusing on building and housing, tourism, energy and the environment. Furthermore, through his network and dedication, he made a significant contribution to the success of the new Blies bridge on Betzenweg. He also strengthened the sense of community in the village in the long term through his great dedication, coordinating the festive dinner, the parade and the subsequent market festivities.
Photo: Beate Ruffing
Klaus Dietmar Hussong
With great dedication and personal conviction, the honouree was committed to the development of local politics in his home parish. For over 19 years (1995 to 2014), as head of Rubenheim and a member of the local council there, he looked after the interests of his home parish; from 2004 to 2024 he served on the Gersheim Municipal Council, and from 2015 to 2019 he was an honorary deputy for the municipality. Since 1998, he has also chaired the local CDU branch. His work was characterised by citizen-centred politics and practical solutions to local challenges. As part of his role as village mayor, for example, he championed the construction of a bus shelter with a sandstone finish. He also played a key role in the redevelopment of the Rohrentalweiher recreational area. He placed particular emphasis on supporting young people, which is why he championed the establishment of a youth club in Rubenheim and supported the young people in converting a former classroom for this purpose.
Photo: Beate Ruffing
Dr Michael Rinck (posthumously)
For decades, Dr Michael Rinck dedicated himself to serving the community in St. Ingbert-Hassel. For three decades, he served on the Hassel Local Council (1989 to 2019) and held the position of leader of the CDU group on the council for 25 years (1994 to 2019); from 1994 to 2022, he also served as chairman of the Hassel CDU local association. His commitment extended to church and social causes as well. For example, he was a member of the parish council of the Parish of St Martin and, on behalf of Hassel, sat on the parish’s administrative board. Together with Michaela Osthof, as part of his work on the administrative board, he was responsible for organising the production of the play ‘Judas’, followed by a discussion session, and for publicising the event. Since 2022, he has also chaired the Ökumenischer Caritasverband e.V. in Hassel, where, amongst other things, he initiated important courses for older people and gave specialist talks on Parkinson’s disease, dementia, assisted suicide and pain management. Furthermore, from 2020 to 2024, he served on the independent expert commission of the Saarland State Parliament, which was convened by the Commissioner for Jewish Life in Saarland and against Anti-Semitism. In his home town of Hassel, he campaigned passionately, amongst other things, for the preservation of the wildlife park, the redesign of the village square and the use of the ‘Fröschenpfuhl’, with the aim of creating and maintaining places where children, families and all other residents.
Bernhard Welsch
Bernhard Welsch advocates a form of local politics that is close to the people and focuses on the common good. He was a member of the Bliesdalheim local council from 1989 to 2024, served as mayor from 2015 to 2024, and has been chairman of the local CDU branch since 2015. He also served on the Gersheim Municipal Council (2004 to 2014 and 2015 to 2019). Furthermore, he has been chairman of the Bliesdalheim Angling Club for 35 years. Back in October 2025, he was honoured by the Minister with the Local Voluntary Service Award. Bernhard Welsch is characterised by a matter-of-fact, pragmatic and conscientious approach to his work. As the driving force behind the creation of the village square in the centre of Bliesdalheim, as well as the construction of a pavilion with a barbecue area and pizza oven at the playground, he has made a significant contribution to enhancing local meeting places and fostering a sense of community in his local area.
Photo: Beate Ruffing
Background:
The ‘Freiherr-vom-Stein Medal’ is an award presented by the Saarland to citizens who have rendered outstanding service to local self-government. The award was established on 14 September 1989 by the Minister-President of the Saarland. Every two years, the award is presented to individuals who, in the course of their voluntary work in local politics or in their official capacity, have rendered outstanding services to local self-government.