What is your favourite place in Buchs?

The Bahnhofstrasse. It's alive and a symbol of our town centre. I love places where life happens. I also like being in nature and being alone, but without life, without seeing other people - young, old, happy, sad - without hearing other languages, I don't want to be there in the long run. I am especially happy that the restaurants are open again. Sitting down, having a drink, people-watching, chatting with each other - that's what our city centre is all about.

How would you describe the town of Buchs in three words?

Small town (in) wonderful surroundings!

What event do you remember with pleasure?

I have fond memories of my election as mayor of Buchs in 2007, which originally seemed almost hopeless: I was a foreigner and, of all things, a Zurich resident, a member of the SP political party, someone who says "Baum" instead of "Bom"... And yet it worked out. The cooperation with my other candidates afterwards was also respectful and good. In general, I find it very nice that the city council functions as an overall body and does not consist of lone fighters who block each other.

What are you proud of?

I am particularly proud that Buchs is officially a town, to be precise the 5th most urban municipality in the canton of St. Gallen - and that despite the lack of an old town, which is normally an important criteria. Personally, I am proud of my contribution to the fact that promising and innovative companies like Brusa or Labor Risch have settled in Buchs. You don't achieve that just like that; it takes luck, passion and clear visions for the future. I also have high hopes for the Buchs campus with the important educational institutions of the Ostschweizer Fachhochschule OST, the Berufs- und Weiterbildungszentrum bzb and the International School Rheintal ISR. I am grateful for the committed employees in the town administration, in the school, in the old people's home, in the electricity company...

What do you wish for your town?

I would like the inhabitants to remain proud of THEIR town and to continue to be constructively involved in associations, politics, churches and other institutions. It is also important to me that young people who leave our town to see the world also return and bring their experience back to us.

Detailed answers including illustrations are available in the video:

Fact Sheet

President of the municipality: Daniel Gut, since 1.7.2007

Population: around 13,000

Area: around 16 km2

Places of interest: Werdenbergersee, Catholic Church by architect Justus Dahinden, renaturalised Werdenberger Binnenkanal, Bird of Prey Park, Town Hall by architect Werner Gantenbein, "Energy Bridge" over the Rhine.

Economy: around 1,000 companies with 7,500 jobs, service companies (banks, insurance companies, restaurants, IT companies, etc.), life science companies (e.g. Labor Risch, Merck), high-tech industry (e.g. IMT, Elpro, Brusa), strong trade and industry in a wide variety of sectors.

Culture: small theatre Fabriggli, Krempel, Lokremise Buchs, Kulturstüdtlimühle, Kulturweg Buchs, customs such as the "Altjohr-Usschella".

Special features: Town of Buchs as an urban-pulsating centre in the middle of the unique Alpine Rhine Valley, Buchs campus with the important educational institutions OST, bzb and ISR, proximity to Liechtenstein, Bahnhofstrasse as an urban open-air shopping centre, Buchs festival as the largest street festival in the region, Buchs Malbun ski area, Flös swimming club with Olympic-level synchronised swimmers.

Challenge: Population growth requires high investments in public infrastructures; densification requires more green spaces in the future; retaining a young, excellently trained workforce; sports facilities for all needs

Specialities: "Buchserli" biscuits in the shape of the Buchser mountain scenery from the Rhyner confectionery shop, "Räfiserli" macaroons from Café Sapore

The Sarganserland-Werdenberg region consists of 14 municipalities. The association deals with common issues such as spatial planning, education and transport and is also responsible for location marketing, among other things. The presidents of the municipalities form the board of the Sarganserland-Werdenberg region.

The Sarganserland-Werdenberg region is an association of 14 municipalities. The association works on common issues such as spatial planning, education and transport and is also responsible for location marketing, among other things. The presidents of the municipalities form the board of the Sarganserland-Werdenberg region.