Dear Mr. Sauerland, it's time to go, trust us

Dear Mr. Sauerland,

We've been trying to explain this to you for weeks. The party's over. It's time to go.

I know, I know. It wasn't your fault. It's his fault. He started it.

You say you want to stay until you have all the questions answered. But that's exactly why you have to go. You should have been this stubborn about having all questions answered before the Love Parade. That's one example of how a real leader might have handled this situation.

And we all want to know what happened - youre not the only one. The thing is, if you left office then we could feel better that no one was interfering or getting in the way of the investigation. Justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done. Do you know that one? maybe from TV?

I know you dont understand why everyone wants you to go. But that's exactly why you have to go. People want a leader, someone who will not only take charge but take also responsibility.

Let me try one last time to explain it: you were voted into office to run the Good Ship Duisburg. You delegated the watch to Lieutenant McFit and went below for a nap. You were suddenly awoken to find the GS Duisburg had struck a rock and 21 people were dead. Whether you were awake or not is not the question. You obviously failed to instruct Mr McFit properly.

Of course you couldnt attend the funerals or memorial service for the victims - dont you see that in other words, you werent able to perform your duties as Mayor of the GS Duisburg? And sadly the funerals are not the only duties you are unable to perform because of your role (or yes perceived role if that makes you feel better) in the Love Parade organization.

People have asked why you dont just leave and some have crassly suggested you are staying for money. Your response to this was that we shouldnt be talking about such petty things as money considering the suffering some families are going through. But dont you see, it is just as innappropriate that we have to deal with your whole Abwahlverfahren, impeachment procedures or recall vote. We and the families have to read everyday about how many votes youve successfully lobbied and how many votes have been lobbied by your opponents. It's beyond petty, it's digusting.

The whole affair has for many sadly blown over. Thursday and Friday, for the first time in two weeks, there was nothing about the Love Parade in the local paper. Today one little article and an editorial. Maybe your strategy of burying your head in the sand is working. However the people of Duisburg deserve a mayor who can hold his head high. Think about it please.

Yours patiently,
Jonathan Riley