the number of inhabitants whose main residence is in Bechtolsheim, each time at 31 December unless otherwise stated, is as follows: Politics Municipal council From the first election on 15 September 1946, the council was made up of 15 council members. Since 1989, that number was raised by one. Moreover, there is also an honorary mayor who serves as chairman. The municipal election held on 7 June 2009 yielded the following results: The number of council members between 1919 and 1946 was as follows 1919–1922: 12 members 1923–1926: 11 members 1926–1929: 12 members 1929–1933: 11 members 1933–1945: 14 members (two members were excluded in July 1933 and replaced by others) 1945–1946: 9 members (as municipal committee) Between 1919 and 1936, there was each time one municipal deputy, whereafter there were always two. Mayors In the time of joint holding (Ganerbschaft), there was a so-called Schultheiß (roughly, “reeve” or “sheriff”). The following list is incomplete: Nichel Radan and Conrad Stantharte, about 1300 Johann von Bechtolsheim and his brother Wilderich, about 1350 Thomas Kempe, 1487 Thomas Cemppe, 1488 Groll, 1593 and 1595 Wilhelm Ungeradt, 1610 Joh. Schumann, 1628 Philipp Nau, 1699 Johann Fischer, 1705 ? Schmidt, 18th century ? Theis, 18th century From 1798, Bechtolsheim belonged to the French First Republic and more specifically to the Canton de Wörrstadt in the Arrondissement communal de Mayence (Mayence is the French name for Mainz) in the Department of Mont-Tonnerre (or Donnersberg in German). Between 1798 and 1814 there was therefore a maire (French for “mayor”). After being assigned to the Grand Duchy of Hesse, the municipal head was ever after a Bürgermeister (German for “mayor”). Jean Böhm (1798–1812), likewise responsible for Biebelnheim Pierre/Peter Baum (1812–1822), likewise responsible for Biebelnheim ? Schuckmann (1822–1831), beginning here responsible only for Bechtolsheim Baltasar Oehlhof (1831–1843) Johann Best (1843–1849) Baltasar Oehlhof (1849–1853) Michael Köhler (1853–1874) Peter Wirth (1874–1902) Friedrich Schuckmann (1902–1933) Johann Eger (1933–1934) Heinrich Diel (1934–1945) Johann Menges (1945–1951) Theo Bretz (1951–1952) Franz Mann (1952–1956) Adam Schneider (1956–1960) Erich Oehlhof (1960–1994) (Oehlhof Free Voters’ group) Harald Kemptner (1994–2019) (SPD) Dieter Mann (since 2019, CDU) Coat of arms Former coat of arms used until 1984 Blazon (German): Gespalten von Silber und Schwarz, belegt mit einem roten Balken. In English heraldic language, this might be rendered: Per pale argent and sable, a fess gules. This escutcheon was handed down from a village court seal from 1590, two armorial reliefs at