Columns and speeches by Mayor Nadine Stemerdink

Dear residents, entrepreneurs, representatives of associations and organisations, emergency services personnel, fellow board members, and all other associates,

A warm welcome to this New Year's Eve gathering. For the third consecutive year, we have the privilege of welcoming you to Duivenvoorde Castle, which once again looks enchanting.

2025... What a year it has been! A year in which we created many memories together, looking back with great smiles. But also a year that brought tears at times, such as during the moving commemoration of thirteen-year-old Raphaël at Voorschoten '97 football club. Or upon the passing of Martin Oppelaar, whom many of us knew as the driving force behind the preservation of Spuit 41 and the fire museum.

These days, our thoughts are especially with the families and friends who will shortly have to miss a loved one at the Christmas table.

80 years of freedom

Nationally, 2025 was dedicated to 80 years of freedom. What a wealth of activities we experienced in Voorschoten too! From the unveiling of the White Carnation bed and the veterans' monument, and the liberation concert by Exultate Deo. To the laying of the first Stolpersteine, the launch of the podcast series featuring personal stories, and the freedom lunch on the Voorstraat. Culminating in the lighting of the Liberation Flame with the runners of Voorschoten '97 athletics club.

Thanks to Hoogvliet markt, Van der Valk, the Oranjevereniging, het Wapen van Voorschoten, The British School in The Netherlands, cultural associations, sports clubs, scouting groups, schools, and everyone who helped in any way to celebrate 80 years of freedom together and keep the stories alive.

Sports

2025 was largely also a year of executing and realising plans that had been discussed for a very long time. I cannot make it more concrete than a new athletics track at Voorschoten '97. In September, the very first lap was run.

And we are pressing ahead with sports! Just consider the plans for the swimming pool and the sports hall. Or think of the multi-use track, where we will soon be able to skate in the summer and ice skate in the winter, surrounded by a climate-adaptive park.

Public space

A lot of work has also been done in public spaces. For example, major maintenance in Adegeest and in the “ centre ” near Raadhuislaan and Oranjeboomstraat. Or a little further away, with the renovation of Rosenburgh Memorial Park.

From maintenance, at least on paper, it is a small step again to new-build homes. The new homes on Professor Einsteinlaan are nearing completion, the first homes at Bijdorp have almost been delivered, and construction in Park Beresteyn has been finished.

Furthermore, the council made a decision regarding the Jan Evertsenlaan and Jan Wagtendonkstraat projects. Building for all target groups is essential to keeping our village livable in the future.

Finally, building licences are in place for Starrenburg III, and have been applied for regarding Segaar-Arsenaal and Raadhuislaan.

When thinking about public spaces, of course, also consider the development vision for the “ centre ” and the redevelopment of Treubplein. Change and investment are needed to keep our “ centre ” attractive to visitors and business owners.

Culture

Now regarding culture. What a fantastic Weekend van Voorschoten we experienced again this year. Traditionally kicked off with the presentation of the Voorschoten Awards. The evening in which many volunteers are rightfully placed in the spotlight. Where would we be without all those volunteers in our society.

The icing on the cake came the next morning. Together, we sang our brand-new village song, “Parel an de Vliet.” Huge kudos to Ine Duijnkerke for the lyrics and Rob Balfoort for the music!

The Awards and the premiere of the song took place in the Kruispuntkerk. How hard people are working to realise our cultural centre there.

You are accustomed to me saying something about the bandstand here as well. Fortunately, this year we were able to purchase a beautiful green-and-yellow tent, which will serve us in style for years to come. Thanks to the Friends of Voorschoten, the Oranjevereniging, the Horse Days committee, and the Voorschoten centre entrepreneurs who dedicated themselves to this!

Youth

From the Weekend van Voorschoten, it is a small step to the youth in our village. Imagine being 15 or 16 in this day and age and having nowhere to go on a Friday or Saturday night. We see that hanging around on the streets is increasing, while we all seem to accept it less and less. All the more reason that the youth council is brainstorming activities, such as an annual Voorschoten Festival. I hope we can put plans into action together next year.

During the Weekend van Voorschoten, I accompanied the police for two nights. Many young people on the street meeting each other. Yes, it was busy both evenings, but the atmosphere was very pleasant.

When I stood there and walked around, I asked myself the question: did I do all that much differently at that age? The honest answer is 'no'. And I think that if we are very honest, that applies to many of us. Why are we so critical of today's youth now, I then ask myself.

Street safety

What did shock me that weekend, however, were the predominantly young girls lying flat out on the street due to alcohol abuse. Where has the time gone when you looked out for each other as a group of friends? Where you ensured each other's safety on the street?

A theme that is more than topical today. Three out of four women are harassed on the street at some point. The step that this conversation is now taking place everywhere is perhaps the most important thing of all. And the realization that is dawning on many. After all, it is not normal for women to walk around with pepper spray in their jacket pockets, take detours to avoid certain locations, or use their set of keys as a small weapon.

We cannot prevent all misery. And there will always be people on the street who mean no good. As my father used to tell me: “I trust you, but I don't trust others.”

We can certainly be a little more mindful of one another and work to reduce the number of places where women feel socially unsafe. Next year, we’ll make it even easier to report unsafe locations. To that end, we’ll add a reporting feature to our “ BuitenBeter ” app. It’s a first step! In addition, we need to learn to “read” public spaces, so to speak, through the eyes of women. We need to understand why one place is perceived as socially unsafe while another is not, and take that into account when designing these spaces.

Police

Unfortunately, plenty happens in Voorschoten as well. There is no fence around our village and criminals simply do not adhere to municipal boundaries. But I dare say that we are in the fortunate position of living, working, and recreating in a municipality that we can call safe.

Together, as we stand here, we work hard on this every single day. The police are an indispensable partner in this. But above all, a partner upon whom we, as a society, can always rely. They are there for us day and night. We must not take that for granted. The pressure on our police officers is simply too high.

Thank you Sam and Dennis and your entire team for everything over the past year!

Fire department

Following this, a remark about those other heroes: our men and women of the fire department. Although they do this work voluntarily, they can end up in the exact same situations as their professional colleagues.

That is why I am grateful that, effective February 1, a PTSD regulation for the fire department will go into effect that makes no distinction between professional firefighters and volunteers. The acknowledgement of PTSD as an occupational disease for firefighters is a major step forward.

We would like to thank the safety region, as well as our own municipal council , which has been a strong advocate for this cause.

How wonderful: the new WTS-500 fire vehicle was officially put into use this year! Fire Department Voorschoten is ready.

Regional cooperation

In the region, we also cooperate in other areas. After all, we cannot do everything alone, and for you as residents and entrepreneurs, municipal boundaries often do not even exist.

It is important that we continue to seek out that cooperation, for example within Key Region Leiden. Voorschoten believes in this. We may not have the key sectors within our own municipal boundaries. But it is our residents who study, work, and bring about innovations there that are relevant to the whole of NL.

As far as I am concerned, this cooperation can only succeed if it is non-negotiable. I have said before that working together cannot be a cafeteria model. Where you check the menu every day and choose what you feel like or what suits you best. So in 2026, we will roll up our sleeves again to take the next necessary steps in our cooperation within the Leiden region, which, as far as I am concerned, is non-negotiable.

Elections

Finally, the House of Representatives elections. On October 29, we went to the ballot box. Thanks to many volunteers in our village and our administrative organization, the elections went exceptionally well. Together, they counted more than 16 thousand votes.

With a turnout of no less than 85%, I dare say that politics and democracy are alive and well in Voorschoten. All the greater is the contrast with the various attacks on democracy across the country. We see that even council meetings can no longer take place undisturbed and administrators are being threatened.

Whatever your opinion may be, wherever you stand in the political spectrum, and whichever party you vote for, we must make society work together. Democracy must never bow to a small group of people who think they can disrupt our democracy with intimidation, aggression, threats, and violence. We will never cooperate with that.

The tone and content of the political debate matter. The “ behaviour ” of political leaders influences our society. I am so proud that we continue to treat one another with respect in our council chamber on Thursday evenings.

Looking ahead to 2026

You can also view the House of Representatives elections as a dress rehearsal. Because on March 18, we’ll be heading to the polls again, this time to elect a new municipal council. This makes 2026 a year of change.

The first change has already been announced: Alderman Paul de Bruijn will be leaving us on February 1 to take on an exciting new position in Leiden. Paul, we’ll say goodbye at a later time, but I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your collegiality and all your dedication to Voorschoten.

Missed

What haven't I mentioned yet? Far too much!

We worked from home because there was a NATO summit. We appointed both a new municipal secretary and a new court clerk. We opened the first partially smoke-free patio and the first smoke-free playground. We adopted the word “freggelgrot” as a synonym for “ town hall.” And we participated in the preliminary round of the Dutch Marbles Championship.

And do you remember the “ NL ” alert in May, when there was a biogas leak at the wastewater treatment plant and we had to keep our windows and doors closed? Fortunately, more than 3,500 residents have already received our brochure about an emergency kit and an emergency plan. Thanks to the supermarkets and the library for their help in distributing it.

Conclusion

I am coming to a conclusion. Because you want to move on to the drinks and then head home.

Whether you have a Christmas wreath on your front door at home, a decorated artificial Christmas tree, a real tree from this estate, or perhaps a nativity scene complete with three wise men and a camel – I wish you wonderful holidays with family and friends. And please also keep an eye out for those people who will be grateful for a little extra help and warmth these days.

I, too, am going to seek out that warmth and coziness. In keeping with a fine tradition, with two Christmas trees, because I still put up an extra Christmas tree with my mother's Christmas decorations.

Let us make 2026 a wonderful year again together, with the 800th anniversary of this magnificent Duivenvoorde Castle as a special highlight. Thank you very much. Cheers!

Dear residents, entrepreneurs, representatives of associations and organisations, emergency services, fellow administrators, and all other associates,

A warm welcome to this New Year's Eve gathering. Once again this year, we stand together in the unique Christmas atmosphere of Duivenvoorde Castle, surrounded by all those lights and candles, to look back at 2024. A year of extremes, where sorrow and joy lay very close together.

Astrid and Luca

First and foremost, at a moment like this, we think of the loved ones we have lost this year. For one, a great loss in their personal surroundings, close to home. For another, a loss a little further away.

But sometimes a loss affects all of us. Then I think of Astrid and Luca. 17-year-old Astrid was the victim of a traffic accident. 22-year-old Luca lost his life in a stabbing. Two young people, both of whom still had a future ahead of them.

It was heartwarming to see how we, as a community, rallied around these families and groups of friends, in the hope that all those involved would find support in it. That they were not alone. Moments like this remind me just how special Voorschoten is.

Natural ice rink

Moving from such sad memories is always a complicated transition to the present day. What other memories stay with us as we look back on this year?

What I think of first, partly due to the fairytale atmosphere in this castle, is that hour on our own natural ice rink in mid-January. What a gift to stand on the ice during the magnificent sunrise. Thanks to ice master Adri Hendriks and all the volunteers who always manage to organise this for us so lightning-fast. Let's hope we can enjoy our own Olympic natural ice rink again this winter!

Housing construction

From the natural ice rink, it is a small step to the flexible housing units. We put a lot of energy into it, but ultimately democracy did its work here too. Because there was insufficient support, we collectively decided not to build flexible housing units.

But of course, we do need to build homes! Fortunately, we’ve made significant progress on this together— municipal council, executive board , and the municipal administration. The new Het Fortuyn neighborhood in Voorschoten has been completed. Construction at Park Beresteyn has reached its highest point. Construction has begun on Professor Einsteinlaan. And at Churchillplein and Oude Stationslaantje, we’ve launched social housing projects. And I haven’t even mentioned everything yet. Whether this is enough, I won’t comment on that… That’s a political judgment. In any case, plans are being taken up and carried out, and together we’re building for the future!

Culture

A highlight this year was the unanimous decision by the City Council ( municipal council ) to finally transform Het Kruispunt into THE cultural center ( centre ). This marks a huge step forward after 25 years of talking, researching, talking, producing paperwork, and even more talking. It felt like the extension of the A4 highway…. During the council meeting, I said: “Congratulations, Voorschoten.” Those words came from the bottom of my heart. Because what a huge step we’ve taken together for culture in our village! Kudos to everyone who contributed to this, both in front of and behind the scenes.

Even now, that church plays an important role in our village. Think of the Voorschoten Awards or the musical 'The Price of Freedom'. What an unbelievable experience that was, as the highlight of the celebration of 450 years of Leiden's relief. Even though we now know that there was nothing to celebrate in Voorschoten back then… And of course, also think of the exhibition in Museum Voorschoten, the Freedom Beer, and the cycling tour through the region – a great tip for the Christmas holiday.

Sports

I will stick with sports and exercise for a moment. For instance, the council provided a broad boost to sports with the new sports accommodation policy. For the first time in the history of Voorschoten, we have a sports accommodation policy. It includes, for example, a very important investment in the athletics track. Moreover, we have launched Healthy Voorschoten Together. It is incredibly important for the municipality to continue investing in sports. It is one of the pillars of a society.

At the intersection of sports and culture, we celebrated 100 years of the short-track trotting race. What a fantastic event the Paardenmarkt Voorschoten committee, the board of the Kortebaandraverij Voorschoten, and all the volunteers put together once again. Recently, I had the privilege of presenting the Royal Honour for this unique anniversary of the short-track trotting race. Voorschoten and horses are inextricably linked. Let us work together to ensure this weekend continues for years to come! 

Public space and sustainability

Now, about the roundabout. Last year, from this very spot, I promised you that the roundabout would be addressed in 2024. Fortunately, “ Alderman ” Schokker took care of this! It was a bit of a struggle, even for local residents. But now we have a roundabout that is, above all, safer—and also greener. After the New Year, we’ll continue with major maintenance on Raadhuislaan, Oranjeboomstraat, and the surrounding area.

One of the largest projects Voorschoten has ever seen is the Adegeest project. You have undoubtedly heard about the hassle surrounding the licences. We assume that is behind us, and that we will receive the necessary licences from the Rijnland Water Board in January to truly get started. 

Of course, we can’t fail to mention Voorschoten’s group victory at the Dutch Tile-Flipping Championship in the Regio071 group. The bag that the “ Alderman ” received as a prize, bearing the inscription, “A day without flipping is a day not lived,” is definitely a keepsake!

And then there was the opening of the Corbulotunnel, a tremendous achievement by our local citizen initiative, Team Compromis RijnlandRoute. Small towns can achieve great things!

Economy

That brings me to the economy. Where would we be without our local entrepreneurs? With heart and soul, they dedicate themselves every day to our society. Through their local businesses, of course, but also by organising events.

With the “ centre” development vision, there will soon be exciting plans to make Voorschoten’s “ centre ” even more attractive and vibrant, starting with Treubplein. It’s great that we’re all putting so much energy into this together!

From Treubplein, it is just a short walk to the Ambachts- and Baljuwhuis, a historic landmark in Voorschoten. There has been a lot of discussion about the future of the building this year as well. This dossier has also been successfully concluded this year. A milestone for Voorschoten. Pieter van den Berg and Mariette Mol of Het Wapen will operate the building. How wonderful it is that two entrepreneurs who care so deeply about Voorschoten are taking this step. Many thanks for that! The start of a new era. And I look forward to visiting soon! 

Another thing that makes me happy is the now-traditional entrepreneurs' breakfast on the Day of the Entrepreneur. Many entrepreneurs attended this year as well. What energy such a morning brings!

Safety

A frequently discussed topic at present is security, particularly digital security. That this is not a distant, abstract concern became clear last April, when a serious attempt was made to hack the system of the municipality of Voorschoten.

Perhaps you also saw the television programme Black-out, which was about a power outage across three provinces caused by a cyberattack on network operator Stedin. It was a fictional scenario, but the likelihood of such an event actually happening is higher than ever. What must every resident, every family do to prepare for this and be able to survive for two or three days without utilities and without government assistance? You will hear more about this next year.

Fortunately, I can say at this moment that Voorschoten is a safe municipality. Yes, the societal trend of bicycle theft, home burglaries, and even the theft of car parts unfortunately affects us too. But we can truly count our blessings for the dedication of the police officers from the Leiden-Zuid team, the detectives, and our own municipal enforcement officers. It is a pity that, due to the confidentiality of ongoing investigations, we cannot always showcase the full extent of their efforts. But I know what all of you do. As mayor, I am extremely grateful and proud of that. And as a daughter, niece, and friend with a deeply rooted law-enforcement heart, I have nothing but gratitude for everything. 

Region

During the celebration of 450 years of the Relief of Leiden, I stated that if we had regional cooperation back then, history would have taken a different course. The every-person-for-themselves principle that still existed during that period is thankfully behind us. Many societal challenges cannot be addressed without regional cooperation. For Voorschoten, this primarily involves cooperation within the Leiden Region, focusing on Leiden and Hollands Midden, where our collaboration is continuously improving. However, borders are merely lines on a map. I also think of my fellow administrative colleagues from Haaglanden, Leidschendam-Voorburg, and Wassenaar, which borders Voorschoten. Only by working together can we tackle the challenges we face.

Other topics

What else did we do in 2024? I know you are ready for a drink, so I will briefly mention a few final activities.

In June, we celebrated Keti Koti for the first time in Voorschoten. At the Berbice estate, we experienced a moving gathering where we shared stories, danced, and enjoyed a wonderful meal.

That same month, we were busy with elections once again, this time for the European Parliament. That is always quite an undertaking, involving setting up polling stations and counting all the ballots.

To speak of elections is to speak of volunteers. How fortunate we are to have so many! From carers and firefighters to volunteers at events such as King's Day and the arrival of Sinterklaas. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I also think of the ribbons and pearls I had the honour of presenting this year. The unveiling of the White Carnation Plot, a tribute to our veterans. The memorial plaque for Ton van der Pol. And the 40th anniversary of the Scouting Mauritsgroep. At moments like these, it is a joy to serve as mayor.

It’s also a real pleasure for me to chair the “ municipal council .” It’s a council where personal relationships are strong and discussions are lively, but always focused on the issues. These days, that’s truly one of a kind. I’d like to say to The Hague: Come take a look at Voorschoten to see how it can be done!

And then we had the farewell to the bandstand. That was certainly no celebration. It caused many of you grief. I understand that. But it was truly no longer tenable. Wood must move, as I always say, but when I see jumping Petes almost breaking through the floor, I have no choice but to take responsibility for everyone's safety. That, after all, is what I stand for.

Conclusion

I am coming to a conclusion. My father always used to say during this period: "The year is growing old". And so it is. 2024 is almost behind us and 2025 is knocking on the door. What next year will bring, nobody knows. What I do know is that it will be a special year with the commemoration and celebration of 80 years of liberation. Preparations are already well underway behind the scenes. You will certainly be hearing more about this!

For now, I wish you a very merry Christmas and a safe and pleasant New Year with family and friends. Let us also be there during this period for those who need a little help. Thank you very much. Cheers!

Dear residents, entrepreneurs, organisations, associations, fellow board members, and so on. A warm welcome to this end-of-year gathering. How wonderful that we are able to welcome so many of you to this magnificent Castle Duivenvoorde, set in a lovely Christmas atmosphere filled with countless lights and candles. For Voorschoten, this may also mark the start of a new tradition: an end-of-year gathering instead of a New Year's reception.

We have two weeks left until New Year's Eve. However, a great deal has happened, giving us the opportunity to look back together on what we have done and experienced.

Train accident

For Voorschoten, 2023 was the year of the train accident. On April 4th, at around half past three in the morning, residents living near Voorschoten station were awakened by a loud bang, followed two minutes later by an even louder one. I do not need to tell you what had happened. You all also remember the frantic activity of that day, the week, and the weeks that followed, and for some, even the months that followed. After all, a great deal had to be repaired and arranged. On a day like today, our thoughts are also with crane operator Martin, his surviving relatives, and the injured involved in the accident.

I could tell you many stories about everything I experienced during that period. How I experienced it, including survival tips for an administrator. They are intimate moments, hilarious experiences, and events that I look back on to this day with a certain sense of wonder and sometimes bewilderment. I have learned a lot, such as the fact that I too turn out to be merely human and that I also had to process everything. I managed to do so thanks to the kind gentlemen at ProRail, who peacefully allowed me to see the train carriages once more and spoke with me about them. That is also part of being mayor.

What I certainly want to share today is how proud I am of the local residents, the emergency services, police, fire department, ambulances, control room, and so on, who together delivered a rescue operation beyond words. First on the scene of the accident was our Voorschoten Fire Department. Close behind them was the first police car from Leiden-South. Together with the control room, they laid down the initial guidelines, which ensured everything went so smoothly and cast Voorschoten in a positive light in the news. When it matters, we are there for each other. That became abundantly clear. Everywhere in the press, you read and heard about farmer Freek and the general practitioner. Who by the way – though we only learned this later – is not a general practitioner, but a specialist in elderly care medicine.

Elections

I’m proud of so much more this year. For example, last month’s House of Representatives elections are still fresh in our minds. The voter turnout of more than 85 percent was wonderful. But that high turnout also meant crowded polling places and enormous stacks of ballots to count. For the first time, residents were also able to vote on our own town hall. It’s great that we managed to organize that.

Honestly, I wouldn't have minded if those elections had taken place two years later. After all, in February we already had the Provincial States and Water Authorities elections. And organizing such an event demands a tremendous commitment from volunteers and our staff. Thank you very much! Especially while there is so much other work to be done.

Housing construction

Take housing development, for example. There are projects underway all over our village, from the new construction at Intratuin to the wonderful plans at Huize Bijdorp. This year, we also discussed potential locations for flexible housing units and our housing vision. These were meaningful, substantive debates at the “ municipal council,” during which difficult trade-offs had to be made.

In my monthly columns in the Voorschotense Krant, I often write about my group of friends. We are a reflection of society in every respect. Recently, we had a conversation about the significant Health concerns regarding whether their sons and daughters will have any chance at all within 5 to 10 years of finding an affordable starter home within a reasonable timeframe. They cannot provide their children with a dowry to finance a mortgage, just as so many other people cannot. For that very large group of young people, current and future first-time buyers on the housing markt, there is only one solution: build, build, and build some more.

What was wonderful was that this year, for the first time, we had a citizen initiative for the realization of courtyard housing, also known as Knarrenhof. Future-proof homes where older adults can live comfortably together. This citizen initiative was unanimously adopted by the municipal council.

Climate

From housing construction, it is a small step to climate, energy, sustainability, and greenery. We laid the final solar panel on the Boschbloem. Residents received free energy advice.

And next year we will start the major maintenance in Adegeest. With plenty of attention for greenery, as well as safety and water drainage (sewerage). On the way there, residents have actively contributed their thoughts; a successful example of participation where residents and the municipality have arrived at a better plan and new insights together. Where it is not about who is right. It is about making choices together where the public interest comes first.

Work is also being done on the sewer system on Raadhuislaan. And yes, it’s finally going to happen—the roundabout near the “ town hall ” is finally being made safer for traffic.

It’s nice to mention the new trees we’ve planted: a linden tree on Voorstraat and 28 other special trees in Burgemeester Berkhout Park. That brings me back to NLdoet. This year, as “ executive board ,” we got to help the students at Nutsbasisschool prune branches—in the rain, snow, and wind. It was so much fun talking with those kids about what they think and what they want to be when they grow up.

Volunteers

And I haven’t even mentioned our volunteers yet. Because where would we be without them? I think I know the answer, and that is: absolutely nowhere. Many have been dedicated to helping others for years. I’m thinking of the informal caregivers who are ready day and night to step in where professional Health has to leave things undone due to a lack of manpower. Or all the volunteers at sports and cultural associations and Scouting clubs, who are always ready to roll up their sleeves. No request is too much.

Also think of welfare and elderly organizations that are indispensable in a municipality, where life is apparently so pleasant and good that we are one of the most senior-friendly municipalities in the country. Then there are the volunteers who every year ensure wonderful celebrations and days in our village, from King's Day, the Voorschoten Weekend and the arrival of Sinterklaas, to the Horse Days and Open Monument Day. And finally, let us not forget the volunteers at our fire department! Volunteers are indispensable.

Entrepreneurs

I am also proud of our entrepreneurs. The beating heart of society. They provide jobs, partly for those who need a little more help in society. For example, in collaboration with the Meraki foundation, entrepreneurs offer space and opportunities for people on social assistance or with a refugee background who want to start a business, become a bookkeeper or work at a local business.

Entrepreneurship is what Voorschoten radiates! We also see this in the great involvement of entrepreneurs in events. The first entrepreneur breakfast on the Day of the Entrepreneur, which we held this year, was successful and definitely worth repeating. I hope to see even more entrepreneurs next year, of course! Among whom, as we can see at every event in our village, is also the written press.

Remembrance Day

This year, the scouting movement played an important role in the Remembrance of the Dead for the first time. The two scouting associations that were stationed took care of carrying the wreaths. I got goosebumps when I saw this involvement of young people. Together we must ensure that the stories continue to be told to future generations. Thank you, scouts, for being willing to do this!

During the Remembrance of the Dead, our veterans are also always present in an honour guard. Voorschoten has just over 100 veterans who have served in various missions abroad, often in difficult circumstances. This has left its mark on many a veteran. I am glad that this year, for the first time, so many veterans came to the local Veterans Day. That was also here in this hall. What a special day that was. Sharing memories together.

Civil Service Organization

A huge compliment to our civil service organization, which has essentially been running non-stop for three years. The corona period, complex issues surrounding housing, energy, quality of life, safety, the reception of displaced persons from Ukraine and status holders, and the handling of the train accident have asked the utmost, and still ask that, of our small, but very agile and loyal organization. Proud of what we achieve as Voorschoten.

But Voorschoten cannot do this alone. Collaboration within the Leiden Region is essential to improve, bring closer, and sustain services for residents—for example, in the area of Health. In the coming years, this collaboration with the municipalities in the Leiden Region will be further intensified.

Peace

From Voorschoten, a step towards the world. Sadly, world peace is still a long way off, and perhaps even further away than at the beginning of the year. The war in Ukraine continues. As Voorschoten, we are now also hosting more than 100 displaced persons from Ukraine. They are truly a part of our society; they are working, playing sports, going to school, and the kids are singing and dancing wherever possible. We continue to hope for a speedy end to the war so that families can be reunited in their homeland.

Peace is also further away than ever in the Gaza Strip. Everyone has seen the horrifying images of the Hamas terrorist attack. A conflict so deeply rooted among Israelis and Palestinians, with so many layers, and in which so many innocent civilian casualties have fallen over the years. Even at those moments when the media paid no attention to it. The fear among our Jewish residents cannot be put into words. I cannot take away their fear. I can only listen to them; the stories and feelings.

There is no peace in other countries either. People still have to flee because of their beliefs, sexual orientation, and so on. In Voorschoten, we have already been accommodating status holders for a year and a half, who are waiting for a home in a municipality to which they have been assigned. It is a drop in the ocean, because the reception situation at the registration centre is no longer manageable for those who report there. The fact that the registration centre is overflowing also has consequences for the neighbourhood residents of the registration centre in Ter Apel. The situation has become untenable.

Wherever you are on the political spectrum, everyone agrees that the asylum chain has been deadlocked for quite some time and that continuing this way is not an option. Whichever cabinet comes to power—and please, no new elections again—clear answers are needed. The time of indefinable and unfeasible compromises is over. As a decent country, we have an obligation to provide humane reception to those fleeing war.

Peace—it would be so wonderful to live in a world where there is peace. I always wonder what we’re doing to ourselves in this world. War leads nowhere. We must continue to engage in dialogue with one another, and making peace sooner rather than later is the only solution. Based on that conviction, and to pause together in remembrance of the innocent victims of all that violence, the city council has raised the peace flag at the “ town hall .”

Conclusion

I am going to wrap up now, because you have had to listen to me for long enough by now. We are here at the beautiful Duivenvoorde Castle amidst many candles and lights. A symbol of hope and also remembrance. Alongside the joy we share with one another, the holidays also bring the absence of loved ones. Many of you have already lit a candle during the Evening of Lights for those who are forever in our hearts. I will certainly do the same during Christmas.

We also wonder what the new year will bring. No doubt about it, nobody knows. Last year's New Year's Eve conference was by Claudia de Breij: "It won't be alright, but we are going to make it right," were the words with which she concluded her powerful conference.

Words that proved to be prophetic. Our ability to deal with uncertainties has been put to the test, and we cannot rule out that this will also be the case in the coming year. But when I see how we look out for each other in Voorschoten under difficult circumstances, I have every confidence that we will continue to care for each other, also in 2024. We are going to make things good together again next year.

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful, and for the emergency services a quiet, transition into the new year.

For now, thank you and cheers!

Dear residents of Voorschoten,

First and foremost, on behalf of the municipal council and the executive board , I would like to wish you a healthy, joyful, and hopeful 2023. It’s so nice to have you here tonight! It’s wonderful that we’re gathered here again in the council chamber in Voorschoten to wish each other a Happy New Year—just as we always have. Once again, we were able to celebrate the holidays as we always have. We enjoyed Christmas meals with family, friends, and neighbours and toasted the New Year at midnight.

New Year's Eve

The preparations for New Year's Eve went very well again this year. Police and fire services, along with our employees from Public Order and Safety, Outdoor Operations, and Communications, worked literally day and night to ensure that New Year's Eve in Voorschoten went smoothly and festively. Together with the residents, this was more than achieved. It was as convivial as ever. Plenty of cheer and fortunately a quiet evening for the emergency services. That night too, police, firefighters, municipal enforcement officers (BOAs), and ambulances stood ready for our safety. Thank you for that! We consider that normal. But it is not. They leave their families behind at home. We must never forget that.

What unfortunately was also as usual were the newspaper reports about the consequences of setting off fireworks. Doctors in eye hospitals called it a night of horror. The lives of young people have been permanently altered this New Year's Eve. Reports about police officers who were injured because illegal fireworks were thrown at them while they were doing their work. I wonder how long we will continue to find this acceptable as a society and place a tradition above safety. New Year's Eve has long ceased to be a celebration for everyone.

The following morning, the men of the Outdoor Operations department were out early on the streets to clean up all the litter left behind after setting off fireworks. Thanks to you as well!

Review of 2022

Climate crisis, nitrogen crisis, housing crisis, purchasing power crisis, asylum crisis, crisis of confidence. I have never experienced a year before in which the word crisis was used so often. The year 2022 was full of it. It was also the year that brought our vulnerabilities to the surface and made us realize that things that had seemed taken for granted for years were no longer so. Peace in Europe was under pressure overnight. Paying the energy bill, Health costs, and the question of whether there is any money left at the end of the month for much more expensive groceries are concerns for an increasing number of households.

The unimaginable consequences of the childcare benefits scandal that continue to profoundly and harshly impact families every day, as they still have not received financial compensation. And that is not even mentioning the children who were wrongfully removed from their homes. They, too, are victims of the childcare benefits scandal. For the first time in its history, Doctors Without Borders has taken action in our own country due to the conditions in asylum reception facilities.

Looking ahead to 2023

So there is work to be done! As people from Rotterdam say: "Less talk, more action!" We are facing a new year in which major decisions must be made across many areas. These are issues that affect everyone every day. This takes place against a backdrop where we must work hard to regain trust in the government. In my view, that is the foundation for moving out of the crisis atmosphere of 2022: trust.

Elections

In March 2022, a new “ municipal council ” was elected, and in July, a new “ executive board ” was formed. There are many new and young faces on the “ municipal council ,” and since the end of 2022, for the first time, there have been more women than men on the council. This is unprecedented in Voorschoten.

The declining turnout in municipal council elections is concerning. The reasons for this vary and cannot always be easily explained. One theme, however, recurs every time: residents express the feeling that the government is no longer there for them. I think we can all understand that feeling. The positive aspect is that together we can do our part in Voorschoten to restore trust. This offers opportunities in the coming year to go the extra mile to show that, as a municipal administration, we are indeed there for our residents. Listening and knowing what is happening in our society.

Participation

This does not mean that as a municipal administration we make decisions that everyone agrees with. Or that we listen most to those who shout the loudest. Listening to the silent majority is equally important. It is precisely about the municipal administration clearly outlining the requirements within which discussions can take place. And being able to explain the decision that is ultimately made. It is important that we make decisions. That we ensure Voorschoten continues to develop. After all, standing still is going backward.

Housing

Making choices and decisions means that friction will occur. That is inevitable. I mention the shortage of affordable housing for various target groups in Voorschoten. Which first-time buyer, especially when you are young, on the housing markt can buy or rent an affordable home in our municipality? For too long, they have been left on the sidelines in this regard, and born-and-raised residents of Voorschoten are forced to move to another municipality to find a place to live. Therefore, we must find locations to build.

I am well aware that construction locations cause discussions in our society. In my view, we owe it to the next generation to ensure they also have a realistic opportunity to live comfortably in Voorschoten.

Climate, energy, and purchasing power

The energy crisis we are in is felt by all of us, by residents and entrepreneurs alike. The chance that energy prices will stabilize anytime soon seems slim. This means we must work together to find ways to reduce our energy consumption on the one hand and generate our energy differently on the other. Commitment, creativity, and new ways of thinking are needed in the field of sustainability. In this way, purchasing power will also be restored and uncertainties will decrease. All social partners are needed for this, such as housing associations for making social rental homes more sustainable.

Resilience

Many issues, many changes, the necessity to make decisions. That requires flexibility and resilience. We have shown that Voorschoten possesses these qualities. Thanks to many, the reception of Ukrainians who had to flee war got off the ground very quickly. And this year too, Voorschoten is providing a temporary emergency reception location for status holders, so that we do our part to resolve the asylum crisis created by the national government. I am proud that we too are committed to helping people.

I have also seen resilience in our entrepreneurs. Recent years have been, to put it mildly, not the easiest. Entrepreneurs went straight from coronavirus measures into all the consequences brought by the war in Ukraine. I admire your resilience and positivity. For despite everything that has happened and is happening, entrepreneurs simply stand strong and have picked up business as it was before 2020, including all the events that could not take place in our village without them. That is an attitude we can all still learn something from.

Let us make 2023 a wonderful and warm year together. A year in which we continue to pay attention to those who need it.

Thank you for your attention.

Dear Residents,

On behalf of the municipal government, I wish you a wonderful, happy, and above all, healthy 2022. This is the second year in a row that we are unable to meet in person and toast the New Year. That is a major disappointment. Like you, I had hoped that the measures to control the coronavirus would no longer be necessary.

The past year has once again demanded a lot from us; our resilience, ingenuity, and optimism have been put to the test. We all have our own stories to tell. What has stayed with me is that I’ve seen firsthand what the coronavirus can do to people and what it means to be affected by long COVID. I’ve also seen how the restrictions have affected—and continue to affect—people whose home situations are less than ideal. The despondency among business owners when stores and restaurants had to close their doors again.

But I’ve also felt the resilience of our village. In Voorschoten, we’ve looked out for one another and stood by each other. As mayor, I’m proud of that. Business owners who’ve managed to turn setbacks into opportunities. And the indispensable dedication of the many volunteers at, for example, sports clubs, cultural organizations, and social service organizations who were there for us.

Fortunately, New Year’s Eve passed quietly in Voorschoten. On New Year’s Eve and into the night, I was out on the streets with our enforcement officers and the police. I experienced this special shift for the emergency services firsthand and saw what they have to deal with. Fortunately, in the vast majority of situations, we encountered cheerful residents who were making the best of it together and celebrating in small groups.

We are at the start of a new year. With cautious optimism, we look forward to what we hope will be a year in which the coronavirus is brought under control. Politically, 2022 will be a special year; you’ll have the opportunity to vote for a new municipal council. Once again this year, polling places will be open for three days: on March 14, 15, and 16. I sincerely hope that many of you will make your voices heard. With your vote, you can influence the decisions made in Voorschoten on issues such as Health, housing, sustainability, and more. Ultimately, we’re doing all of this for you, the residents.

For me personally, 2022 will be a year of change. This spring, I’m moving to Voorschoten. I’m incredibly excited about it and look forward to truly becoming a part of our community.

I hope we’ll be able to meet in person a little more often this year—in the village, during work visits, or at an outdoor café. Wishing you a wonderful New Year! 

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,

Understanding history. That is the theme for this year set by the National Committee for May 4 and 5. To truly understand history, we must answer questions that are still relevant today.

How do exclusion and hatred arise? What can we, as a democratic society, do about them? You only have to turn on the news or one of the many talk shows—or talk about this with friends and family—to realize just how complex these questions and their answers are.

Today, we come together to reflect on what the war meant for eyewitnesses and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We’re doing this with veterans from various generations, Scouts from the Kimball O’Hara and Maurits groups, students from the VOS, and people of all ages from every neighborhood in Voorschoten.

Understanding history, of course, begins with knowing the stories. That is precisely why it is so important that we continue to pass on the stories of World War II to future generations. Today, this is more urgent than ever, because the generation that can tell us about that period is growing smaller as time goes by.

But what do today’s great-grandchildren actually know about World War II? How do they view it from today’s perspective? What does that mean for their actions or their view of our society? Who better to tell us that than today’s children!

Culture Factory

One of the most important lessons the children are learning in the lead-up to May 4 is “Voorschoten: A Village in Wartime,” an interactive project by the Cultuurfabriek.

During the lesson, the children are introduced to six fictional students from Mr. Verrips’s class. They all attend the Oranjeschool—which now houses the library—and are in the sixth grade, which we now call Group 8.

By actively engaging with this topic and asking themselves, “What if this happened to me?”, the children learn what life was like during wartime. They also begin to reflect on today’s wars, which continue to affect people in other parts of the world.

The VOS

Among others, the 8th-grade students from VOS participated in the educational project this year. During a visit to the Cultural “ centre ,” Ms. Mandy’s class learned, for example, that some villagers had passed on the addresses of people in hiding to the occupying forces. The boys and girls agreed on how terrible that was, even as they understood how afraid people must have been during those years.

The class also learned about those who dared to resist, risking their own lives—for example, by forging passports. They also heard how children their own age sometimes had to take care of the household. They certainly won’t soon forget tasting raw flower bulbs with honey and sugar on a cracker—even though they came out of the microwave.

This school year, the students at VOS are also helping to polish the Stolpersteine—the yellow-copper “stumbling stones” placed in front of the homes of Jewish villagers who were deported and murdered. As they clean the stones, they also share the stories behind them.

Taken together, the students already know quite a lot about World War II. Some children heard from their great-grandparents about the war cemeteries for American soldiers. Others still have items at home that remind them of the war, such as a beret and a tablespoon. One of the students is even related to the girl next door who donated a marbles box to the Anne Frank House. Before Anne had to go into hiding, she had given that marbles box to her neighbor.

Not all families feel comfortable talking about the war. That’s perfectly understandable, of course. For example, one student’s great-grandmother was traumatized by horses because the police and soldiers rode them when she was 7 years old. One great-grandfather returned from a Nazi labor camp but had to make his way back to the Netherlands on foot. Yet another survivor of a roundup had to hide for three days afterward.

On rare occasions, the occupiers made a friendly gesture. For example, they gave a stack of firewood to a great-grandmother who was 11 years old at the time. Although, to be fair, they had taken that stack from someone else.

The most moving story came from a student who had to flee the civil war in Syria after several family members were killed there. After a harrowing journey, the student, along with other refugees, arrived safely in our country via Greece.

The Compass

Even in 8th grade at Kompas, the students already know a lot about World War II and the liberation. Teacher Jordy taught a lesson on the topic, and Lebanon War veteran Frank Kroon even visited the class.

For example, one student talks about the TV series “13 in the War.” Furthermore, most of them have heard of NSB members: those who abandoned their fellow countrymen and instead helped the occupying forces. The children can hardly imagine that, although they, too, understand that people at the time must have been very afraid.

The class also knows that residents had to pay with food stamps, but that Jewish villagers were no longer allowed to visit supermarkets and produce stores and were required to wear a Star of David. And that it wasn’t just they who were persecuted, but also, among others, Roma, Sinti, and people with disabilities.

The class also heard about the train transports to concentration camps. Some were forced to work hard there, while others thought they would finally be able to take a shower, only to meet their deaths in a gas chamber.

Still other children know that the Netherlands was forced to surrender in May 1940 after four days of fighting, and that the dikes were breached toward the end of the war. And that Wilhelmina was queen at the time. That may seem like a simple fact, but with Juliana, Beatrix, and Willem-Alexander, today’s children have already moved on to quite a few monarchs since then.

In this class, too, the war isn’t talked about much at home. Especially for a great-grandfather who was a soldier, the memories were too horrific. One grandmother did, however, tell the story of how her mother took refuge in a farmhouse a little ways down the road. Other great-grandparents had to walk a long way to get food from a farmer and be back in time for the curfew.

One of the children had a Jewish great-grandfather who was a butcher and was therefore able to share food—for as long as he could. In addition, a student heard from an elderly resident on the street that the man had a small table with games that people in hiding used to play.

In all our conversations, we heard that many children watch the May 4 commemoration or attend it in person. Those traveling with their parents pull over to the side of the road, where there are sometimes already many other cars parked. That’s important, because it’s this generation that will be responsible for shaping and organizing the May 4 commemoration in the future. It starts with learning as a child just how important it is that we continue to experience this moment together.

The children also ask thoughtful questions. For example, why do we observe not one, but two minutes of silence? Perhaps you know the answer: during the first minute, we commemorate those who lost their lives. During the second minute, we remember the people who returned from the battlefield, but whose lives have been affected by the war for generations now.

The Online World

You’ve probably noticed. Thanks to their lessons at school and the stories they hear at home, the eighth-graders already know a lot about World War II. They don’t need to know everything just yet, because they’ll learn much more about it in high school. By then, they’ll naturally become curious about the meaning of the stumbling stones and the local resistance heroes whose names appear on the street signs in the village.

That curiosity is so important. The stories of great-grandparents, a street sign, a box of marbles—they’re all very tangible. But these days, we’re also dealing with a digital, online world. That really worries me.

On social media, we’re seeing more and more how even young children are liking and sharing the most appalling anti-Semitic posts. And this isn’t happening in hidden corners, but right out in the open, without any shame. Without realizing what those posts mean to other children, what they do to other children. And perhaps without even realizing what they’re saying.

How is it possible that, on the one hand, our young people know so much about World War II, but on the other hand, they laugh at so-called jokes about that period—which, of course, aren’t jokes at all? Perhaps there’s more work to be done for all of us than just telling stories.

I’d like to take this opportunity to urge all children to think about this. What exactly are you laughing at when you see a post like that on TikTok, Instagram, or WhatsApp? Why are you laughing, anyway? Is it really right to laugh along? Aren’t you actually stronger if you choose not to laugh along?

The Physical World

There is another reason why it has never been so clear that we must continue to think critically. After nearly eighty years of peace, a war has been raging on the European continent for several years now. Children are also concerned about this—and especially about the potential consequences for the Netherlands. It is for good reason that we are campaigning for emergency kits and the development of an emergency plan.

Our country already faces frequent power outages, unreliable drinking water, and cyberattacks. It’s not a question of whether we’ll face these issues again, but when they’ll happen again. Preparations remain essential.

People in other parts of the world face danger and suffering on a daily basis that is many times greater. Just think of the drone attacks on Ukraine or those terrible wars in Africa and the Middle East. Intolerance lies at the root of this—just as it did here 80 or 85 years ago.

Anti-Semitism is once again the order of the day. Yet 80 years ago, we said, “Never again!” When did we forget that?

Understanding History

Understanding history. That’s how I began my story. But will we ever truly understand history? Or have such improbable things happened that they will always remain beyond human comprehension?

As we saw in the 8th-grade classes at VOS and Kompas, the children fortunately already know a lot about World War II and the liberation.

What else can you and I do—besides continuing to tell stories—to ensure that today’s children grow up to be independent, critical, and, above all, tolerant adults? I wish I had the answer …

Finally

Today, we remember the victims and survivors from our own community. But today, we also remember all those who are suffering from the hardships of other wars.

Let’s make sure to incorporate the lessons we’ve learned—and, sadly, are still learning from current events—into our judgment and our daily actions. Let’s be there for one another. Let’s keep the conversation going. Today, tomorrow, and even in difficult times.

As they say at the Cultuurfabriek: we’re postwar kids, and we’d like to keep it that way!

Thank you very much.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,

Food airdrops over Valkenburg Airport. If you ask older residents about the end of World War II, that’s the first thing they’ll mention. They’ll tell you how, as children, they ran to Wijngaardenlaan to watch the British and American planes flying by in the distance. And they’ll tell you that back home, there was Swedish white bread on the kitchen table—as delicious as cake, whiter than white.

Shortly thereafter, on May 5, 1945, the Netherlands truly began to celebrate. That’s because the German occupiers had surrendered in Wageningen. But fighting was still ongoing in the western part of our country. In Voorschoten, too, we still had to be patient for a few more days. Fortunately, on May 8, the day finally arrived when Voorschoten was also liberated.

Canadian soldiers and the Princess Irene Brigade ride into our village. At the beginning of Bijdorpstraat, there’s even a decorated triumphal arch waiting for them. It’s a celebration everywhere. Overjoyed residents are eating gum and chocolate. A girl catches a cigarette and brings it to her father. A little boy drinks Coca-Cola for the first time in his life. And he thinks it’s really gross.

80 years of freedom

We’re fast-forwarding the clock 80 years. 80 years of freedom. Across the country, we’re reflecting on how World War II ended—and how the Netherlands was liberated thanks to the efforts of brave soldiers and resistance heroes. Every year, we gather here to commemorate the victims who gave their lives for us.

We gather together with people of all ages—veterans, students from the Fortgens School, and Scouts from Impeesa and the Maurits Group, as well as young people and their parents, family members, neighbours , and friends. It’s truly special to me that so many of us come together here in Voorschoten time and time again. Although I also understand why…

Because even today, the consequences of World War II are still felt. The news we hear these days on the radio and TV brings to mind the horrific events of that time. But they are also still felt by families who have lost loved ones.

Today, I’d like to talk to you about a very special group of loved ones: our local resistance heroes.

Your neighbor, a great-aunt, the shopkeeper down the street. All fellow villagers who dared to rise up. Who put all of our lives—our future—above their own.

Alexander Adamski, Bram Limburg, Jan Wagtendonk

On March 12, students from the Fortgens School, together with our veterans, planted a “Resistance Heroes Tree” on Verzetsstrijderspad in the Starrenburg neighborhood: a linden tree, known for its fragrant white-and-yellow flowers. A tree dedicated to all local Resistance heroes, both known and unknown. The students and veterans talked about three resistance heroes from Voorschoten: Alexander Adamski, Bram Limburg, and Jan Wagtendonk.

Alexander was a Polish student who joined the Dutch resistance. Like Bram, he spied for the Packard intelligence service. There, they gathered information about the occupying forces’ activities, which they relayed to British intelligence using secret transmitters.

Bram was also one of the people who, one evening, removed the entire Voorschoten population registry from the “ town hall .” With that courageous act, he saved a large number of his fellow villagers from deportation.

Jan was a medical student. He, too, was an active member of the resistance. On March 12, 1945—just a short time before the end of the war—he, along with Alexander, Bram, and 17 others, was lined up against a wall on Hofplein in Rotterdam and riddled with bullets. This was in retaliation for attacks they had nothing to do with.

The bodies had to remain on the street for 24 hours. Only then were the next of kin allowed to remove them.

Alexander was 25, Bram was 20, and Jan was 23.

Bertus van Aken, Teun de Groot, Frans Kusters

You’re surely familiar with Alexander, Bram, and Jan from the street names. You might also think of Bertus van Aken and Teun de Groot.

Bertus was a well-known painter who owned a paint and wallpaper store. He was also the founder of the resistance group “Rond de Laurentiuskerk.” There, for example, they arranged for shelter, money, and ration coupons for people in hiding.

On September 3, 1944, Bertus was shot four times in the doorway of his home on Voorstraat. The assassins thought their attempt had succeeded, but thanks to the family doctor’s quick intervention, Bertus survived the attack.

When he took over his paint and wallpaper store again after the war, he predicted that people would stop hiring painters and start painting themselves. Nothing beats a professional house painter, of course, but given the lines outside the home improvement stores on Saturday afternoons, he sure was right!

Teun was a bicycle dealer. As a staunch anti-Nazi, he made no secret of his love for his country. The story goes that he once even refused to patch a tire for a member of the Landwacht.

Just like Bertus, Teun was shot in his own home. But he didn't survive. Teun left behind five children.

That same day, the occupiers also showed up at the door of office clerk Frans Kusters. Their intention was to shoot him at home, but because his wife stayed by his side the whole time, they took Frans with them, ostensibly to check his ID at the police station.

In Wassenaar, the kidnappers pretended their car had broken down. Frans was forced to get out of the car and was allegedly shot “while trying to escape.”

The three resistance heroes, Bertus, Teun, and Frans, were victims of the so-called Silbertanne operations. These were secret reprisal operations in which the victims were killed by anonymous assassins—Dutch SS members.

Frans Everstijn, Cor van Osnabrugge, Martinus van der Stoel

I’d also like to mention Frans Everstijn, Cor van Osnabrugge, and Martinus van der Stoel. They, too, are local resistance heroes whom you know from the Starrenburg neighborhood.

Frans was the local leader of the National Support Fund, an organization that provided money and false documents to people in hiding. After he helped a person in hiding obtain a false identity card, he was betrayed. He died in the German concentration camp at Neuengamme.

Cor, a contractor, worked for the National Organization for Assistance to People in Hiding. In that capacity, he maintained contact with other regions regarding hiding places. He survived the war.

General practitioner Martinus also survived the war. He was particularly dedicated to helping Jewish children. In addition, he was active in the doctors’ resistance, a successful underground resistance movement. Israel awarded him the special Yad Vashem honor, a medal given to non-Jews who helped Jews.

Leo van der Bijl

We know all this because much of it has been recorded in writing. Also, because various villagers have collected all those facts and stories for us.

Leo van der Bijl was the one who championed the street names in Starrenburg. He was also very active in the resistance himself. Perhaps you’ve read one of the books he wrote on the subject: *Dorp in oorlog* and *Zand over acht*.

Shortly after Leo’s death in 2000, Mayor Peter Cannegieter also unveiled a plaque in his honor. It became “Leo van der Bijl Park.”

Even more names on the monument

I mentioned a number of our local resistance heroes whose names we know. These are stories of ordinary people, just like you and me. It sends shivers down my spine because I simply cannot imagine how much courage these people must have had to do the right thing. I always ask myself: Would I be that brave? I hope I never have to answer that question.

The stories I’ve shared with you can never be complete. Here on the monument, you’ll see even more names. Please take a moment to read them and discover their stories. Some names may sound familiar to you, while others may not. But all of these residents had the courage to stand up—to risk their own lives to do what was right and help others.

Lewise Judith Polak, Mauritz Heiman van Someren

Before I conclude, there are two more names I’d like to mention. On March 20, we laid the first Stolpersteine in the sidewalk in front of the last home of Lewise Judith Polak and Mauritz Heiman van Someren—two Jewish residents who were both murdered in Auschwitz.

Lewise and Mauritz, fellow villagers we must never forget.

Keep Telling Stories

Keep talking. Keep passing on the stories. Keep mentioning names. If you visit the “80 Years of Freedom” exhibition at the Voorschoten Museum, you’ll see and read those stories and understand why freedom is so special.

Thanks to our veterans and resistance heroes, we regained our freedom in 1945—the freedom to be who you are, to live and work in freedom. It seems so obvious to us, but it isn’t.

You and I just observed two minutes of silence. Two minutes… We all had our own thoughts during those two minutes. Personally, I always think of my grandfather, who returned from the war suffering from severe war trauma. I also reflect on the suffering—which is unimaginable to me—that so many have endured. And for what? Two minutes. A moment that recurs every year. A tradition we must cherish, without letting it become routine. For me, the question is: what are we going to do after these two minutes of silence? What are we going to do with the thoughts we had? What are we going to do with the many stories—including those of our resistance heroes? What lessons have we learned that we will put into practice starting tomorrow?

Let’s continue to remind one another that 80 years ago, we made a promise to ourselves—and to all future generations—that this would never happen again.

Thank you very much.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,

Freedom Speaks: A Prelude to 80 Years of Freedom. That is the theme under which we commemorate this year the men and women to whom we owe the fact that we can gather here today in freedom. We gather to reflect. To be still. But above all, to share memories and tell stories.

We’re gathering here with people of all ages—our veterans, students from Gevers Deynoot Elementary School, scouts from Leif Erikson and the Maurits Group, and many more young people along with their parents, family, neighbours , and friends. As mayor, I’m so proud that so many of us are here together—especially at a time like this. 

A prelude to 80 years of freedom. What does that mean? Among other things, it means that the children born back then are now nearly 80 years old. Those children grew up during years of scarcity and reconstruction. This also includes children whose parents lived through the war firsthand. In many cases, they witnessed their parents’ grief—grief over what they had endured, what they saw happening around them, and the loved ones they had lost.

For those children of the past—who are now the elderly—that sorrow is part of everyday life. They commemorated the “ processing ” in their own ways, but they all agreed on one thing: never again war, never again sowing hatred, never again excluding a group of people. 

And yet that is exactly what we are seeing happen again today. Anti-Semitism is not an isolated incident, but a centuries-old form of racism that, if we do nothing, will be passed down from generation to generation. Since October 7, the number of antisemitic incidents has increased even further. This is evident not only from statistics but also from my interactions with our Jewish residents. I wonder: Have we truly forgotten what we agreed upon together 79 years ago with the utmost conviction? What we promised each other? Never again!

Conversation with René

I recently had a conversation with René, a true native of Voorschot who grew up in Rotterdam. Many of you know him from his volunteer work: behind the counter at Heymans IJzerwaren, at the fire museum, as a firefighter for 17 years, as a traffic director for the Avondvierdaagse for 45 years, and much more.

René came up with the idea to install Stolpersteine here in Voorschoten. These are yellow-copper “stumbling stones”—memorial stones—that we use to commemorate the victims of National Socialism around and during World War II. They are placed in the sidewalk in front of the victims’ last (freely chosen) homes. Such stones are already in place at more than 1,200 locations throughout Europe. Thanks to René’s thorough research, we will be able to install the first Stolpersteine in our village next year as well. René will do this together with his grandson Ruben.

Aside from that wonderful initiative, I was curious to hear where René’s vast knowledge of and interest in our history came from. He then told me his story—an emotional account of the impact the war still has on him—and we both had to take a sip of water every now and then.

René's father

May 10, 1940. The first day of the war. René’s father, Hans, is sent as a soldier to the Peel-Raamstelling, a defensive line in North Brabant and Limburg. There is particularly fierce fighting between Mook and Mill, but the enemy’s superiority is too great. Slowly but surely, the Dutch troops are pushed back to Zeeland. On May 27, when Zeeland surrenders, Hans is taken prisoner of war.

When the Dutch soldiers were released in 1940 and Hans returned to Rotterdam, he learned that married men were not being drafted into the labor service—forced labor in Germany. So he quickly decided to marry his girlfriend at the time. But after a while, he was arrested after all and had to go to Germany to work.

He ends up in the caves of Peenemünde. It’s a secret place where forced-laborers are made to manufacture parts for fighter jets and missiles. Naturally, they’re tempted to secretly sabotage the process by deviating by a few tenths of a millimeter here and there. Eventually, a French soldier helps Hans escape from the dreadful caves.

In 1945, when the war was finally over, Hans—scarred by those grueling years—returned to his wife. But it turned out that she had sided with the NSB and the Landwacht during the war. They subsequently divorced.

René's mother

Fortunately, Hans doesn't stay alone for long. Because on the street where his parents have temporary housing, he meets a nice girl, Jo, who turns out to be René's mother.

She, too, experienced the war firsthand in Rotterdam during its very first days. During the bombing raid of May 14, 1940, Jo had to flee her burning house—wearing slippers and clutching her glasses.

Jo becomes a courier between Gelderland and the west. She transports all sorts of things by bike. For example, by hiding ration coupons inside a loaf of bread, she ensures that people in hiding can also get food.

René was born in 1947. His parents named him that because it was the name of the soldier who had saved Hans from the caves of Peenemünde. Much to the displeasure of one of his grandfathers, since it’s customary to name your son after his grandfather… Grandpa makes that very clear to the little boy—an incredibly sad feeling that still affects René when he thinks back on it.

Sadness

1947 marked the beginning of the reconstruction effort. There were no homes, food was scarce, and rubble lay everywhere. 

At home, they don’t talk much about the war. Every Sunday, the whole family visits Grandma and Grandpa. There, too, there is sadness—for example, because an uncle boarded a ship bound for America just before mobilization, which is considered desertion. Three aunts also live with sadness and anger over the war. That is the environment in which René grows up.

René also has fond memories. For example, how his grandfather, who is a sculptor, set aside a glass box to turn it into a beautiful crib. Or think of the little goat he was given when he was about five years old—even though it was ultimately meant to be eaten, just like the pigeons and rabbits that roamed the community garden.

Concept

When René was about thirteen, his father Hans had a good job, and they were even able to go on vacation to Italy. While Hans helped out at the restaurant, René stood behind the bar. Those were good times. 

Hans strikes up a conversation with some German tourists. Hans overhears their discussion and gains an important insight: by no means did all Germans support the ideas behind the war. That realization helps him come to terms with his immense grief a little more. Hans even ends up making a good German friend as a result. Though he has to swallow hard again when René comes home with his current wife, Gerdy, from Twente, who’s a fan of Schlager music.

Keep spreading the word

This story, filled with suffering but also with moments of joy, is extraordinary. René gave me a glimpse into the impact the war had on his parents’ lives. He also showed me the impact it had on his own life—how he still struggles, still gets emotional when recalling those memories.

There are hundreds, even thousands, of other stories like this. We must continue to pass those stories on as well. Because even though we’ll be celebrating 80 years of freedom next year, we must not forget them.

Fortunately, we are indeed passing these stories on. At the end of March, I had the opportunity to spend an hour teaching a class of eighth graders at Gevers Deynoot Elementary School. The children asked questions and shared the impressive stories they had heard from their grandfathers, grandmothers, and neighbours . I was so impressed by their engagement with the events of the war.

We stand here today in freedom. Let us take a moment to reflect on just how extraordinary that is—knowing that war on the European continent is close at hand. Knowing that divisions in society are becoming ever more pronounced. Talk to one another. Listen to one another. Let’s hold each other to the promise we made 79 years ago. Let’s work together to ensure that we’re still standing here together in peace next year. So that next year, too, we can say to one another: Never again!

Thank you very much.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,

We commemorate together—young and old, no matter where you’re from. Commemorating means continuing to tell and pass on these stories. Today, our veterans are once again standing in the guard of honor at our war memorial. These are the men and women who help ensure that future generations, too, will know our history. Many of their colleagues made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. It is our past that makes us who we are and to which we owe the fact that we can stand here together today. 

We continue to share stories and remain curious about one another. That is why I am proud that so many children and young people are here for this Remembrance Day ceremony as well. Students from De Regenboog Elementary School with their beautiful, self-written poems. The Scouts—this year, members of the Kimball O’Hara Scout Troop and the Maurits Group, which is participating in the Remembrance Day ceremony here in Voorschoten for the first time. It’s wonderful to see so many of you here. And many other young people are here tonight with their parents, family, and friends. 

Film: Village in Wartime

It was my recent visit to De Regenboog Elementary School that prompted me to watch the film *Dorp in Oorlogstijd* again, which Museum Voorschoten produced three years ago. In the film, three schoolchildren—who are now six years old—interview six villagers who were only 6 to 15 years old at the time of the liberation. 

The children from back then describe just how small Voorschoten still was during the war years. On your way to school, you’d see livestock from the farms. You’d pass dairy farmers and bakers. And the schools were still small, too—with, for example, only four classrooms.

The children from back then share their memories. There were no cars, so they could play safely in the street. They also have exciting stories—from a goat in the back of the garage to people in hiding—though as a child, you didn’t know they were people in hiding. They were just people who came over for a friendly visit.

In the film, we hear about the soup kitchen, hunger marches, and eating tulip bulbs. “Flowers were coming out of my ears,” laughs one of the children from that time. We also hear of unimaginable grief—think of family members and acquaintances who lost their lives, were taken away, and the constant fear of traitors.

On the evening of May 4, 1945, news of the liberation arrived. Reverend Houtzagers and Dr. Kuipers rode their bicycles through the village wearing orange ribbons. A bandstand was set up, the national anthem “Wilhelmus” rang out, and food airdrops could be seen over Valkenburg. One villager even produced a bottle of jenever that he had managed to smuggle in throughout the entire war.

"Village in Wartime" is a remarkable film, especially if you're curious about others and about stories from that time.

Annual Theme of the National Committee for May 4 and 5

Curiosity about others is the theme that the National Committee for May 4 and 5 chose for this year’s commemoration. Journalist, filmmaker, and author Natascha van Weezel wrote an inspiring story about living through the war for this commemoration. All four of her Jewish grandparents survived the Holocaust, the murder of nearly 6 million Jews in Europe. While fleeing to Switzerland, her mother’s parents were betrayed. Thanks to her grandfather’s sheer boldness and nerve, as well as help from the Swiss consul, they eventually reached Switzerland and spent the war there. 

After the war, they returned to The Hague, where they learned that their parents and sisters had been murdered at the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland.

Natascha thinks it’s incredibly brave that her grandfather dared to bluff. She realizes that, in a sense, she owes her life to the courage of a complete stranger: the consul, who acted out of compassion.

If there’s one thing the schoolchildren from Voorschoten and Natascha agree on, it’s that we must continue to commemorate history. The crimes of the war must never happen to anyone again. To make that happen, we must keep sharing our stories and remain curious about each other’s histories. We shouldn’t judge or condemn. Instead, we should first listen to the story and try to understand the circumstances. 

Central Archive for Special Judicial Proceedings

Last year, I told you a bit of the story of my grandfather on my father’s side—my grandfather, who suffered from the trauma he had experienced during the war right up until his last day. My family, on both my mother’s and father’s sides, comes from the Achterhoek region. When I visited De Regenboog Elementary School, I explained that the situation in the eastern part of the Netherlands was very different from here in the west. My father always summed it up aptly: during the war, we ate butter on bread, and after the war, margarine again. I told the elementary school students that my grandparents on both sides lived on farms—where, incidentally, my mother was born in January 1945. They were able to provide for themselves. The tulip bulbs from the ears shown in the film *Dorp in Oorlogstijd* were much less of an issue there. 

Back then, in class, we didn’t discuss the other side of the Achterhoek during wartime. Because it borders Germany, the region has traditionally had strong ties to Germany, with all the consequences that entailed at the time. 

That thought came to mind when I heard about the imminent disclosure of files on fellow Dutch citizens suspected of collaborating with the occupying forces. And what that disclosure will mean for society. Here in Voorschoten, too. How will we treat one another if you suddenly read in a file who, for example, betrayed your family? Are today’s children and grandchildren responsible for the choices made back then? How will this affect our relationships with one another?

I myself am a living example of how these questions still resonate with the current generation. During a recent visit to Winterswijk, I took the same route I always used to take with my parents. This also included stops at various local businesses—but only those where my grandparents said we were allowed to shop, because they had been on the “right side.” Upon reflecting on myself, it’s quite remarkable that I still faithfully carry out these traditions to this very day. 

Where does condemnation end, and where does forgiveness begin? It’s a difficult question—even for me—and one we will undoubtedly discuss at length together in the coming days. 

Ukraine, Syria, and other countries

The children from Voorschoten back then—Natascha, your young Scouts, the schoolchildren, you, and I—are all living safe and good lives. But war is still raging in other countries, such as Ukraine. It’s wonderful that we here in Voorschoten can help those who have been displaced. Today, we’re thinking of these new or temporary fellow villagers even more than usual. But above all, we’re also thinking of their families and friends. To those who had to stay behind to fight for freedom. 

Let’s take good care of one another, in the hope that those terrible wars will end soon. Talk to one another, listen to one another, seek connection, and bridge our differences. Don’t be too quick to judge; try to understand the other person. Let’s honor everyone by cherishing our freedom and realizing that freedom is never a given. Thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,

Welcome to this special commemoration. After two years of being unable to commemorate together due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s wonderful to be here together tonight in freedom. To feel that sense of connection and to be able to express it together.

Freedom and solidarity. Two words that are easy to say, but not to be taken for granted. The past two years have demanded a great deal from many of you. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought conflicts to the surface in our personal lives, within families, and among groups of friends, resulting in rifts in personal relationships. Personal autonomy over our own lives and the collective interest in public health measures did not always seem compatible. Society tended to focus more on differences than on common ground. Fortunately, we’re also seeing many examples where new connections have been forged. Neighbors who’ve gotten to know one another, look out for one another more, and have supported one another during the COVID-19 pandemic. I hope we continue to maintain this sense of connection with one another in our neighborhoods and communities.

For two years, we saw each other much less in person—only through a screen. During that time, opinions also became more digital. Views were presented as facts, and the room for nuance grew ever smaller. A low point was the comparison between the implementation of COVID-19 measures and the regime during World War II. Any comparison made to World War II is sickening and completely out of place. The horrors that took place back then are beyond the comprehension of any right-thinking person and cannot be described in words. The Holocaust must never, ever be downplayed. And the ultimate sacrifice made by so many for our freedom must never, ever be forgotten. Thanks to them, we are here today and live in freedom.

That freedom and freedom of speech are among the most important fundamental rights of our democratic constitutional state. The sign that we live in freedom is that, for the past 77 years, we have had the freedom to share our opinions with one another every day and to be allowed to disagree. This freedom does, however, go hand in hand with an awareness of responsibility—that not just anything can be said. Freedom does not mean living without rules, or living under as few rules as possible. Rather, it is about the way in which the rules are established. The laws and rules we have established together make us freer, because the democratic rule of law provides legal certainty and equality before the law for everyone. We must work together to safeguard and protect the boundaries of our rule of law, day after day. Only then can we continue to live together in freedom.

The fact that freedom is not a given in all European countries is painfully evident from the presence of Ukrainian refugees throughout the Netherlands, including in Voorschoten. For weeks now, private households have been taking in Ukrainian refugees into their own homes, entirely selflessly. This also applies to the sisters at Huize Bijdorp, who were ready to help when we asked them for assistance. And as of this week, refugees are also being housed at the “ town hall.” Part of the “ town hall ” has been converted into temporary housing, thanks to a great deal of support and assistance from the community. What a sense of solidarity there is in the Voorschoten community that we are doing this together. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of people fleeing a war in their homeland.

Zlata has beautifully and vividly depicted the connection between Voorschoten and Ukraine in a painting featuring an angel wearing a dress in the “ colours ” of the Dutch flag, with the coat of arms of Voorschoten incorporated into the balloon. The background is entirely in the “ colours ” of the Ukrainian flag.

Zlata and Emilia will be here tonight. They will place a floral arrangement in the “ colours ” of the Ukrainian flag at our war memorial. Our war memorial, which also offers these children comfort and support at this point in their lives, during the dark times they are facing.

The sense of community in our society is palpable and evident at this May 4 commemoration. Many of you are here tonight. Over the past few weeks, schools have been discussing World War II, including in the 8th-grade class at the Nutsschool. Two weeks ago, I gave a guest lecture during which we spoke openly with one another about many aspects of life. Lauren Croes and Pascal Hendriksen recited their impressive poem, and together with Yuna Feitsma and Valin Veenhof, I laid the first wreath. Sam van der Mark and Maila L’Abee will lay flowers on behalf of the Nutsschool in a moment. I want to thank you all for this.

We are gathered here together in the presence of our veterans, who are forming the honor guard. The veterans in full dress uniform symbolize our commitment to international peace, freedom, and security. You know better than anyone that freedom cannot be taken for granted. It was won through struggle, and lives were lost in the process. Thank you for all your dedication and for being here tonight.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,

During the two minutes of silence, I always think of my grandfather—just as I did a moment ago. Like many men of his generation, my grandfather fought against the Germans in World War II. He didn’t come out of it unscathed, mentally speaking. During these May days, his war trauma would always resurface. I remember one time when my grandparents were staying with us; my grandfather burst into my bedroom in the middle of the night and warned me that the Germans were coming. He imagined himself back in the midst of World War II. In the foxhole where he’d spent days, and when he emerged, he saw his comrades lying on the ground and hanging from trees. That night, my father literally had to beat him awake and put him under a very cold shower to pull him out of that war mindset.

I’m realizing more and more that war always leaves a mark on people, and that this is passed down from generation to generation. It’s important that we continue to tell and share these stories with one another, so that we never forget our history.

With a new war in Europe, we realize once again how fortunate we are to be able to live in a free and safe country. Freedom and solidarity cannot be taken for granted; we must work to uphold them every day and pass them on to future generations. Let’s cherish that and celebrate it together tomorrow.

Thank you for your attention.

colours. What do these mean in our lives? How do colours make us feel? We are commemorating a pitch-black period in our shared history—a period without color. But today, the power of colours is more present than ever. We are celebrating the fact that we are here together. At Buitenplaats Berbice. In freedom. We commemorate and celebrate together. From and in color. Because there is so much to be grateful for.

Welcome to the second year that Keti Koti is taking center stage in Voorschoten as well. How special is that? An afternoon all about storytelling, getting to know different cultures, and learning more about our shared history. And yes, it’s also about enjoying good food, of course! Because heri heri is a must—it simply can’t be left out.

July 1, 1873

Keti Koti, broken chains. When you think about the meaning of those words, you can’t help but fall silent.

Keti Koti takes us back to July 1, 1863, when King William III formally abolished slavery in Suriname and the Caribbean islands. In reality, however, this did not happen until ten years later, on July 1, 1873. That is therefore the day that is being commemorated and celebrated in more and more places.

Leiden 2023

Two years ago, when I experienced my first Keti Koti in Leiden, I was deeply impressed. That was because of what I saw and heard during the commemoration and celebration. My mind was racing. Yes, I knew about that period in our history, but to really reflect on it… No, not really.

Voorschoten 2024

On my bike ride back from Leiden, two things happened: in my head, I was writing the August 2023 column, and I realized that I held the key to bringing about change here in Voorschoten. The rest is history, because that visit to Leiden—where I met Ringold and Joan, who was the first to respond to my column—led to where we are today.

That’s how I got to talk with residents of Surinamese and Antillean descent. I felt such warmth during those conversations. They shared so many stories with me. As I mentioned here last year, sometimes you only have to go back two generations to reach a history of slavery. I know this from my own personal circle. I am deeply grateful to be part of that very loving family.

These remarkable residents not only shared their personal stories; they also rolled up their sleeves to work together to put on a memorable first edition of Keti Koti. And memorable it certainly was. I still vividly remember the moving speeches, the beautiful music, the delicious food, and the dance group’s colorful costumes.

I am so proud that we now have the beginnings of a tradition of organizing Keti Koti in Voorschoten as well. It took us 150 years to take this step together.

Workshop and Exhibition 2025

This year, we’re also hosting two additional activities as part of Keti Koti. Last Wednesday afternoon, artist Wonny Stuger led a workshop at the library for children ages 8 to 12, complete with festive treats such as cornstarch cookies, coconut macaroons, and Surinamese syrup. The children each created their own painting inspired by the themes of freedom, joy, living together, and human rights.

What a wonderful initiative! The kids created some amazing paintings. The children knew so much about this period—it really surprised me. I realized that we’re doing exactly what’s needed: telling stories and passing on knowledge to the next generation. In 20 or 30 years, it will be up to them to ensure that this annual commemoration and celebration continues.

On Wednesday evening, I had the honor of opening the exhibition “Freedom Through Color,” also at the library. In addition to Wonny’s paintings, the exhibition features works by visual artist Djon Louis Seedorf and jewelry designer Nathalie Noslin. It really struck a chord with me. I saw colorful works that, to me, radiate courage, hope, fear, and resilience. It’s intense and remarkable what color can do.

Thank you

I’m going to wrap things up, because an impressive programme is still waiting for you. I’d like to conclude by thanking the team at Buitenplaats Berbice. Thank you very much for once again opening your doors—or rather, your cast-iron gates—to us. A huge thank you also goes to the Keti Koti Voorschoten committee. Ana, Gracia, Joan, Ringold, Stan, and Sylvana, you really went above and beyond to make this gathering a success. Thanks to your dedication and energy, we’re enjoying a colorful afternoon together here, in freedom, that we’ll always remember.

Thank you very much.

Ladies and gentlemen. Members of the Keti Koti Voorschoten Committee. Welcome to Buitenplaats Berbice. Welcome to the very first Keti Koti commemoration and celebration in Voorschoten. The fact that so many of you are here speaks volumes.

Keti Koti, “Chains Broken.” On July 1, 1863, a dark period in Dutch history officially came to an end. Slavery was abolished by law in Suriname and the Caribbean islands, which were then still colonies of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. But even after abolition, those who had been enslaved were forced to continue working on the plantations for another ten years. This was done to limit the financial impact of this measure on the plantation owners. Just saying this out loud gives me goosebumps. How is that even possible? On July 1, 1873, slavery finally ceased to exist.

In more and more places across the Netherlands, we are coming together to reflect on our history of slavery—our shared past. Remembering, commemorating, and building connections are of great importance. This makes it a “ acknowledgement ” of our shared history.

Keti Koti in Voorschoten

Last year I was in Leiden. My first Keti Koti. That gathering left a deep impression on me. And for me, it was perhaps the first time I truly became aware of our history of slavery—of the unimaginable suffering inflicted over the course of 200 years. What baffles me more and more every day is the long silence surrounding this period of our history. In school, the history of slavery was nothing more than a footnote in the history books. As if it had nothing to do with us. It has long been said that slavery is a sensitive topic. How can a topic be sensitive if everyone agrees that slavery is an evil that must be eradicated? The more I read about our history of slavery and speak with descendants, the more questions I have. The more I wonder just how deaf and blind we must have been at the same time by systematically ignoring this part of our history.

As I was biking from Leiden to Voorschoten after the Keti Koti gathering, a sense of shame came over me. But I also felt a calling—a calling for our generation to ensure that these stories are told. My column on this topic prompted residents to reach out to me about it. They shared their stories with me—stories of history and how it resonates among residents with Surinamese and/or Antillean backgrounds. They also told me that sometimes you only have to go back two generations to encounter the legacy of slavery. During these conversations, which I found inspiring, we collectively arrived at the theme of this gathering: connection—sharing stories with one another and getting to know and understand our history better.

This acknowledgement can only make us stronger as a society.

Berbice and Its History of Slavery

The location we’re at today wasn’t chosen by chance. Here in Voorschoten as well—including here at Berbice—the history of slavery plays a role in our local history.

The Berbice country estate has been known as Allemansgeest for centuries. Since the^17th century, Allemansgeest has been owned by merchant families from Leiden and Amsterdam. At that time, a great deal of money was spent on country estates of this kind.

In the^18th century, Allemansgeest came into the hands of various colonial entrepreneurs and administrators. Among other things, they owned coffee and sugar plantations. They were therefore also involved in the buying and selling of enslaved people.

The Atlantic colonies continued to grow in the^18th century. Take Suriname and present-day Guyana, for example. The colony of Berbice is also located here. And the colony of Berbice, too, developed during that time into a centre for sugar production. But it was also a hub for the slave trade. Exploitation.

In 1822, Catharina Kip and plantation owner Hendrik Staal became the new owners of the Allemansgeest country estate. They met in the Berbice colony. There, they made their fortune—and found love. They chose to replace the centuries-old name Allemansgeest with Berbice. And that is how this country estate came to have its current name—a name inextricably linked to the history of slavery in the Netherlands.

Echoes

The echoes of our history of slavery resonate in our present day in every possible way. The sound and color of these echoes are, of course, different for everyone. In my personal life, those echoes are there, too. I am in the fortunate position of having been welcomed by the dearest people in my life into a true Antillean family—with all the customs, traditions, and stories that go along with it. The stories are told—how could it be otherwise?—while we eat (and cook) together. Heri heri, the dish that will be served here shortly, is more than familiar to me. But plantains and cassava are also prepared frequently. Echoes of my family, where the history of slavery was just two generations ago. A family where life is celebrated every day.

Connection

Connection and a shared history—that is what brings us together here today. And also learning from one another. I, too, am still learning every day. I recently read the impressive book by Janice Deul, who is also here today. I’d like to quote a short passage from her book:

“To bring about big change, you often have to start small. That means focusing on our immediate surroundings—on the people in our own village or city, with whom we have to live side by side 365 days a year.”

How proud a mayor can be that we have taken this step today in Voorschoten, together. Thank you to Buitenplaats Berbice for making it possible for us to be here today. For ensuring that Berbice’s story is told. I would like to thank the members of the Keti Koti Voorschoten committee from the bottom of my heart for their tireless dedication. Without their input, their explanations, and their energy, this gathering would not have been possible.

Today we reflect on our past and look together toward our shared future. What a special day it is today.

Thank you for your attention.

And to the rest of you, ladies and gentlemen, in whatever capacity you may be here today, we greatly appreciate that you have accepted our invitation and are here to add to the splendor of this occasion.

So said Mayor Vernède 100 years ago at the opening of the Moederhuis. Did you know that this mayor held office for 41 years? Almost as long as Mayor Treub, who served for no less than 46 years in the mid-19th century. I promise you, I won’t go that far!

Welcome

Dear former mayors, Ms. Verver, Mr. Staatsen, Ms. Bouvy, and Mr. Aptroot; newlyweds; council members; and administrators. A warm welcome to the celebration of “100 Years of Moederhuis.” How wonderful that we are able to mark this anniversary with so many distinguished guests! And with that, welcome to the start of Open Monument Day. The Moederhuis is one of the many gems in our municipality that are opening their doors today.

Background

100 Years of Moederhuis. What actually led up to that?

On October 15, 1926, Mayor Vernède delivered an opening speech. The *Leidsch Dagblad* reported on it. The next day, we read the following in the newspaper:

Around 1900, the council met at the Ambachtshuis, a very unremarkable building. To reach the meeting room, one had to navigate a very perilous journey—up and down stairs—only to finally arrive in a room devoid of any decoration. Moreover, this room had to be shared with other associations and the art school.

But according to the *Leidsch Dagblad*, the * executive board * and its officials fared much worse a century ago. The article continues:

Compared to the building where the administrative work was carried out, the Ambachtshuis was a palace. What is now Mr. C. Grundeken’s stable and slaughterhouse used to be the secretary’s office. Not a single ray of sunlight ever entered the room, and it was very cold and damp. The mayor had a small cubicle as his office, and when two people were inside to speak with him, there was no room to move back and forth.

So something really needed to be done. But just as residents and council members sometimes complain these days that projects take too long to get off the ground, things were no different 100 years ago. Between 1900 and 1924, there were some improvements, but people still had to make do.

Proposal to the Council

In 1924, Voorschoten had a population of 4,500. By then, the “ town hall ” was housed in a building on Voorstraat that had become too small. Next to it stood the old municipal school. Everyone agreed that the building was no longer fit for purpose, especially since the so-called “special schools” did, in fact, have magnificent buildings.

executive board drew strength from this to submit a proposal to the council, which was known for being frugal. The plan called for a new public elementary school, a town hall, and a gymnasium.

Leidsch Dagblad

On July 31, 1924, the *Leidsch Dagblad* reported on the meeting at which the proposal was discussed. The meeting began with a few other agenda items.

The board of the Queen Wilhelmina Association had requested a grant for the children’s party on September 2. The council decided to award 300 guilders. Apparently, the “VRSN Under 18” youth festival isn’t as original as we thought …

The swimming pool was also discussed. The bathhouse was asked to pay between 225 and 250 guilders to install a mixing valve, as several users had complained about the uneven water temperature. After some discussion regarding its proper functioning, the council decided to proceed with the purchase.

After a few more items on the agenda, the chairperson—in the words of the *Leidsch Dagblad*—announced the main course on the menu: the decision to establish a town hall and a public elementary school, as well as the purchase of land.

Just as is customary these days—and as it should be—there was discussion about each of the three points. Why is the school being built behind the town hall? Isn’t there a smaller, less expensive piece of land available? Aren’t the children too noisy?

But in the end, the council reached a positive decision, and the chair expressed the hope that it would have a favorable outcome and benefit the municipality.

Implementation

The total cost was 180,000 guilders. For the youngest readers: that’s 82,000 euros. The commission to design the new “ town hall ” went to Willem Verschoor, an architect from The Hague.

At the opening in 1926, Mayor Vernède thanked the architect for the harmonious collaboration and the great simplicity of the result. The contractor also received praise. I’ll quote the Leidsch Dagblad from October 16, 1926, once again:

It is with great joy that the speaker can report that not a single accident occurred and no strike broke out. Everything went off without a hitch. Praise and thanks to those humble people who helped bring this building to fruition.

I also don't want to withhold from you Mayor Vernède's remarks to the council:

A positive spirit has always prevailed in the old council chamber—a spirit of cooperation and appreciation. I hope that this spirit will carry over to this new chamber, and that, under God’s indispensable and gracious blessing, the interests of the Voorschoten congregation will be served for its growth and prosperity.

First Meeting

On October 25, 1926, the first meeting was held in the new council chamber. Just as today, there were three aldermen. The council was, of course, smaller; it had eleven members at the time—all of whom were men, mind you. How different the gender ratio is today.

What kinds of topics did they discuss? For example, the agenda included a request from the Dutch Agricultural Society to be provided with a meeting space. There were also requests for contributions to the Christian secondary school in Leiden, the regional civil defense committee, and the Roman Catholic association for maternity care. Other agenda items included the electricity ordinance, the budget, and exemptions from school fees.

I was going to say: nothing new under the sun. But aside from the budget, these agenda items do sound a bit exotic in this day and age.

Silver Factory

Ladies and gentlemen, 100 years have passed. Once again, a major change is on the horizon. After the summer of 2028, we will be moving to the Zilverfabriek. We are still in active discussions with the council and our community partners about the future of the Mother House. But it is clear that the Mother House will always remain an integral part of our community, just like the AB House.

Today, we’ll share with one another what the motherhouse has meant to us over the past few decades—from joyful weddings and unforgettable visitors to late-night meetings and the difficult war years.

Former Mayors

As I mentioned earlier, I find it truly remarkable that we are able to welcome so many former mayors at once to the opening of this exhibition.

When Mayor Cannegieter took office here in 1980, our finances were barely in order. He succeeded in turning Voorschoten into a municipality with a balanced budget. Mayor Cannegieter let us know that, to his regret, he is unable to attend this opening. But he sent us his best wishes for—and I quote— “a successful celebration of the centennial of the building where I had the pleasure of working for 20 years.”

Mayor Verver was our village’s first female mayor. I think that in those years, Voorschoten was particularly captivated by the world around us. Dear Wilma, you started here barely three weeks after 9/11. We’ll never forget the 2004 tsunami either. Fortunately, there were also some funny moments. Who among you still remembers what “ding flof bips” means? That’s right—the twelve countries that switched to the euro in 2002.

Mayor Staatsen, dear Jeroen, during your tenure, Voorschoten faced financial setbacks, and we saw how administrative tasks became increasingly complex, such as with the “ social domain ” and the “ Omgevingswet.” In 2013, we decided to collaborate with Wassenaar in the “Werkorganisatie Duivenvoorde.” As we now know, the partnership did not last, but you championed an independent Voorschoten. Moreover, during your term in office, we ranked tenth among the best municipalities to live in!

Dear Pauline, during your tenure, we celebrated the 20th edition of the Voorschoten Weekend. During those years, we also worked on preparing special projects that we are now thoroughly enjoying, such as Het Fortuyn van Voorschoten and the Duivenvoorde Corridor. Sadly, illness forced you to end the further implementation of your plans prematurely. I am incredibly grateful that you are here.

Starting in May 2020, Charlie Aptroot served as acting mayor for a year. It was anything but an easy year, as we were hit by the COVID-19 crisis and decided to end our partnership with Wassenaar. Dear Charlie, it remains a honour that I was able to take over the mayoral chain from you—now more than five years ago. It was a special ceremony. Thank you for all your help, support, and for always being there to listen at the start of my tenure as mayor. The fact that I can still call you anytime means a great deal to me. Thank you so much for everything!

Exhibition Opens

Ladies and gentlemen, we are now going to open the exhibition “100 Years of Moederhuis,” which also marks the start of Open Monument Day in Voorschoten. A big thank you to the couples who contributed to the exhibition—be sure to listen to the podcast as well—and to everyone who helped bring all of this beauty to life. I hope you enjoy seeing everything on display. Thank you very much.

It is with great pleasure that I invite the former mayors of Voorschoten to come forward so that we can jointly open the exhibition “100 Years of Moederhuis.”

[Cutting the ribbon]

We hereby declare the exhibition “100 Years of Moederhuis” open.

Dear attendees,

A warm welcome to the opening of the “Definitely Not Today” action day. As mayor of Voorschoten and cyber mayor of the Hague region, I’m delighted that we’re gathered here today.

Cybercrime is everywhere

We live in an age in which an ever-increasing part of our daily lives takes place online. We do our banking digitally, we use social media, and we shop online. I do that myself, too, because, after all, it’s fun and incredibly convenient. But it also comes with certain risks.

Today’s message is clear: cybercrime is everywhere and affects us all. It’s no longer just someone else’s problem. People fall victim to it every day. That’s why we can no longer ignore this issue. It’s more relevant than ever, and taking action now is crucial.

Collaboration

What makes this day of action so powerful is the collaboration. Municipalities, the police, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, libraries, educational institutions, businesses, and numerous other organizations involved. Each plays its own role, but all share a common goal: to make people more digitally resilient and prevent online crime.

Young People

When we talk about urgency, we need to focus, for example, on young people. For them, the digital world isn’t just an addition—it’s a natural part of their daily lives. They learn there, meet friends there, and develop their identities there.

But that is precisely where the risks lie—such as fake news, cyberbullying, and online abuse. This entails a significant responsibility—for parents, but certainly also for us as the government and our partners. It is up to us to support young people and their parents so that they are not only active online but also safe online.

People with lower digital literacy and small and medium-sized enterprises

In addition to the risks faced by young people, we see the vulnerability of residents with limited digital skills. They fall victim to, for example, fake police officers or online scammers. But consider small and medium-sized businesses as well: a target group that can sometimes be difficult to reach, yet remains an attractive target for ransomware groups and criminals.

A Day of Action

Young people, those with limited digital skills, and small and medium-sized businesses. These are all groups that, in their own way, face an increased risk of becoming victims of online crime. This makes it all the more important that we work together on this today.

This requires action on our part as a government and as partners—to support people, share knowledge, and strengthen digital skills—so that everyone, young and old, individuals and business owners, can better protect themselves.

This day of action is therefore not just a day for talking, but above all a day for taking action—a day for raising awareness, taking concrete steps, and supporting one another. Every contribution counts.

Conclusion

Let’s send a clear message together today. That we do not tolerate online crime. That we’re working together. And that we’re taking action.

I wish you all an inspiring and wonderful day of action. Thank you in advance for your dedication and commitment. Because when it comes to online crime, we all say together:

No way, not today!

Thank you very much.

Introduction

This [the mayor shows a childhood photo in PowerPoint] is what I looked like when I was about your age. In this photo, I’m seventeen and have just received my high school diploma. My mother was a hairdresser and my father was a police officer. They were both used to rolling up their sleeves and getting things done. So to them, it was obvious that I would work just as hard.

The most important lesson my mother taught me was to never let anything or anyone hold me back—especially not my speech impediment. I stutter.

I struggled with it whenever I had to give a presentation in class. Even buying a loaf of bread felt terrifying to me. That’s why my mother sent me to the bakery every day to buy a “half gesneden bruin”—words that started with letters that were particularly difficult for me.

At home, I always had to answer the phone. That was almost as unpleasant as ordering bread. But it taught me to be strong and to build confidence. And over time, I became convinced that I could become anything I wanted.

Talking about politics

Throughout my working life, my father was my greatest role model. In addition to his job as a police officer, he also served as a council member in Voorburg and was a member of the Provincial Council.

I also have an uncle, Bram—the one on the right with the cigar—who once served as Minister of Defense. So at home, we were always talking about politics.

Talking about politics—isn't that boring?

No, because the more you learn about it, the more interesting it becomes. And it’s not just something that happens in The Hague, or in your own hometown, or in your country’s capital. Politics belongs to all of us. It’s about your school, your home, your job, the safety net you rely on if you’re out of work, the environment—and so on. Of course you’d want a say in those matters!

So it didn’t surprise anyone that I went to study Public Administration in Leiden and joined a political party while I was still in college.

What did surprise my family and friends was that, four years ago, I ran for mayor. Would I have the patience for such a role? But even to my own surprise, I won the election. The first person I called was my mother. She was so proud, and so happy that she was able to witness it. A little later, I called Uncle Bram. He was completely speechless.

Being a mayor

And that is how I came to be standing here today as Mayor of Voorschoten. It is such a pleasure and a special honor to speak to you. Thank you for having me! And now you understand why I’m nervous about giving a speech in English.

Why did I want to become mayor so much? Because as mayor, you can make a real difference in people’s lives. Whether you’re a refugee from Ukraine, celebrating your 60th wedding anniversary, or visiting City Hall with your classmates to learn about democracy—as mayor, I can give you the attention you deserve.

Of course, I can’t do everything on my own. But I can help put important issues on the agenda and make sure things get done. Take, for example, the upcoming Candlelight Evening next week at Rosenburgh Memorial Park. In a special atmosphere, we gather to remember loved ones who have passed away. Or consider the flowerbed of white carnations behind our town hall, created to honor all military veterans living in Voorschoten.

Another topic that comes up often these days is participation. Residents should have the opportunity to contribute their ideas to what we do in Voorschoten—even though it will always be a matter of balancing interests.

We simply cannot grant every request. First, because there isn’t enough money. And second, because there isn’t enough space. Which is more important, for example: building new homes, or preserving green spaces? Politics always comes down to making choices—to give and take.

Village of Volunteers

Give and take… In today’s world, it’s clear that we aren’t treating each other the best we can.

Recently, I had the honor of lighting the fire for our Liberation Day celebrations, marking eighty years of freedom in the Netherlands. Yet we are unable to end the wars raging around us. We provide humanitarian aid and weapons, we hold demonstrations, we summon ambassadors—but nothing seems to work.

We are at a loss, especially in an era when you would think that everything is technically and organizationally possible. An era in which we owe it to future generations to safeguard a stable world—one in which everyone can live, work, study, play sports, and enjoy life.

That is why you chose the theme of this conference so well: “Harnessing humanity’s potential for an ethical future.” In other words: how can we use humanity’s enormous potential to create a future built on justice, inclusiveness, sustainability, and moral responsibility?

Sitting here today, it may seem like an impossible task. The world is far too big, and our individual influence far too small. But that doesn’t mean we can just let things take their course. It means we must do whatever we can. What can I do, what can you do—right here in your own hometown? And above all: what can we do together?

If I had to describe our town in four words, they would be: Voorschoten, a village of volunteers. Whatever we do, whatever we face—we do it together, without immediately asking for money.

Train accident

You may have heard about the train accident that occurred two and a half years ago, just eight hundred meters from here. On April 4, 2023, at 3:30 a.m., a freight train and a passenger train collided with a construction crane. The crane operator died, and thirty people were injured.

More than two hundred professional emergency responders rushed to Voorschoten, but our own volunteer fire department was the first to arrive. And the residents living along the railroad tracks opened their doors in the middle of the night to stranded passengers. The fire department and those neighbors put Voorschoten on the map as a town of volunteers—not just in the Netherlands, but around the world.

Another topic in which volunteers play a key role—and which I’m sure is also important to you—is sustainability. To make our town greener and more climate-resilient, we organize meetings and share initiatives. We even participate in a competition to replace as many garden pavers as possible with plants.

A Life on Our Planet

I recently watched *A Life On Our Planet* on Netflix—the life story of the famous British naturalist David Attenborough. In this beautiful hour-and-a-half-long documentary, he explains why it’s so important to take good care of our world, but also why, fortunately, it’s not too late for us to save our planet together. So if you have Netflix—add *A Life On Our Planet* to your list!

Democracy

Back to Voorschoten, the village of volunteers. Every September, we celebrate the Weekend of Voorschoten. The entire town center is filled with booths run by volunteers, who tell visitors about all the activities in our community—from the petting zoo and the soccer club to Rotary and the public library.

You'll also find booths set up by political parties. You can imagine how important those are to me. Because in addition to all the other wonderful things we do together, there's something else we must do: we must defend our democracy.

There is no better system than democracy. Democracy is the tool we need to change the world we currently live in. And it starts with elections.

In most countries, you can vote for the first time at age eighteen. Many of you are not yet old enough. But this brings me to the most important message I want to share with you today:

If you're eligible to vote — take responsibility and go vote!

The right of everyone to vote

When you turn sixteen or eighteen and your first voter registration card arrives in your mailbox, remember two things:

One — make sure your dog doesn't run off with it!

And second—think back to today. Think about what we discussed. Seize the opportunity to vote with both hands. Even if you have a hundred other things to do, even if it’s pouring rain, or if there’s a long line at the polling station. Because that single mark on the ballot is where democracy—and a better future for all of us—begins.

Remember, too, that people fought hard for everyone’s right to vote. It is not something to be taken for granted. We owe it to them to go to the polls every time and make our voices heard. And we owe it to ourselves to protect democracy with everything we have.

Three Lessons

I’m almost at the end of my speech. What else would I like to leave you with? What does the world need, and what can you contribute? To quote David Attenborough:

“We need more than intelligence—we need wisdom.”

You’re certainly intelligent—otherwise you wouldn’t be here today. My hope for you is that, as you finish school and move on to your next studies, you’ll also develop life wisdom—wisdom that will allow you to make a difference in the lives of others.

The first thing you need for that is a positive mindset. Look ahead. If you keep looking back, you won’t see what lies ahead. Don’t be afraid of being laughed at. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes.

Second: think for yourself. Of course, be wary of fake news. But above all, don’t let yourself be swayed by the noise from others, especially on social media. Trust your own common sense. Question everything you see and hear. Don’t just accept someone else’s opinion.

And third—perhaps the most important of all: find like-minded, wise young people to walk alongside, just as you are doing here today. Debate with one another; discuss the dilemmas we face. Always respect each other’s beliefs and opinions, no matter how strongly they may clash with your own.

Only by working together can you build a better future—for yourself, your family and friends, your neighbors, and our world.

Thank you very much.

What a fantastic few days of horse-related events it was! One of the most beautiful and longest-standing traditions in Voorschoten. With a horse market that has been around for more than 800 years and a short-track trotting race that has been held more than 100 times, we can safely say that horses and Voorschoten are inextricably linked—in the past, present, and future.

The centuries-old horse market features many traditional elements and symbols, such as the arrival of the horses in the early morning. This year, I wanted to see for myself how that works. So there I was, walking through the “ centre ” at 5:00 a.m. Those who know me a little know that this isn’t necessarily my favorite time of day. But I’m so glad I did it! It was really nice to soak up the atmosphere in the village so early in the morning. I also got a cup of coffee from the guys at the Wapen who were coming off the night shift, and we agreed that I’d come by that evening to pour them a beer...

Just because something is a tradition doesn’t mean nothing has changed. 800 years ago, the world looked very different. And no, certainly not better. The horse market was originally a true trade market, as we know them from that era. Livestock, intended for slaughter, was traded. The concept of animal welfare was unknown at that time. How different things are now. And thank goodness! The trade market of 800 years ago, with its widespread animal suffering, has evolved into a “ markt ” where the folkloric character takes center stage, with full attention paid to the horses’ well-being. Trade now plays a very minor role. It has become a family morning out.

It is precisely these changes that have ensured that, 800 years later, we are still standing together at our horse market. I would like to thank the Voorschoten Horse Market Committee—in its current composition, as well as all previous committees—for their dedication to preserving this tradition by being willing to adapt along with the times. This year, for example, a number of significant changes were implemented to take important steps, particularly in the area of animal welfare. That was necessary. It’s important that we did this together. These changes are here to stay, and in the coming years we will take the next steps to further develop the family-friendly and folkloric character of the horse market, so that in 800 years, our successors will still be standing here at our horse market.

These fantastic horse days are only possible thanks to the dedication of many volunteers, the Horse Market and Kortebaandraverij committees, our first-aid responders, and the many helping hands who pitched in. Thanks also to our special enforcement officers, who were already hard at work at 4:00 a.m. to have quite a few cars towed away so the horse market could take place. Thanks also to the police, especially the animal welfare unit, who were on standby for us all day, evening, and night. And, of course, to the business owners who turned the evenings into a huge celebration. Thank you all! Here’s to Horse Days 2027!

This is already the last column before summer vacation begins. Just a few more weeks of hard work at the office or at school, and then hopefully you and I can enjoy a well-deserved vacation. Here at town hall , we’re also looking forward to the summer break. The elections, the launch of the new municipal council , and the formation of the executive board have been an intense period for everyone involved. It’s good to take a step back from the daily grind and recharge. 

There is also sadness, just before the summer recess. We are shocked by the unexpected passing of formerAlderman , and council member René Zoetemelk. This is a loss for our village. René was Voorschoten. His many stories, photos, and political legacy will always remain with us. I wish Wilma, Dewi, and all his loved ones and friends much strength in the days ahead. 

A few weeks ago, the “ municipal council ” made a special decision: the “ town hall ” is moving from Leidseweg 25 to the Zilverfabriek, the iconic and historic building that everyone sees when driving to Leiden or entering Voorschoten. This building carries so much history and is so closely connected to our village. We will not only house the municipal administration there, but also “Voorschoten Voor Elkaar” and the “ centre ” for Youth and Family. We expect to begin renovating and making the building more sustainable by the end of the year, so that we can open the doors of the new “ town hall ” after the summer of 2028. 

Over the past few months, I’ve been thinking a lot about my future. I’ve had the privilege of serving as your mayor for five years now. From the very first day, I felt welcome in Voorschoten, and it has increasingly become my home. Being part of our wonderful community, with a dedicated civil service and excellent administrative collaboration, gives me a great deal of energy. 

I am proud of what we have achieved together for Voorschoten over the past few years. Many wonderful things have happened, but we have also experienced sad and profound moments—sometimes on an individual level, sometimes for the municipality as a whole, such as the train accident that remains etched in our memories. Being able to make a difference in people’s lives in any way makes me realize why I ever chose to work in public administration. 

All in all, it’s been five eventful years, for me personally as well. I owe a great deal of gratitude to my family for their unconditional support in every possible way. 

My term of office expires next May. I’m having such an incredible time in Voorschoten that I’ve let the King’s Commissioner and the Trust Committee know that I’d like to be considered for reappointment. As long as I’m allowed and able to do so, I’ll continue to do my best to perform the best job I’ve ever had to the best of my honour , and conscience fulfil. 

For now, I wish you a wonderful summer vacation. Although I’m sure we’ll see each other at the Horse Days at the end of July! 

During my many walks, I often listen to podcasts on a wide variety of topics. It depends a bit on my mood which ones I choose to listen to. Lately, the podcasts about the case against Ali B have caught my attention. As soon as new episodes were posted online, I made sure to listen to them first.

No, I’m not going to comment on the case here or express an opinion on the judge’s ruling. That’s not my place. I’ll just say what I always say: once the law has spoken, we must respect it. That is our democratic constitutional state, which we must cherish. Regardless of the personal feelings that always arise in connection with court rulings.

I want to talk to you about the uncomfortable reality I was forced to confront while listening to those podcasts. It’s not an easy topic for me, but I, too, am now taking a step forward. After 11 years, it’s high time. I, too, was the victim of a sexual assault back then. Well, that’s out in the open. Why didn’t I share this sooner? I fear it’s (or was) a profound sense of shame. The question that probably every woman asks herself—“How did I let this happen?”—is one I’ve asked myself perhaps 1,000 times.

It happened to me all of a sudden, without any warning signs, without me seeing it coming. In that moment, I froze. Literally. That also had to do with the setting in which it took place. I reacted then the way many women do: say nothing, to no one. Bottle it up. Stop thinking about it. Pretend it never happened. Only I was very lucky that there were witnesses. Several of them. They took action and brought the case to court. I then took the necessary legal steps and started talking about it. In my case, too, justice was served.

I have such admiration for the women who, despite everything they’ve had to endure, recently dared to step forward and have stood their ground. Right in the face of adversity. That takes an incredible amount of courage and perseverance.

While listening to the podcasts, my thoughts drifted back to that moment of mine a few times. The feeling of gratitude toward those who were there for me at the time is what stands out most.

All I can say to all the young girls and women who go through this is: don’t do what I did! But confide in someone right away. Tell them everything. Health for that supporting evidence, so you’ll be in a strong position in the event of a potential lawsuit. There’s absolutely no reason to feel ashamed—not at that moment, and not even 11 years later.

Have I ever told you how happy I am with our team of special investigative officers? In other words, BOAs/enforcement officers. I don’t think I have. So it’s about time!

There are, in fact, some persistent stereotypes and stories about our special enforcement officers that don’t match the facts. Here’s a small selection of the responses I get when I post something on social media or simply receive emails from people who want to voice their opinions: “We never see them,” “They’re never there when they’re supposed to be,” “All they do is stand around smoking,” “They never get out of their cars,” “They’re not worthy of their uniforms,” “Let them actually do some work for once,” “All they do is talk,” and so on.

Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, no matter how factually incorrect it may be. That’s a good reason to describe the other side of the coin for you in this column—to (try to) explain that, despite all the dedication shown by the special enforcement officers, it’s simply not possible for them to be present 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in every part of Voorschoten.

I think these perceptions arise in part because not everyone realizes just how broad and comprehensive the duties of the special enforcement officers are. Without claiming to be exhaustive, here’s a brief list of what they do: enforcing blue zone regulations, participating in integrated inspections, clearing away abandoned bicycles, supporting the police during incidents, participating in consultations with (social) partners, addressing disruptive behaviour, enforcing no-bicycle zones, holding walk-in office hours in the neighborhood, handling a wide variety of reports (not only factual but also administrative), working with the police to maintain public order during all festivities in our municipality, such as the Weekend of Voorschoten, the Sinterklaas parade, Horse Days, King’s Day and Night, and so on. And I could go on and on. Oh, and of course, our special enforcement officers also regularly attend training sessions and courses, and just like you and me, they’re entitled to vacation time.

So it’s really nice when I hear that our special enforcement officers are receiving compliments. Thanks to everyone who’s been saying that! As far as I’m concerned, those compliments are well-deserved. It’s great for the team to hear this kind of feedback. Is everything going well, then? No, definitely not. There’s always room for improvement. With you, with me, and therefore with the special enforcement officers as well. And we’re working hard on that. So I certainly hope you’ll continue to bring these issues to my attention.

The deployment of special enforcement officers is, and always will be, a matter of allocating scarce resources. We simply have too many tasks and incidents and not enough people to handle them. That’s true for every municipality, by the way. Within our available capacity, we do what we can and work hard together to keep Voorschoten safe. And when things go well… It’s okay to give a compliment!

The municipal elections are over. The voters have spoken. I hope that all the council candidates were able to relax a bit this past weekend, enjoy the sunshine, and spend some time with their families. It was an intense few weeks, but what a wonderful campaign we’ve all been through together. Weeks filled with debates on all kinds of topics that are so close to our hearts here locally. There was plenty of leafleting in the neighborhoods and lots of laughter among the participating parties. And that’s exactly how it should be.

No matter how great the substantive differences between the parties may be, the Voorschoten Municipal Council ( municipal council ) is characterized by good personal relationships and an excellent atmosphere. I hope that we can continue this governing culture over the next four years as well. It’s the tone that sets the mood, and the entire municipal administration (municipal council, aldermen, and mayor) is responsible for the tone that is set. After all, there is always a choice.

As mayor, I am proud of the voter turnout of approximately 66%. Wow! That’s well above the national average and much higher than in most other municipalities. I am grateful to all the volunteers who staffed the 18 polling places. It’s great that we also had a new generation of polling place staff this year. We hope that they’ll be willing to take on this important role in our democracy again in the next election fulfil.

I’m also proud of the administrative staff. Time and again, I’m amazed by how much work gets done. From setting up and taking down the polling stations and the ushers serving coffee and tea, to placing all the signs in public spaces, organizing the final debate and election night, issuing press releases and creating social media videos, all the way to counting every vote. And let’s not forget the core members of the election team, who—for the second time in five months—have pulled off a major feat by organizing the elections flawlessly. Kudos to all these helping hands!

I, too, took some time last weekend to (as they say) recharge my batteries. For me, that means going for walks, reading a book, chatting with friends, and yes, also cranking up the music and singing along shamelessly (sorry, neighbors …). There’s one song I’ve had on repeat for quite some time now, with these lyrics:

When I wake up by the grace of the morning
With the sun I rise, I fall, and I try again
So I get up when the rain keeps pouring
I keep my head held high and I know that I’ll rise again
By the grace of the morning

Tossing and turning. Watching the minutes tick away on the clock. Thoughts racing through your head that you can’t stop. Reliving events. Recurring dreams. Nightmares. Waking up drenched in sweat.

We’ve all been there—a sleepless night. It can happen to anyone from time to time. Fortunately, most people sleep well again the following night. However, a growing number of people suffer from chronic insomnia. The causes of this are varied. In this column, I want to discuss the sleepless nights experienced by our emergency service personnel (police, fire department, and military). The increase in the number of “ceiling shifts” (where you lie awake all night staring at the ceiling) that they are working.

The consequences of the increasingly violent incidents our emergency responders face are becoming more and more visible. The pressure on them is too great, leaving them with little or no time to process these profound and shocking (traumatic) events. This can lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Nightmares and vivid memories of events can make you feel so bad that it becomes almost impossible to carry out everyday activities. Think of doing fun things with the kids, meeting up with friends, going to the supermarket for groceries, spending time with your partner, and so on.

It’s all too much. It’s hard to imagine if you haven’t been confronted with this yourself (in whatever way). The Department of Defense has been addressing this issue for some time now, and fortunately, the police are also increasingly prioritizing the mental health of their officers. The decisions these men and women have to make in a fraction of a second—decisions that are often a matter of life and death—can only be made if you’re mentally healthy.

As of this month, there is finally a PTSD policy in place for our fire department. The policy makes no distinction between professional firefighters and volunteers. The acknowledgement of PTSD as an occupational disease within the fire department is a major step forward. It means acknowledging together that they, too—despite all the dedication they show to ensuring our safety—can be affected by PTSD. It is important that this be recognized at an early stage so that those affected can receive the right help. It is just as important to work in parallel on building mental resilience, so that the risk of PTSD is reduced. Thanks to the safety region, but also to our own municipal council , which has championed this cause!

Mental health has many facets, and I’ve highlighted just one of them here. Working night shifts is devastating, with serious consequences not only for the person involved but also for their family at home. If you see someone from the emergency services, why not ask them how they’re doing? That alone makes a huge difference to the men and women who are there for you and me 24/7.

In this first column of the new year, I’d like to wish you, of course, a wonderful and healthy 2026! May it be a year in which we can create and share many wonderful memories together. 

King Winter has arrived in our country. And we certainly felt it. The weeks of the Christmas break were full of winter surprises. How fun was that! During the last week of 2025, we were all hoping we could go ice skating on our very own Olympic-sized natural ice rink. Unfortunately, the freeze wasn’t quite long enough, and there wasn’t the required eight centimeters of ice. Our ice master did everything he could.

At IJshal de Vliet, our ice skating club let me take two trial lessons with the most fun Saturday morning skating group there is. You never really forget how to skate, but I did need to brush up on a few things, so to speak (to put it mildly). Thank you so much for letting me join. I had such a great time! 

During the first week of the new year, we were also treated to a generous layer of snow, which led to lots of fun in the snow. On my walks, I saw many kids sledding, building snowmen, and having snowball fights. How beautiful was that white world—which always feels magical to me—that we got to enjoy for a little while. 

Snow always causes disruptions, such as traffic problems. The streets in the neighborhood, in particular, are difficult to navigate. That’s just the way it is. But something very special happened in Voorschoten. Something we might take for granted, but it’s not. Our field services continued to operate “as usual.” Trash was collected on the scheduled days, the Christmas tree collection campaign went ahead as planned, we ensured there was enough road salt, and in the meantime, all main roads and bike paths were continuously cleared of ice and snow “as needed,” so that you and I—as well as emergency services—could get around reasonably well. This is unique! 

A big round of applause and a deep bow to our winter heroes on the field. Working 17 or 18 hours a day, 7 days a week! They pulled it off and were there for us. I’m so proud of this team! Thanks to all the residents for all the kind messages over the past few weeks in support of these amazing people. 

After all the snow-related fun, we almost forgot about it… New Year’s Eve. What a celebration it was in Voorschoten! Many of you were outside, bundled up and enjoying the company of family, friends, and neighbours , to toast the New Year. I was so glad that New Year’s Eve went relatively smoothly here. Because even that isn’t something to take for granted. And once again, the street maintenance crew was on hand to clean up the fireworks debris. Shall we send these heroes a card to thank them for all their hard work? 

The last month of the year has arrived. We’re getting ready for Christmas and New Year’s. December was always my mother’s and my month. Together, we eagerly looked forward to the holidays, the lights, Christmas shopping, and all the festive cheer. We went to the Christmas show at De Bosrand Garden Center countless times. But the real highlight was definitely Christmas Tree Setting-Up Day. We’d already plan the exact moment we’d put up the Christmas tree back in the summer.

The day had arrived, and as soon as my father left for work, we hopped in the car and headed to the Christmas tree vendor. True to tradition, the tree turned out to be a bit bigger than we’d expected. The car was way too small for the tree, and once we got home, we had to cut off a whole section of the trunk; otherwise, it would never have fit in the room. Of course, we did that with a bread knife—because why would you go out and buy a good saw just for that? … So there was half the tree already sitting with the bulky yard waste, even though Christmas hadn’t even started yet! But by the end of the day, there was always a fantastic tree again, decked out with lots of lights and Christmas ornaments full of sentiment. Like the ornaments that had belonged to my maternal grandmother and the ones my parents had bought together on their vacations.

Of course, we couldn't fool my father (the former police officer), and he always came home earlier than planned. Those hilarious moments from back then remain unforgettable, heartwarming memories to this day.

The first year I celebrated Christmas as a resident of Voorschoten was in 2022. My mother had passed away earlier that year, and suddenly there was no longer a “Christmas Tree Setting-Up Day.” I was so happy when Marjo, one of my dear neighbors, suggested we go pick out the Christmas tree together. I cried tears of gratitude. You see, Marjo is also my former neighbor from Voorburg. She knew my parents very well and instinctively sensed just how important this was to me. That’s how a new tradition was born, and I can’t tell you how happy I am about it. It’s just as Jelmer (her husband) so beautifully put it when I was sitting in their backyard for the first time after moving in: “It can’t be a coincidence that you ended up living here. Someone up above must have pulled some strings.”

Since 2022, I've been getting two Christmas trees. One big Christmas tree decorated with my ornaments, and a small Christmas tree decorated with my mom's ornaments, which I put in her favorite spot in my house.

It’s been a year of extremes for me. I’ve experienced so many wonderful things, but I’ve also lost a dear friend who passed away far too soon. If there’s one thing Onno taught us, it’s that you have to live life to the fullest. I’ve always admired the way he knew how to enjoy life, day after day. This Christmas, we’re raising a special toast to Onno.

A lot has changed for me personally, too. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for all the kind and wonderful comments I’ve received about my weight loss. Someone called it a transformation. That’s exactly how I experienced it. And I’m so happy about it! There are moments in life when all the pieces of the puzzle suddenly fall into place. That was certainly the case for me Sun. I hope to continue enjoying life for a long time to come, in good health, surrounded by all the wonderful people in my life. Without the unconditional support of my family and friends, I wouldn’t have been able to do it.

For now, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

Every eight days, a woman is murdered in the Netherlands. By far the majority of these murders are committed by a (former) partner or family member. I could stop writing this column right here. What more can I add to this statistic? What else can I say to emphasize that tackling femicide is essential? I am therefore glad that the first steps have been taken. It’s on the political agenda, funding has been allocated to address the issue, the “Stop Violence Against Women” petition has been signed by many mayors (including myself), and so on. And yet I find myself wondering: what now? How are we going to ensure that these measures aren’t just empty promises?

We talk about this among my group of friends, too. One of my very best friends said to me during a conversation: “If I hadn’t left him, I would have been one of these women.” That sentence really hit home for me. The cold, impersonal statistic suddenly took on a human face. And honestly, I had never consciously thought about it until that moment. At that very moment, the statistic took on another face for me—that of my mother. Her first marriage (before she married my father) had the same elements as my friend’s. Two strong, independent women. Different generations. Each from a different part of the country. Yet with a past that shares similarities. Neither of them filed a police report. What does that say about this statistic? Ultimately, they managed to escape that horrific situation and build a new, happy life. That wasn’t easy and involved a very long journey.

Together (men and women), we hold the key to tackling violence against women. It starts with recognizing the red flags. If your gut tells you that something isn’t right, it almost always is Sun. Violence against women doesn’t start with the first blow. It’s preceded by a long period of control, coercion, psychological abuse, and the severing of family and friendship ties, so that the victim feels they have nowhere else to turn.

On November 25, our country will be lit up in orange for “Orange the World.” In Voorschoten, too, our “ town hall ” will be illuminated in orange, and we’ll raise the flag. Femicide isn’t just an abstract word. It’s about our mothers, daughters, granddaughters, sisters, neighbors, and friends. It can happen to any woman. Let’s come together to let these women know that they’re not alone—that help is always available.

House of Cards, the transfer market, kindergarten… Just a few titles that crossed my mind while writing this column—today is October 21. What will be the focus of this column? It will, of course, be about the House of Representatives elections on October 29.

The optional titles already give you a bit of an idea. Over the past few days, weeks, months—two years, actually—I’ve been watching the political news with some bewilderment. And I don’t mean in terms of the content; it’s more about what was happening on the sidelines. I’ll admit it honestly: as a political news junkie, I really appreciated the remarkable openness about what was going on behind the scenes and the unusual dynamics between the party leaders and cabinet members. At the same time, as a public official, I was often overcome by a sense of vicarious embarrassment. I wondered what on earth we’re doing here. And above all: whether things will ever get back on track.

It came as no surprise that the cabinet wouldn’t make it to the finish line. Still, I had mixed feelings when the first push notifications about the cabinet’s collapse started coming in on my phone in early July. What was I supposed to make of it? Is this really the answer to all the legitimate concerns in society? We’re all longing for elected representatives who, as the term implies, truly represent us. Trust in politics, which was once high, has plummeted to an all-time low. Society needs a cabinet that governs the country stably for four years, tackles societal problems, takes people’s concerns seriously and acts on them, interacts professionally with one another, and makes decisions. That’s not asking for too much, is it? “Just do your job—that’s what you’re paid for,” my parents would say.

As I write this column, one of the many news programs is playing in the background, featuring one of the party leaders discussing yet another mid-election poll. We now know from past elections that pollsters are off by an average of about 30 to 40 seats. So it’s still anyone’s guess. Whatever the outcome may be, and whichever parties end up in the cabinet, ultimately everything hinges on people. After all, politics remains, first and foremost, a human endeavor. Are the newly elected members of parliament and the new cabinet members willing to truly work together, to rise above their differences, to prioritize the national interest, and to set aside their own egos? The behaviour of our political leaders influences our society. The tone and substance of the political debate matter. I hope for four “boring” years in national politics, where the substance takes center stage.

On the evening of the final political debate, I’m watching it with my friends. It promises to be a great evening with lots of (corny) humor, good company, and a table full of delicious (and above all, healthy!) snacks. It’s time to submit our final predictions for the election results. We toast to friendship and to our great-grandmothers! Because thanks to that generation’s struggle, our voices are heard. We gratefully exercise that right to vote every single time.

It can’t have escaped anyone’s notice. The world has changed. As geopolitical tensions rise, uncertainty is growing for all of us. Freedom and security can no longer be taken for granted. It is essential that we keep in mind that electricity, drinking water, and/or the internet could be disrupted, for whatever reason. That is why it is wise to prepare for a situation in which we must be able to fend for ourselves for 72 hours.

In the television program *Black-out* (available to watch on NPO Start), the scenario is that three provinces are without power due to a cyberattack on grid operator Stedin. The program’s creators offer a sobering glimpse into the consequences for society as a whole and for us as individuals. It’s not a question of whether a power outage will occur, but when it will happen. That is precisely why it’s so important for us as a society to be resilient and able to bounce back.

At the national level, significant efforts are already underway to strengthen our national security. For example, the government has stated that during a crisis, there must be an emergency support center within walking distance for everyone. Residents can go there to get the latest information, charge their devices using an emergency generator, report missing persons, or receive first aid. It’s up to local authorities to decide exactly where these emergency support centers will be located, but central locations such as fire stations are being considered. We can already be very happy to have our top-notch firefighters at the fire station!

At the local level, we will develop a business continuity plan in 2026 so that, as a municipality, we can be there for you again as quickly as possible even in the event of a crisis. We have also published a brochure to help you prepare for an emergency. The most important thing is: put together an emergency kit! Visit Health for more than enough long-lasting water and non-perishable food. Also, be sure to include a battery-powered radio so you can stay informed about government updates via Radio West’s emergency broadcast (on 89.3 FM). A flashlight and cash are also essential. You can find the brochure in all supermarkets, at the library, and on the web town hall.

I’m often asked if I’m worried or afraid. My answer is always a firm “no.” On the one hand, because—together with my colleagues, the safety region, and the relevant organizations—I’m doing everything I can at the municipal level to ensure that our community is prepared for a crisis situation. On the other hand, because I’m also personally prepared. I’ve got everything taken care of at home. I have an emergency kit, an emergency plan is in place, and arrangements have been made with my family.

To build a resilient society, we need everyone’s commitment. In addition to the national and local governments, we also need the commitment of you—as a resident, business owner, or community organization. The large-scale power outage in Spain and Portugal this past April underscored this once again. However, living in a village where neighborly solidarity reigns supreme, I have every confidence that we’ll be well prepared, even when things get really tough.

If you’d like to learn more, please visit www.voorschoten.nl/goed-voorbereid. There you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions and links to even more helpful websites, such as www.denkvooruit.nl and. If you have any ideas on how we can work together to further strengthen resilience, please let me know by sending a message to communicatie@voorschoten.nl. Together, we’ll work to strengthen resilience in Voorschoten!

Starting the day with a latte macchiato, enjoying the view of the beach in the sunshine with my loved ones around me, is the ideal way for me to begin a vacation day. No watch on my wrist, no schedule to dictate (and sometimes even restrict) my day, and no idea what the day will bring. I’ll be honest with you—I’m really looking forward to it! As I write this column, I’m just about to start my vacation. I’ve handed over all my duties, responsibilities, and ongoing cases to the deputy mayor for the coming weeks. Of course, I’ll still be available during my vacation for any urgent matters that come up, but it’s good to take a step back and get some distance from my day-to-day work.

The scene from Youp van ’t Hek’s stand-up routine, in which he describes the car ride to the vacation destination, always pops into my head when I see footage of traffic jams heading toward Southern Europe. “High on Fruittella in the backseat to fight motion sickness,” as Youp puts it. I think many of us can relate to that image. That element was definitely present on the road trips to Italy with my parents, as was always taking a wrong turn at the same spot in Switzerland. The image of my parents with the “ Map ” of Europe on the hood, wondering where we were and how we’d get back on the right track, is etched in my memory and is sure to make today’s younger generation burst out laughing. Well, Google Maps has certainly made our lives easier in that regard. Incidentally, years later, I drove that same route to Italy with my partner at the time. And yes, we, too, took a wrong turn (okay, I did…) at that exact spot. It’s nice that some wonderful traditions are passed on to the next generation!

By the time this column appears in the newspaper, my vacation will also be coming to an end. And we’ll be back to work! We’re gearing up for a busy fall. Because for one team within the municipal administration, it wasn’t a vacation at all. I’m talking, of course, about the Elections Team. We were already hard at work preparing for the municipal elections in March 2026, but the House of Representatives elections on October 29 have “just” slipped in between. I can assure you that organizing two elections in the span of five months is no easy task. I’d like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to the members of the Elections Team for all their hard work!

And that latte macchiato? Let’s be honest—for me, that’s how every day of the week starts. A moment of peace before I hop on my bike and head off to the best job I’ve ever had the pleasure of fulfil.

Being mayor is the best thing I’ve had the privilege of doing so far. To the best of my honour , and conscience, I try every day to do my part for our wonderful village. There are certainly moments when it’s not quite as enjoyable—and even a little lonely. But that’s all part of the job.

When I took office in May 2021, the COVID-19 restrictions were still in full force. It’s a time I sometimes look back on as if it were a completely different life. As my friends and I say: a parallel universe. It was a time when people were sometimes at odds with one another, even leading to rifts within families and groups of friends. As mayor, I received many emails from residents in response to my social media posts about getting vaccinated. I responded by inviting everyone individually. This led to meaningful conversations about the situation in the country, and we shared our perspectives on society. It was never my intention to try to convince the other person during those conversations. Listening, asking follow-up questions, respecting one another, and sincerely trying to understand why the other person views society in a certain way. All conversations ended with a “thank you” in true COVID-19 style. After all, shaking hands wasn’t allowed. Sometimes I still run into one or two of them. Then we wave and greet each other, with mutual respect.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. The situation in Gaza seems to be becoming a divisive issue once again. Or perhaps it already is. You’re either on one side or the other. And if you don’t take a stand, you’re automatically out of the picture, because “who doesn’t have an opinion on this?” Similar to the discussions about COVID-19, this time I received requests from various quarters to speak out about the situation in Gaza. I was asked to join demonstrations on behalf of Voorschoten and to make statements about the situation there. “Show some moral leadership,” someone told me.

I had to think about that. So what does moral leadership actually mean? Am I a moral leader if I do what someone else thinks I should do? And if I then act in accordance with their views? Or does moral leadership mean that I take Voorschoten by the hand and steer it in a certain direction based on my personal views and values? In other words, how do I think the world should look? Or am I only a moral leader if, even in this situation, I act as a mayor for everyone?

It’s an issue that deeply concerns me and many of my colleagues. We talk about it without reaching a conclusion, because the dilemma is so great. As a mayor—of any municipality—how can you take a side when things are happening on both sides that cannot stand the light of day and violate every international treaty we can think of? To what extent should a mayor even want to take a stance on an international issue? As mayor, you have a primary role in bringing society together—standing above the parties and also being there for those who don’t speak out loud. How does this relate to making statements, and should we, at the local level, even want to speak out on this? Can we even do that?

Don’t I have any personal feelings about the situation in Gaza? Of course I do. My heart breaks when I see all those images, and my mind races when I see them. The pain this issue has caused for so many years is indescribable.

In any case, I will do my utmost to be your mayor in this situation as well, regardless of your views. To me, that is moral leadership.

It’s almost mid-May, and luckily we’re enjoying some lovely spring sunshine—which on some days already feels like summer. I’m writing this column in one of my favorite spots at home: at the garden table in my backyard. For this afternoon, it’s my “office.” I’m still recovering a bit from the incredibly fun—but also slightly crazy—(work) weeks surrounding the 80th anniversary of commemorating and celebrating the freedom we enjoy. A freedom that is anything but a given—and one we must all work hard for and toward every single day. I want to express my immense gratitude to all the associations, organizations, and business owners, the many volunteers, and the municipal team for their dedication. Words cannot express it. You made it an unforgettable May 5th celebration for our village! 

This is what makes Voorschoten so wonderful. A village where we’re there for one another. I’m very fortunate that, when I moved to Voorschoten, my “ neighbours ” welcomed me with open arms. They were there for me from the very first moment. In the Achterhoek, we call that “noaberschap.” Literally translated into Dutch: “neighborliness.” The word pretty much says it all. It’s all about “ neighbours.” Looking out for one another, being there for each other with advice and support. Offering a shoulder to cry on, raising a glass together to celebrate the good times. Taking a genuine interest in one another. Lending a helping hand when it’s needed. Keeping an eye out for one another. It also doesn’t matter at all what you do—it’s about who you are. This is the neighborhood where I’m lucky enough to live, in every sense of the word. 

Neighborliness can’t exist without neighbors (neighbours). As I sit here in my garden, having just waved to my neighbor, I suddenly realize how fortunate I am to have such lovely neighbours in the houses around me. Whether it’s borrowing a ladder, hauling my parents’ heavy antique cabinet, watering the plants while I’m on vacation, using each other’s green and gray bins, running errands when needed, or making soup when I’m under the weather. No request is too much. While the spirit of neighborliness may have its roots in the agricultural regions of our country, Voorschoten certainly holds its own in that regard. You’re all my neighbors. 

As this edition of the *Voorschotense Krant* goes to press, I have now had the privilege of serving as your mayor for four years. I look back on yet another fantastic year at the * Parel * on the Vliet. I am grateful for this opportunity. That, too, is not something to be taken for granted. I realize that every single day.

April has arrived, and so preparations for the royal honors ceremony, King’s Day, and May 4 and 5 are in full swing. I always find this to be a wonderful and impressive time of year. It’s fantastic to know that I’ll once again have the privilege of presenting many royal honors during this year’s ceremony. Residents who have selflessly dedicated themselves to society for years—and who always work behind the scenes—are rightly placed in the spotlight. Our society wouldn’t exist without the dedication of volunteers! Everyone should have appreciation and respect for this large group of people. 

This year is a special year. I’m sure you’ve all read or heard about it somewhere. It has been 80 years since we were liberated from the occupying forces. In Voorschoten, the liberation officially took place on May 8, 1945. This special year is marked by many activities. We kicked off this commemorative year by planting the Resistance Heroes Tree on Verzetsstrijderspad. The kids from the Fortgens School planted this tree together with our veterans to honor all the known and unknown resistance heroes from Voorschoten. Ordinary people like you and me, who had the courage to help and save others at the risk of their own lives and to rise up against the occupying forces. Their stories continue to move me. 

There were also emotional moments during the laying of the first Stolpersteine in Voorschoten. At Oranjekade 61, Stolpersteine were laid by Gunter Demnig, the artist and creator of these stumbling stones. Lewise Judith Polak and Mauritz Heiman van Someren lived there. On February 26, 1943, they were murdered in Auschwitz. According to Jewish tradition, a person lives on as long as their name is mentioned. That is why we must never forget the names of Lewise and Mauritz, and why we continue to talk about them and their fellow victims.

Precisely because we must not forget these stories—and because freedom can never be taken for granted—we are taking extra time this special year to reflect on the fact that we have been living in freedom for 80 years. Thanks to the Oranjevereniging, local businesses, cultural and sports associations, schools, and various organizations, a “ programme ” has been put together that we can be proud of. They have pulled out all the stops over the past few months. From an impressive exhibition at the Voorschoten Museum, a poetry and drawing contest for the kids, the track and field club’s relay of the “Freedom Flame” from Wageningen to Voorschoten, to the “Veteran in the Classroom” project for elementary schools and a Liberation Day lunch for all residents on Voorstraat. And so much more. Perhaps you’ve already seen the full overview in last month’s newspaper. If not, be sure to check out www.voorschoten.nl

I hope to see many of you at one or more activities in the village. During the liberation lunch on May 5, let us raise a glass together to 80 years of freedom and never forget our shared history. Only then will we also have a shared future in peace.

How often I used to hear this sentence from my father when I spent (in his opinion) too long in the shower. My father's tone was such that I knew the limit had truly been reached, and within a single second, the shower tap was turned off. Okay, he probably had a point, because yes, I loved (and still love) long showers.

It made me think this week when I saw an advertisement for a national drugstore chain with the slogan 'A little more sustainable, make the most of it'. It dawned on me how much our thinking and actions regarding sustainability have changed in recent years. External circumstances have also made us acutely aware of our own behavior and what we ourselves can contribute to improving the environment and our living climate. At our home, my mother was definitely a pioneer in this. From the moment paper recycling was introduced, my mother participated. Bottles were also sorted by glass color into the glass recycling banks – which were all still above ground back then. And later, PMD waste sorting naturally followed. Furthermore, all lights were turned off in rooms where no one was present, and the heating temperature was monitored closely.

To this day, my mother remains my inspiration to think about what contribution I can make to the environment. As a (grim) joke, I always say that I have already more than made my contribution, since I unfortunately was not blessed with having children. However, this naturally does not relieve me of the moral obligation to take those steps that lie within my capabilities.

When I came to live in Voorschoten, the house I had bought was as leaky as a sieve in terms of sustainability. There was no form of insulation whatsoever, and single glazing was still present in a large part of the house. This was also evident from the monthly energy costs I had to pay, as that contribution was based on the consumption of the previous occupants. I nearly had a mild stroke, I can assure you.

So I immediately got to work on the first basic steps to make my home more sustainable. Furthermore, I also sort my waste as much as possible, and at the supermarket, I try to choose sustainable products. And I hear the echo of my father's words whenever I spend a bit too much time in the shower again…

Do I do everything right in the area of sustainability? Certainly not! I am only human, and like everyone else, I have my shortcomings. There is still plenty of room for improvement in my own actions in this area as well. Above all, let us encourage one another to make sustainable choices. Step by step. Lecturing or judging others is not only discourteous, but often incorrect as well. Not all information and knowledge about a personal situation is known to be able to form a judgment. And let us be honest with ourselves and each other: let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

“Why don't you write a column about this.” I look thoughtfully when Michel says this to me. “This story of yours is recognizable to many. Women experience this daily. They talk about it with each other, but often dare not bring it out into the open. I think that you, as a woman in your position, should take this step.” Somewhat irritated, I try to explain why I think writing a column about this is not a good idea. I can already see from Michel's face that I am not going to convince him. And if I am being completely honest, deep down I know he has a point.

Just before this, I had been talking nonstop, venting my anger about incidents I had inadvertently become involved in over a short period of time. My anger grew as the conversation progressed, because, against my will, I had to admit to Michel that my identity as a woman had played a significant role in those incidents. It’s a “ acknowledgement ” that I find very complicated and that I actually don’t (and didn’t) want to deal with.

It was a beautiful, cold, clear winter evening and we were walking outside with the dog. A wonderful evening stroll.

What was I so angry about? The fact that until recently I had always felt relatively safe, but that during a number of recent incidents I genuinely wondered whether I would escape unharmed. For instance, while walking to the train station in the evening after an enjoyable movie night with a friend, I was constantly harassed in an intense and nasty manner by the same group of men. When I wanted to go watch the sunset on the beach in the evening once again, I walked back to my car with my heart in my throat, given the highly threatening situation that was developing at the time. And recently, I was forced off the road by a group of motorists speeding while honking their horns because something was being celebrated in a distant homeland. Apparently, I was disrupting their celebration because I did not move aside. The only reason I escaped that precarious situation was that I received help from another motorist who witnessed the incident.

To be completely clear, these incidents did not take place in Voorschoten! Hence my initial hesitation to write a column about this. I am sharing these experiences with you not because I have a solution, but because I know Michel is right and I am not the only woman experiencing this. For yes, I must honestly admit that the common thread running through these various incidents is the highly misogynistic treatment (to put it politely). I have concluded for myself that there are certain activities I am better off no longer doing alone. That was really what my anger was about. The feeling that I have yielded to a changing society where the equal position of women and men is apparently not accepted by everyone.

During our evening walk, the dog, named Jimmy, a very sweet German Shepherd, was happily running and playing. The many balls we threw onto the large grassy field were quickly retrieved, and if we didn't throw the next ball fast enough, he let us know. You guessed it… my anger melted away like snow in the sun and was replaced by a sense of happiness in that beautiful moment. At the end of the walk, I promised Michel to write this column, but only after he approved the text, from the first word to the final period.

And the rest is history…

First of all, I naturally wish you a very happy and healthy 2025. May it turn out to be a wonderful year.

In recent weeks, the news has been filled with New Year's Eve and all the incidents that occurred across the country. Every year, I continue to be astonished by the lawlessness that seems to wash over us. As if it is normal to blow up underground waste containers, vandalize bus shelters, set cars on fire, and so on. Not to mention the misery that emergency services face on the streets. To say nothing of the immense personal suffering caused once again by the setting off of mostly illegal fireworks.

On New Year’s Eve, I spent a lot of time in the neighborhoods with our special enforcement officers, and I joined the police on their night shift. They were wonderful shifts, with so many cheerful and friendly residents celebrating with neighbours and family and setting off beautiful decorative fireworks. But the police night shift always has another side to it as well. It was a unique glimpse into their work and very educational. Fortunately, New Year’s Eve in Voorschoten went off without a hitch. Yes, some property was vandalized here as well, but we didn’t see any major incidents. The police officers and firefighters all went home unscathed at the end of their shifts. That’s what matters most! The next morning, our heroes from the field service were back at it early to clean up all the fireworks debris.

Many of you have rightly contacted me with complaints about the heavy firework bombs, mostly illegal cobras, that were set off, asking if I could do something about it. The question is logical, but the solution is not easy. When I went out on patrol with the municipal enforcement officers and the police, I experienced once again how complicated it is to catch perpetrators of setting off illegal fireworks in the act or to have an eyewitness come forward. Understandably, enforcement officers and the police cannot be everywhere at once.

If there is a solution to this (now) serious safety issue, it does not lie solely with the police and special enforcement officers. Local fireworks bans don’t work, and a nationwide ban is still a long way off. The key lies with the everyday eyes and ears in the neighborhood: you and me. Storing and later setting off illegal fireworks is extremely dangerous. If something goes wrong, the consequences are incalculable. Let’s take responsibility together and no longer accept the storage of illegal fireworks in our neighborhoods, streets, and near our immediate neighbours. You can always report this anonymously via www.meldmisdaadanoniem.nl. With your efforts, you contribute to everyone’s safety—including your own and that of your family.

We literally started the new year with a bang. But the year is still young. More than enough time to make it a great year together!

It is that time of the year again when I search through all weather apps looking for the one that is most optimistic about a potential white Christmas. I immediately cling to that hope. I love snow so much, and if it turns out to be a white Christmas, there is no stopping me. Ideally, I would spend the entire day outside in the snow, walking in my snow boots while taking hundreds of photos.

That white world is and always will be magical to me. It always takes me back to my childhood, when snow and freezing cold were more common than they are now. The countless times my father woke me up to tell me it had snowed (often in the middle of the night or very early in the morning) and I’d quickly pull on a pair of jeans and a sweater over my “ pyjamas ,” so that together we’d be the very first ones to walk in the snow. That was such a treat! My mom always thought we were crazy, and under the pretext that “the snow will still be there in a few hours,” she’d just roll over and go back to her warm bed.

How did my father already know there was a world of snow outside, even though he was asleep? That is actually very simple. He was a police officer, and police officers are very light sleepers. Even after retirement or if they have chosen a different profession at some point, their light sleep remains. They are trained for that. They hear every sound, especially unusual ones. So the moment my father no longer heard cars driving, for instance, he knew that the snow (which had been forecasted) was falling. A silent world, he always said. 

The world is sometimes also silent when there is no snow. At this time of the year, we look back on the year that is nearly behind us. An eventful year. Together in our village, we have experienced wonderful things, but also moments when we did not know where to turn with our grief and sense of helplessness. The village was silent. The Christmas period is a time when that feeling of loss is especially heavy. Now too, we are there for those families who could use an extra arm around their shoulder during this period. Not because we can fix everything for them, but because we are there for each other. That is Voorschoten.

Personally, I look back on a special year. A year that, for me, was all about the small things that matter in life, shared with those who are in my heart. Grateful for everything 2024 has brought me.

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a very festive transition into the new year!

Is there not secretly a tiny pyromaniac inside all of us? Who hasn't lit a small fire back when they played outside (back in the days before iPads and iPhones). Or at a scouting camp or sports club, during drop-offs when you really had no idea where you were and just had to find a spot somewhere to spend at least part of the night. Lighting the fireplace during the long, cold, and dark autumn and winter evenings. How cozy is that? And, of course, the barbecue during a lovely summer evening in the garden or on the balcony. 

I always have to think back to the time, years ago now, when my father was barbecuing. When we were already questioning whether the barbecue was placed too close to the kitchen door, and the answer eventually presented itself naturally. At one point, the kitchen door essentially became part of the barbecue. I watched in admiration at the utterly cool-headed demeanor and competence of my parents. It wasn't customary yet to have a fire extinguisher on hand. Calmly, yet with a sense of urgency, a bucket was grabbed, filled with water, and an attempt was made to save the kitchen door as much as possible.

Today, we look differently at what I initially called so innocent: lighting fires. Back then, we were not yet aware of the particulate matter released and its health effects, or how people with lung problems suffer severely from the particulate matter entering the air. Is she then in favor of banning barbecues and lighting fireplaces, I hear you thinking. It is, of course, up to politicians to formulate an answer to that. Though I must honestly tell you that, as mayor, I am interested in the feasibility of enforcing such a ban and the capacity it would require.

I believe a lot is possible, as long as we’re considerate of one another and think things through. So, let’s agree to check stookwijzer.nu before lighting a fireplace. And if there’s an orange or red alert—for example, when it’s foggy and there’s no wind—let’s use a different heat source. And in the summer, we can check with our neighbours about where to set up the barbecue and the wind direction, so that they aren’t bothered by the smoke. These are all small things that make life more pleasant and healthier for many people, and allow us to maintain the sense of togetherness we experience with each other during those kinds of moments.

And our kitchen door? The damage wasn't too bad, but a new door was certainly necessary. The barbecue continued as if nothing had happened, though. That's just how down-to-earth Achterhoekers are, and perhaps also a little bit like tiny pyromaniacs at heart.

If there is one subject that – aside from the passionate experts in our village – is completely unsexy to write about, it is cybersecurity. It is a broad term that says very little. Yet at the same time, without us even realizing it, we deal with it every single day.

Let’s be honest: many of us—myself included—do just about everything with our smartphones. Whether it’s having a package delivered, transferring money, booking a vacation, or even turning on the heat ahead of time so it’s nice and warm when we get home, we install apps almost without thinking and accept the associated “ Requirements ” without even reading them—without knowing what happens to our personal data when we use the app.

The rise of the internet has enriched our lives with immense convenience and possibilities we never thought imaginable. But there is a downside as well. And that downside is becoming increasingly pressing. Criminals are simply always finding new ways to scam people. At present, 42% of crime victims in the Netherlands involve online crime. Because not everyone reports it, the actual percentage is likely even higher.

Everyone has received a fake text message or email at some point. These purportedly come from banks, bol.com, or DHL. This is known as phishing. As soon as you click the link, criminals can access your passwords and login codes. Fortunately, we are becoming more alert, but criminals are evolving alongside us. Cybercrime is taking on increasingly professional forms. Fake emails are harder and harder to distinguish from real ones. And if you should happen to click the link at an unguarded moment, the consequences can be disastrous.

Before going to sleep, we check whether the front door is locked and the windows are securely closed. We need to shift our mindset so that we also check every day whether our digital front door and windows are properly secured. It requires a different mindset, but we have no choice now that cyber is an inseparable part of our lives.

That is why in October – the month designated across the Netherlands as ‘Security Month’ – we are organizing a series of activities for all residents and entrepreneurs of Voorschoten. Through these activities, we show how you can better recognize online criminals and outsmart them.

Starting October 14, you can take the Cybercrime Challenge at home, at school, or at your business. This is a half-hour online training for both beginners and advanced users, covering topics such as phishing (luring you to a fake website) and extortion.

We are organizing this Challenge together with all municipalities in the Leiden region. Would you like to know more? Visit www.rsiv.nl, the website of the Regional Partnership for Integrated Security. As it says there: working on security is something we do together!

There are moments when the past and present are intertwined. One such moment is the celebration of the Relief of Leiden. On October 3, early in the morning, I stand on the Stadhuisplein in Leiden with many colleagues and citizens of Leiden singing the familiar battle hymns. I always think back to the years when I stood on that very same square as a student, singing those same songs. For obvious reasons, the memories might not all be crystal clear. But I am certain that it was just as fantastic then as it is now!

This year, we in the Leiden region are celebrating the fact that it has been 450 years since the Relief of Leiden. Who does not know the story from 1574! In the night of October 2 to 3, William of Orange and the Geuzen sailed toward Leiden. After a siege lasting months, the Spanish finally departed. The starving city – where fellow magistrate Pieter van der Werff even offered his own body as food – was liberated. A resident found a left-behind pot of hutspot, and the Geuzen brought herring and white bread. 

It is a story of daring, courage, and resilience. But it is not only the story of Leiden. It is also the story of the surrounding countryside, and therefore partly of Voorschoten. Both the Spanish and the Geuzen marched through our area and used our village as a defence work. The Spanish completely demolished houses. The Geuzen burned down farms and churches. And then, to top it all off, came the water from the breached IJssel river near Capelle. The surrounding countryside flooded. 

Leiden was relieved. But here in Voorschoten, not a single house or church remained standing. For years to come, the polders and farmland yielded far too little food. The few residents who survived likely fled to safer places. How difficult those times must have been for our fellow villagers.

It is good that this story is also told and given a place in our history. That is why I think it is wonderful that so many enthusiastic residents have put their shoulders to the wheel for months. For instance, there is a wonderful exhibition in Museum Voorschoten, which for the first time sheds extensive light on daily sixteenth-century life in Voorschoten. A farming community with the Village Church, farms, homes, an inn, and a school as well. The displayed Maps make it clear how strategic Voorschoten's location was. And how our village functioned as a stronghold of defence works and redoubts for both the Spanish and the Geuzen. 

There is also a cycling tour through the entire Leiden region, organized by the 3 October Vereeniging, which takes us past the special locations during the Relief of Leiden. In Voorschoten, these include the Village Church, the Ter Wadding redoubt, and Allemansgeest restaurant. What a wonderful way to connect historical stories and our regional history together.

Furthermore, a musical will be performed in October: ‘The Price of Freedom’. The story takes place on the grounds of a Voorschoten farm. The musical is performed by approximately seventy amateur actors from our own village. How I look forward to experiencing this musical!

Undoubtedly, herring, hutspot, and white bread will not be missing during these festivities. Spiced gin will also flow freely here and there. 

During the preparations for these festivities, I once again realized how important regional cooperation is. Something that people in 1574 had never heard of. Back then, the city of Leiden and the village of Voorschoten were primarily focused on themselves.

How different things are now. 450 years later, we’re working together on a better “ Health.” We share knowledge about sustainability and district heating networks. We’re joining forces on traffic and transportation, housing, and public order and safety. Our entrepreneurs connect with one another through Economie071. Only through collaboration can we tackle the major challenges of our time. 

So should the Spanish, or anyone else, get any ideas again … Thankfully, nowadays we handle things very differently through regional cooperation.

I wish you a wonderful and festive Relief of Leiden!

The suitcases are unpacked, the washing machine and dryer have worked overtime, the stack of books has shrunk considerably, and I am many podcasts ahead. With the writing of this column, the end of my wonderful holiday is truly in sight. Ready to get back to work!

As you know, I regularly visit residents who reach the remarkable age of 100 or older. I am always struck by how lively and energetic the jubilarians are. Last July, I had the pleasure of visiting a very special centenarian. Our own short-track harness race. What a celebration that was! In honor of this milestone, the Dutch Championship was held in Voorschoten. We experienced an exciting competition, and how special it is that we could celebrate this together. I am always surprised by how Van Beethovenlaan is transformed into a professional competition venue.

Short-track harness racing has a long history dating back to the mid-sixteenth century. These races were held in the streets of North and South Holland municipalities. A unique tradition, with the short-track race in Voorschoten now belonging to the intangible cultural heritage of the Netherlands.

Different views are also being expressed in society regarding short-track harness racing. In good consultation with the applicant, every opportunity has naturally been provided to voice these opinions. Fortunately, almost everyone in our beautiful village agrees that the right to demonstrate is a great asset in our society that we must cherish.

Naturally, a centenarian comes with cake and a special visit. Commissioner of the King Jaap Smit and his spouse visibly enjoyed attending the National Short-Track Harness Racing Championship. A highlight was the presentation of a Royal honour by the commissioner to Jan Berg, who has dedicated 50 years to voluntary work, including for the short track. Inbelievable, what a selfless commitment to society. Jan, thank you for everything you have done! And many thanks also to your family at home who have always supported you in this.

Without volunteers, there are no events. The current board has indicated that after having taken on this intensive task for decades, it is now truly time for a new board to step up. Helping hands are needed! So please sign up if you want to help secure the future of short-track harness racing. You can read all about it at www.voorschotensepaardendagen.nl.

We have barely recovered from the festivities at the end of July, and we can already prepare ourselves for the next celebrations: the Weekend of Voorschoten and Heritage Days. This weekend literally makes visible how rich Voorschoten is with all those organisations and associations that have meant so much to our society for years. And we can also take a look inside historic buildings that we normally wouldn't be able to enter so easily. The weekend concludes with the traditional classic car tour through the village. It will be the first time for me to step into such a beautiful classic car. I am looking forward to it!

The comic books by Uderzo and Goscinny—who didn't grow up with them! About the small village in Gaul, from where the comic book heroes Asterix and Obelix fought tooth and nail (and above all with a lot of magic potion) against Caesar's legions. Heroic stories in which we have all secretly lost ourselves at times and dreamed of playing the role of a hero in an adventure.

For a number of our residents, this heroic role may well have actually come true. The plan from a few years ago to construct the Rijnland Route above ground through Voorschoten, right through sports fields, businesses, and homes, was remarkable to say the least. A few residents stepped up back then and, through a citizen's initiative, pulled out all the stops to demonstrate that it could be done differently, namely underground. These heroes were fully supported by many other heroes who lobbied various governments until they were hoarse. The whole village then drank quite a bit of magic potion, because we turned out to be invincible!

After seven years of planning, drilling, building, and testing, the moment will finally arrive in the early morning of July 5th. The long-awaited bored Corbulo Tunnel running underneath Voorschoten will then be opened to traffic. The fact that this is taking place is thanks to the heroes who joined forces at the time and refused to accept the answers as to why an underground tunnel was supposedly impossible. Extreme persistence until a good plan for Voorschoten was on the table does not fully cover all the efforts that were made. I bow deeply to these residents and say: thank you for everything you have done and meant for all of us. Your dedication will go down in history and will certainly not be forgotten in our Asterix village of Voorschoten.

Meanwhile, the summer recess is also fast approaching. It has been a long half-year in which a great deal has happened. Wonderful things, but also very sad events that deeply affected a number of families in our village. Grief that is beyond comprehension and can be called inhumane. A feeling of helplessness came over me, because we can do nothing except be there. It is heartwarming to see how we as a society have rallied around these families, in the hope that all those involved find support in this. At moments like these, I realize once again how special Voorschoten is.

I hope to see you all safe and sound again in September.

You sometimes have those weeks where you have no idea where the time went. I think that is a good description of the past month. These weeks were filled with dignified commemorations and wonderful festivities. The preparations were more intensive this year than ever before. After all, the societal consequences of tensions and polarization in society bypass no municipality.

Also intensive was this council cycle with many major topics, such as future-proof burials, locations for (flexible) housing, and the next step towards proper accommodation for our municipal employees.

Naturally, the evaluation of the sale process of the Crafts and Bailiff's House was also on the agenda. An important building for our society, with so much history. A building that we all so dearly wish to see restored to its full glory. It is extremely unfortunate that this has not (yet) succeeded to date. The Citizens & Governance Committee discussed and looked back on this at length. On behalf of that committee, I also accounted for my involvement in the role of the mayor as an administrative body.

When granting licences and handling real estate transactions, we normally conduct a Bibob investigation. This is an investigation where, as a government body, you check the background of the businesses and individuals you do business with. We also initiated such an investigation regarding the proposed sale of the Crafts and Bailiff's House. However, due to a procedural error in the sales process that only came to light later, I halted the investigation. At the time, I failed to clearly inform the council about this. I have apologized for that.

In response to my apologies, I received many varied reactions. Let me be clear. As long as I am privileged to work in public administration, I will always account for those matters for which I am responsible. I will always honestly admit my mistakes. After all, administrators are only human and therefore certainly not infallible.

How wonderful it was this weekend, after such a very busy period, to immerse myself for a moment in a special Antillean celebration, together with those who hold a place in my heart, whom I may call family. Away from daily worries for a moment—don't get me wrong, I love my work—and singing, dancing, laughing, enjoying good food, and having great conversations together. The Ponche Kuba (cream liqueur) flowed freely, whether or not combined with Antillean rum.

As you can understand, as the hours progressed, the atmosphere became even more convivial. At such a special event, the bolo pretu (black cake) cannot be missing either. If you are allowed to eat that, you know you belong to the family. These are the truly important things in life for me.

Oppressive. Impressive. Confrontational. Rarely has a TV series gotten under my skin quite like the one about the Jewish Council. Every Sunday evening, I sat on the couch feeling somewhat dismayed. Stomach ache after watching each episode, yet I didn't want to miss a thing. I knew about the controversies surrounding this body, but I never realized the story was so poignant. Just as I hadn't realized that the other side of the story regarding the functioning of the Jewish Council is unknown to the broader public. Nor to me. Until now. 

You were either right or wrong. That’s how we used to look back on the period of World War II in our family. And I think that was the case in many families. The realization that there were also “ greyscale ” during this period only came to light in society many years later. The series about the Jewish Council got me thinking. The question that, I think, everyone has after watching the series is: how could the members ever have thought it was possible to collaborate with the occupiers while at the same time protecting their fellow Jews?

I feel that I cannot and may not judge those actions and the choices that were made. I lack the appropriate historical background for that. And I am in the fortunate circumstance of not knowing what it is like to have to make impossible choices in wartime. That does not mean I do not have a stomach ache and emotions after watching this series and am left with many unanswered questions. Perhaps one of the most unimaginable moments for me is the scene where someone reports to the Jewish Council to tell what is really happening in Auschwitz. That person is not received and heard because there is no time. Why would you as a chairperson not want to take in all the information to know what atrocities are unfolding elsewhere? 

With the writing of this column, we stand on the eve of the 79^th commemoration of the Second World War and the celebration of our freedom. We do this under the shadow of a changing society; an increase in polarization and a rise in antisemitism. What happened at the opening of the National Holocaust Museum and during Lenny Kuhr's performance is something we could not have imagined years ago. These are no longer incidents. Together, we must continue to learn from our history; the stories must be passed on. Only then can we fulfill the promise we made to each other 79 years ago: never again. 

You probably recognize it: fixed patterns at moments when you are looking for a bit of support and luck. Back when I still played volleyball, I had a fixed sequence for putting on my sportswear. If I didn't stick to that, I would step onto the court with a different feeling anyway. Nonsense? No idea, but it gave me a sense of security, and isn't that what we are all looking for to some extent? Although I must honestly say that recently, during a fun and wonderful visit to our volleyball club Gemini Kangeroes, I stood on the court for the first time in over 18 years, if only for a brief moment. Without any form of preparation. The fact that not everything went smoothly this time was certainly not due to a lack of fixed patterns...

A well-known superstition is that Friday the 13^th is considered an unlucky day. Coincidence or not, Friday, March 13, 2020, is a day I will never forget in any case. It was the day after the first major press conference in which measures were announced to halt the spread of the coronavirus. Measures that took effect on Friday the 13^th. The first day of, as it later turned out, a long and uncertain period.

Everyone experienced that period differently. I, too, felt uncertainty and worried about my dear, fragile mom. But I also experienced some truly beautiful things happening during that time. It created time and space in my hectic life as a “ Alderman.” That’s how a close friendship with a very dear friend began—a friendship about which we now say: without COVID-19, we would never have grown so close to each other. Some people have seen us sitting at the bar at the Wapen, heard us laughing in my garden, or know us from our visits to the town hall for our booster shots.

Why am I sharing this with you? That dear friend turned out to be rather susceptible to the coronavirus and has had all its variants. With the sad outcome that, to this day, she is one of the tens of thousands who have to deal with the major consequences of long COVID. Every single day. Swimming with the kids, having a job, spending an afternoon with her great love at an unnamed football club in Rotterdam, or enjoying an evening of drinks at the beach with me; nothing is taken for granted for her anymore. Everything is a challenge due to immense fatigue, pain, memory loss, and a lack of physical condition.

It is now precisely four years since we entered that uncertain time together. Today, life is bustling again, and the coronavirus seems like an eternity ago. For the group of long COVID patients, however, the coronavirus is still a part of their daily life. I can only hope that a treatment will soon emerge that gives these (often young) people their lives back.

Ever since the House of Representatives elections, I have often been asked what I think of the outcome. I am very reluctant to answer that question publicly. As mayor, you stand above the parties and are there for all residents. That conviction is deeply rooted in my personal core. Judging someone by, for example, their voting behaviour simply is not in my nature. What matters to me is who someone is.

Many conversations were held at home about this election result. Recently, I was held up a clear mirror. I realised that precisely because I am the mayor for all residents, I ought to contribute to mutual understanding, even now. This led me to say something about the election outcome after all.

Let me be honest: I was anything but surprised by the election outcome. In recent years, concerns in society have grown steadily. Will my child still be able to find an affordable home soon? How can we halt global warming? Can the Netherlands handle this volume of immigration? What will happen to the future of our farmers? And so on. Clear answers to these valid questions were lacking. Political The Hague seemed mostly busy with itself, without having an ear or an eye for the people they are actually supposed to be there for.

The electorate has sent a signal that, in my view, cannot be ignored. Therefore, I look with some astonishment at the way political parties treat voters with views that do not align with theirs. Let me just name the large—I love pink—elephant in the room. I genuinely wonder why there are political parties that dismiss a group of well over 1.5 million PVV voters, while accusing that very same party of doing the exact same thing.

This group of voters also includes a number of my absolute loved ones. And no, they are not racists. They are deeply disappointed voters who have their feet firmly on the ground every day. Who see and experience things that you and I cannot imagine. Who have watched their neighbourhoods change over the past years and have felt unheard for years. Above all, they are the ones I love the most. That will never change, no matter what choice they make in the voting booth.

What is my advice now? Engage in an open conversation with each other without judging immediately. In search of what connects us, of the story behind the person. Listen, ask probing questions, reflect. Just give it a try. It might just lead to surprising insights and mutual understanding, without you having to agree on the content. I know from personal experience what an enrichment that is.

And what do I think of the election results? The voter is always right. Even now.

The Christmas tree has been taken down, New Year's receptions are behind us, and we are back to work in full swing. 2024 has begun. And how! We were treated to a day of ice skating on our beautiful skating rink. Because let's be honest, our rink is truly the most beautiful one. The ice was in fantastic condition! What an amount of work was put in by the volunteers to arrange everything, led by the ice master who has been taking care of our Olympic ice floor for almost 25 years. Early in the morning, I was allowed onto the ice before the rink opened to the public. What a gift that was. An unforgettable moment to stand on the ice at sunrise.

There was also celebration during the turn of the year in Voorschoten. Despite the less-than-ideal weather, there was plenty of cosiness in the streets and neighbourhoods witholiebollen and toasting at midnight to the new year. Fortunately, there is little damage, less litter on the streets, and the fireworks-free zones were well respected. Yet I have a knot in my stomach when I read all the reports from many other municipalities about the violence against police officers that night and the serious injuries caused by setting off fireworks. Personal tragedies that beggar belief. I wonder when the limit has been reached where we say to each other: enough is enough. I honestly tell you that I do not have an answer to this question, but I do carry it with me.

I simply cannot fathom how a small group of fools even get it into their heads to throw fireworks at police officers. Let alone fireworks so heavy that there is danger to the present officers. I was also standing among them when I rode along with the night shift. No, it was not very pleasant (to put it mildly).

Traditionally, all political parties trip over each other in the first days of January to express their abhorrence about everything that happened on New Year's Eve. And then, just as traditionally, silence follows from The Hague. Only to spin the exact same tune a year later. And then we find it strange together that the police officers who are on the front lines every day feel abandoned by politics. By the time this column is written in the third week of January, all sounds from The Hague have already died down again… When has the limit been reached?

The knot in my stomach remains, but I am happy with the wonderful start to the new year in Voorschoten. I wish you all the best for 2024!

The shopping centres are cheerfully lit with Christmas lights, Mariah Carey with 'All I want for Christmas is you' blasts from the radio speakers almost all day long, and the Christmas tree at home is once again cheerfully displayed in its full glory with lots of lights. Two Christmas trees actually! One small Christmas tree is specially for my mother, containing her Christmas baubles.

New Year's Eve is fast approaching. Time to look back and reflect. What a year it has been. The train crash that occurred in the early morning of 4 April is an event we will not forget together. Local residents standing by in the middle of the night to take in the injured and shocked train travellers. And the emergency services coming from all corners of the region, the province, and the country to deliver textbook emergency assistance. How extraordinary is this.

I look back fondly on the special and wonderful encounters I’ve been fortunate enough to have. One of the veterans at the Veterans’ Gathering held up a mirror to me regarding a column I wrote earlier this year. A visit from the kids at an after-school program who asked me all sorts of questions. The conversation on the “ markt ” (the day after the Hamas attack) with a resident of Voorschoten of Jewish descent. She told me her story and shared her feelings. The students participating in Democracity. For one day, they get to decide what’s important for Voorschoten. The impressive Eucharistic celebration at the Laurentius Church for residents from Ukraine. The pleasant conversations I have with the members of the polling stations who are “just” back at their posts for the March and November elections. And that special election night in November, when a small group of us gathered at the “ town hall ” to experience unforgettable and hilarious moments. There are many more moments and conversations like these that have shaped the year for me.

While writing this column, I received the sad news that one of my mother's dearest friends has passed away. Until the moment my mother passed away, they had shared through thick and thin for nearly 50 years. As her daughter said to me, the friends are together again. And we burst into laughter together, because we know that our mothers certainly enjoy a good party! How lively it must be up there now. I therefore dedicate this column to Aunt Willy, as thanks for everything she has done and meant to me. With warm memories of Aunt Willy, I enter the holiday season.

I wish you a very Merry Christmas, a wonderful New Year's Eve, and a healthy 2024!

Listening to podcasts, following TV and radio debates, reading newspaper apps, watching current affairs programme’s, scouring social media, and so on. No poll escapes me. For a news junkie like me, these are golden times. I am, of course, referring to the House of Representatives elections on 22 November. I am writing this column on Saturday morning, 18 November, when it all still has to happen. Sitting at my kitchen table, laptop by my side, with a latte macchiato. The Speed Skating World Cup broadcast playing in the background and the rain pouring down from the heavens once again. Wondering to myself whether it will ever dry up this autumn...

This morning feels to me like the proverbial calm before the storm, in this case for the upcoming election week. How hard the team within the organization preparing the elections has worked over the past few months. From the moment the cabinet fell, preparations began. With a summer holiday in between, the time is very short to set up an election once again. Every confidence that it will succeed! This is thanks to the dedication of many volunteers from our village who staff the polling stations and almost the entire civil service organization deployed to count all the votes. Council and committee members, Aldermen, and the municipal clerk also pitch in.

If these elections have one advantage, it’s that they feel like we’re all taking part in big team-building days together. Although I’m really fed up that these early elections are necessary. We have too many major issues in this country that can’t wait for a solution: the housing shortage, the affordability of Health, and so on. We simply cannot afford not to have a stable cabinet that tackles these issues and actually reaches decisions. In my view, the time for talking and striking impractical and unworkable compromises is truly over.

I told you earlier that my lovely group of friends is just like society. Recently, we discovered that there are also floating voters within this group. As you can understand, the pressure is being ramped up considerably by the non-floaters to persuade the floaters to vote for the party they think is best. Tuesday evening, we are going to watch the final debate together. It will undoubtedly be another hilarious evening with plenty of humour. It is also the final moment for our definitive bets for the election pool. This year, bets are not only being placed on how many seats we think each party will win. We are also betting on how many preference votes a very dear friend of ours will receive. How much we wish him his dream job as a Member of Parliament! No matter how different we are in our political views, our friendship always comes first.

I enjoy writing these columns every month. Primarily because I really enjoy writing. In addition, because it is a great way to take you along with what I do in this special office, what I experience, or what occupies my mind. For example, my group of friends / home front regularly makes an appearance in these columns, because they are the most important thing in my life.

Last week, a female friend jokingly asked which story I was going to tell this time and whether they could still show their faces in Voorschoten after everything I have written about them. I answered honestly that, for the first time, I was actually a little bit dreading writing the column. Because I feel that this month's column must be about the war in the Gaza Strip. About how I, like anyone with a conscience, watched in horror the images of Hamas's terrorist attack. About the fear among our Jewish residents. And about the increasing polarisation caused by this war.

But how am I going to do that? How can I write about a conflict that has been going on for more than 100 years and escalated definitively over 70 years ago. A conflict that is so deeply rooted in Israelis and Palestinians and that has so many layers. About all the innocent civilian casualties that have fallen over all those years. Even at times when the media paid no attention to it. And then I am not even mentioning the position that other countries in the Middle East are currently taking, which does not make the situation any clearer. How can I write about this and do justice to everyone who never wanted this war, whatever your background may be. I honestly have no idea. For that, the situation in the Gaza Strip is simply too complicated.

The emotions this war stirs up are unprecedented. And that is understandable. Jewish residents of our municipality are deeply concerned about the safety of their family and friends in Israel, but also about their own safety in our country. The same applies equally to Palestinian residents. The fear of what is yet to come makes everyone very tense.

What can I say about this? What can I do? Perhaps I can help just a little by sharing my thoughts with you. As mayor, I will always remain committed to the safety of all residents. Staying in dialogue and making peace sooner rather than later is the only solution. Based on that conviction—and to honor together the innocent victims of all this violence—we have raised the peace flag at the “ town hall .”

“Look Nadine, do you see those two men walking there? Partly thanks to them, you have the freedom to think what you think and to be who you are.” I was about 15 years old and during a very hot day in the summer holidays, I was walking with my father at the American Cemetery in Margraten when he spoke these words to me. These men were American veterans who belonged to the large group of soldiers who landed in Europe on D-Day. I have never forgotten their story and my father's words, and as I grew older, they took on increasing meaning and value for me.

We must not forget that for many years there have been men and women willing to fight every day for our freedom and that of others. The many (peace) missions of recent years prove that. The Netherlands has well over 100,000 veterans, a quarter of whom are still employed by the Ministry of Defence.

Just over 100 veterans live in Voorschoten; young and old, each with their own story and memories. At the recently held local Veterans' Day, I noticed how important it is for veterans to come together to share their stories. They have seen and experienced things that are unimaginable to us. This was reflected in the lecture given this year at the Veterans' Gathering by First Lieutenant Maaike Hoogewoning. She spent twice as much time as a surgical assistant in a military hospital in Afghanistan: “Losing three young colleagues in a single day. At that moment, my proverbial bucket filled up.” A recognizable feeling for all veterans present. The emotions were palpable as a result.

Veterans Day is full of traditions and symbols, such as wearing the White Carnation and eating the so-called “blue snack” together. In Voorschoten, we’ll be starting a new tradition next year: a White Carnation garden will be planted near our War Memorial. It will bloom in the days and weeks leading up to National Veterans Day in June. This is a new step we can take to make the “ acknowledgement ” and our appreciation for our veterans more visible.

The ordinary man or woman you might meet on the street does not wear a uniform, medals, or insignia. But it is that seemingly ordinary man or woman who last week, last year, ten years ago, or a generation ago, was willing to sacrifice themselves for total strangers, such as me. No matter how different their pasts and stories may be, veterans have one special thing in common: veterans are ordinary people who have done extraordinary things.

“The first thing I saw when I arrived at the coast was the sea with a slave ship anchored there waiting for cargo. This filled me with astonishment which soon turned into dismay when I was brought on board. I was immediately seized by a few crew members and shaken back and forth to see if I was healthy, and I was convinced that I had ended up in a world of evil spirits who would kill me.” Thus Olaudah Equiano.

Few enslaved people were able to tell their own story about what it was like to make the crossing on board a slave ship and be sold as merchandise. But Olaudah did. At eleven years old, in 1756, he sailed as an enslaved person on a slave ship from Nigeria to North America. Ten years later, he was able to buy his freedom, after which he dedicated his life to resisting slavery. He wrote down his experiences as an enslaved person.

Reading passages from his book gives me goosebumps. The suffering inflicted over 200 years is unimaginable. What bewilders me more and more by the day is the long silence surrounding this period in our history. At school, the history of slavery was no more than a footnote in the history books. As if we had nothing to do with it. By contrast, our VOC mentality was always promoted as something to be proud of. It has long been said that slavery is a sensitive subject. How can a subject be sensitive if everyone agrees that slavery is an evil that must be eradicated? How is it that on 4 May we say to one another that we must learn from the past and ensure this never happens again, but we do not say this to each other on 1 July. The more I read about our history of slavery and speak with descendants, the more questions I have. The more I also wonder how deaf and blind we could have been at the same time by structurally ignoring this part of our history.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery. Commemorations and celebrations are being held in an increasing number of municipalities. Starting next year, Keti Koti (Broken Chains) will also take place in Voorschoten. We can only look toward our shared future if we also commemorate our past together. It is a past for which I feel a deep sense of shame, but those stories must also be told and are part of our history. That “ acknowledgement ” can only make us stronger as a society.

In our lovely little country, we have declared almost every day of the year to be National ... Day. Well-known ones include Mother's Day, Father's Day, Outdoor Play Day, and so on. Then there are the days with somewhat striking names, as far as I am concerned, such as Watermelon Day, Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, Naked Gardening Day, and World Hug Day. I hope I am not offending anyone when I say that upon reading this, I found it somewhat difficult to keep from laughing. I have wondered how people come up with these and who decides which dates belong to them. Although I can imagine that, for obvious reasons, Naked Gardening Day probably falls in the summer.

But there are also days to bring serious and necessary matters to extra attention, such as ALS, cancer, or asthma. On those days, it is all about the extra awareness that money remains needed for, for example, research into medicines and new treatments.

There’s one day I’d like to highlight today, and that’s National Volunteer Day. It’s on December 7, but in my opinion, every day is Volunteer Day. Because where would we be in our society without volunteers? I think I know the answer, and that is: absolutely nowhere. Many, many people have been dedicating themselves to helping others for years. I’m thinking of the informal caregivers who are ready day and night to step in where professional Health falls short due to a lack of manpower. Or all the volunteers at sports and cultural organizations and Scouting clubs who are always ready to roll up their sleeves. No request is too much. Think also of the social welfare and senior citizen organizations that are indispensable in a municipality where life is apparently so pleasant and good that we are one of the municipalities with the highest retirement income in the country. Then there are the volunteers who, year after year, organize wonderful festivals and events in our village, from King’s Day and the Voorschoten Weekend to the Horse Days and Open Monument Day. And finally, let’s not forget the volunteers with the fire department. I hope I’ve done justice to everyone who is so dedicated to Voorschoten.

We must never take volunteers for granted. They are dedicated, and often modest, residents who give up a lot for themselves because they want to do so much for others. It is also these residents who, thanks to the support of their home front, can achieve so much.

Unseen forces and indispensable. Therefore, through this column, a huge thank you to all those volunteers who commit themselves every day to the community of Voorschoten. Without you, our village would be a great deal less enjoyable.

How time flies when you're having a good time! This past May 17th marked two years since I had the honour of becoming your mayor. Society was so different during my inauguration. Coronavirus measures were still in full effect, so I was sworn in outside in a tent at Duivenvoorde Castle in the presence of a small group. Fortunately, the video wall provided a solution that allowed many to join in live anyway. Once the livestream ended, those present had congratulated me from a distance, and everyone had gone home, I was left behind with a small group of friends. We sat in the castle and looked at each other. It was a special and emotional moment, as we suddenly realised it had all really happened. The rush was over, and I could finally get to work for Voorschoten!

People often ask me what I think of being mayor. I can only say that I’m really enjoying it—both the work and living in Voorschoten. Every day on the job is different. Just when I think I know what my day will look like, things turn out differently. It’s just as my highly esteemed colleague from “ Alphen ” in Den Rijn, Liesbeth Spies, recently put it so aptly: mayors have become a sort of jack-of-all-trades.

Mayors are expected to be close to the residents while simultaneously standing above politics. We must be connectors, capable of bridging differences, but logically we are also looked to for making firm decisions in the area of public order and safety. Yet when those firm decisions directly affect residents, we suddenly find it very difficult. Mayor as a crime fighter? Our toolkit in the field of public order and safety is already quite well-stocked. Where do we draw the line? And how does that relate to the traditional role of mayors, which is being a municipal mother/father to the residents? Being there in happy times, but also in difficult times when an arm around the shoulder is needed. I think being able to act as an equilibrium artist is perhaps the most essential competency for a mayor in this fascinating and dynamic period in our society.

To this day, I am grateful that the “ municipal council ” gave me this opportunity. Making a difference in someone’s life is the reason I entered public service in the first place. As mayor, I strive to put this into practice every day. And I’m more than happy to be your “jack-of-all-trades”!

It is Tuesday night, April 4th, and I check my alarm clock. It is almost quarter to four, and I cannot quite figure out what woke me up. Then, a few minutes later at 03:48, my phone rings. Hans Zuidijk, General Director / Regional Commander of the Hollands Midden Safety Region, calls: "A major train accident near Voorschoten station involving a freight train and a passenger train. A still unclear situation with many injuries and potentially worse." The reports and information follow each other very quickly over the coming minutes and hours. From that moment on, the phone does not stop ringing.

Shortly after 4:00 p.m., it became clear that the incident was so serious that I had to decide to escalate it to a GRIP 3 situation. That meant the mayor would take charge. So I took a shower, packed my things, and headed to the town hall that night, where the ushers had already prepared coffee for me. Emergency services rushed to the town hall, as did the communications team, the security advisor, and others, to enable me to make the necessary decisions. Meanwhile, at the scene of the incident, nearly 200 police officers and firefighters were hard at work, and ambulances were coming and going. The crisis response team was rock-solid, and I take my hat off to all the emergency services. 

The immediate local residents opened their doors to help with the reception and care of the lightly injured, making a cup of coffee or tea, listening to the shocked victims, and putting an arm around them. We consider that normal in Voorschoten, but what happened here is truly extraordinary. 

Shortly after six that evening, I drive home to grab a bite to eat. I sit on my couch and try to get an initial grasp of everything that has actually happened. I think of the victims and their surviving relatives, family, and friends for whom this day is pitch-black. 

Then my doorbell rings. My neighbour Liesbeth is at the door with a plate of food. For a moment, I do not know what to say. This is so incredibly sweet. After I close the door, I break down for just a brief moment. 

After that Tuesday, many long days followed with intense stories from the emergency services. Our team of employees worked around the clock, in close collaboration with ProRail, NS, BAM, and Mammoet, to get the train carriages off the tracks and out of the meadow, and to ensure smooth communication. Proud of this team.

As I write this column, it is now Friday, April 14th. Eleven days after the serious train crash. The train carriages have been removed and the appreciation gathering for the emergency services has taken place. 

Words fall short to express gratitude for everyone's dedication to Voorschoten.

Wednesday, March 15, was another election day. This time, we got to vote for the Provincial Council and the Rijnland Water Board. I don’t think I’m saying anything out of the ordinary when I note that these elections usually don’t attract much attention. How different it was this time. The elections had us all talking—each for our own reasons. And history was made! Never before has a single party emerged as the largest in every province. My respect and admiration go out to the “ BoerBurgerBeweging ” for achieving this result. 

The shared feeling that there was a genuine choice to be made was also evident in the polling stations in Voorschoten. The polling stations were busy throughout the day, and voters frequently queued to cast their votes. With a voter turnout of nearly 69%, we did very well!

Thanks to the dedication of many, the elections went smoothly. On election day, 138 volunteers manned the 15 polling stations from half-past seven in the morning until nine o'clock in the evening. Immediately afterwards, everyone was ready once again to work with the group of additional vote counters until the early hours to tally all the ballots cast for both elections.

The Elections team worked around the clock in the days leading up to and following March 15 to enter all the results into the national system. And it paid off! Just how great was it to see Voorschoten appear as the second municipality in South Holland on the screen during the preliminary final results of the Provincial Council elections on the television broadcast of * NL Kiest*?

That night was literally a race against the clock. We can now catch our breath and look back. Yet, one thing weighs heavily on my mind. How is it that, in the year 2023, we are still (or rather, once again) voting with a red pencil? The process of counting votes and entering all the data has become so complex and time-consuming that we can hardly continue to ask volunteers to be available until the dead of night.

In Voorschoten, we were able to pack our things around half past three that night. I was in bed shortly after four. A female friend texted to ask how things were going in Voorschoten with the festival of democracy. I texted back that, despite my concerns about the process, I had thoroughly enjoyed election day once again. But that it was truly time for me to go to sleep.

Thank you to all volunteers for your incredible dedication!

My group of friends has a fairly diverse composition: in terms of work, education, family situation, income, personal views, political currents (from left to right and everything in between) and philosophy of life. The vast majority do not work in public administration and have an opinion on what 'The Hague' does. In short: we are just like society. 

Last week there was one of those friends' evenings. People call and text each other to grab a cup of coffee, prompting everyone to haul themselves off the couch (protesting or not) or come straight from work. There we sit, one in an orange tracksuit with Uggs, another dressed as if she just came from a gala, in a work uniform, or an indefinable combination of clothing items that suggests that person was already in bed. 

These unplanned evenings are the most enjoyable. They are also the evenings where we do not shy away from current events. Discussions during these times always get quite heated. Sometimes a tu quoque argument pops up 'in the heat of the moment', but ultimately we always respect each other's differing views on society. That is also what makes us so close.

That evening, the demonstration by Extinction Rebellion on the A12 takes center stage. Our opinions are diametrically opposed. Do concerns about the climate justify actions of this nature, versus: is everything justified in the concern for our planet? How far can a group go to express its opinion? Are you conducting a demonstration or is the action aimed at disrupting society?  When do you still call an action playful and a case of civil disobedience, and when are the boundaries of the constitutional state knowingly and willingly tampered with?

No matter how differently we think about this, we see a few points on which we wholeheartedly agree. For example, that fortunately there is ample opportunity for all groups in our country to make their voices heard. Regardless of the subject. Or that a demonstration may never be or become a license to commit criminal offenses. Whatever your opinion at the time, demonstrators must follow the instructions of the police and mobile unit. They act on behalf of the mayor to maintain order. Finally, we agree that it is ultimately always the independent judge who has the final say in our democratic constitutional state. That must not be tampered with.

It was a wonderful evening. With plenty of food for thought for all of us. 

For those who really want to know… That evening I was the one in the orange tracksuit with Uggs and my (to some, overly familiar) black hoodie. 

The turn of the year is behind us, the Christmas trees have been cleared away, the girls from my neighborhood participated in the Christmas tree collection, and all the New Year's receptions have taken place. In other words, normal life has resumed. After the busy month of December, I am always glad to return to structure and routine. 

We got off to a great start to the year in Voorschoten with a festive New Year’s celebration. Together with family, friends, and neighbours , we raised a toast to a wonderful, healthy, and hopeful 2023. No one knows what the new year will bring, but as Claudia de Breij said in her poignant New Year’s Eve comedy special: “Things won’t just get better on their own—we’re going to make them better.” And that’s exactly right! 

Few emergency calls were made during New Year's Eve, and fortunately, there was also little damage. On January 1st, the top performers from the Outdoor Department were ready once again to clean up all the leftover fireworks debris on the streets of our village. 

That night, the firefighting heroes were also on standby. What not everyone knows is that our firefighters are volunteers. They combine this with jobs such as teacher, IT professional, or director. With 23 volunteers and 4 trainee firefighters, we have a top-tier team ready for us 24/7. Whether it concerns a fire, a cat stuck in a tree, a carbon monoxide detector, flooding, being locked out, hoisting a patient out of their home, a person in the water, storm damage, and so on: our fire department is there. And how! The average response time for a Priority 1 call (meaning highly urgent) in 2022 was 03:26 minutes. That is even faster than the previous year. Moreover, their work is not limited to our municipality. Our fire brigade also regularly takes action in surrounding municipalities. 

The impact on the home front is significant. When I attended a practice evening, one of the firefighters told me that whenever he and his partner go shopping in the village or out for dinner, the bicycle always comes along and is within arm's reach. Because you can be paged at any moment and must get to the station as quickly as possible. I think we can all imagine that partners are not always entirely enthusiastic about this. It became clear to me how committed our fellow villagers (for these volunteer firefighters are just that) are to our safety. They are an anchor in our society. Therefore, it is incredibly important that there is always a new influx of volunteers. If you are interested, do not hesitate to call or email the fire department for more information. 

Ultimately, we all have a bit of a red heart in Voorschoten.

On a Wednesday afternoon in November, I walk unannounced into the Zij aan Zij studio in De Schoolstraat. I have cleared half an hour in my agenda to look at the Christmas gifts being made there. It is a surprise for the municipal administration to receive these at the final council meeting. Upon entering, I am recognized by one of the top performers. She also helped us count the votes during the municipal council elections.

Everyone tells me what they are working on. There are some great tasks! Putting pepernoten into bags, printing pepernoten bags, and making sure everything ends up in the right bags. Meanwhile, I get to see the 37 crocheted Santas and Mrs. Clauses they have made for the municipal administration. I am speechless and feel tears suddenly welling up. I did not expect this. How incredibly nice it looks, and I feel the love with which this Christmas gift was made. The Santas and Mrs. Clauses are placed on very familiar jam jars. I am told at length that a lot of jam has been eaten!

I am about to leave because my agenda is full of appointments and I am actually already running late. Then I suddenly hear my name. Another top performer asks if I want to help her move the bags of pepernoten from one bag to another. At that moment, I think of my parents and what they instilled in me. I put my bag back on the ground and text my administrative assistant that I have more important things to do that afternoon and that my agenda needs to be cleared. Over the next hour and a half, I sit comfortably at the table with that top performer to help her.

After finishing up the pepernoten, I bike home, feeling satisfied. It’s a cloudy, gray, chilly afternoon. My thoughts drift to Christmas, which will be different for me this year than in other years. I’m with my (you know them by now) group of friends who have been there for me nonstop over the past year. This is my family, and I’m deeply grateful for that.

When I get home, I’ll grab my calendar and set aside a day in December to put up the Christmas tree. For 44 years, I’ve always done that together with my mother. I promised my mother that I’d put up a little Christmas tree in the sunroom just for her, decorated with her Christmas ornaments. One thing is certain: there will be lots and lots of lights on the Christmas trees. Each light represents all the special moments and warm memories.

I wish you and all the wonderful people around you a very merry and joyful Christmas!

Democracy—it seems so self-evident. The reality is different. Every day we see political parties and movements undermining democracy from their seats by failing to comply with—and/or flouting—the rules we’ve agreed upon together (in a democracy!). I find that astonishing in and of itself, because it’s that very same democracy that has ensured those very people can sit in those seats.

What’s going on in our little country? We are (or rather, were) known as the country where all political parties tried to work things out together. Constantly seeking consensus, the middle ground. Respecting and understanding each other’s viewpoints and looking for common ground. Give and take. Allowing each other to save face. Not governing based solely on having a majority, but also keeping in mind the interests represented by the minority—which are certainly no less important or significant. That’s not horse-trading or renouncing your own political views. It’s the realization that we’re all responsible for one another, but we also desperately need each other to ensure good public governance.

I hear our democracy crying out for protection. But the answers and the necessary action are not coming. Instead, politicians are preoccupied with themselves. Preoccupied with figuring out how to score political points as quickly as possible. Preoccupied with taking colleagues to task and tearing them down during meetings. Preoccupied with devising actions that undermine our democracy, because the rules of the game suddenly no longer suit them.

I’ve been biking home from meetings of the “ town hall ” for quite a few years now (over 20 years). Sometimes alone, sometimes in good company with colleagues. The bike ride always does me good. The silence of the evening (and sometimes the early hours of the night) clears my mind, giving me space to ask myself whether I did things during the meeting that would benefit residents, associations, and organizations. And another important thing for me: can I explain it when I get home? Through trial and error, I’ve learned one thing: the rules of democracy must never be compromised. It’s precisely when things get tough that we need to be able to fall back on them.

The demos (the people) krateo (rule/govern). Residents have elected representatives to advocate for their interests. That is the finest and highest office there is: serving as a representative of the people. It also comes with the responsibility that, as a representative of the people, you must always be mindful of why you are in that position: on behalf of and for the residents.

The leaves on the trees are changing color, raincoats have already been getting plenty of use, temperatures are dropping, peppernuts are back on store shelves, and winter clothes are being pulled out. Everything points to the fact that fall has arrived and winter is approaching. Normally, I—perhaps just like you—look forward to these seasons. The (Christmas) lights and candles always make the house feel extra cozy on those long evenings.

This year feels different. We’re living in a time of great uncertainty that’s hitting us very hard in many ways. The nitrogen crisis, the asylum reception crisis, the war in Ukraine, the fallout from the benefits scandal, sky-high inflation, groceries becoming unaffordable, period poverty, and energy poverty are affecting us in ways we never thought possible. These crises are unfolding in rapid succession, yet there are insufficient responses from The Hague to these major issues.

I share the sense of helplessness that you undoubtedly feel. If only, as your mayor, I could tackle and solve these problems. Recently, I’ve come to realize that we, as a (local) government, need to return to our core mission—the very reason we were founded in the first place: to be there for those who need help in life and to ensure that every household’s basic needs are met, such as Health and energy. Focusing on substance rather than processes, bridging divides in society, and, as a government, working to build connections—that should be our task. The Netherlands is not a for-profit company that should be run like a corporation. And when the “profit” falls short, the bill is passed on to those we are here to serve as a government—namely, the residents,

I simply cannot fathom that, in 2022, we accept that children go to school without breakfast, walk around in worn-out shoes, have empty lunchboxes at school, that young girls stay home from school during their periods because their families cannot afford sanitary pads, and that they can no longer shower every day.

The answers to these questions are still pending, but as a community in Voorschoten, there is a great deal we can do for and with one another. I’ve seen and felt that firsthand during the COVID-19 crisis. Ask your neighbours, acquaintances, family, friends, and other parents in the schoolyard how they’re doing and if they might need any help. Let’s start looking out for one another a little more again. 

Poverty is among us; it’s closer than we all realize, and it can happen to any of us. Together, we can ensure that this fall and winter aren’t too bleak, but—despite all the great uncertainties—feel warm.

“The government either has integrity or it doesn’t. There’s no such thing as ‘a little’ integrity. And the integrity of the government is the very foundation of governance; any erosion of the government’s integrity means nothing less than the government losing the trust of its citizens. And without that trust from the citizens, democracy doesn’t work. Then there is no longer any democracy. That is a distressing prospect.” These were the closing remarks of then-Minister of the Interior Ien Dales from her speech to the Association of Dutch Municipalities in June 1992.

This speech put the topic of integrity on the Map , and it has become an integral part of any discussion about the functioning of and within public administration. September 28–29 marks Integrity Night and Day. On this day, here in Voorschoten, the City Council and the “ executive board ” will also be addressing this theme. What are the dilemmas local politicians face? How do we deal with potential conflicts of interest? How do emotions influence our ability to weigh options? How can we recognize blind spots? These are just a few of the questions we need to discuss together. This is precisely to ensure that decision-making continues to take place in a transparent and ethical manner, with the public interest as the starting point. Only then will residents’ trust in the government be restored.

Working in public administration means that your actions—not only in a professional capacity but also in your private life—are under a microscope. A recent example is the Finnish prime minister, whose footage was leaked showing her dancing and singing at a private party. Let me be honest: this could have happened to me, too. Whenever I attend a private party, I hand over my duties to the deputy mayor and Health ensure that my work doesn’t suffer as a result. Is singing and dancing inappropriate behaviour for public officials? Does that say anything about our integrity? That’s also a great topic to discuss together.

The standards and values that a changing society uses to determine whether something is done with integrity or not are dynamic. Together, we must regard the focus on integrity in local government as logical and self-evident. It is not about passing judgment or condemning others. Rather, it is about working together to create an open dialogue about the dilemmas we encounter, recognizing warning signs, remaining open to them, and making room to learn from mistakes. Integrity is not personal; it is about the integrity of one’s actions. Making mistakes is human, and often happens unconsciously. Politicians, just like you, are sometimes just ordinary people.

In early July, my creative, tough, and indomitable mom tied the knot. My parents are together again. For both of them, this marriage was a second chance, and they seized it with both hands. I am deeply grateful that I was able to witness this and share my life with them.

My mom was just a tough woman. She wasn’t afraid at all to hop into a hot air balloon or a glider. She was always up to something. I can still picture her in a pleated skirt and high heels, walking across the meadow near the Lieftocht farm (where she was born) in Geiseln to help a sheep give birth. My father and I are getting older, but we’re leaving behind a legacy full of joy.

Her creativity knew no bounds. She was a master at sewing and knitting. Later, she joined a professional tapestry club that organized exhibitions known throughout the region. Making balls, decorating dolls, flower arranging, jewelry making, creating “ Maps ,” and so much more. Give Mom some scissors, felt, fabric, and paper, and something beautiful would come out of it! As a hairdresser, she could really let her creativity run wild, and I’m really going to miss her cooking skills, too.

She was incredibly proud when she became a council member and, last year, was elected mayor. We still say to each other, “Let’s keep doing this together.”

Unfortunately, I’ve been missing my dad for quite a few years now. He was a kind and honest man who was always there for everyone. Above all, he was a police officer through and through. His blue heart lives on in me, too. We traveled all over the country together to watch the Dutch men’s volleyball team play. Every vacation, we had fun and

Special things. Like trips to museums—Margraten and Wenters were, of course, always on the list. Unforgettable conversations on trains and in cars. Hours- Maps , during which we got creative with the rules.

Thanks to my father’s tremendous help, I was able to finish high school and later college. We did it together. My father was so proud when I followed in his footsteps and joined the city council.

Having Oppa and Omma was the best thing that ever happened to my parents. The role they played in their lives was written in the stars.

I saw my parents sitting there together somewhere up there, laughing with all the other living people who are already there. My father with a beer and a cigar and his dry sense of humor. My mother with a glass of red wine, her ever-present cigarettes, and her characteristic hearty and infectious laugh. That last trait must have been passed down genetically.

Not a single day goes by that I don’t think about my parents and miss them terribly. My parents have given me such beautiful and cherished memories that I will carry with me in my heart forever. They will never be forgotten. That’s why these two living treasures are so important in the lives of so many people.

The sun is shining, summer is on its way, and community life is buzzing again! We’re all enjoying lots of activities and celebrations together. It’s fantastic to see that the Four-Day Evening Walk could finally be held again. The kids’ enthusiasm was contagious. For many, it was probably also a chance to reconnect with each other. That evening, I unexpectedly ran into a former classmate from Leiden who recently moved to Voorschoten as well. We’ll definitely catch up soon!

Under the warm summer sun, the Fire Department held its Corps Evening with their families. It was wonderful to feel their dedication and hear their stories. These are the men and women who are there for us 24/7—whether it’s a fire, a storm, a CPR situation, or, for example, when a cat needs to be rescued from a tree. Nothing is too much for them. That also means a lot to those back home. I’m incredibly proud of our Fire Department!

At the Beats and Bites festival, we enjoyed music, food, good company, and toasting. Together, we made it a wonderful weekend. The Reindeer Run is coming up soon, too! You read that right—Santa has called on his summer reindeer to make up for the December edition. Of course, the “ town hall ” is once again on the flight path for this edition. And well, every now and then, parties get canceled unexpectedly… #RollingStones #let’sjustnotgetintoit

Meanwhile, preparations for the Horse Days are in full swing. We’re looking forward to the festival that has united Voorschoten for centuries and for which many people even put their vacations on hold.

Summer vacation is just around the corner. We’ve already had a taste of summer weather. For all of us, this is the familiar final stretch. The staff at the Civil Affairs Department are pulling out all the stops to ensure that everyone who needs a valid travel document before vacation can get one. An extra service window will be opened, and operating hours will be extended. However, we also need your help! Don’t wait too long to apply—make an appointment right away! For the “ municipal council ” (City Council), the final full council meetings—including the discussion of the Framework Memorandum—are on the agenda. And the political parties involved in the coalition-building process are working hard to reach an agreement with one another.

I’m looking forward to the vacation, too. It’s been a busy first half of the year with a lot going on. For me, vacation means being where my loved ones are. And of course, I can’t go without my stack of books!

I wish you a pleasant and peaceful summer.

After two years, we were finally able to celebrate King’s Day as usual again. The festivities began the day before, when I had the honor of presenting six residents with Royal Decorations as a token of gratitude for their many years of volunteer service to the community. The presentation of the decorations gave way to a good-old-fashioned, festive King’s Day with the children’s flea market, the parade, the fair, and the many other activities that took place that day. In the evening, there was a big party on Voorstraat, featuring three stages. What a fantastic “Orange” atmosphere there was all day long! Many thanks to the Orange Association, local businesses, the police, special enforcement officers, and all the celebrating residents who contributed to this!

Many of you attended the Remembrance Day ceremony on May 4, where we reflected together on the fact that freedom and solidarity cannot be taken for granted. I shared the personal story of my grandfather and the war-related trauma he carried with him until the very end—a burden that affected the people he loved most in life: my grandmother and his three sons. I am now realizing more and more that war always leaves a mark on a person and that this is passed down from generation to generation.

With a new war in Europe, we realize once again how fortunate we are to be able to live in a free and safe country. Zlata and Emilia fled Ukraine with their mother and are staying temporarily in Voorschoten. Zlata has beautifully captured the connection between Voorschoten and Ukraine in a painting. It was a deeply moving moment when, during the Remembrance Day ceremony, these two girls placed a floral arrangement in the shape of the Ukrainian flag ( colours ) at the war memorial.

Let’s cherish our freedom by continuing to commemorate it every year, continuing to share these stories, and celebrating our freedom.

In the meantime, the shelter for Ukrainian refugees at the “ town hall ” has opened. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of the community and government agencies, we are able to offer these refugees a temporary safe home. In addition, for weeks now, private households have been taking in Ukrainian refugees in their own homes, entirely selflessly. This also applies to the sisters at Huize Bijdorp, who were ready to help when we asked them for assistance. What a sense of community there is in Voorschoten that we are able to do this together.

The year during which I had the privilege of serving as your mayor has flown by. I look back on a truly wonderful year! Thank you for making this year unforgettable for me. Many thanks also to the loved ones in my personal life who always support me. They are (mostly) invisible to you, but to me they are the most important thing in my life, day in and day out.

“Mess, mess, everything’s gone—we haven’t cleaned up in a while…” For those who don’t recognize this, it’s from the Bert & Ernie Christmas record. It’s a good description of the situation I’m in right now. With my laptop on the kitchen table—which is no longer visible because of all the clutter—moving boxes literally piled up all around me, and movers who are currently loading all my household goods into the moving truck. One of my very best friends just called me and wondered if she could still reach me these days; my friends have put together a schedule of who can come by when over the next few days to help with cleaning and unpacking boxes. And the guys are being rounded up to hang light fixtures and such. Because, well, some things really are men’s work…. In short, anyone who’s ever moved knows I’m in the middle of a minor nightmare. “Let It Go” by Elsa from *Frozen* is my motto these days, and I’ve been playing it nonstop on Spotify. There have also been plenty of hilarious moments over the past few weeks. Like spending half a day picking out flooring, only to find out two weeks ago that it couldn’t be delivered. I ended up picking out the new flooring in two minutes.

Without the help of so many people, I could never have pulled this off. Words cannot express my gratitude to everyone for their dedication and integrity from the very start of my search for a home, for their help in the months that followed, for their efforts in selling my house in Voorburg, and to the contractor who worked his tail off for weeks on end to make my home absolutely beautiful. And then there are all the lovely people around me who have put up with my increasingly eccentric moods over the past few weeks and were there for me—no matter what. I am so blessed to have these sweethearts in my life. 

As I publish this column, I’m happily settled into my new little home, and I’m really looking forward to it. It’ll be nice to bike to work and to the “ centre ” to do my grocery shopping. King’s Day is in two weeks. After two years, we can finally celebrate it together again. Let’s make it a great celebration! On May 4 and 5, we’ll commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and celebrate 77 years of living in freedom. With a war situation so close by, I realize once again just how precious freedom is and how important it is to reflect on this.

As I write this column, I have just announced, in my capacity as chair of the Central Election Commission, the official results of the municipal elections held on March 16, 2022. These elections went incredibly smoothly from an organizational standpoint. My sincere thanks go to all the volunteers at the polling stations, the vote counters who got right to work after the polls closed, and the election team that was on standby that evening (and night!) to enter the results. Thanks to them, I was able to announce the provisional final results on election night—just two hours after the polls closed—including the voter turnout and the provisional seat allocation. 

With a voter turnout of 59.9%, voters in Voorschoten turned out at the polls at a rate well above the national average. It is clear, however, that we in the Netherlands face a common challenge: “How can trust in politics be restored? How can we work together to ensure that voters feel their vote matters?” I don’t have the answers yet, but I am committed to working hard on this issue in the coming years, together with the council, executive board , and the residents.

It became clear that the elections belong to all of us when, for the first time in Voorschoten, volunteer pairs helped with the organization. On Wednesday morning, Lars worked the morning shift at the polling station in the Kruispuntkerk. Jonna and Yvonne helped count the votes from early voters that morning. As they told me themselves: “We’re part of this, too, and we can do our part for the elections in our own way.” It was a goosebumps moment for me, because I realized that we were able to make a difference. That’s why I entered public service in the first place. 

This beautiful celebration of democracy was overshadowed by the dark cloud of the war in Ukraine—a war we all watch with horror. Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine. What they are currently enduring is beyond our comprehension. It is heartwarming to see the support from the community, which is collecting supplies and food and standing ready to welcome refugees into their homes. Here in Voorschoten, we are working closely with the region to make it possible to accommodate the refugees. At the moment, we are still waiting for clarity from the government regarding funding. Like you, I feel it is taking far too long. The need is simply too great. I hope that by the time this column is published, we will finally have clarity and be able to get to work. 

As I write this column, Storm Eunice is just behind us. The storm caused a great deal of damage, such as fallen trees, branches on the road, roof tiles and solar panels that were blown off, and so on. Our firefighters have been hard at work since Friday morning. What an incredible task that has been—more than 30 calls on Friday alone. Saturday was also a very busy day, with nearly as many calls as the day before. We received additional reports of storm damage, as well as reports of flooding in the evening during the rain—often as a result of damage caused during the storm. Our field staff have also been working nonstop these past few days to clear bike paths, remove branches, and so on.

We’re not out of the woods yet! Storm Franklin is set to hit us Sunday evening. Over the next few days, our firefighters will once again be there for us. They’re all volunteers who, in addition to their regular jobs (and family lives!), remain on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The dedication and loyalty of our fire department gives me goosebumps; there are no words to describe it. If you have time, please stop by the fire station to thank our heroes! They deserve it!

Another “storm” that will be sweeping through our municipality in the coming weeks is the election storm. We get to vote again! The municipal elections are on March 16. You can see and feel in every way that the political parties’ campaigns have begun. The last council meeting has taken place, election signs are popping up everywhere, posters are being put up, and the parties are busy handing out flyers throughout the village. 

Behind the scenes at the “ town hall ,” the organizing team is hard at work. The lists of participating political parties have been approved, the locations of the polling stations have been announced, and poll workers and vote counters are ready to announce the results as quickly as possible on March 16. This year, we have a very special extra pair of hands at polling station number 1! A “prokkelduo” will be there—a team of volunteers consisting of one person without a mild intellectual disability and one person with a mild intellectual disability. The elections belong to all of us, and I’m so happy to have this extra pair of hands! I wish all political parties the best of luck and hope they enjoy the coming weeks. 

The storm that seems to be subsiding is the COVID-19 pandemic. After almost exactly two years, society is reopening. Like you, I am incredibly happy that we’ve reached this point. Our local business owners can finally get back to running their businesses, go to festivals and sing along at the top of their lungs, and cheer at sports games—we’ve missed this so much. I’m looking forward to the festivities in our village, such as King’s Day and May 5. And to being able to commemorate May 4 together. Back to normal.

First and foremost, I’d like to wish you all a wonderful, healthy, and happy 2022! We all hope that 2022 will be the year when we can go to concerts, visit the “ theatre ,” and go to the movies; when we can once again cheer from the sidelines on Saturday mornings; and when we can enjoy dining out together, sitting on a patio, and going to the bar. It feels like an eternity ago, and we’re so ready for it! In recent weeks, mayors across the country have been lobbying the government intensively to reopen stores, restaurants, and cultural venues. Voorschoten, together with neighboring municipalities, has also sent two letters to the cabinet. COVID-19 will remain among us to a greater or lesser extent, and it’s time to fundamentally revise our COVID-19 policy. Until then, as mayor, I’ll do what I can for you—of course, within the measures in place at that time.

Fortunately, New Year’s Eve in Voorschoten went relatively smoothly. Thank you for that! We got together and had a cozy little celebration with a small group of people. On New Year’s Eve, I visited a local resident with the community police officer—she hadn’t had any visitors over the holidays. Her gratitude for having someone visit her for a moment was beyond words. As we walked away, feeling somewhat moved, I realized that in that moment, we had made a difference in her life. For me, that’s the reason I ever entered public service in the first place.

Politically speaking, 2022 is going to be a special year! You’ll have the chance to vote for a new municipal council. This year, polling places will once again be open for three days: March 14, 15, and 16. I sincerely hope that many of you will turn out to vote. Because with your vote, you help determine the decisions made in Voorschoten. In the coming weeks, you’ll undoubtedly be hearing a lot more about the elections. Behind the scenes, the election team has been working very hard for several months now to, for example, organize the polling stations, verify the candidate lists of the participating parties, and so on. In early February, it will be formally announced which parties, with which candidate lists, will be participating in the municipal elections.

The year 2022 will also be marked by Leiden European City of Science—a 365-day science festival brimming with knowledge, art, and expertise. Each day has a unique theme. The region—including Voorschoten—is taking part! 365 days of curiosity in the Leiden region. Be sure to check out the “ programme ” via the linkhttps://leiden2022.nl/. It’s definitely worth a look!

For me, December is one of the coziest months of the year. It’s nice and cozy and warm at home on the couch by the Christmas tree (it’s really just some lights with a bit of a tree), with Christmas lights in the windows and in the garden, and the whole house is filled with candles and tea lights. It’s time for friends who, as is tradition, show up unannounced on my doorstep with sushi and a bottle of wine. We laugh a lot together, though this year there’s a tear because we’re missing a dear friend. We raise an extra toast to her—and to life! For me, the holidays are also all about cooking together or enjoying the delicious cuisine of a local restaurant owner, which really makes you feel like you’re dining out at home. Finally, some time to tackle that stack of books. Sky Radio’s The Christmas Station has been playing through the speakers for several weeks now, and starting on Christmas Day, we’ll switch over to the Top 2000, which plays day and night. For some songs, we turn the volume up a bit for a few minutes. And we keep dreaming of a white Christmas…

This atmosphere gives me a nostalgic feeling that the end of the year is truly approaching. It reminds me of the words my father used to say at this time of year: “The year is starting to get old.” Being able to share these moments of joy with the people I love most in my life makes me the happiest person on this planet. I’m well aware that not everyone is so fortunate. December is also a time when many people feel a bit lonelier. Let’s make a special effort to look out for one another during this season.

Here at the “ town hall ,” we’re also gearing up for the Christmas break. The final council and executive committee meetings have taken place, and now the organization is about to embark on a well-deserved vacation period. Setting up the new organizational structure while work continued “as usual” was a massive undertaking. Everyone has worked incredibly hard. A huge compliment to our staff! A small number of employees will continue working during this period. I’m thinking of the staff at City Management, the Customer Contact Center, and the Civil Affairs team, who are fully engaged in preparing for the municipal elections, as well as the Public Order and Safety staff, who are working hard alongside the special investigating officers (BOAs), the police, and the fire department to ensure a safe New Year’s Eve.

We’re leaving 2021 behind. I wish you a New Year filled with lots of lights. Happy holidays and a wonderful, healthy 2022.

Sinterklaas songs, dancing and singing Pieten, the Pieten Band, the historic fire truck Spuit41, smiling and cheerful children, and of course Sinterklaas himself! What a festive arrival it was last Saturday morning. This year, Sinterklaas took a tour through Schoolstraat and Voorstraat in a vintage car. It’s a fantastic children’s celebration, and it’s so nice that we were able to celebrate it—even if just a little bit.

Many children will have put out their shoes, only to find a gift from Sinterklaas in them the next day. The Sinterklaas News reported an alarming shortage of gifts because the Gift Room is closed. Fortunately for the kids in Voorschoten, there’s no problem. I’m sure Sinterklaas buys locally, and we have lots of great stores in our shopping centers. So everything should be fine!

December 5 is traditionally “Pakjesavond” (Gift-Opening Night). It’s the evening when many families gather together and unwrap a bag full of gifts. This isn’t a given for every family. Together with the Sintvoorieder1 Foundation and the library, we’re making sure that more than 100 children also have an unforgettable “Pakjesavond.” Thank you to everyone for your efforts! Together, we’re making a difference in these children’s lives.

From a festive Saturday morning to a serious Thursday. This week, on November 25, is Orange the World. It’s a time to draw extra attention to the fight against violence against women. Every day, women and girls are abused. Without a safe haven, this is especially difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, we can do something about it. This year’s theme is therefore prevention. See what you can do to help, for example, a neighbor who is in a very difficult situation. You can make a difference in her life. Starting November 25 and through December 10, town hall will be colored orange.

As I write this column, many police officers have just endured some extremely intense days. What happened in Rotterdam and The Hague can no longer be called a demonstration. This affects all officers, as well as their families. Not knowing whether you’ll make it home safely after a shift has a major impact. Police officers, firefighters, and paramedics work every day to keep us safe. In those moments, they step up where others cannot. Now more than ever, it’s important that we show the emergency services that we stand behind them and support them. A small effort, a small gesture that means a great deal to them and makes all the difference.

Social media has become an integral part of our lives—WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and so on. We’re constantly on it all day long. Me, too! I enjoy chatting with my friends about the latest news and topics that only women can talk about for hours on end; whenever a news site posts an alert, I quickly check to see what’s going on in the world; and I regularly post updates on Facebook and Twitter. Mostly about what I’m working on, and sometimes a personal update in between. In a way, social media has brought us closer together. For example, during the lockdown, we video-chatted constantly with parents and grandparents, and we’ve seen that social media can also offer comfort.

The downside is that there seem to be few inhibitions when it comes to voicing opinions and sending messages with certain content. Since I took office as mayor and my Facebook account became public, I’ve received countless marriage proposals and declarations of love via Messenger, as well as some rather unusual photos. If I’d saved them all, I could have made a calendar out of them. Of course, the gentlemen in question asked me if I could send a photo of myself in return. In case you’re wondering what I did: I didn’t send any photos back, and after they had their laugh (admittedly, that can sometimes take a while), I deleted, blocked, and reported everything.

What worries me more is the trend that an ever-growing group of people believes they can and should say anything on social media—all under the guise of freedom of speech. Yes, we do have this freedom, and let’s be grateful for it. As far as I’m concerned, this freedom goes hand in hand with a responsibility for what we say and the impact it has. Over the past year, this trend has become more pronounced. Of course, you’re entitled to disagree with the COVID-19 measures, but comparing them to the persecution of the Jews during World War II—and all the horrors that took place then—is so utterly misplaced that I’m at a loss for words. The same applies when police officers, special investigating officers, civil servants, or government officials are compared to Nazis. Please realize that these people are also simply someone’s father or mother, daughter or son, who are doing their jobs according t honour , and conscience. Just like you.

The dual nature of social media will always be with us, but together we can ensure that social media helps make our society a little better and more beautiful. Let’s keep the discussions focused on the issues rather than on the person, look out for those who need support, and share positive messages with one another.

Starting September 25, the time will have come; after 1.5 years of having to maintain 1.5- metre , this requirement will be lifted. It’s a major step toward a society where we can truly live together again, give a hug to the people we love, or put an arm around someone when it’s needed most.

I fully realize that the requirement to use the COVID-19 entry pass in certain places—such as indoors at restaurants and bars or at the theatre —is a disappointment. It places yet another burden on sectors that have been struggling for quite some time. I’ve come to know Voorschoten as a close-knit community that has pulled together during the COVID-19 pandemic. We must get through this final stretch together as well. Let’s hope for a beautiful late summer so that the outdoor seating areas at centre can be enjoyed to the fullest. 

We’ve achieved this freedom together because so many people were—and still are—willing to get vaccinated. That’s true in Voorschoten, too! 76% of residents in Voorschoten aged 12 and older are fully vaccinated. It’s great to see that so many have made this important choice. However, we must continue to exercise this freedom responsibly together. Give people the leeway they ask for, and respect that.

Thanks to the newfound freedom, I can once again visit couples celebrating their wedding anniversaries and centenarians. The visits that couldn’t take place last year will also be made now, provided the residents in question would appreciate them. I’ve already had such lovely reactions and conversations with happy couples celebrating their anniversaries. Looking back on how they met and the key to their long-lasting happiness: give and take, and letting each other do their own thing. There will undoubtedly be many more wonderful visits to come in the near future!

On August 24, I had the pleasure of celebrating, in a small way, the fact that I had been your mayor for 100 days as of that day. Looking back on these wonderful months with a smile and gratitude, and looking forward to the years ahead with great enthusiasm.

That day took a sudden turn when I received a phone call informing me that a friend had passed away unexpectedly. For a moment, time stood still for me. It hit me that you have to live each day to the fullest, because without warning, it can all come to an end. She was so proud when I was nominated and sworn in as your mayor. I dedicate this column to her, because she will always be in our hearts.

The vacation gear is back in the closet, the calendar is full, I’m almost done with the last book on the pile, and I’m enjoying the last rays of vacation sunshine. It’s time to get back to work!

Council members, executive committee members, and civil servants are about to enter a new political season—the final one before the municipal elections. And… this political season begins with a milestone. On September 1, Voorschoten’s new municipal administration will launch. It’s an independent organization that works closely with residents, organizations, associations, and businesses. We’re committed to providing excellent service. That means we, as the government, are here for you—whether that means shorter wait times at service counters or ensuring that when you call the municipality or reach out via social media with a substantive question, you receive a prompt response. The Municipalities Act requires us to respond to a letter within 8 weeks. This no longer fits the digital age. At any online store with good customer service, after asking a substantive question, we immediately receive a confirmation of receipt and often a response within a few days.

Treat others the way you would like to be treated.

This may sound like stating the obvious, but everyday experience shows that there is plenty of room for improvement. It doesn’t mean that anything goes. The answer to your question might also be “no.” It’s our responsibility to be able to explain why something isn’t possible. It’s also important that we learn from each other when things don’t go well. Wherever people work, mistakes are bound to happen. That goes for us, too.

As the municipality of Voorschoten, we’re about to make a crucial shift in how we operate—from a bureaucratic organization that simply follows the law to a service-oriented organization that acts in response to the needs of our residents. This won’t happen overnight. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day. We’re building it, starting from the ground up. Our goal is to get a little better every day. To do that, we need your help. Please keep sharing your tips and suggestions with us!

At its core, it’s about the government being a reliable partner. This is precisely where the problem lies these days. People are viewing the government with increasing distrust. I understand that. For example, the benefits scandal has left deep scars on many people, including residents of Voorschoten. Lives have been ruined by the government’s actions. As a government, we must work hard every day to regain that trust and continue to earn it.

I have every confidence in our new organization. Starting September 1, we’ll be working with you on this!

As I write this first column, I’ve been your mayor for exactly one month. I’d like to sincerely thank everyone for all the emails, letters, flowers, and cards I received on the occasion of my inauguration on May 17. What a warm welcome!

After the wonderful evening of my inauguration, I was happy to roll up my sleeves right away and get to work for Voorschoten. The past few weeks have mainly been devoted to initial introductory meetings with business owners, associations, and organizations. I went on walks and bike rides with council members who showed me the beautiful spots in Voorschoten. I visited the fire station and the Leiden-Zuid police station, where our community police officers are based. Where would we be without our emergency services, which are there for all of us day and night? Of course, I also got to know the staff of the municipal administration. 

There were also some special moments. Conversations with residents that touched me. The gratitude you see in someone’s eyes when a Royal Honor is presented. And the joy on Connor’s face (who doesn’t know him by now?) when I presented him with the first “Compliment of Voorschoten,” an award the municipality gives to people who have achieved something exceptional. Despite his dyslexia, he graduated from high school with eight perfect scores. He’s someone who has shown that you should never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.

The past year has been a difficult one. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all. We are on the path back to an open society. Step by step, we’re able to do more and more, such as exercising together, visiting stores, grabbing a bite to eat, going to museums, “ theatre ,” and the movies. We’ve achieved this together! By following the basic rules and getting vaccinated in large numbers over the past few months. We still need to be careful and pull together for the final stretch, which is always the hardest. Like you, I hope that things will soon truly return to the old normal and that we can finally give our loved ones a big hug again. The end of the restrictions also makes it easier for me to get to know Voorschoten and its residents even better in the coming months. I’m looking forward to it.