Due to wintry weather, the New Years reception on Monday, January 5, could not take place. However, Mayor Marianne Schuurmans, together with child mayor Enoch, was present that evening at Hotel Schiphol A4 in Hoofddorp. They welcomed visitors who had not yet received the cancellation and chatted with them. Unfortunately, the traditional New Years speech could not be delivered. Curious about what the mayor wanted to say? You can find the full speech below.
On behalf of the municipal government, I wish you a good, healthy, and happy 2026.
The turn of the year in Haarlemmermeer was largely relatively calm, but less peaceful than in previous years. Most things went as we are used to here: beautiful fireworks in the street, at home with family, neighbors, and friends. Unfortunately, one person was seriously injured by illegal fireworks. And for the first time, we saw incidents of violence against emergency services. That is unacceptable and does not fit who we are.
I want to express my great thanks to everyone who was ready for us during New Years Eve: the police officers of the Haarlemmermeer basic team, our fire brigade and control rooms, the Royal Marechaussee at Schiphol, the enforcement officers, neighborhood fathers, ambulance services, and all healthcare professionals. Your commitment makes the difference, every night, but especially on New Years night.
We live in a time when world conflicts evoke emotions, sometimes even between neighbors or colleagues. At the end of 2024, our municipal council adopted a brave motion: live next to each other, be good neighbors, do not let conflicts from elsewhere enter our community. That is Haarlemmermeer at its best, sober, connecting, and with that polder instinct that has helped us for generations.
As Desmond Tutu said: “There is no future without forgiveness, and no community without connection.”
But tensions do not only arise from origin or religion. We also faced shootings, explosions, and kidnappings, often stemming from serious undermining crime. We must continue to combat this, for the safety of our youth and our neighborhoods, and to prevent people from feeling unsafe in their own homes.
In March, we will elect a new municipal council. And elections come with tough debates, sharp positions, and one-liners that do well on social media. But lets be honest: our residents mainly want actions, not decibels. They want cooperation, connection, and results.
And sometimes residents just want the pavement stones to be straight and the street lighting to work. That is the beauty of local government: it is concrete, tangible, and sometimes you can literally stumble over it.
The new council faces major challenges: building homes, maintaining and greening neighborhoods, and investing in safety. But above all: creating neighborhoods where people know, see, and support each other. Where no one is lonely. Where we are there for each other. As the Social and Cultural Planning Office calls it: investing in the social cement of our society.
In Haarlemmermeer, we are already doing that. We go into the neighborhoods, listen to what is alive, and build together towards more self-reliance. And I also want to express my appreciation for our village and neighborhood councils and our area management. They know the people, they know the problems.
Our municipality is growing and changing. More and more new residents find their place here. People who need to get to know each other, to organize a neighborhood party together, to become volunteers, or simply to live as Dutch people have done for generations: with each other, not next to each other. That 1960s feeling of neighbors knowing each other, in a modern jacket, we are rebuilding. Including laying down a small stock for uncertain times.
Due to wintry weather, the New Years reception on Monday, January 5, could not take place. Mayor Marianne Schuurmans and child mayor Enoch welcomed guests who missed the cancellation. Photo: Municipality of Haarlemmermeer
We have a unique position: with Schiphol within our municipality, with neighbors like Amsterdam, Haarlem, and Leiden around us, and a polder where the region and the government like to make plans. But let me be clear: we cannot solve all regional and national problems. We like to think along, but we are not a bottomless polder. We proverbially know the HAARLEMMER oil to solve all problems, but the HaarlemmerMEER oil does not exist.
We are now the 14th municipality of the Netherlands and we grow every day. And although we were only founded in 1855, we are truly past puberty. You know: that phase of awkward searching, too little fat on the bones, in love with everything and everyone, and having no idea who you are.
A municipality in puberty is still searching who it is, a young adult municipality knows it and dares to say it out loud now. And that means a municipality with its own identity, with conscious choices, with a clear voice.
The new municipal government must use that voice to determine a clear course: who do we want to be, where are we growing to, which choices belong to that. A rapidly growing, diverse municipality cannot afford a wait-and-see attitude. We do not like to pat ourselves on the back, but we cannot remain modest forever. We must think ahead, look ahead, dare to dream ahead.
We are a municipality with a face. An economy of national significance, with among others strong companies in Life Sciences & Health, ICT, high tech, energy, smart logistics, and aerospace. With a strong and involved SME sector and after Amsterdam the most hotel rooms. Companies that contribute to our employment, prosperity, and innovative solutions.
We are also a sports municipality, where people move, live healthily, and deliver top performances, from tennis to skating, from swimming to motorsport and athletics. And with many volunteers who care for our residents, our associations, our safety, our society.
We are a municipality where with few, too few, but fantastic, motivated, and hardworking employees, we tackle many challenges that are of local, regional, and national importance.
And no, we do not have a medieval city center. But we do have something else: a community of more than 150 nationalities living peacefully together, working hard, and giving each other space and happiness. Warm, involved, human. That is our monument. We must cherish that and preserve it for the future.
This year I heard that I may be mayor for another six years. That fills me with pride, gratitude, and, honestly, a bit of emotion. Every day I am touched by the warmth, humor, sobriety, and resilience I see everywhere. Sometimes I think: if we could store that energy, we would not need extra electricity supply.
I look forward to continuing to build together with you a Haarlemmermeer that is self-confident, strong, resilient, and ready for the future.
I wish you a warm, involved, and healthy new year.
For you, your loved ones, and our entire community.