Beekdaelen honors three departing councillors with Royal distinctions
Three long-serving councillors in Beekdaelen receive Royal Honours for their 12 years of dedication to local governance. Their departure marks the end of an era, as they pass the torch to new leaders in the community.
| Name | Party/Group | Years of Service | Honour Received |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clasina Debets | GroenLinks | 12 | Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau |
| Ton Kollée | Independent | 12 (with hiatus) | Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau |
| John Marissen | Vernieuwingsgroep (Renewal Group) | 12 | Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau |
The municipality of Beekdaelen is responsible for local governance, including the appointment and recognition of councillors who contribute to policy-making and community development. Royal Honours are awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to society, often on the recommendation of local authorities.
Read the full translated article below
Three councillors bid farewell and receive Royal Honours
During the municipal council meeting on Tuesday 31 March, Mayor Eric Geurts of Beekdaelen presented a Royal Honour on behalf of His Majesty the King to Clasina Debets, Ton Kollée and John Marissen. They have been appointed Members of the Order of Orange-Nassau. All three are stepping down from the Beekdaelen municipal council after serving for 12 years.
Clasina Debets
Clasina Debets is one of the most experienced councillors in Beekdaelen. Since 2006, she has served as a councillor for the GroenLinks party in the former municipality of Nuth and later in Beekdaelen. In addition to her council duties, she holds a full-time position with the municipality, where she is involved in developing new initiatives.
She was known for her tenacity in handling files and was not easily sidelined in debates. Ahead of the municipal elections, she made a conscious decision to step down as lead candidate to make way for a new generation. She also played an important role in fostering local cooperation between GroenLinks and the Labour Party and leaves behind an active and enthusiastic group of successors.
Ton Kollée
Ton Kollée has a long political career that dates back to the time of the former municipality of Nuth. After a brief political hiatus, he returned to the Beekdaelen municipal council in 2022.
He consistently focused debates on key issues. He frequently kept the council on track regarding procedures and the use of the RvO (Municipal Powers Act). A skilled debater, his contributions were concise and well-argued, earning him respect from all sides. He knew exactly when to make his point and was highly valued for it.
John Marissen
John Marissen is known as a calm and steady force who has been invaluable to his party, the Vernieuwingsgroep (Renewal Group). Despite his busy daily work schedule, he consistently attended numerous meetings and gatherings.
Marissen has now made a conscious decision to pass the baton to his daughter Eline, ensuring that the Marissen name will continue to be represented in local politics in the future.