Six long-serving Beesel councillors honored with royal awards for community dedication
Six municipal councillors in Beesel, including four awarded the prestigious Order of Orange-Nassau, were honored for their years of service. Their work in care, housing, and community inclusion has left a lasting impact on local residents.
| Name | Role | Party | Years of Service | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ms E.A.M. (Ilona) Franssen-Levels | Municipal councillor | VLP | 2010–2026 | Care, welfare, credentials committee |
| Mr G.T.P.M. (Gé) Derks | Municipal councillor | VLP | 2010–2026 | Construction, housing, committee chair |
| Ms W.M. (Will) Killaars-Schoolmeesters | Municipal councillor | CDA | 2014–2026 | Inclusive community, inclusion vision |
| Mr P.J.I.M. (Patrick) Jacobs | Municipal councillor | Beeselse Lijst | 2010–2026 | Livability, village centre, committees |
| Mr Krijn Pansters | Municipal councillor | CDA | Not specified | Not specified |
| Mr Job Nijssen | Municipal councillor | Beeselse Lijst | Not specified | Not specified |
Municipalities in the Netherlands play a crucial role in local governance, addressing community needs such as housing, care, and inclusion. The municipal council, elected by residents, oversees policy implementation and ensures the well-being of citizens. Royal honors like the Order of Orange-Nassau recognize exceptional contributions to public service.
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Royal honours awarded to municipal councillors
On Tuesday, 31 March 2026, the municipality of Beesel took its leave of six municipal councillors during the final council meeting of the 2022–2026 council term. This included several outgoing councillors who had served on the municipal council for 12 years or longer. In this context, four individuals in the municipality of Beesel were awarded the title of Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau. Mayor Martijn Derks presented the honours, expressing gratitude for their many years of dedication to the community as councillors.
We also said farewell to municipal councillors Krijn Pansters (CDA) and Job Nijssen (Beeselse Lijst). Thank you for your service!
In the municipality of Beesel, the following individuals were awarded the title of Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau:
Ms E.A.M. (Ilona) Franssen-Levels – municipal councillor 2010–2026 for the VLP. Ms Franssen has been a strong advocate for issues related to care and welfare. She also served as chair of the credentials committee for newly appointed councillors.
Mr G.T.P.M. (Gé) Derks – municipal councillor 2010–2026 for the VLP. Mr Derks has focused in particular on issues related to construction and housing. For many years, he also served as chair of committee meetings and as a member of the employers' committee for the council secretariat.
Ms W.M. (Will) Killaars-Schoolmeesters – municipal councillor 2014–2026 for the CDA. During her time as a councillor, Ms Killaars worked to promote an inclusive community, which ultimately resulted in the adoption of an inclusion vision. She was also a long-serving member and chair of the employers' committee for the council secretariat.
Mr P.J.I.M. (Patrick) Jacobs – municipal councillor 2010–2026 for the Beeselse Lijst. Mr Jacobs has been a strong advocate for the livability of the village centre in Beesel. He also served on various committees, including the trust committee for the recruitment of a new mayor, the employers' committee for the council secretariat, and as chair of committee meetings.