Heemskerk alderman highlights four years of progress in housing, education and energy transition
Alderman Piet Burgering reflects on Heemskerk’s achievements over the past four years, including new housing projects, school renovations, and energy transition initiatives. Residents can expect improved facilities and measures to tackle energy poverty in the coming years.
| Category | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Housing | Construction pushed through despite challenges |
| Education | Renovation/new builds for 3 schools (KC Eigenwijze, St Leonardus, De Zevenhoeven) |
| Energy Transition | Measures to combat energy poverty, insulation programs, district heating plans |
| Financial Management | Municipal finances kept in order despite national government issues |
| Social Domain | New integrated policy plan with concrete goals |
The municipality of Heemskerk, led by its executive board, is responsible for local governance, including housing, education, and sustainability policies. Aldermen like Piet Burgering oversee specific portfolios and implement policies to improve residents' quality of life.
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external link to whydonate.comRead the full translated article below
Column by Alderman Piet Burgering: Count your blessings
Each month, one of the aldermen or the mayor of Heemskerk writes a column for Nieuwsblad Heemskerk. This month, it was Alderman Piet Burgering’s turn.
By the time you read this, the municipal elections will already be a week behind us. There’s plenty to say about the results, and of course I have my own opinions on the matter. But that’s not what I’m going to discuss today. Politics—and local politics in particular—is about what you can concretely contribute to society. What you can change and, above all, improve in your own village.
Together with my colleagues on the executive board, we’ve worked tirelessly over the past four years. And we’ve achieved a great deal. Despite strong headwinds and lengthy procedures, we managed to push through housing construction. We kept the finances in order, even when the national government sometimes made a mess of things.
Within my own portfolio, we’ve also accomplished some great things. We developed a new integrated policy plan for the social domain. It may sound rather abstract, but the plan includes agreements on very concrete goals.
Another tangible achievement is what we’ve accomplished in education. We’re renovating or building new facilities for no fewer than three schools. Construction workers are already on-site at KC Eigenwijze. At St Leonardus and De Zevenhoeven, we’ll soon be moving from paper to actual bricks.
When I started as an alderman four years ago, the energy transition seemed to be passing Heemskerk by. But the war in Ukraine and rising energy prices made almost everyone realize the necessity—and urgency—of working toward this transition. Now, we have measures to combat energy poverty, programs to improve insulation, and we’re seriously considering a district heating network.
There’s still plenty to do in Heemskerk, but count your blessings and look at what we’ve already achieved!