Oldambt honors departing councillors with royal distinction as new council term begins
Ten councillors in Oldambt bid farewell as their terms end, marking a transition in local governance. One received a royal honor for years of service, highlighting the impact of dedicated public representatives on community life.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Departing Councillors | 10 (Aart Jan Langbroek, Anneke Suurling, Fred Greven, Henriëtte Davelaar, Hilbert Flokstra, Jeroen Nobbe, Maria Winkel-Dijkhuis, Mark Kalse, Nico Postmus, Tim van Bostelen) |
| Royal Honour | Mark Kalse awarded Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau |
| New Council Term | 2026–2030, installation on 1 April 2024 |
| Location | Municipality of Oldambt, Groningen |
| Special Initiative | March Dialect Month: Gronings language used in council meetings |
The municipality of Oldambt plays a key role in local governance, overseeing policies and democratic processes that shape community life. Councillors serve as elected representatives, ensuring citizen voices are heard in decision-making and public service delivery.
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Oldambt Municipal Council bids farewell to ten councillors
On Monday evening, 30 March, the municipality of Oldambt said goodbye to ten councillors. One of them received a royal honour. The new municipal council will be installed on 1 April.
Ten departing councillors
On Monday evening, 30 March, the Oldambt municipal council said farewell to ten councillors who will not return in the new 2026–2030 council term. They were thanked for their commitment and involvement over the past years.
For some councillors, their departure was a deliberate choice, while for others it was the result of the election results. Mayor Cora-Yfke Sikkema personally addressed the departing councillors. She expressed her appreciation for their contribution to local democracy and emphasised the importance of councillors who wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to the common good.
The Oldambt municipal council said goodbye to Aart Jan Langbroek (GroenLinks), Anneke Suurling (Partij voor het Noorden), Fred Greven (PvdA), Henriëtte Davelaar (D66), Hilbert Flokstra (PvdA), Jeroen Nobbe (SP), Maria Winkel-Dijkhuis (Gemeentebelangen Oldambt), Mark Kalse (Partij voor het Noorden), Nico Postmus (Oldambt Aktief) and Tim van Bostelen (CDA).
Royal honour
Mark Kalse’s farewell was particularly special. He was awarded the title of Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau by Mayor Sikkema for his many years of service. Kalse has been involved with the Partij voor het Noorden since 2010 and has been a member of the Oldambt municipal council since 2014.
March dialect month
During the meeting, the council also reflected on the Gronings dialect. In 2023, the motion ‘Oldambtster road dei in meert Grunnegs proat’ was adopted, calling for a contribution in Gronings during council meetings in March, which is dialect month. Two councillors were happy to oblige.
Harma Nobbe stressed the importance of taking pride in Gronings and keeping the dialect alive: “Mien verzuik aan de road is dan ook hail simpel. Loaten we mekoar op elke roadsdag, ongeacht de kleur van de fractie, gewoon weer groeten met dat aine, wat mie betreft schierste woord: moi!”
Jan Kenter looked back on the past council term in Gronings: “Vaar joar van besloeten dai er tou deed’n. … Dank je wel veur de soamnwaarkn, veur het debat. Veur de momenten dat we het onains waarn. En veur de momenten dat we mekoar vonden.”