Outgoing Oldambt councillor Mark Kalse receives royal honour for dedicated service
After 12 years of service, Oldambt councillor Mark Kalse has been awarded the title of Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau. His contributions to local politics, including preserving Winschoten’s historic centre and advocating for housing and youth issues, have left a lasting impact on the community.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Mark Kalse |
| Political Party | Party for the North |
| Years of Service | 12 years (2014–2026 term) |
| Award Received | Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau |
| Key Contributions | Preservation of Winschoten’s historic centre, housing, liveability, youth |
| Municipality | Oldambt (Groningen) |
| Farewell Date | 30 March 2020 |
| Mayor’s Tribute | Cora-Yfke Sikkema praised his passion and dedication |
The Oldambt municipal council is responsible for local governance, including urban planning, housing, and community development. Councillors like Mark Kalse play a key role in advocating for policies that shape the municipality’s future and address residents' concerns.
Read the full translated article below
Royal honour for outgoing Oldambt councillor
After twelve years of service on the Oldambt municipal council, Mark Kalse, a councillor for the Party for the North, is stepping down. During his final council meeting, he was appointed Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau in recognition of his long-standing commitment.
On Monday evening, 30 March, the municipal council said farewell to ten councillors who will not return for the 2026–2030 term. Mark Kalse was one of them. He was instrumental in establishing the Oldambt branch of the Party for the North. He has been involved with the party since 2010 and has been a member of the Oldambt municipal council since 2014.
During a speech, Mayor Cora-Yfke Sikkema paid tribute to his dedication. “When you set your mind to something, you stick with it—and you do so with passion.” Together with his party, Kalse advocated for the preservation of Winschoten’s historic centre and championed issues related to housing, liveability, and youth. He also drew attention to the Grunnegs by submitting the first motion on the Grunnegs.