Three departing councillors awarded royal honours for twelve years of service
Three long-serving councillors in Ooststellingwerf received royal honours during their farewell, recognising their dedication to local governance. Residents may reflect on their contributions as the new council prepares to take office.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Honoured Councillors | Henk Vos (GroenLinks), Sierd van Weperen (VVD), Henk Dongstra (OoststellingwerfsBelang) |
| Honour Awarded | Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau |
| Years of Service | 12 years |
| Municipality | Ooststellingwerf |
| Farewell Date | 31 March 2026 |
| New Council Installation | 1 April 2026 |
The municipal council of Ooststellingwerf is responsible for local governance, including policy-making and representing residents' interests. Royal honours are awarded by the Dutch monarchy to individuals who have made significant contributions to society, often on the recommendation of local authorities.
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Royal honours awarded at farewell for councillors
During a special council meeting on Monday evening, a farewell was held for several committee members and councillors. The gathering took on an extra special character with the presentation of royal honours.
Special attention was given to ten departing councillors who will not return to the new municipal council. Mayor Jack Werkman personally addressed them and reflected on their dedication and commitment over the past years.
Three of them have been appointed Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau: Henk Vos (GroenLinks), Sierd van Weperen (VVD) and Henk Dongstra (OoststellingwerfsBelang). They received this honour in recognition of their twelve years of service on the municipal council and their valuable contributions to local governance.
The honours were a particularly moving moment within an evening that otherwise focused on farewells and reflection. Words of gratitude and appreciation were shared in recognition of the efforts of all departing members.
The new municipal council will be installed on Wednesday, 1 April.