Purmerend honors twenty departing councillors with royal distinctions and local awards
Twenty councillors in Purmerend received recognition for their years of service, including four royal honours and seven local awards. Their dedication has shaped policies affecting residents' daily lives, from youth initiatives to financial oversight, marking the end of an era for local governance.
| Award Type | Recipient(s) | Years of Service | Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau | Harry Poppelier (PB21), Jos Dings (PvdA), Leo Schagen (Stadspartij), Bart van Elden (VVD) | 12-24 years | Resident involvement, financial expertise, debating skills, administrative leadership |
| Honorary Medal of Purmerend | Bart van Elden (VVD) | 16 years | Long-standing contribution to local governance |
| Council’s Honorary Badge | Els van Loenen (PvdA), Fred Koot (CDA), Carla Brocken (GroenLinks), Rianne de Wit (VVD), Timo Roeleveld (VVD), Peter de Waal (PvdA) | 8+ years | Consistent service and dedication to municipal decision-making |
| Total Departing Councillors | 20 | - | - |
The municipal council of Purmerend plays a crucial role in local governance, overseeing policy decisions that directly impact residents' lives. By honoring departing councillors, the council acknowledges their contributions to shaping the city’s development and fostering civic engagement.
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Twenty councillors bid farewell: four royal honours, one honorary medal and six honorary badges
During the final council meeting in its current composition, the municipal council of Purmerend said goodbye to twenty councillors.
Four of them were appointed Members of the Order of Orange-Nassau. In addition, one councillor received the honorary medal of the municipality of Purmerend and six councillors were awarded the council’s honorary badge. Mayor Van Selm addressed all departing councillors and reflected on their commitment to the city and its residents. "Being a councillor requires involvement, responsibility and perseverance. You have dedicated yourselves, often alongside work and personal life, for many years to the common good. That deserves great appreciation."
Royal honours
The following four councillors were appointed Members of the Order of Orange-Nassau upon their departure:
Harry Poppelier (PB21)
Harry Poppelier served as a councillor in Purmerend for a total of twelve years. He was known for his focus on respectful collaboration and his efforts to actively involve residents in decision-making. As the founder of PB21, he also shaped a new political movement in the city.
Jos Dings (PvdA)
Jos Dings is concluding a long and varied administrative career, with nearly thirteen years of council experience and periods as an alderman in the former municipality of Beemster. In the Purmerend council, he served, among other roles, as group leader. He was valued for his substantive knowledge, careful deliberations and accessibility.
Leo Schagen (Stadspartij - Beemster Polder Partij)
Leo Schagen said goodbye after a continuous period of 24 years as a councillor, first in Beemster and later in Purmerend. With his financial expertise and sharp eye, he fulfilled various oversight roles. He was known for his involvement and dedication, with a focus on the impact of policy on residents, particularly young people.
Bart van Elden (VVD)
Bart van Elden served as an uninterrupted councillor in Purmerend for sixteen years. He became a prominent and influential councillor, including as (deputy) council chair and committee chair. He was appreciated for his debating skills, administrative insight and sustained focus on progress and development.
Honorary medal for Bart van Elden
In addition to the royal honour, Bart van Elden received the honorary medal of the municipality of Purmerend. With this award, the municipality expresses its special appreciation for his long-standing and intensive contribution to local governance.
Honorary badges
Six departing councillors were awarded the council’s honorary badge: Els van Loenen (PvdA), Fred Koot (CDA), Carla Brocken (GroenLinks), Rianne de Wit (VVD), Timo Roeleveld (VVD) and Peter de Waal (PvdA). This honorary badge is a new expression of appreciation from the municipal council for councillors who have served continuously for the past eight years on the Purmerend council.
Gratitude to all departing councillors
The municipal council said goodbye to a total of twenty councillors. The mayor thanked them all for their dedication: "You have contributed to decisions that directly affect the daily lives of our residents. In doing so, you have helped shape a vibrant municipality of Purmerend where it is pleasant to live and stay."