Farewell (council) members

On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, the municipal council of Sliedrecht said goodbye to nine council members and four citizen council members. Mayor Jan de Vries addressed the departing members and reflected on their dedication, involvement, and valuable contributions to local democracy.

Mayor Jan de Vries expressed his appreciation for the way the municipal council has committed itself over the past years to the residents and the governance of the municipality. “The past four years have been intensive and challenging, with complex dossiers that demanded a lot from our council. At the same time, it showed how dedicated and involved our council members are for Sliedrecht.”

Ria de Mul (left) and Vincent Prins (right) received a royal distinction from Mayor Jan de Vries upon their departure as council members. (Photo: Richard van Hoek)

Royal Distinctions

For two council members, the occasion was particularly special. Ria de Mul-Donker (SGP/ChristenUnie) and Vincent Prins (CDA) were appointed Members of the Order of Orange-Nassau by King Willem-Alexander in recognition of their at least twelve years of council membership and long-standing dedication. Mayor Jan de Vries presented and pinned the royal distinction to them.

Ria de Mul-Donker (SGP/ChristenUnie) Ria de Mul-Donker has been actively involved in the Sliedrecht community since her start as a citizen council member in April 2014 and her appointment as a council member in June of that same year, spanning three council terms. As a council member, she was known for her strong involvement with residents, particularly those in need of extra attention and support. She actively sought contact with residents and translated societal signals into concrete actions within the council.

Within the municipal council, she consistently advocated for social themes such as livability, care, and social cohesion. Additionally, she held various roles, including chairing the employers' committee (2021–2023) and serving on the agenda committee. She also made substantive contributions to various motions aimed at strengthening neighborhoods and supporting residents in vulnerable situations.

Her commitment extended beyond the council itself. As a volunteer within the church and community, she has dedicated herself to others for many years, driven by a strong sense of community and her faith.

Vincent Prins (CDA) Vincent Prins has been actively involved in the Sliedrecht community since his start as a citizen council member in May 2010 and his appointment as a council member in 2011, spanning multiple council terms. Since September 2011, he has been actively serving as a council member, with only a few formal interruptions.

Within the municipal council, he was known as a highly driven and substantively strong council member. He distinguished himself through thorough preparation and persistence in dossiers, studying documents in detail and playing an important supervisory role. By posing numerous written and technical questions, he actively contributed to the transparency and care of municipal governance.

In his council work, he paid particular attention to accessibility, sustainability, and green spaces. He advocated for cyclists and public transport and had an eye for nature and biodiversity. Partly thanks to his efforts, Sliedrecht became a bee-friendly municipality. Additionally, he submitted several motions, including those focused on play facilities for young children and timely climate adaptation measures.

Vincent Prins was known for his integrity and thoroughness, particularly in situations where his work at Rijkswaterstaat intersected with municipal dossiers. Outside the council, he has long been committed to the community, including as a co-founder of the Sliedrecht Food Bank and through various volunteer and board roles.

The departing council members and citizen council members of the Sliedrecht council for 2022–2026. (Photo: Richard van Hoek)

Council Members

Gerrit van Dijk (VVD) Gerrit van Dijk returned as a council member in July 2025 after a long political career in the periods 1978–1986 and 1998–2007. With his many years of experience, he brought a pragmatic and down-to-earth approach to the council. He was able to place developments in perspective and kept a sharp eye on governance relationships and decision-making.

Martin van Rossum (VVD) Martin van Rossum has been active as a citizen council member since September 2021 and as a council member since May 2022. In July 2025, he became faction leader. He distinguished himself through his strong substantive knowledge, particularly in the field of spatial planning. With sharp and energetic contributions, he made an important substantive contribution to the debate. He also advocated for themes such as sustainability, mobility, and the spatial development of Sliedrecht.

Annebeth Schild-de Jong (SGP/ChristenUnie) Annebeth Schild-de Jong has been active as a council member since May 2022. She advocated for an inclusive society, with attention to housing, care, and recreation. Driven by her social commitment, she brought practical solutions to the debate. Her dedication was characterized by her involvement with residents and a clear vision on coexistence and sustainability.

Maria Stam-Smeets (PRO Sliedrecht) Maria Stam-Smeets has been active as a council member since 2018 and has also held a role within the employers' committee since 2022. She was known for her clear and principled stance. In her council work, she advocated for social themes, including social safety. With her personal involvement and openness, she brought important issues to the attention of the council.

Kees Ippel (SGP/ChristenUnie) Kees Ippel has been active as a citizen council member since April 2018 and as a council member since June 2019. Since 2022, he has served as faction leader. He played an important role in the areas of finance and governance, including as chair of the audit committee. With his knowledge and calm leadership, he provided direction to the faction and contributed to careful decision-making within the council.

Frank Dunsbergen (CDA) Frank Dunsbergen has been active as a council member since 2018 and has served as faction leader of the CDA from the beginning. He also held various roles within the council, including on the audit committee, presidium, and agenda committee. His dedication was characterized by a combination of substantive precision, a sense of responsibility, and involvement in both content and collaboration within the council.

Ben van der Plas (PvdA) Ben van der Plas has been active in Sliedrecht politics as a council member since 2006 and served as an alderman from 2018 to 2020. Since 2020, he has again served as a council member and faction leader. He was known for his sharp analyses, extensive dossier knowledge, and sense of humor. Within the council, he was active in, among other things, the audit committee and the employers' committee, of which he was recently chair. His contribution to the debate and governance was widely appreciated.

Citizen Council Members

Remco van de Ven (VVD) Remco van de Ven served as a citizen council member for nine months in 2025. In doing so, he temporarily returned to local politics after a long career as a council member and alderman in previous years. With his extensive experience and administrative knowledge, he made an immediate substantive contribution to the council's work. He brought overview, perspective, and historical context to the discussions. His willingness to take on responsibility again underscored his enduring commitment to Sliedrecht.

Christiaan Verheij (PRO Sliedrecht) Christiaan Verheij has been active as a citizen council member since April 2023 and has temporarily held the position of council member. In the council, he was known for his thoughtful, pragmatic, and concise contributions. With his background in education, he paid particular attention to youth and social development. He also advocated for careful conduct and integrity within public governance.

Esther Gruppen (PvdA) Esther Gruppen has been active as a citizen council member for the PvdA since 2018. For several years, she was a steadfast and dedicated force within the faction and the council. She was known for her people-centered approach, focusing not on the system but on the impact on residents. In her contributions, she consistently drew attention to social issues and the position of residents.

Geralda Kooiman-Meerkerk (SGP/ChristenUnie) Geralda Kooiman-Meerkerk became active as a citizen council member after the 2022 elections. She advocated for topics in the fields of education and social facilities. With her background in education and her involvement with the Bonkelaarhuis, she combined content and practical experience. Within the council, she was valued as a dedicated and knowledgeable force who contributed substantively.

Swearing-in of the new municipal council

On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the new municipal council will be sworn in during a festive council meeting. This event will take place at De Lockhorst from 8:00 PM and is open to the public or can be followed live via raad.sliedrecht.nl.