Two long-serving Stichtse Vecht councillors receive royal honours for dedication to local democracy
Two departing councillors from Stichtse Vecht, Ike Roetman and Suzanne Kox-Meijer, have been awarded royal honours for their years of service to local residents. Their contributions highlight the importance of committed public representatives in shaping local governance.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Awardees | Ike Roetman, Suzanne Kox-Meijer |
| Honour | Members of the Order of Orange-Nassau |
| Municipality | Stichtse Vecht (Utrecht) |
| Years of Service | Roetman: 15 years (2011–2026), Kox-Meijer: 12 years (2014–2026) |
| Political Affiliation | Roetman: ChristenUnie-SGP, Kox-Meijer: Lokaal Liberaal |
| Roles | Roetman: Councillor, Group Leader, Deputy Chair; Kox-Meijer: Councillor, Group Leader |
| **Other Departing Members | 12 additional councillors from various parties |
| Presentation | Roetman: Mayor Ap Reinders (Loenen aan de Vecht); Kox-Meijer: Uithoorn Mayor |
| Current Role | Kox-Meijer remains a clerk in Uithoorn municipality |
The municipality of Stichtse Vecht is responsible for local governance, including council appointments and recognising contributions of public representatives. Royal honours, such as the Order of Orange-Nassau, are awarded by the Dutch monarchy on the recommendation of local authorities to individuals who have made significant contributions to society.
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Royal honours awarded to two departing councillors of Stichtse Vecht
The departing councillors Ike Roetman and Suzanne Kox-Meijer from Maarssenbroek have been appointed Members of the Order of Orange-Nassau. Mayor Ap Reinders presented the award to Ike Roetman in the Grote Kerk in Loenen aan de Vecht during the council meeting where farewell was said to all councillors. Suzanne Kox-Meijer received her award in Uithoorn from the mayor of Uithoorn.
Ike Roetman and Suzanne Kox-Meijer have dedicated many years of service as public representatives for the residents of Stichtse Vecht. Ike Roetman is stepping down as a councillor. Suzanne Kox-Meijer is leaving the municipality of Stichtse Vecht.
Merits of Ike Roetman
Ike Roetman served as a commission member for the ChristenUnie-SGP from 2011 and as a councillor and group leader from 29 May 2012. From 2023, he was deputy chair of the municipal council. In the absence of the mayor, or when the mayor was portfolio holder for a topic, he chaired the council meetings. He also served as a member of the presidium, commission chair and council rapporteur for the Utrecht Metropolitan Region. He was highly regarded for his ability to build bridges.
Merits of Suzanne Kox-Meijer
Suzanne Kox-Meijer served as a councillor in the municipality of Stichtse Vecht for Lokaal Liberaal from 2014 to 2026, and was group leader from 2018. In this role, she was known for her clear positions, careful deliberations and involvement with residents. She works as a clerk in the municipality of Uithoorn, where she remains active at the heart of local government.
For her many years of dedicated service to local democracy, she received a royal honour. This was presented to her yesterday by the mayor of Uithoorn, as she was working in Uithoorn in her capacity as clerk that evening.
Farewell to 12 councillors
In addition to the two councillors who received royal honours, another 12 councillors also said farewell to the municipal council of Stichtse Vecht. Mayor Ap Reinders personally addressed each of them during the council meeting with a brief word of thanks for their service. The councillors are: Babet de Vries, Jeffrey van Vrouwerf, Mishael van Luipen and Bas van Schaik (VVD), Rob Roos (StreekBelangen), Mariët Brandts (GroenLinks), Johan Boele (ChristenUnie-SGP), Lukas Burgering (PvdA), Riëtte Habes (Samen Stichtse Vecht), Mieke Hoek (Het Vechtse Verbond), Mark Tasche (D24) and Sophia Jeddaoui (NieuwLinks).
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