The administrative turmoil on Terschelling has by no means ended after the departure of the mayor and both councilors. The three new councilors did not receive the consent of the three opposition parties.
“The appointment of councilors is generally a formality. That has to do with forms of politeness,” VVD councilor Taco Lugt responded with dismay on Wednesday evening. He had not prepared anything and was speechless after the three opposition parties came with buckets of criticism, concerns and insinuations towards the three new councilor candidates. They also had nothing good to say about the coalition’s actions.
The two previous councilors had resigned, “after a wave, after wave, after wave of criticism and motions of no confidence,” said a bewildered Lugt. The coalition parties VVD and Local Interest thought they had found “very good candidates” in former mayor Bert Wassink, former councilor Anco Goldhoorn of the municipality of Ronde Venen and VVD faction leader Danny Ruige. “From a college of three that was completely in ruins, to a college of four with only strong and experienced people.”
Lugt was surprised that the opposition parties were doing politics in this way on this evening and talking about these people in this way. “I just think it’s inappropriate.”
‘Amazed, bewildered and disappointed’
The three opposition leaders had previously declared each of the three councilor candidates unsuitable for various reasons. They were “surprised, bewildered and disappointed” when they heard the three names through the press.
Major questions were raised about the return as councilor of Wassink, who left the island prematurely as mayor. Jan-Willem Adams wondered how desirable such a thing is, since being an alderman is a completely different position. “Will we soon have a council of mayors and aldermen?”
Gossen Bos (Samen Terschelling) went one step further. He has “very mixed feelings” about Wassink. “We respect that you did not aspire to a second term. We do blame you for leaving early (as councilor for Leeuwarden, ed.) during the corona crisis at a time when the island needed stability. Since your departure, we have gone from one administrative crisis to another, resulting in sky-high burdens for citizens. It is not a tea party here where you can join every now and then.”
‘Unhealthy situation’
The independence of councilor candidate Anco Goldhoorn from Vinkeveen, who comes from the political network of Local Interest faction leader René Bultena, was seriously questioned. “They have worked together for years, an unhealthy situation for Terschelling,” said Gossen Bos.
Hendrik Klaas van der Wielen (CDA) claimed that the two are business partners in a Bultena holding company, as he had read on the internet. The latter immediately interrupted and asked whether Van der Wielen knows what defamation is. “Mr. Goldhoorn has never been involved in Jusoma Holding, or in any of my companies, nor will he ever be.”
The opposition previously considered the nomination of Goldhoorn as third alderman unnecessary, and Mayor Roel Cazemier could be given a portfolio instead. The opposition is also concerned about Danny Ruige, the young but experienced faction leader of the VVD. Van der Wielen wondered whether Ruige could physically handle the tough councilor duties on an island – sometimes involving several boat trips every week.
‘Back to start’
The pain for the opposition lies in the fact that they are in no way involved in a restart of the coalition. The opposition parties would have liked to forge a council-wide agreement in order to create more support. This would be necessary to keep a large number of sticky files going, such as the renovation of the port, renewal of the tourist tax, housing construction, parking policy and traffic vibrations at Lies, said PvdA member Adams.
According to Gossen Bos, the opposition had councilors from the island available. “We thought we would join forces. None of this.”
The mutual relationships within the municipal council have been worked hard for more than a year, with success until recently. “But we are back to square one, which is unfortunate,” said Van der Wielen.
The three new councilors each received support from six of the eleven council members. Ruige is a born and bred Terschelling. Wassink and Goldhoorn are given three months to find housing on Terschelling.
Tags: Opposition Terschelling continues blunt minimal support councilors tea party
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