Caroline van de Pol has been nominated as the new mayor of Castricum. 61-year-old Van de Pol was born in Hilversum and has been mayor of Terschelling since August 2020. She is expected to take up her new position at the end of March. “My evening can’t go wrong anymore,” she responded via a video connection in the Castricum council chamber.
This means that the coastal village has an intended successor for Toon Mans, who retired in June. Six women and fifteen men were interested in the position. After job interviews, the council selected Caroline van de Pol. She was previously a councilor and alderman on behalf of the VVD in Koggenland.
Her mayoralty is not without controversy on the Frisian island. According to Omrop Frylan this evening there was discussion about the management crisis that had arisen after the earlier loss of confidence in Van de Pol. An attempt is being made to resolve the crisis through mediation. But now she announced her departure there tonight.
Karen Heerschop has been doing the honors in the municipality since June and will continue to do so until the end of March. Toon Mans left Castricum after twelve years to become chairman of the Twijs Foundation, an educational institution in the Haarlem region.
Van de Pol’s recommendation must still be ratified by the Minister of the Interior and the King.