Charles de Haas wanted an investigation into the possible purchase of the Brunstingerplas. Hugo Faber
If you should capture Charles de Haas in one word, ‘combatant’ would fit the bill. After no fewer than 50 budget meetings in politics (province and municipality), the enthusiasm is still there.
Charles was born in Groningen on July 30, 1944. After all sorts of wanderings with his parents, the De Haas family ended up in Smilde in 1960. After two days, Charles was sure: ,,I will never leave here again.”
To make money
Hard work and earning money came early, he helped the milkman in Amsterdam for school, in Steenwijk he helped on a farm and in The Hague he worked in the greenhouses: ,,I worked as a taxi driver in Smilde and in Assen in the catering industry.”
The real estate came into the picture during his studies at the then Kweekschool and during that time he also became politically involved: ,,Facet region plans, zoning plans and dissatisfaction with governments aroused my fighting spirit. When I got fed up with the national parties, I decided, together with others, to set up an independent party.”
This is how the Municipal Interests Smilde (-Beilen-Westerbork) came into existence in 1970 and that resulted in council membership in the eighties. Since that time he has been continuously chairman of the group and in between he also completed 16 years of membership for the OPD.
Free nature
De Haas also has time for hobbies, he likes to spend most of his time in the great outdoors. De Haas was again asked to pull the election cart, partly on the basis of his experience and file knowledge: “I am still looking forward to it and would like to dedicate myself again to the interests of the citizens.”
Changing political culture
Municipal interests Smilde-Beilen-Westerbork (SBW) wants to change the political culture, with specialist aldermen: ,,It is important for Central Drenthe that there is a broad council program, with competent aldermen. Craftsmanship should come first and not a political party.”
Two council meetings, one preparatory and then a decision-making one. No committees and a broadly appointed council, with council program. That is De Haas’ goal: ,,We have at least three candidates for the aldermanship. Skilled craftsmen. But I won’t mention those names until it comes to that.”
It is not all doom and gloom, however. The current interim presidency is well filled in by mayor Cees Bijl, but: “As far as we are concerned, the mayor can be elected.”
BMC report
Municipal interests SBW wants a better functioning civil service, in accordance with the previously drawn up BMC report: “A better functioning council, which considers the proposals in the interest of the citizen and not, as in the ‘old council’ where party interests come first.”
Looking back, De Haas has a despondent feeling: ,,Halfway through, we withdrew our confidence in the entire college. You don’t do that for nothing. Just look at the roundabout in Beilen and the Spier noise barrier, for example.”
incomprehensible
Another example is the Brunstingerplas, which has been put up for sale by the province. “A proposal from us to investigate whether there were buying opportunities for Midden-Drenthe was rejected. Who can object to an investigation? I find that incomprehensible!”
Much work remains to be done. Last week it was announced that the Johan Willem Friso barracks in Assen are being threatened with closure for the third time: ,,This barracks belongs to Drenthe and it should stay that way! This underlines the importance of truly independent local politics.”
Last word
The voter has the last word, Charles de Haas knows that better than anyone: “We serve the voter and respect the result.”