Completely unknown in Purmerend and the Beemster is the new mayor of Purmerend. 58-year-old Ellen van Selm comes from Friesland, is from D66 and was nominated last night in a special city council meeting. She said in an initial response that she is “happy and dazed” to become the new mayor of “the town”, as Beemsterlingen affectionately call Purmerend.
“The choice of Van Selm is a choice with a fresh look,” says Bert Meulenberg of the Stadspartij-Beemster-Polderpartij. The confidential committee chose Ellen van Selm from 13 candidates. According to chairperson Natalie Saaf-Pasteuning (PvdA), she is the perfect candidate for Purmerend because she is very good at making the connection between city and countryside. “She is now mayor of Opsterland, which is located between Heerenveen and Drachten, so you know everything about both worlds”. And now that the Beemster has recently been added to Purmerend, that is only a bonus.
Best choice
Vice-chairman Bert Meulenberg also thinks she is the best choice because she really wants to work with the council and is close to the population. “Because you do this work for the residents.” According to him, there was no search for a candidate who was already familiar with and had experience in Purmerend or in The Hague. “We don’t need that here either and she is also on the board of the VNG (Association of Dutch Municipalities). So she knows exactly where to find The Hague.”
Text continues below video.
Ellen van Selm gives a response via a zoom link after being nominated as mayor. – NH News
The new mayor, who was born in Hengelo, studied in Wageningen and was also an alderman in Lelystad, will be sworn in on September 22. Until then, Don Bijl takes over, who has been mayor since 2009 and will stop because he has turned 70.
? Don’t you want to miss anything from Zaanstreek-Waterland?
Seen a language error? Let us know at [email protected]