In the municipalities of De Wolden and Hoogeveen, several councilors received a royal award today for their services in, among other things, municipal politics. In the two municipalities a total of … councilors were appointed to the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Mayor Inge Nieuwenhuizen handed out the ribbons in the town hall in Zuidwolde during the last council meeting of the sitting city council. Gea Leffers-Heeling, Henny Scheper-Beijering and Jaap were the lucky ones.
The Wolden
Leffers-Heling, living in Ruinen and working as a district nurse, was a councilor on behalf of Municipal Interests for a total of eighteen years. She was known on the council as a quiet force who got a lot of work done behind the scenes. During a short speech she wanted to thank everyone for the instructive and beautiful years. “We have shared joys and sorrows with each other. But everyone was always respectful towards each other. That is a credit to this council.”
Colleague Henny Scheper-Beijering of the VVD was active on the council for twelve years. She decided to stop the council work for personal reasons. “It’s a real honor to receive the award,” she says. “I’m going to miss it, except for the much reading.” Mayor Nieuwenhuizen thanked her for her expertise and social involvement. “You have quite the willpower in you. Thank you for all the work you’ve done.”
The last ribbon went to the nestor of the company, Jaap Wiechers. After twelve years of council work for the Christian Union, he has decided to stop. “There you are, after a political career of twenty years. It is now up to the younger generation. I am standing here with a lump in my throat, but I am grateful that I got to know all of you. My wife is Been home alone a lot lately during corona. That will now change,” said Wiechers.