Building houses, involving people in the villages and doing more with the dolmens. That is what the party leaders of the municipality of Aa and Hunze must have ‘cheeked on’ about the Spieker-iek. As of today, residents of the municipality can pass on their message to local politicians.
The village of Grolloo had the scoop. Resident Johan Derksen was allowed to ‘cheat’ the first note. But he doesn’t want to change much. “I am satisfied with how things are going here now. The living comfort is top, I think things are going great here.” His message was therefore: ‘Don’t change anything.’
The idea of the Spieker-iek is based on a very old custom. In the past there were so-called ‘nail trees’. Special powers were attributed to it. For example, it was believed that they could deliver you from ailments or fulfill a wish.
The municipality of Aa en Hunze is building on this custom, and wants their residents to share ideas and contribute ideas for the policy for the next four years. The notes are collected daily by (re)electable council members. This leaves enough space for all residents to share their ideas, wishes and suggestions.
Municipal elections kick-off
The placement of the Spieker-iek immediately kicked off the campaign for the municipal elections. But the six party leaders of the municipality of Aa and Hunze want to emphasize that it is a joint initiative, among other things to increase the turnout percentage. Party leader Kiena ten Brink (PvdA) hopes that the oak will provide many topics: “It’s not about what we want, but what the residents want and what they think is important. That should be the message of the tree.”
Because a high turnout percentage is important, emphasized mayor Anno Wietze Hiemstra in his speech. His municipality even wants to achieve the highest turnout percentage in the province. The Spieker-iek should help with this, among other things. In addition, the municipality will also organize other actions, such as placing central banners, with the message that residents should vote first. The signs replace the standard signs with posters of the party leaders.
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