For the first time, the municipality of Emmen has made public all locations where carbide is blasted. The places can be seen via a map on the municipality’s website. Organizers of the fun parties had to indicate those places before December 15. Anyone who hasn’t done that shouldn’t fire.
Around 200 registrations were expected, but the number was slightly less: 180. This reporting obligation stems from a commitment that Mayor Eric van Oosterhout made this spring.
Then a discussion took place within the city council about this New Year’s tradition. The General Local Ordinance (APV) was then on the agenda. An opportunity for D66, GroenLinks, SP and 50Plus to tighten the rules for carbide shooting.
The parties wanted two things: to make the carbide locations within the municipality public. And increasing the distance from those locations to the buildings: from 50 to 75 meters.
Party chairman Joey Koops of D66 saw no substantive objection to making those places public. “But there is no legal obligation to do that, so the municipality leaves it.” The factions believed that supporters and opponents of carbide could benefit.
As a practical example, Koops gave the situation of an elderly resident of the Emmerhout district. “Due to heart problems, she temporarily left Emmen last New Year because every bang is a risk.” The year before, there were no explosions near her home. But she had left as a precaution. “It had been a small effort for the municipality to share that information,” said Koops. “Then she wouldn’t have had to leave.”
To limit the nuisance without violating the carbide tradition, the four factions also proposed increasing the distance from homes and the blasting to 75 meters. In that case, 46 of the then 197 known locations would have to be moved.
The proposals were poorly received by coalition parties Wakker Emmen and PvdA. Tampering with existing regulations could again lead to unrest among supporters and opponents.
Or even legal actions by residents who believe that the municipality is not sufficiently enforcing the rules. “You shouldn’t stir the shit, because then it starts to stink,” councilor Roelof Woltman summarized it graphically. Patrick de Jonge (VVD) feared that locations would disappear if suitable, alternative locations were not found. “And then you’re still destroying a tradition.”
Mayor Van Oosterhout also has little sympathy for shifting the distance. The municipality is looking for a discussion about whether it is better to take a little more distance. “Suppose a carbide location is near a horse farm. Then we go into the area and ask if another location could be considered.”
Koops says he is satisfied with the step taken. “This is a great way for supporters and opponents to enjoy or avoid the party.” He emphasizes that the intention was to preserve tradition. “But people who are less interested in it are now offered a bit of openness.”