The new name comes from the controversial past of former mayor Jetze Tjalma. Research showed that during the Second World War he was not as clean as was originally thought. He did not protect Jewish residents enough and did even more in the investigation than the German occupier asked. His honorary citizenship was therefore taken away two years ago.
In May 1940, for example, he drew up a list with personal data of Jewish residents of Hoogeveen, which was later used by the occupying forces for the persecution. The investigation showed that Hoogeveen was the first municipality to do this. As a result of the investigation, his names were withdrawn and his honorary citizenship was withdrawn.
