Hendrik Smeenge was appointed ‘Commander in the Order of Municipal Interests’ on Wednesday evening by the board and the faction of Gemeentebelangen Noordenveld.
‘A nod to the award that councilors receive in the Netherlands after they leave the municipal council after at least twelve years’, his fellow councilors report.
Smeenge leaves the council of Noordenveld after 16 years, but because he takes his place in the Provincial Council of Drenthe, he is not yet eligible for a royal decoration. “We think that after your long-term membership of our council you should leave this room decorated,” said party chairman Rikus Koopman in Smeenge’s last council meeting. “That is why I can inform you that the board and faction of Municipal Interests have been pleased to appoint you as Commander in the Order of Municipal Interests Noordenveld.”
Always with good intentions
Smeenge received many words of praise – “always passionate, enthusiastic and, if necessary, fearless” – to hear. Koopman: ,,Sometimes driven by emotion, but always with good intentions. If you committed to something, then there had to be a result. Standing up for the interests of our residents, especially in the field of permits and spatial planning, you sometimes drove the officials to despair.”
Impressive mustache
Mayor Klaas Smid described Smeenge as a proud farmer with an impressive mustache in Noordenveld politics. “Very closely involved with the residents, especially in the area of spatial planning. Always constructive and always focused on solutions. A cheerful council member who always approaches the council proposals from a positive angle and who does not deny his Drenthe origin with his characteristic use of language.”
Smeenge is succeeded in the Noordenveldse council by Herman van de Roest. The entrepreneur from Roden took the oath on Wednesday evening and was officially appointed.