Councilor Jeroen Huizing of the municipality of Coevorden is retiring after almost twenty years in Coevorder politics. He will not return as councilor after the upcoming municipal elections.
Huizing is currently the longest-serving councilor in Drenthe. But after two decades as alderman, Huizing thinks it is time to pass on the baton. “I think everyone recognizes that they have been in a certain position for a long time. The feeling that you just have to do something different,” he says.
“I am not tired of Coevorden nor of being an alderman. But I have been an alderman in Coevorden for twelve years. Then it is time for someone new who looks at things with a different, fresh perspective.”
Huizing was a councilor for eight years and became an alderman in 2014. In the past twenty years, he says he has experienced special moments. “One of the places I really like to return to is the Zuster Mohrpark in Oosterhesselen,” he says proudly. “We were able to help residents take over the management of the park. The park in Oosterhesselen became the park of Oosterhesselen. That makes me happy,” he laughs.
“You can work every day in the environment where you grew up as a child. It demands a lot from you, but in that respect it is a dream job.”
He does not yet know what Huizing will do after his councilorship. “Whatever I do, it will at least be something for society.”