Should the old nostalgic kiosk on the Markt make way for a new modern one? In Sint-Oedenrode they can’t stop talking about it. The village previously opted for a different variant, but that plan is still under question because many Red people don’t like those modern designs anyway and want the current eye-catcher to remain.
The Market in Sint-Oedenrode is in dire need of a makeover. Now parking is mainly on the square and that should be reduced. There has been a kiosk in the center of that square for over seventy years. An earlier survey showed that all residents of Rooi want a kiosk to remain. But the big divisive issue is whether a new modern one should come in or whether the old nostalgic kiosk should stay.
On a drizzly morning, Marianne walks under her umbrella across the Markt. “Yes, that kiosk. It’s legendary here,” she says. “I still have photos of myself as a dance marie in 1979 on newsstands. I would very much like it to continue.”
“Those modern designs, real Red people don’t like that”
“Well, whether this is really the most important thing here, I don’t know”, laughs Wim. “For some people, yes. There’s a lot of fuss about it. It’s nostalgia, of course, but it doesn’t have to stay for me. If you remove it, you might be able to make a much nicer square.”
“A real Rooise wants to keep the Market as it is,” says Marianne. And Jan wholeheartedly agrees. “Those modern designs, real Red people don’t like that,” he says. “They should just leave this alone. This fits here.” Gonny also wants the old kiosk to stay. “It is the core of Sint-Oedenrode. You can recognize it at the kiosk.”
“Do you know what the problem is?” says Wim. “If you ask twenty-five people, they all have a different opinion.” And that is noticeable. There had already been a consultation procedure in which a new modern kiosk was chosen.
In response to this, there was a signature campaign to also be able to choose to keep the old kiosk. It was signed more than 2200 times.
That is why the municipality of Meierijstad is launching a new consultation round in January where residents can choose from five designs for the kiosk, but also have the choice to leave the current kiosk standing. Thus, the discussion finally comes to an end.
“No, I’m not going for it on the barricade.”
“We’ll figure it out,” says Gonny. “I think that 75 percent of people don’t care what happens to the kiosk,” adds Wim. “If the kiosk goes away, it will make me sad,” says Gonny. “That would be a pity. But no, I’m not going for it on the barricade.”
