Lies Hemme-Hölscher (75) from Zwartemeer was appointed Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau tonight. The village administrator received the decorations from Mayor Eric van Oosterhout.
The mayor surprised Hemme during a village council meeting in the De Meerstal village hall in Zwartemeer. As she entered, her hand shot to her mouth. And the eyes became moist. For many, Lies is known as down-to-earth and no-nonsense, but here she briefly stepped out of that familiar role. She listens emotionally to how Van Oosterhout goes about it. At the same time, he immediately pours her a glass of water. “Or would you prefer something stronger?” he jokes.
Hemme has been committed to her village for years. Since 2007, she has been committed to her own village with heart and soul. Anyone who says: ‘in the breach for Zwartemeer’ quickly says Hemme. The strong-willed, and not exactly quiet, village administrator asserted himself. Mayor Van Oosterhout also noticed this. “When I was installed as mayor of Emmen, I thought that I would also be the mayor of Zwartemeer. And I thought I was familiar with the Peat Colonies, until I met Lies. “I just say what I think,” she told me. “
Van Oosterhout also discussed in detail the projects in which Lies Hemme has been involved in recent years. The most famous example is the Verveendershof, a housing initiative that the village itself came up with.
For Hemme it is important that both young and old can live in their own village, or grow old. The Verveendershof fits in with that idea. After six years the first stone was laid. Persistence wins, a proverb that also applies to Hemme. Van Oosterhout: “If you sent her an email that you disagreed with something, you would soon receive a call from her.”
Hemme has also been fully involved in the center renovation in the village heart. “And when the village doctor quit, Hemme did not rest until a successor was found.”
According to the current village chairman, the honor is well deserved. “She has been committed to the village for years and has always been at the forefront of everything.”
Lies Hemme remains a member of the village council, but will take a step back in the coming period.