Jouke Spoelstra (34) will become the new mayor of the municipality of Westerveld.
Jouke Spoelstra from Drogeham was chosen by the confidential committee from a field of 27 applicants. The young Frisian will start his new position in Diever in mid-May.
At only 34 years old, Spoelstra is not the youngest mayor of Drenthe. That honor goes to 32-year-old Martijn Breukelman, who succeeds Karel Loohuis in Hoogeveen.
Spoelstra has been an alderman in the municipality of Achtkarspelen since 2016, which also includes his hometown. Before that he was active as a councilor.
Drenthe within a year
Gerjo Ballast, chairman of the confidential committee, sees Spoelstra as ‘an enthusiastic mayor, approachable and communicative. Someone who knows how to connect with humor and genuine interest, who works not only for but especially with the residents and who sees and knows how to use the power of villages.
Spoelstra is born and raised Frisian, but has announced that he wants to speak Drenthe within a year.
Formally it is still a presentation. The Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations must still approve the appointment. If that happens, the new mayor is expected to be sworn in by mid-May.
Longest serving
Spoelstra is the successor to Rikus Jager in the municipality of Westerveld. Jager is the longest-serving mayor of Drenthe with more than 13 years. He will leave on May 15.
Henderikus Jager has been mayor of Westerveld since December 1, 2010. Previously, he was a member of the House of Representatives on behalf of the CDA (2002-2010) and worked for the Public Prosecution Service. The native Stedumer started his political career as a councilor in Appingedam (1982-1994).
The vacancy in Westerveld attracted 27 applicants; 18 men and 9 women. Of the 27, 8 were members of the VVD, 6 of the CDA, 4 of the PvdA, 1 of the Christian Union and 1 of a local party. Seven of them are partyless or did not indicate a preference.