Farewell to City Council Members
On Tuesday evening, March 31, the “old” city council was bid farewell. Fifteen council members will not be returning to the new city council. As chair of the city council, Mayor Arno Scheepers addressed these council members and thanked them for their dedication and valuable contributions over the past years. Two outgoing council members, Bianca Verschoor (GroenLinks-PvdA) and Wim Smit (ONS Voorne), received a royal honor for their long-standing service as council members for our (former) municipality(ies).
Ms. (Bianca) Verschoor (GroenLinks-PvdA)
Ms. Verschoor had been active in the GroenLinks political party in Hellevoetsluis since 2010 and served as its chair since 2014. Throughout her long political career, she championed causes such as ending the use of Roundup as a pesticide in outdoor spaces. She was a passionate advocate for solar panels (including on municipal buildings) and drew attention to the energy transition, particularly the need to involve residents. For her dedication over 16 years as a council member, Ms. Verschoor was appointed a Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Mr. (Wim) Smit (ONS Voorne)
Mr. Smit began serving as a council member for D66 in Brielle in 2010. In 2021, he switched to the local party ONS Brielle. Starting January 1, 2023, he served as the party leader of ONS Brielle. On January 1, 2026, this party merged with Vrij Voorne to form ONS Voorne.
Wim Smit is described as a dedicated and decisive local politician who is close to the people. In what can sometimes be a cold political environment, he always kept the person behind the politician in mind. As chair of the council communications working group, Mr. Smit has recently been instrumental in showcasing the council’s public image. Mr. Smit has “served the people” with enthusiasm for 16 years as a council member. He has been appointed a Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
Other outgoing council members
The other council members who will not be returning to the new city council are:
Mr. Bert Heijndijk (IBV), Ms. Heleen Boender (VVD), Mr. Niels Braal (VVD), Ms. Monique Hamstra (VVD), Ms. Marijke van der Velden (VVD), Mr. Wilbert Borgonjen (CDA), Mr. Jeroen Noordermeer (PVaZ), Mr. Richard de Zoete (D66), Ms. Ingrid Dudink (ONS Voorne), Ms. Margriet den Brok (Fractie den Brok), Ms. Janneke Krajenbrink-Meinds (EVV), Mr. Frits de Reus (EVV), and Mr. Bram Voncken (EVV).
New City Council
The new city council, consisting of 35 members, will be sworn in on April 1 at St. Catherine’s Church in Brielle. This special council meeting can be viewed live at voorneaanzee.notubiz.nl