The new college of B&W introduces itself
In March, Kerkrade residents went to the polls for a new council. At the council meeting on May 25, a new municipal council was appointed. The new council is formed by politicians from four coalition parties and Mayor Petra Dassen-Housen. A team of six aldermen and the mayor will be at the helm of the municipality in the coming years. Together they will continue to build a vital and challenging Kerkrade. In the coming weeks, the members of the board will introduce themselves to you one by one.
'Livability neighborhoods and housing offensive is high priority!'
Passport Tim Weijers
Political party: Burgerbelangen Kerkrade
Born on: September 23, 1983
Lives in: Kerkrade Center
Portfolio: Spatial Planning, Housing, Real Estate, Personnel & Organization, Kerkrade Development Corporation, Tourism, Marketing & Events.
Experience: Meanwhile, I have been Alderman for eleven years in total and also first deputy mayor for eight years. In addition, I have been party leader of Burgerbelangen Kerkrade, the by far largest party in our municipality, for nine years. In the past, I have worked as an account manager for a media agency and as a group employee for a Provincial Council group, among other things.
Which person would you still like to meet and why? I don't have a specific person I would like to meet. I would like to meet residents for whom we want to mean something and try to make a difference locally.
What achievement are you most proud of?
That we have managed to positively change Kerkrade together over the past ten years. We've done this by realizing a large number of projects in the center and various Kerkrade neighborhoods. A great example of this is Superlocal in Bleijerheide, a wonderfully ambitious project which is also recognized and appreciated in Europe. We have also improved our town's image with Beleef Kerkrade.
What do the people of Kerkrade not yet know about you?
That politics used to seem boring to me and I always answered no when people asked me if I would later go into politics like my father, who was Alderman and deputy mayor in Simpelveld at the time. It will also be less known that in the limited free time I have I sometimes jump on my racing bike and ride almost unrecognizable through Kerkrade and its surroundings.
How were the first two months as Alderman in the new composition of the college?
Together we have pleasantly laid a good foundation for the coming years, in which we will again take up all the challenges for our residents. We expect to realize those challenges together with the council and our officials.
What can citizens expect from you? What will you champion in the coming years?
Top priority from my portfolio for me is the housing offensive we have announced. It's important for people to be able to live in Kerkrade in a pleasant way. Through the housing offensive, in addition to improving the quality of life in several districts, we want to ensure that there is sufficient housing supply for young and old alike. I will continue to work on this and will do everything in my power to take further visible steps in the coming years!
What drove you to become politically active?
I saw and heard many people complaining about politics, but complaining alone will not change anything from the sidelines. That is why I wanted to actively contribute to improving things and why I entered politics.