Throwback Wednesday: Romano Boshove

One year as a councillor and group chairman is a good time to look back. If DWARS asks me to, I am of course happy to do so.

Actually, I also did that looking back in my general reflections. Because during my year as a councillor, I got to know a part of Hardenberg I did not know. Namely the impressive number of people who dedicate themselves voluntarily to their living environment. Some write village visions, some are coaches at the local football club, some help migrants integrate. It is not exceptional for people to hold two or three volunteer positions. I can only respect and appreciate that.

I myself was born in Hardenberg, so I thought I knew the municipality quite well. But only now can I say that I really know the municipality. All the people who make the municipality so beautiful. And let me also mention the supervision and enforcement service, our special investigating officers. Because they don't get nearly enough appreciation for the work they do. I regularly ride along with them, always noticing how much they care about our environment.

Having mentioned that, I can also briefly look back at council work. The biggest topics were probably Sunday opening and large-scale solar energy generation. Fascinating topics on which the residents also made their voices heard loud and clear; these are really topics that the resident sees directly in their living environment. As GroenLinks, we are satisfied with the outcome of Sunday opening. The pilot that was proposed was not acceptable to us, which amounted to only allowing shops in the two largest centres to open. That pilot was then carried out because the coalition was in favour. Fortunately, they soon changed their minds and the supermarkets in all cores are now allowed to open on Sundays and the other shops can also choose Sundays to open. Solar parks also seem to be coming, but the final decision on that has not yet been made.

It wouldn't be about Hardenberg if I didn't briefly mention gas extraction. A huge file by now. In early 2019, for instance, we had a spill at a gas processing site. This involved chemicals leaking into the ditch. We still don't know the exact cause, but it seems the investigation is in its final stages. Apparently, though, it was enough for the prosecution to launch an investigation. I am curious to see how this will proceed.

I look with pride at the way we as politicians oppose gas extraction. Within the council, for example, we all believe that gas extraction until 2033 is unacceptable. This is what NAM and the ministry do want. Unfortunately, nothing happened with the view (objection). This is why we went to the Council of State. This shows how strongly Hardenberg opposes gas extraction. Gas extraction is a great topic to talk about at some point, I believe DWARS is already organising this.

As a one-man group, you cannot have an equally strong voice on all subjects, this is quite a bit of a search. I have a lot of support for our great group. Stijn Jager can speak as a shadow group member in the opinion-forming meetings. And Anne Smit-Van der Haar, Eveline van Wijngaarden and Colette Bosma also provide important input. Together, we are a strong group and know how to complement each other better and better.

Had a year, now recess and then head into the new political year full of motivation. A year in which we have to look for a new mayor. I am sure this will be another fascinating process.

Speak to you soon and know where to find me,

Romano Boshove
06-11050786