Election of neighborhood council in Eeneind
On March 18, as a resident of Eeneind, you can vote for the person you would like to see return as a member of the Eeneind neighborhood council.
You can cast your vote between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. at the Enode Community Center.
Below, the candidates introduce themselves to you.
Steven van Raalte
(Leeuwarden, 1959)
I have been living with my wife Neeltje in Eeneind, Dilis Ariens Camp 22, since 2013. We have two children and four grandchildren, who live elsewhere in the country. I worked as a developer and product manager at Philips and Bosch, focusing on professional sound systems, but I recently retired. I was a member of the neighborhood council in the periods 2014–2018 and 2018–2022, but I was also secretary of the last neighborhood council, which ended prematurely (2022–2023). I have been involved in many issues in successive neighborhood councils. Sometimes with success, such as achieving free access to the Enodeplas lake all year round. But not everything works out: for example, traffic lights were installed for the fast cycle path instead of the desired (but expensive) underpass of the Collse Hoefdijk near the railway, which could have solved more problems. For now, it's a reasonable compromise.
As a neighborhood council, you can never please everyone, and that sometimes causes resistance. Unfortunately, the last two neighborhood councils have experienced this to a great extent. Nevertheless, I have decided to continue in the new neighborhood council, because there are still many activities and construction plans coming up in Eeneind. Plans that I am not opposed to in advance. Sometimes these plans serve an important public interest or offer great opportunities if the right Requirements are Requirements . Things cannot always stay the same. Because neighborhood council members will have different opinions on various issues, it is important that the residents of Eeneind determine the composition of the new neighborhood council through their votes and that it is representative of the neighborhood. Within the neighborhood council, we will then consult and strive for consensus before issuing advice.
Hans Oosterbosch
Two years ago, I moved from Eindhoven to Eeneind. What started as a move quickly turned into coming home. The atmosphere, the people, and the village feel make me feel truly at home here. That's why I now want to do more for our neighborhood.
I am running for the neighborhood council because I believe in a no-nonsense approach, common sense, being clear, and doing what is necessary. No complicated fuss, but working transparently and taking residents seriously.
Eeneind is a wonderful place to live, and it should stay that way. At the same time, I see that ideas sometimes get left behind and that not everyone always feels heard. A neighborhood council should not be a distant club, but a bridge between residents and the municipality. Between what is going on in the neighborhood and what needs to be arranged.
I am committed to open communication, practical solutions, and cooperation. Because a strong neighborhood is built together.
My goal is simple: to make Eeneind even more beautiful, with engaged residents and a neighborhood we can be proud of. I hope for your vote, but also for your input.
Gerda Hekker
My name is Gerda Hekker. I live at Hoge Mikkert 11, together with my wife Yasmyn and, more recently, our Labrador Kyra, with whom I walk through Eeneind every day. It is a wonderful neighborhood that I am happy to support.
Before taking early retirement, I worked for 38 years at various housing associations. After that, I worked as a freelancer. During all those years, I worked on issues that directly affect daily life in a neighborhood: housing allocation, quality of life, neighborhood mediation, resident participation, and assisting residents with demolition and renovation projects. I always kept an eye on the people behind the plans.
I was already a member of the neighborhood council from 2008 to 2014. During that period, I worked on the village development plan with great pleasure and commitment. Together with residents, the municipality of Nuenen, and other stakeholders, we worked on improving public spaces, while respecting the atmosphere and character of Eeneind. It was an intensive but valuable time in which cooperation was central.
I am taking that experience with me in my motivation to stand for re-election. I believe it is important that Eeneind once again has a neighborhood council that contributes ideas, provides advice, and draws attention to the interests of residents in plans and developments that affect our neighborhood.
We are working together: residents, neighborhood council, and municipality. By listening to each other and respecting each other. I would like to continue to work toward this goal together.
Would you like Eeneind to retain that voice? Then I warmly invite you to cast your vote on March 18 and help build a committed and active neighborhood council for Eeneind.
Marijke Rikze - Elsendoorn
I have lived in Nuenen for about half a century, including 22 years on Eeneind. |
I feel connected to Nuenen. When my late husband Hans and I came to live here, we always committed ourselves to the community. Our children grew up here, we played sports here, and we were active in associations and politics.
Not long after we moved to Eeneind, a project was launched to improve the residential area. A multitude of different types of paving and street design were transformed into a unified whole. This was done in close consultation between the neighborhood council and the residents. The result is a friendly atmosphere in the neighborhood and play and meeting places for young and old.
I want to devote myself to the neighborhood council in this way in the coming years. Namely, working together to preserve what is good in the neighborhood and improve what needs to be improved. The world is constantly changing, so a lot is changing in and around Eeneind as well. That is why it is important to have a say in this and to make our wishes known.
Roelof Janssen
My ambition is to make a fresh start with the neighborhood council, where everyone feels represented. I believe in a neighborhood and a neighborhood council that works constructively with the municipality and tackles issues in a positively critical manner. Where we listen to each other's opinions and treat each other with respect and kindness.
My family and I have been living happily in Eeneind for about 16 years. I am a member of the Sint Antoniusschut and a loyal fan of Showkorps O&V (which includes three family members). I am involved in the future plans for our Enode building and I am a member of the Mulakkers sounding board group. For Nuenen, I am also chair of the members' council of the fiber optic cooperative OnsNet Nuenen. I am able to combine all these volunteer tasks perfectly with my own business as an organizational consultant.
I hope to represent you in the neighborhood council of our beautiful neighborhood in the coming years.
New neighborhood council, new start, new positive energy. Let's do it together!
Patrick Struble
I have been living happily in beautiful Nuenen for 20 years now, and since 2011 here on Eeneind. It is a neighborhood with a strong sense of community, where people are there for each other and work together to create a pleasant living environment. It is precisely because I feel so connected to our neighborhood that I am running for the neighborhood council.
I strongly believe in the power of cooperation and dialogue. In recent years, there has sometimes been tension and negativity in our neighborhood. I understand that: changes and developments raise questions and concerns. That is precisely why it is important to keep talking to each other. By listening to each other and searching for solutions together. Positively and constructively: without glossing over problems, but also without taking opposing sides.
For me, quality of life is key. That means a neighborhood where people feel at home and safe. Where there is room for socializing, green spaces, and attention for each other. Where young and old can live comfortably. At the same time, we cannot and must not close our eyes to developments around us. These can offer opportunities for the future, but always require careful consideration. What do they mean for our living environment? And how do we ensure that progress goes hand in hand with preserving what makes Eeneind so special?
As a member of the neighborhood council, I want to work in an open, transparent, and approachable manner. A manner in which residents feel heard and in which there is room for different opinions. Looking ahead together, making choices together, and taking responsibility for our neighborhood together.
With respect for each other, with an eye to the future, and with love for Eeneind, I want to commit myself to this.
Hans Jager
My name is Hans Jager. I have been living in Eeneind for 17 years and many residents know me as Hans: the person you encounter almost daily in the neighborhood while walking my three dogs. That daily contact means that I know Eeneind mainly from the conversations I have along the way and the things that really concern people.
I am running for the neighborhood council because I believe in a neighborhood council that is close to its residents. A neighborhood council that listens, carefully considers, and communicates openly. One that allows room for different opinions and makes it clear what happens with feedback and advice.
In recent years, I have studied the projects and developments surrounding Eeneind intensively—past, present, and future. I want to use this knowledge to keep residents well informed and to ensure that advice to the municipality is carefully considered and substantively substantiated, with the interests of Eeneind at the forefront.
Eeneind is a neighborhood with diverse interests and perspectives. That is precisely why I believe it is important that residents and entrepreneurs feel heard and know where they stand. For me, that means being accessible and approachable, including on the street, for questions, concerns, and ideas from the neighborhood, and providing clear feedback on the choices that are made.
As a member of the neighborhood council, I want to contribute to an open and reliable way of working. Committed, transparent, and with respect for each other—that is how I want to work for our Eeneind.
Piet van de Laar
I came to live in Eeneind about 65 years ago. In 1963, I became a member of EMK from the start, where I held board positions for more than 40 years. From my youth, I was also active at my neighbor's bakery and cafeteria. Later, I was active in parties and other events at the Schellens hall. I was also involved in politics, such as Lijst Kuiten and Verenigd Nuenen. For years, I was active in the neighborhood magazine. And soon, I will have been a member of Sint Antoniusschut for 50 years.
After transferring my company, Laarmetaal, to my manager Harold Spaan, I was asked to join the Neighborhood Council.
I agreed immediately. I realized that the Neighborhood Council, as an advisory body to the Mayor and Aldermen, was very useful for Eeneind in general. We can provide information and advice on many issues. But not always to everyone's liking. Certainly in recent times, there have been many changes and developments planned in and around our Eeneind. Decisions still need to be made about these. So let's use all the options we have to make and keep Eeneind liveable and, if possible, to everyone's liking.
After almost 25 years, I hope to continue contributing my experience and interest to Eeneind for a while longer. With three other experienced members and a number of new members, we hope to get enough votes for the new Neighborhood Council. So please vote, whoever you vote for.