Municipal Council Elections 2010
Our motto: Wassenaar: Green and Safe
Wassenaar is a unique village in a densely populated area of the Netherlands. The special rural location by the sea with good amenities makes Wassenaar a popular choice as a place of residence.
Wassenaar is known for its rural surroundings. Maintaining this green and rural oasis is of the highest priority for the VVD, the local liberal party. We want to retain the countryside around Wassenaar and ensure that the rural quality is further improved. We want to maintain the characteristic elements of our village. We want to ensure that town and country planning is aligned with this goal.
Wassenaar is located in the middle of the Randstad, the most densely populated area in the western part of the Netherlands. This means that Wassenaar has to endure substantial traffic flows both in and around our village. The VVD believes that quality of life must not suffer unnecessarily and is therefore focused on “smart” solutions to deal with the volume of traffic.
Wassenaar can and must be a safer place to live. Without safety measures quality of life will deteriorate. We want more crime prevention, safety precautions and road safety measures. Our young people must be able to grow up in a safe living environment. Our children must be safe and protected in their development. It is the responsibility of local government to create a safe living environment, provide adequate child and adolescent welfare, public play areas and adequate road safety measures.
________________________________________________________________
The VVD is a liberal peoples party, a political party for all residents of Wassenaar. We have confidence in the individual. We know that individual persons are capable of being successful when provided with the freedom and space to develop themselves. Local government therefore must not appear patronizing. Local economic activity is good for Wassenaar and has our support so long as it fits in with the rural village character of Wassenaar and does not have an adverse effect on the quality of live of residents. The VVD believes that the principal of “less and better” should be applied to municipal rules and regulations.
The VVD is proud of the good amenities that Wassenaar has to offer its residents. The VVD is a protagonist of adequate social services and amenities which encourage independence and a sense of individual responsibility.
Those tasks that are the responsibility of the municipal council must be well executed. The fruits of these endeavors must be visible. This can often only be achieved if there are sufficient financial means. Sound financial policy therefore continues to be a priority for the VVD. We look further than today or tomorrow; we are focused on sustainable solutions.
Our three priorities
1.A green and rural Wassenaar. We always have been and will be in favour of the green buffer. We will continue to fight for our green oasis.
2.Safety promotion (road safety, crime prevention). Safety and tranquility for young and old.
3.The VVD is known for its solid financial policy (in combination with limited government interference). We will not play Lady Bountiful with local tax proceeds. Our aim is to keep local taxes as low as possible.
Municipal elections will be held on Wednesday, 3rd March 2010 throughout the Netherlands. You, too, can help determine who will represent you the coming four years on the Municipal Council of Wassenaar. Many international residents in Wassenaar are eligible to vote. Take advantage of your rights and vote on 3rd March!
Who is eligible to vote?
Although most elections in the Netherlands are open to Dutch citizens only, non-Dutch nationals residents are entitled to vote in the local municipal elections provided they meet certain requirements.
EU citizens are entitled to vote in municipal elections under the same conditions as Dutch nationals, provided they were registered as a resident of Wassenaar on January 19, 2010, are 18 years or older and have not lost the right to vote in their country of origin.
Non-EU have also have the right to vote in local municipal elections provided they have been legally resident in the Netherlands for a continuous period of at least five years. This means that they must have held a valid temporary or permanent residence permit under article 8, sections a,b,d,e or l, of the Aliens Act 2000. The calculation of the five-year period of legal residence may also include any period during which the person concerned held a temporary residence permit under article 8, section C, of the Aliens Act 2000.