Archipel & Willemspark

Residents Association Foundation

ErePrijs recipients:

2001 Else Ponsen-Breugem

in gratitude for her many years of commitment

to the community and to mark the

20th anniversary of her role as adminstrative support

to the Residents Association.

The Hague, September 2001

2002 Guido de Sturler

in gratitude for his many years of commitment

to the architectuur in the community.

The Hague, 9 November 2002

2003  Eva Drijver

in gratitude for her many years of service

to the communuty newspaper and biennial community fair.

The Hague, December 2003

2004  Rupert van Heijningen

in gratitude for his contribution over many years

to urban planning in the community. 

The Hague, 13 January 2005

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2005 Liesbeth de Bles

in gratitude for her many years of service to

 the ‘t Klokhuis Community Centre

in the Archipel

and more than 30 years

to the Clubhuis Cantaloup in Willemspark

The Hague, 15 January 2006

2006 Hans Groenendijk

in gratitude for his many years of service

as board member of the Residents Association

responsible for urban planning and policy on parking

and his attention to the consequences of

the Madurodam expansion and groundwater level,

which proved extremely important for the community.

The Hague, 18 January 2007

2007 Joop Vos

in gratitude for his many years of service

as board chairman of the Residents Association,

in which role his good relations with local politians

often managed to bridge the gap between

the (sometimes) conflicting interests of

the municipality and the community.

The Hague, 13 January 2008

2008 Michiel Ottolander

 in gratitude for his many years of

involvement with local activities and

his great commitment to Archipel&Willemspark.  

From 1995 till 2002 he was an active member of

the working party responsible for quality of life

in the community on the editorial board

of the community newspaper.

For the last seven years he has been general

editorial staff member.

The computer lessons he gives in ‘t Klokhuis

are also greatly appreciated.
The Hague, 11 January 2009

2010 Council Election results:

Labour Still Biggest Party in The Hague

The PvdA (Labour Party) has emerged from Wednesday’s local elections as the biggest victor in The Hague with 10 seats on the Council. Nevertheless, the party has lost five seats, and is closely followed by Geert Wilders’ controversial PVV which has won eight seats. In third place is the right-wing liberal VVD with seven seats. The conservative CDA is reduced to half its strength with three seats, but left-wing liberal D66 has trebled its numbers with six seats. GroenLinks also now has three seats, and SP has two and HSP two.

The PvdA will be starting negotiations to form a Coalition.

Source:TheHagueOnline

Voting figures in Archipel & Willemspark

Total overview of results per district in The Hague

Election interviews

VVD City Marketing alderman Frits Huffnagel

VVD Sander Dekker

PvdA Leading Candidate Jeltje van Nieuwenhoven

D66 Leading Candidate Marjolein de Jong

CDA Leading Candidate Karsten Klein

Source: TheHagueOnline

VOTING GUIDE

Some time ago we sent a questionnaire on the hottest issues in our neighbourhood as well as in other adjoining districts to the political parties taking part in the council elections on 3 March 2010.

The executive parties who returned the questionnaire were PvdA and GroenLinks (GL) and the opposition parties were CDA, D66, SP and Haagse Stadspartij (HSP). VVD did not care to answer our questions: so no score for the VVD party, while Trots op Nederland (TON) simply referred us to its electoral programme (where there were no concrete answers to our questions to be found): so to try to award a score would be pointless and only give a distorted picture. We have therefore omitted TON from the scoreboard below. The rest of the parties (not mentioned here) did not respond at all and will be ignored. For the individual responses to similar questions posed during the pre-election debate held in the Klokhuis Community Centre on 8 February click here.

It is not feasible to present all the answers word for word. We have therefore decided to award marks (on a scale from 0 to 5) that correspond most closely with local ideas and wishes. Any vagueness, conditional promises or inconsistences result in the deduction of points. For example: clear opponents to a tunnel for tram 9 are awarded a 5, supporters of the tunnel a 0 and those against a route under Koninginnegracht but want alternatives to be investigated (a tunnel under Raamweg) receive a 2. The same applies for the NWH tunnel: supporters of an integrated tunnel route who want to start with a short tunnel alongside the World Forum zone clearly do not understand the problem (such a short tunnel would make the excavation of an integrated tunnel impossible) and will not be marked than 3. In this way the preferred parties become clearly apparent. This marking system is of course somewhat arbitrary but we’ve tried to do it as fairly as possible.

For the individual responses to similar questions posed during the pre-election debate held in the Klokhuis Community Centre on 8 February click here.

SCOREBOARD:

RECOMMENDATIONS

Wybe Taekema

Chairman Archipel & Willemspark

Archipel & Willemspark – Pre-election Meeting 8 February 2010 in 't Klokhuis

Positions of participating party representatives

of CDA, D66, GroenLinks, Haagse Stadspartij, PvdA and SP

1. Care for the elderly

Services for the elderly in the neighbourhood must be maintained (Het Schakelpunt)

- D66 

No confidence in the Staedion (housing corporation providing housing options for people with a low or medium income, vulnerable people, starters and senior citizens) and Care Provider Florence partnership.

D66 has been on the phone to the relevant alderman for more information and lobbied for earlier intervention in such matters as the Schakelpunt.

There is too much talking about volunteer work (concerning the elderly) and not enough action. This should (and must) change.  

- Haagse Stadspartij 

Deterioration of care for the elderly in the neighbourhood is a result of privatisation of care nationally. Council and government/state must play a more controlling role. Staedion is the bad apple, does little to provide a real service. Council must make clearer operational agreements regarding numbers and social substance.

- CDA 

Council should better implement the WMO (Social Support Act). The needs of the neighbourhood must be matched by facilities. Politicians must exercise their power over housing corporations. The council often protects welfare services to the detriment of volunteer organizations: this is a bad situation.

- SP 

Stop outsourcing of community care. The AWBZ (Exceptional Medical Expenses Act) now, cuts and all, comes under the council’s responsibility. A motion was moved in December and awaits a decision from the Dutch parliament: the council will soon have to supervise homecare. Provision of “meals on wheels” is extremely important in this regard because to a certain extent this service addresses the problem of social isolation.

- PvdA 

The WMO budget holds the solution. Closure of the Schakelpunt is a result of a “rob Peter to pay Paul” policy. Corporations in krachtwijken (disadvantaged neighbourhoods) has reassumed their social role. Housing corporations were originally established to boost council housing stock and they should return their attention to this.

- GroenLinks

(the alderman tried to some degree to clarify the WMO)

The council should ask housing corporations to contribute to social facilities, along with VMO funds, when residential/care homes are involved. The WMO funds are usually implemented well but government cuts means less can be done.

2. Relationship between council and citizens

Effect of input on decision-making

Setting the coalition agreement in stone makes insights and views of residents irrelevant: can this be changed.

- GroenLinks

Agree on the main topics and elaborate and readjust them as necessary would be the ideal. Unfortunately in reality the coalition agreement is usually strictly defined: more candour would be better.

- PvdA

This could be possible: define main topics and concentrate input on wider issues. The feedback received in the last four years has not been pleasant. There has never been so much opportunity for comment and never before so much criticism. This has to change, but how? Discussion needed.

How should we give participation a meaning? Sometimes input will be limited, at other times more telling. What is important is that the two are not mixed up. The public’s expectations much be better managed.

- SP

The programme must reflect the main topics and during the four-year term these must be re-attuned to the day-to-day reality. It must be made clear what will be done with input and feed back. Brainstorming groups must be taken seriously.

- CDA

Of course agreements have to be made, but this should be done in consultation with residents. The problem is not input and dialogues, but that something is done with it. Let it be seen that plans are being adapted.

- Haagse Stadspartij

Yes, of course an open council agreement. Expertise and knowledge of concerned parties is extremely important. The aim up till now was to allow The Hague to grow, position itself and compete. But this has to be reversed; start with the qualities that the city already has. The insatiable appetite for growth has been superseded by the environmental and economic crisis.

- D66

Participation is one of the D66’s jewels in the crown. A ladder of citizen participation would be ideal because you know beforehand what will be done with your input. If everyone knows what to expect, there is clarity and there is no need to get half the city agiated.

3. Traffic policy

a. Is a tunnel really necessary under Koninginnegracht?

- SP

No. No tunnel under Koninginnegracht!

- CDA

Money has been reserved for it, what should we do with it? A better connection with Scheveningen is needed, greater frequency and underground. The Raamweg variant should be investigated.

- PvdA

All possibilities should be thoroughly looked into. There must be investment in public transport, especially to Scheveningen. The Raamweg variant should be properly.

- D66

All proposals currently on the table improve the flow of motor traffic. Strange … because they should be about improving public transport. The Raamweg variant should be investigated.

- Haagse Stadspartij

The tram does not need to go underground. The problem is all the intersection for motor traffic. Relocation of access points to the city must be investigated. No tunnel, the problem is the car not the tram.

- GroenLinks

All variants must be fully developed to a stage that they can be properly evaluated to find the best solution. Public transport must be promoted.

b. The Hague needs a separate ring road (NWH)

- Haagse Stadspartij

An integrated approach to traffic is necessary. Through traffic and local traffic must be separated. The duplex tunnel is a clever plan. All the various sources of funding could be pooled to realize this option.

As far as the CentrumRing is concerned: it must be relocated. Environmental and noise pollution in this district already exceed the accepted norms.

- PvdA

Supporter of the VCP but proper monitoring is essential. Grave doubts about the sense of a duplex tunnel regarding entrances and exits. There has o be some kind of ring road or an improved hoefijzer. Changes to Lozerlaan and Houtrustbrug are an option.

- GroenLinks

Priority for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport: according to GroenLinks it is a misconception to think funds can be shifted from one tunnel to the other. There has to be a good plan.

- CDA

More people using public transport and a better flow of motor traffic. Supporter of tunnelling implemented gradually.

- SP

CentrumRing must be relocated. The VCP is a project that will cost millions and will not solve the real problem. Against the Trekvliettracé and the Koninginnegracht tunnel options. Look further into the NWH.

Warned that the state does not reallocate its money so easily; The Hague will have to start negotiating all over again. Minister Eurlings has already said that it won’t be easy. Invest in cutting the amount of motor traffic.

- D66

Against VCP, it is illogical. Cars must be kept away from the centre, which means a larger ring road. Supporter of one large tunnel (NWH).

Impressions from the pre-election debate in Archipel & Willemspark

on A&W's HOTTEST ISSUES

Monday 8 February 2010 - The Klokhuis Community Centre was full for the pre-election debate organized for local residents by A&W Residents Association. At 20.00 all invited politicians had arrived except the VVD’s representative. Those present to face the meeting room full of interested locals were Marjolijn de Jong (candidate D66), Joris Wijsmuller (candidate Haagse Stadspartij) Karsten Klein (candidate CDA), Hiek van Driel (SP), Jos de Jong (PvdA) and David Rietveld (GroenLinks). Panel chairman Max de Bok led the discussion in his usual inspired manner.

Care for the elderly

Else Ponsen set the ball rolling with the complaint about the closure of the meeting hall for the elderly living in the sheltered accommodation in the “Borneocomplex” on Burgemeester Patijnlaan. All parties were clearly affected by this drastic cut in services for the elderly. They promised to look into the matter, with or without the involvement of the housing corporations. Unfortunately, I did not get the impression that Het Schakelpunt would be opening any time soon. 

Relationship between council and citizens

Eveline Blitz then eloquently and passionately expressed the great frustration felt by many in the room about the council’s terrible track record when it comes to listening to its electorate. Opportunities for public comment are provided and feedback/brainstorming groups are set up, but nothing is done with the contributions and ideas from the local residents taking part. Archipel & Willemspark is not the only district experiencing this problem. It is a complaint heard throughout The Hague. Again, the local political party members admitted that things were not going well. Panel chairman de Bok did not give them an easy time and rejected any wishy-washy promises. The suggestion that the coalition agreement should not be set in stone but should allow the insights and views of residents to be incorporated into policy decisions as and when necessary was welcomed with open arms.

Policy on traffic

Feelings ran high during the final point about traffic and the proposed tunnel for tram 9 and building pressure of traffic due to the CentrumRing. The presence of the VVD representative was sorely missed at this stage because for years the alderman for traffic has come from the VVD party. Again, a local resident, Willem van Gijn, gave an elucidating introduction sketching the problem. Later Vincent Vroom and Sander van den Berg added their criticisms of the current plans on the table and proposed alternative solutions. What would be the best way to alleviate the pressure from the CentrumRing (Laan Copes, Patijnlaan, Javastraat)? Is a tunnel the solution or would this only attract more traffic? Will the CentrumRing be relocated to the outskirting area, along Kennedylaan for example? Will this be an underground route linking up to the under-used Hubertustunnel for a straight run-through to Kijkduin? Where will the money come from? Perhaps funds could be freed up by suspending the development of the Rotterdamsebaan? A single solution did not immediately present itself. The Stadspartij and SP were the two parties most in line with the thinking of the audience: no to a tunnel for tram 9, yes to a tunnel for the Kennedylaan and Sportlaan route (the NWH: north-west arterial route).

Wybe Taekema, Residents Association chairman, was hard pressed to bring the meeting to a close on time; he almost managed but not quite. It was a successful evening and discussions continued over a drink afterwards.

Annette Ter Kuile

Eveline Blitz steps down from A&W executive board

Eveline Blitz has been a board member of the Residents Association since 2007. The A&W has profited from her great knowledge and experience of The Hague administration. Her contribution to the VCP (traffic circulation plan) question, in particular, has become virtually indispensable.

Knowing when to draw the line when it comes to volunteer work is often a problem. You take to many things to heart and you feel personally responsible. But sometimes you have to admit that it has all become too much. This is the situation in Eveline’s case. To her regret she has to acknowledge that she just does not have enough time to devote to the committee work of the A&W. She has therefore decided to step down. And with great reluctance her fellow board members have accepted her decision. The board would like to continue to call upon her for advice occasionally as the need arises.

For now the board would like to say: we enjoyed working with you very much.

AB - February 2009

Bob Waisfisz Seminar: " Feeling even more at home in the Archipel"

Thursday 6 November 2008

at 20.00

in the Klokhuis Community Centre

4 Celebesstraat

The board of the A&W Residents Association counts itself fortunate that fellow resident Bob Waisfisz, a globally experienced consultant, is prepared to conduct a seminar for the international residents in our neighbourhood about the cultural differences between the Netherlands and their home countries (see the announcement below). It promises to be an interesting event and is intended primarily for our non-Dutch residents (the medium of communication will be English), but Dutch locals can also learn from the experience and will be most welcome to attend. Please let Bob know beforehand if you are going to attend: bob@itim.org.

A N N O U N C E M E N T

EXPATS” - If you want to feel even more at home in the Archipel and in the Netherlands in general, please feel free (and it is!) – whatever your situation ­– to attend our two-hour seminar on Dutch culture.

This seminar is not about the little “dos” and “don’ts” (surface culture) but the unconscious conditioning that shapes thinking and views in societies (deep culture). In order to understand deep culture we have to make comparisons, it would therefore be helpful if you let us know your nationality before attending. Please mail this to bob@itim.org

The seminar will be very interactive, helping you to assess whether you fit into Dutch culture quite naturally or whether you will have to work at feeling at home. You will be asked to answer light-hearted, multiple-choice questions about Dutch culture as well as cultures represented in the audience (that is if you inform us about your nationality beforehand).

Some examples of the kind of questions that might come up:

To find out the answers you’ll have to attend the seminar!

The approach used in the seminar is based on the research results of Professor Geert Hofstede, who has published several studies and books on cultural awareness.

Bob Waisfisz

Council Review in A&W

On 17 September 2008 a procession of council representatives visited our neighbourhood: city district alderman Bert van Alphen, Gert-Jan Bunck (director City District Centre), Leo van der Meij (coordinator City District Centre), community police officers and the city maintenance and preservation team.

They made a tour, together with members of the board and working parties of the Archipel&Willemspark Residents Association, of the old and new points of contention in the neighbourhood; principally Bankastraat of course. Signatures are being collected in the Archipelbuurt this month for a citizen’s initiative for a safer arrangement on Bankastraat to be submitted to the city council. Everyone listened with interest to the plans; the nicest comment coming from the alderman, “the colour of the cycle paths will be Archipel-red then, I take it?”

Photo: members of Residents Association board and Alderman van Alphen (second from right)

In Surinamestraat among other things the problem of mowing the grass was scrutinized: no access because of parked cars and the fences. The desire for a Couperus museum was also brought up.

There was much admiration too for the beautifully renovated Mallemolen, both by the entrance to the “hofjes” themselves and around the restaurant.

And finally the problems surrounding the new construction planned for the courtyard behind Frederikstraat were itemized in some detail. The return route along Nassauplein was a pleasant conclusion to the inspection thanks to the lovely weather, and provided the chance to point out that the central garden here still needs some work done on it too. This had been discussed in great detail during a previous district review.

The Residents Association sees the district reviews as an ideal opportunity to discuss what is going on in the neighbourhood with the council in a relaxed and informal way.

IN MEMORIAM – Mr. L. van Heijningen

On Monday evening 9 June 2008, one of our most striking local residents passed away: Leo van Heijningen LLM died at the age of 89. He was a lawyer of 57 years standing – something quite unique not only for The Hague but the whole of the Netherlands. His work as a lawyer was regularly reported over the years in the press, often in important and controversial cases.

He was highly esteemed by his professional colleagues as a wary but extremely honourable brother counsel. Master of Law van Heijningen served our community a number of times in his capacity as legal counsellor.

We will, however, remember him above all as a concerned local resident and writer with a great interest in and historical knowledge of The Hague in general and the Archipel in particular. He enriched us all with his many interesting publications, lectures and guided tours. In 2006, on the recommendation of the Residents Association Archipel&Willemspark, the municipal council awarded him the Haagse Stadspenning.

Many of us will be paying our respects to Leo van Heijningen on Saturday 14 June at his interment in the family tomb in the Algemene Begraafplaats on Kerkhoflaan, directly behind his house. We will remember him with gratitude for all he has meant to us and our community.

Wybe Taekema, chairman

Outgoing chairman presented with Ereprijs

Sunday 13 January 2008 – Joop Vos, outgoing chairman of the A&W Residents Association, was presented with the 2007 ErePrijs during the well-attended New Year’s Reception in 't Klokhuis. (A prize awarded annually to a local volunteer who has given exceptional service to the community.) This is the seventh time the prize had been awarded and the new chairman, Wybe Taekema, did the honours. More photos ...