Loekie van Maaren-van Balen

Louise Bernardina Maria (Loekie) van Maaren-van Balen (born March 9, 1946 in Wormerveer) is a former Dutch politician. She became known nationwide during her term of office as the mayor of Leeuwarden.

Biography

Van Maaren was born in Wormerveer, North Holland, a suburb of Amsterdam.

In the 70s she worked as teacher of social science and community work at the "'Social academy" of The Hague. She did community work in Haarlem as an employee of "Provinciaal Opbouworgaan Haarlem". Because of her work she became interested in politics and decided to join the PvdA in 1975.Three year later she was sworn in as councillor for municipality of Haarlem. In 1983 she became an alderman in Haarlem. Eight years later, in 1991, she applied for the job of burgomaster of Weert, a small catholic community in North Brabant.

She is praised for her good presentation, compassion and firmness. [cite web|title=Inleiding - Terug in de tijd|url=http://www.loekiemutterug.plein058.nl/loekiemutterug/inleiding/index.htm|publisher=Loekie mut terug|language=Dutch|accessdate=2007-11-28]

Mayor of Leeuwarden

The post of mayor of Leeuwarden became available after the departure of Haijo Apotheker, who became minister. Loekie received a call and expressed her interest. She felt she needed the challenge after being the the mayor of Weert for eight years. The high unemployment rate, a dated housing file and internal difficulties after a huge reorganisation. Enough reason for her to apply for the job.cite web|title=Inleiding - Leeuwarden|url=http://www.loekiemutterug.plein058.nl/loekiemutterug/inleiding/index.htm|publisher=Loekie mut terug|language=Dutch|accessdate=2007-11-28]

The confidence commission in Leeuwarden lead by Peter den Oudsten, who is currently mayor of Enschede, decided unanimously she would make the finest mayor.cite web|title=Inleiding - Leeuwarden|url=http://www.loekiemutterug.plein058.nl/loekiemutterug/inleiding/index.htm|publisher=Loekie mut terug|language=Dutch|accessdate=2007-11-28]

Published work

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References

External links

* [http://www.loekiemutterug.plein058.nl/loekiemutterug/ Loekie van Maaren-van Balen fan site]
* [http://www.bzztoh.nl/ Uitgeverij BzztôH]

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