Introduction
My name is Tobias Westerneng, I am 44 years old. 10 years ago I came 'back' to Hilversum. As a teenager I went to Comenius College and rowed with Cornelis Tromp. Since 2012 I live in the Schilderskwartier, between Gijsbrecht and Hoorneboegse hei. My three sons aged 12, 10 and 7 go to the ATC and the Hilversum School Association and they play football at Victoria. I myself row weekly on the Hilversum canal. I work in Hilversum as manager marketing & communication at TopMondzorg.
Since 2018 I have been a member of the Hilversum VVD fraction in the city council. What characterizes my council membership when I look back on those four years? I try to immerse myself in the various topics so that I can oversee the general interest. Because that's what it's all about: making decisions that are good for Hilversum. These are sometimes very big decisions, such as the developments at the Arena Park. And sometimes it's about smaller things, for example freeing up a budget for an extra neighborhood sports coach group.
What can you expect from me? I look at the public interest, work together with the other 36 municipal councilors and pay special attention to sport & exercise and employment in Hilversum.
Motivation
Due to discussions in national politics, I became a member of the VVD in 2000. When I came to live in Hilversum, I felt a growing need to contribute something to society. Because I live, live, work, sport, learn and shop here with my family. The link with the local department of the VVD was quickly established, in 2018 I became a member of the city council.
Over the past 4 years I have experienced that local politics suits me well. Because I have a wide range of interests and like to immerse myself in different subjects. I learn a lot from conversations with authorities and residents. I have come to love the democratic process: how do you forge majorities in the city council to achieve something?
As a liberal, my main motivation is that I want to contribute to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to make something beautiful out of life. Two topics particularly appeal to me: sport & exercise and employment.
As a teenager, I was given the opportunity to improve every day in rowing. I learned lessons that I could use for the rest of my life. Think of learning to lose, learning to win, learning to work together, learning to persevere, taking good care of my body. I am therefore committed to an accessible sport & exercise offer for every Hilversum summer.
In addition, it is my belief that a job is the best social security. That is why it is my aim that everyone who can work (with help) is actually working. In this tight labor market with many vacancies, I am committed to effective retraining programs. And I draw attention to jobs in the future. To keep Hilversum prosperous, we literally have to give space to companies, they create the jobs and thus the opportunities for the next generation.
(Ancillary) functions
- Top Mondzorg/Dental Clinics - Marketing and Program Management Director
- Member of the Hilversum Sports Election jury
