Backgrounds

Imagine your (grand)child attempts suicide. That is of course terrible. It happened to Hilversum resident Alfons Klarenbeek and his daughter 12 years ago. "She is now glad that it didn't work out back then," says Alfons. "But it still happens far too often. Also in Hilversum."

The field on Busken Huetplein is loved by local residents, but could use a boost. That is why local residents worked together to renovate the field, for which they used the district budget of the municipality of Hilversum. Initiator Annemieke Voeten explains in this interview how this joint effort led to more living pleasure and contact with neighbors.

July 17 marked the tenth anniversary of the MH17 disaster. The Kuala Lumpur-bound plane was shot down over eastern Ukraine. All 298 passengers, including 196 Dutch, were killed. Fifteen victims came from Hilversum. Designer Sven Lamme designed the MH17 monument in the Dudok Park, where these victims are commemorated.

The square in front of Joanne Vogelzang's apartment has been tiled for years. This had to change, the Hilversum resident thought. With the district budget and help from the district director, she created more greenery and conviviality.

For a long time, Hilversum was a small, simple sheep village where little happened. There was not much contact with the outside world. But various events ensured that Hilversum grew into the media city it is today. How that came about is something we will go through in a nutshell in this story.

The groundwater has been much higher than normal for some time now. That's because it rained a lot. The high groundwater level causes nuisance in some places in Hilversum. We find it very annoying for residents who are affected by this. Unfortunately, we have almost no influence on groundwater and the possibilities to do something about it are limited.

At least 10.000 Hilversum residents rose up against the German occupier and the persecution of Jews on February 26, 1941. An important moment that we will commemorate again this year. We spoke to Joop Lahaise, secretary of the February Strike Commemoration Committee and councilor in Hilversum. “I would like it if as many people as possible came. And that we not only commemorate the past, but also convey the message now: never again oppression and fascism!”

Every year, every household in the Netherlands - including us in Hilversum - receives a municipal tax bill. Not too fun, but important. The municipality uses tax revenues to invest in projects and facilities in the city. Know this: a payment arrangement or remission is possible. It depends on a number of conditions. You can read how to arrange this at the bottom of this article. In this article we will tell you more about the sewerage tax.

Every year, every household in the Netherlands - including us in Hilversum - receives a municipal tax bill. Not too nice. The basic principle is that (housing) costs do not rise more than inflation. Know this: a payment arrangement or remission is possible! It depends on a number of conditions. In this article we will tell you more about the waste tax.