Refresh Magazine

NO TIME
TO REST
ON OUR
LAURELS
Depla: It's a city which has everything going
for it, but you need to realise its potential.
And for that you need the local residents,
the companies, the knowledge institutions
and the municipal government.
Together, we offer prospects for the future.
These should lead to more economic activity,
increasing employment and more visitors.
The mayor and aldermen serve as ambassadors
for the business sector. A mayor is there
to serve. We are always working to make the
city a more attractive place. You can never
just sit back and rest on your laurels.
Aartsen: The same applies to companies.
Once you switch to automatic pilot, it's
the beginning of the end.
Depla: You have to know what you're good
at, make decisions and come up with a very
specific profile. It's easier for a company
like aartsenfruit to focus than it is for a
municipality. We are doing it for 185,000
people and numerous companies and
institutions. But if we take absolutely everyone
into account, we run the risk of having
a scattered focus.
A MAYOR'S INFLUENCE
Aartsen: If I got really angry and shouted ‘Everyone, move to the
left!’, then that's exactly what we would do. Not that I do that kind of
thing, obviously. It's different for a mayor.
Depla: As a mayor, you play various different roles. When it comes
to public order and safety, I have the same options as Jack. I'm like
a kind of commanding officer in that respect. In other areas, I'm more
of a director or conductor. Taking control allows me to help and to
steer things in a particular direction.
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