Happiness is a complex concept; after all, it means something different to everyone. In general, happiness is seen as a feeling of joy, contentment or well-being. Happiness can be short or long. For some, it feels like a temporary pleasure, while others experience it as deep satisfaction. Valuable contacts in your environment, the feeling of freedom, as well as a safe and attractive living environment makes you experience more happiness in life.

In Geldrop-Mierlo we feel happy with each other within the many networks we are part of. We look out for each other and everyone contributes in their own way. We help each other so that everyone can participate. We celebrate life together and at the same time are able to cope with setbacks because of the resilience and resilience we have, both individually and within the group of people we feel connected to. This has always been true and I hope it will continue to be true in the future.

The past year has been all about connection and cooperation. Connecting with youth together with our previous children's mayor Annalot van Neerven, with residents by being more visible in the neighborhoods as officials and administrators. We worked together as a municipality to welcome refugees, status holders and expats and provide a safe place in our community. I was made happy by the 14 ribbons I was able to present to volunteers for their tireless efforts in our municipality. And humbly and gratefully we paused to remember our 80th anniversary of liberation during an impressive ceremony at the British Field of Honor. These are things that make me proud as mayor.

What made a big impression on me last year was the fatal stabbing in Mierlo in which a mother of five died. It shocked the neighborhood, the surrounding area and us. However, the connection with the family members that was immediately initiated was heartwarming. And I will never forget the conversations I and the police had with the family and bystanders. In those moments, I realized how fragile happiness is.

This year I traditionally started with the presentation of the Mierlose Mens. The foundation De Mierlose Mens presented Wim van Bokhoven with this appreciation for his social services for education, housing and sports in Mierlo. With him, people always come first. In recent years he has been active in helping people with Parkinson's disease, a disease that ironically happened to him himself.

A good resolution for this year is to work with Stan, our children's mayor, to think about how we can make our village a place where everyone feels happy, for example by drawing attention to (or actually against) bullying at school.

Together with the council and with colleagues in City Hall, we will continue our efforts this year to ensure that more people can find housing, but also that there are enough places to meet and relax. We continue to pay special attention to our vulnerable residents. With support from our cooperation partners we are working hard to ensure that everyone has a sense of belonging and that we look out for each other in Geldrop-Mierlo. We discussed these ambitions with our city council last month.

On the other hand, we also realize that municipal tasks are being squeezed by the transfer of responsibilities to provinces and municipalities. The 'all the tasks, but no money' means that we as municipalities are finding it increasingly difficult to perform all our tasks properly. On behalf of all municipalities, the VNG in The Hague calls attention to this. So that we get the money that is needed so that residents do not suffer from unnecessary cuts.

But what the year 2025 will look like largely depends on us. On the municipality of Geldrop-Mierlo, but also on you, the inhabitants of our municipality. If we work together for a municipality where it is pleasant to live and work, it will be a happy New Year.

I wish us that 2025 may be a year of beautiful moments, in which we can enjoy small and large successes. That we feel commitment to those dear to us. With the college and council, we hope that the society around us may remain a place of equality and justice. Let us work together to create a community where everyone feels at home, where we care for each other, and where happiness is shared. Then together we will make 2025 a year full of faith, hope and love.