Borsbeek citizens critical during the first information evening about: “A merger may be necessary, but surely not with Antwerp?” (Borsbeek)
Just over a hundred Borsbekenaren came to the Tirolerhof on Wednesday evening to get answers to the merger story with Antwerp. Divided over four tables, arranged around the themes of safety, social policy, daily life and space, the mayor and his aldermen spoke to the inhabitants. The city of Antwerp also had a table.
Of course there were also some burgers that are very critical of the merger with the city. Among other ships Walter Kiebooms (N-VA) was on the floor. “We are satisfied with the turnout with about a hundred attendees for almost eleven thousand inhabitants. It is clear that people come to us with very specific questions. We also put all the figures, such as the multi-year plan approved by Flanders, on the table. I feel they understand the story when we explain. Now we can still weigh the value of Borsbeek. This is probably not possible with a mandatory merger. And of course we go the conditions under which we do not transfer to Antwerp. We now have to break through the emotion,” he says.
Free game airport
Those present were able to write down their comments and sighs. These will be discussed again in the neighborhood chats later this month. It is clear that not all Borsbekenaren are eager for a merger with Antwerp. “I am afraid of Deurne airport. He always takes extra space in what is not allowed,” says Christianne De Vleeschouwer.
“Borsbeek has always opposed this, until the last time when the action committee appealed against the airport in legal proceedings. Plots did not appeal to Borsbeek anymore. Now of course we know why. After a merger with Antwerp, the airport can do and expand further. I just read that the Antwerp administration has a big backlog and now the city wants another municipality. Our service will not improve. If a merger is necessary, then preferably with Wommelgem and Wijnegem, but not with Antwerp.”
Nothing to say
Walter Wyninckx sees other concerns after a merger with Antwerp. “We’re not going to have anything more to say. For example, it will be the city that decides whether wind turbines are needed for structural works. We will just be organizing a football match of a parties. Taxes will and we will have to bear the typical problems of the city. Who says that the city does not come here to buy houses that are forty years old and older and turn them into social housing for illegal immigrants and immigrants?”
Eddy Van den Broeck focuses on the party of mayor Dis Van Berckelaer. “Everyone Borsbeek can now call themselves Everyone Antwerp.”
plebiscite
Merging with other neighboring municipalities seems easier to sell for the municipal council, but according to the council of aldermen, the neighbors are not interested. something that contradicts the citizens’ movement Burgers voor Borsbeek.
The movement set up a table and drafted its survey for a popular poll. “We will be in talks with the municipality in the coming months, but we won’t wait with the survey. Most people here get the idea that the merger is already complete, but this is not the case. We want to start first and make it clear that it is not too late. They must take action now. The difference with Boortmeerbeek – where everything was on fire after the announcement of the merger with Mechelen – is the lack of opposition in Borsbeek”, refers to Gerry Cools as a member of Burgers voor Borsbeek to the two opposition figures in the entire municipality.
Jan Govaerts, chairman of the majority party Everyone Borsbeek, indicates that doing nothing is not an option. “That would be the easiest for us, but it wouldn’t be fair to the Borsbekenaar. If the Flemish government gives us two million euros extra operating resources every year, Borsbeek can continue, but that will not happen. In 2019 there was a discussion within the board whether there were enough money to arrange camp transport for the youth. When we started discussing all the possibilities of a merger.”