Approach but no white smoke yet between Halsema and Amsterdam Floradorpers: “We’re going to drink coffee sometime”
The bonfire in Amsterdam’s Floradorp district, which should not have been burning, but which did, continues to unite the emotions in Amsterdam-Noord. Today there was a heated residents’ meeting in the Antoniushuis.
It was initially not intended for the organization behind the bonfire, only for the residents of the Buiksloterdijk who had questions about their safety during the turn of the year. Despite a closure of the municipality due to the strong wind, the pile of Christmas trees there were simply set on fire.
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Angry
Halsema was there angry about. The organization, in turn, was there again angry about. They wanted to be present today at the maintenance in the community center to also tell their side of the story to concerned local residents. “I’m concerned about the safety of all northerners,” said Patrick van Bronswijk of the organization.
“It’s in everyone’s best interest that it can go on, but it has to go on or not”
AT5 was not allowed to attend the meeting, but the participants said that there was no contradiction between the dike residents and other Floradorp residents. Most of the attendees actually said they had no problem with the fire, but we made the decision to cancel the event at the last minute. “That was very naive and formalistic thinking,” says Jojada Verrips, who has lived on Buiksloterdijk for more than thirty years.
Cup of coffee
According to Halsema, the organization was told when making the agreements that the bonfire could be called off by the municipality if it became too unsafe. “That happened, then they should have adhered to it.” Halsema therefore said that it is not worth repeating. At least, if there is a next edition.
The organizing committee insists that it no longer makes sense for the time being, but the mayor has invited Van Bronswijk again for a cup of coffee. “I love coffee,” says Van Bronswijk, “But I wouldn’t think it more than decent that if you say something that isn’t right, you rectify it.”
Tradition
Halsema says it is important that the tradition of the bonfire continues to exist. “Not only because it has been put together into a beautiful tradition. Also because otherwise spontaneous fires will start everywhere. That causes unrest, hassle.”
The mayor thus refers to the turn of the year in 2003: “The last time it did not go through, in the meantime also to great unrest. It is for everyone’s good that it can continue, but it must be orderly.”
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