Meet Council Member Henk Rijks

My name is Henk Rijks, and I’ve been a member of GemeenteBelangen for nearly 30 years. I live in Dinxperlo, have been married to Wil since 1977, and am the proud father of two daughters and grandfather of five grandsons. 

After a strong election result, I decided to serve another term as a council member. A four-member caucus—two women and two men, half from Aalten and half from Dinxper—working together for the common good. What more could you ask for?! We were able to appoint our member Alex Walter to the new municipal executive, and we can move forward…

In a beautiful municipality that is evolving and adapting, we are committed to keeping our residents satisfied and involving them in the decisions that must be made by the council. Responsibilities are clearly divided within our caucus; please feel free to reach out to us, and you can count on us.

In addition to my work as a council member, I’m fortunate to still have time to devote to volunteer work and hobbies. These include reading, listening to music, and biking or hiking. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy our beautiful surroundings (a nice view often leads to better insight) and to stop here and there for a chat with one person or another. There’s no better way to stay in touch with the residents of our villages and hamlets and, in this way, stay informed about what’s going on in our community. 

Over the past 26 years, as a “ Alderman ” and also as a council member, I have worked on behalf of the residents of our lovely villages, towns, and our beautiful rural areas. Always approachable, out among the people, and at the heart of the community, I’ve had the privilege of helping build what we are today: a robust municipality prepared for the future. I’m proud of that! In the coming term, I will focus primarily on safety, a healthy living environment, recreational sports, and the elderly. 

At GemeenteBelangen, which has been active in the community since the 1960s, I work alongside an enthusiastic group of dedicated people. I am able to share my experience, and my successors are ready to take over! We are relatable and approachable, with a clear mission: to create a livable and safe community where people can “live together, coexist, and work together” harmoniously. 

We continue to count on your opinions and input—please let us know!

Henk Rijks, GemeenteBelangen