Meet Council Member Tobias Holtman
My name is Tobias Holtman; I’m 38 years old and live with my family in Aalten. My wife Helga and I have been married for 12.5 years this year, and we have three children ages 6, 4, and a few weeks old. I was born and raised in Barlo. Next year, we’ll be returning there as a family—to the house where I was born. That’s very special to us.
In my day-to-day life, I work as a team manager for the municipality of Zevenaar. Together with my team, I focus on social issues such as economic security, growing up in a safe and supportive environment, well-being, quality of life, and healthy aging. Through my work, I strive to contribute to a socially just municipality that is attentive to the needs of those who require support. In addition to my work and political activities, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing sports, riding my motorcycle, and being active in our church community.
I have been politically active since 2013. I started out as a party representative, and since 2019 I have served as a council member and party chair for the “ ChristenUnie ” in Aalten. It’s a wonderful job to have. I have also been on provincial and national candidate lists several times, because I believe it’s important for the voice of the Achterhoek and other rural areas to be heard in Arnhem and The Hague.
As a politician for “ ChristenUnie,” I want to stand up for justice and fairness. Those may be big words, but for me they mean something very concrete: looking out for vulnerable people, ensuring that everyone can participate, and making sure the municipality is trustworthy and keeps its promises. At the same time, we want to give space to residents, organizations, churches, business owners, and volunteers who are the backbone of our community. This includes good basic amenities, such as schools, sports facilities, a swimming pool, and community gathering places. After all, a strong municipality isn’t built solely from City Hall, but above all in our villages and neighborhoods—and through the connections between people.
We live in a beautiful community where, for the most part, life is good and safe, and people look out for one another. Yet there are also concerns. Affordable housing is scarce, groceries and energy are expensive, drugs are finding their way even among young people, people are lonely, and our living environment and nature are under pressure.
That is why Christian social thought resonates so deeply with me: it is not the individual or economic growth that takes precedence, but people and the community. People are made to live together and care for one another. This also includes good stewardship: treating our environment and what has been entrusted to us with care, so that we can pass it on in good condition to future generations. The economy and the government must serve people and communities, not the other way around. I intend to continue working toward this goal during the coming term of office.