Mayors in Flanders have been given an average score of 6.1 out of ten, according to a poll carried out by Het Nieuwsblad newspaper.
Scores for the mayors of smaller, rural municipalities tended to score higher than their urban colleagues. Renaat Landuyt in Bruges and Johan Vande Lanotte in Ostend failed to pass, while Bart De Wever in Antwerp squeezed through with a score of 5.3. Bart Somers in Mechelen, most recently voted best mayor in Europe, scored a comfortable 7 out of 10.
The highest score went to Luc Vander Meeren (photo), mayor of Wortegem-Petegem, with 8.7. “I’m available day and night,” he told the paper. My cellphone number is on the commune’s website. If an accident or some other calamity happens, I always go to the location. Even in the middle of the night. I consider it my duty. And I don’t think I’ve missed a single party in recent years, even if that means having lunch two or three times in one afternoon. I try to be everywhere, and to be the mayor for everyone.”
The lowest score went to Eric Van Meensel in Grobbendonk, who obtained a score of 3.2 in 10. “A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes,” he said.
Alan Hope
The Brussels Times
Flemish rate mayors 6.1 out of 10
