Ghent Mayor Daniel Termont has launched his last city council. 42 years he has in the Ghent council is seated. Former mayor Frank Beke came to him praise pay particular tribute, as also the clerk did that. Termont thanked everyone, and got a standing ovation.
Termont was first elected in 1976, and ended when the oppositiebanken in the city council, just after the Big Merger. “There are probably few people who so long have served”, said an emotional Frank Beke. “42 full years, where in 2012 a personal high score of 44.561 votes obtained. In the last few years are the hardest. But I have no doubt that you are always to the best of my ability, have acted, and more can a man not be expected. Enjoy your retirement, learn to play piano, and try to find the right tone to keep on singing.”
Termont, of course, had a word ready. Because all he wants to, no interviews to give more, to go away without something to say, even he doesn’t. “I want everyone to thank you for the nice words and the tribute. I want to tell you, I can be anyone right in the eyes and I’m proud of what I have achieved and the work that I have done. Because I have worked very hard, I have always tried to be the people as much as possible at the service. I’ve always 100 per cent for the city chosen, and I have no regrets. So I could be 24 hours per day, the mayor of Ghent, and between the people. In 42 years time, Ghent is much changed from a grey industrial to a young, vibrant city, with a strong reputation in the abroad. That is not my merit, that of collegiality in the college, and of our officials. I want to pay tribute to everyone who is with me has worked. For quite a while personally: I thank you, members of the city council, in the name of all the people of ghent for all your questions, interventions and suggestions, one better than the other. Many of you sit here 8 to 10 nights per month, in addition to a job and a family.”
Termont also took farewell of 4 colleagues that were with him, the council abandoned. Martine De Regge is the seat since 1989 and is ships since 1995. She was not re-elected. Resul Tapmaz, councillor since 2007 and built since 2009, to get itself out of politics. Sven Taeldeman the seat since 2013, and in 2017 in difficult circumstances, succeeding Tom Balthazar. He remains a council member. “And also Christophe Peeters, board member since 1995, and ships of 2000 to 2001 and from 2002 to now. You are a very intelligent man, a doorduwer also, and compromise-willing. I’m very sure, you will truly be missed in the college.”
The mayor got a standing ovation, and started afterwards with the work.