haarlemsdagbladMar 14, 2026, 14:00

Bayram Gezer (61) combined 28 years of council work in Beverwijk with 41 years at Tata Steel: ‘To relax, I switched piles of paper’

Bayram Gezer is stepping down after serving 28 years as a council member in Beverwijk, making him one of the longest-serving local politicians in the Netherlands. Throughout his political career, he simultaneously worked for 41 years at Tata Steel while balancing academic pursuits and family life.

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Based on reporting by haarlemsdagblad. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

Amsterdam municipality investigates ban on single-use packaging

The municipality of Amsterdam is investigating a potential city-wide ban on single-use packaging, such as to-go cups and containers, to combat persistent street litter. Legal research indicates that a local ban is possible, and officials are now evaluating implementation strategies like deposit systems or universal reusable packaging programs.

Municipality investigates ban on single-use packaging: "Cleaning up is not enough"

The Amsterdam municipality is exploring a potential ban on single-use takeaway packaging to combat rising levels of street litter. Following a positive legal review, officials are now investigating implementation strategies such as reusable container systems and deposit schemes, drawing inspiration from other European cities.

Why is the Haarlem district of Schalkwijk stalling?

The Haarlem district of Schalkwijk is facing severe traffic congestion caused by several ongoing construction projects, including new housing and a public transport hub. Local authorities are monitoring the situation and implementing traffic management measures, though they cannot yet specify when commuters will experience significant relief.

Opinion: Experiment with cyclists on Amstelveenseweg is a dangerous signal: just remove the parking lane

The experimental speed limit for cyclists on Amsterdam's Amstelveenseweg is criticized as a misdirected effort that fails to address the underlying infrastructure problems. Critics advocate for removing car parking lanes to provide more space for cyclists and moving all motorized vehicles off the bike paths to ensure better safety.

Disappointment over Airbnb 'dishwashing ban': 'Not much of the romance left'

Airbnb is ending the practice of allowing hosts to impose specific cleaning tasks, such as washing dishes or stripping beds, on their guests before checkout. Experts suggest this move aims to make the platform more mainstream, though some question if the change will truly benefit the user experience.