Tom Dragstra
Tom Dragstra (D66) has been a council member since March 29, 2022, and has served as alderman of the municipality of Heerlen since June 3, 2026.
My name is Tom Dragstra, I’m 31 years old, and I’ve lived in Heerlen my whole life. I grew up in Heksenberg in Heerlen-Noord, a neighborhood with which I still feel a strong connection.
What has always appealed to me about Heerlen is the people. The sense of community in the neighborhoods, the strength of local organizations, and the willingness to look out for one another are what make our city special.
Anyone who knows me knows that soccer plays a big role in my life. As a KNVB referee, I’m still regularly out on the field. I’ve also been active in community life for many years. It’s precisely there that you see how important it is for people to come together, take responsibility, and build something together.
That connection was also central to my work. Before my appointment as alderman, I worked as a neighborhood manager for the municipality of Brunssum. Since 2018, I have also been active in Heerlen politics, first as a committee member and, starting in 2022, as a council member. In all of these roles, I have learned that the best solutions often emerge when you listen carefully to what matters to people.
As alderman, I want to help ensure that everyone can participate. To me, that means giving people the opportunity to contribute to society—whether through work or in other ways—to get involved in developments in their neighborhood, and to have a say in their living environment. I also believe it is important that the municipality remains accessible and close to its residents. Whether someone has a question for the municipality, wants to contribute ideas about their neighborhood, or uses digital services: everyone should feel heard, helped, and taken seriously.
As alderman, I want to be approachable and open to dialogue. I believe that good ideas don’t just come from City Hall, but rather from our neighborhoods, community organizations, business owners, and residents. That’s why I look forward to talking with people about what’s going well, but also about what could be improved.
I consider it a great honor to now serve as alderman for the city where I grew up. Together, I want to continue building a Heerlen where everyone has the opportunity to participate and feel at home.
Email Tom:
- Email: tom.dragstra@heerlen.nl
Portfolio:
- Labor Market and Participation
- Community-based work
- Local Democracy
- Services
- Digitization
