For once in Var, a representative of the State, in this case Lucien Giudicelli, secretary general of the prefecture, was warmly applauded at a general assembly of rural mayors (1).
The scene took place this Saturday morning in Pontevès where Michel Gros, president of the AMR83 and mayor of La Roquebrussanne, brought together his counterparts who came in large numbers to fill the Espace Les Claux.
The reason for this quasi-ovation was the tone and the remarks made by Mr. Giudicelli who represented the prefect Philippe Mahé and therefore the State in the Var. It all begins when a mayor exposes how the multiplicity of state agencies (ARS & co) “emm…” and curbs each of its local initiatives with their administrative hassles. Surprise, Lucien Giudicelli warmly applauded him along with the local elected officials!
Word released
The movement continued when Bernard Chilini, mayor of Figanières, exposed the waste of public grants (equipment grants for rural areas known as “DETR”) donated to Bercy because they could not be used by the municipalities which could no longer do so. of having to put together Kafkaesque files.
“We don’t understand anything anymore. Including ourselves!” adds Mr. Giudicelli for whom the rural mayors assume “a true secular apostolate”.
“It’s been a long time since I heard such a liberated word from the State!”declares, surprised, President Michel Gros while the questions of water resources, status of elected officials, ZAN (Zero Net Artificialization) approach or “Village of the Future” system are discussed.
Observations and testimonies flowed through the assembly on these key points dear to rural communities.
“Since I doubled the price of water for those who exceed 250m3, it has borne fruit”observes Jean-Pierre Giran, president of the mayors of Var and chief magistrate of Cotignac.
On the problem of lack of interest in the function and its remuneration, it is once again Lucien Giudicelli who is making his point. “ If mayors do not have sufficient compensation, only the rich will play politics! We must also study the possibility of limiting the responsibility of elected officials and that the power of derogation of the prefect be used more.he says, once again putting the audience in his pocket.
The ARS lock
The ARS will also take its place at the mention of the establishment of doctors to counter medical deserts. “The first barrier is the ARS”Mr. Gros takes offense. “I advise my colleagues not to go through them. I saw everything with the Department and everything went well!” adds another elected official.
“Nowadays you have to be totally crazy to be mayor. And if you also work on the side, then you have to be crazy!”concludes between humor and disenchantment one of the youngest councilors in the audience, Jérémy Giuliano, from Val, to whom despite everything remains this “passion” which transcends even the most severe disillusionments.
1_ The Association of Rural Mayors of Var (AMR83) was created in 1998. It brings together 109 members out of the 153 municipalities in the department – 27 of them are members without however meeting the criteria.
The Masson/De Canson match
During his closing speech, the president of the Var Departmental Council deplored these “increasingly complex financial arrangements for increasingly short deadlines” which the Var mayors are up against. While at these words, his “colleague” Vice-President of the Southern Region, François de Canson wore a delighted face, Jean-Louis Masson continued in a tone of half-joke. “Don’t smile, because sometimes it’s the same in the Region!”
“My dear Jean-Louis Masson, thank you for your legendary kindness!”Renaud Muselier’s emissary finally replied with a new smile when he spoke before moving on to the support for rural territories granted by the Region, including a total of 5 billion for the Var.