Standoff between the mayor and her adversaries opposed to the city park project in Saint-André-de-Roquepertuis

Les opposants au City-Park ne veulent pas qu'on touche à l'espace Louis Riffard. MIDI LIBRE – ML

The start of earthworks is scheduled for this Wednesday, February 28, 2024 early in the morning. Opponents are calling for demonstrations in the center of Saint-André-de-Roquepertuis. Access to Espace Riffard has been padlocked.

The establishment of a city park is at the heart of a new standoff between the mayor of Saint-André-de-Roquepertuis Fabienne Michel and elected officials of his opposition. The start of the earthworks is scheduled for this Wednesday, February 28 early in the morning. Opponents are calling for demonstrations in the center of the village. "We hope for as many people as possible" lance Jack Marion deputy without delegation and opponent of the mayor.

Bailiff's report

The councilor had the bailiff and the gendarmerie note that access to the Espace Riffard had been padlocked, preventing access to this public place which is equipped with a WC and public lighting. There is also the entire cabinet for telephony and another for fiber. Jack Marion sees this as an expression of the residents' anger. For her part, Mayor Fabienne Michel says she has filed a complaint.

A subsidized operation

The city park project divides. A petition is circulating. "We have already collected 135 signatures"indicates the third deputy again. The decision to create a park was the subject of a deliberation in the municipal council in October 2022.  "The requests for grants were awarded. The contracts were with the companies", underlines for her part Fabienne Michel. The councilor defends the relevance of this operation which, excluding subsidy, amounts to 64,204 € Excl. tax including a self-financing portion of approximately €30,000.

An achievement for youth

The first magistrate of the commune also pleads the social usefulness of the project. The village of 600 inhabitants has 70 to 80 families. "We have many grandparents who look after their grandchildren during the holidays while the parents work", indicates the chosen one. Fabienne Michel dedicates the city park to the youth of her municipality, tackling previous municipalities in the process. "Nothing has been done for 40 years for young people, she declares. This is the first time that an achievement of this nature has seen the light of day".

"The choice of reason"

The signatories of the anti-city park petition also have arguments to put forward. The playground will join the Espace Louis-Riffard, an eminent former resistance fighter respected by the elders in Saint-André-de-Roquepertuis. "Our children have always played there", says Jack Marion. Mayor's response: "The choice of Riffard is a choice of reason. The space is already enclosed and secure. The land is serviced." The councilor adds that the project will be completed in mid-April 2024. on the ground of the city park is 260 m2 by 1500 m2.

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