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Isabelle Heurtier, you have been president of Haut-Jura Saint-Claude since March 8, 2023, how do you view your mandate today?

I remember the date of my election very well, because it was for me a symbol, fortuitous and hazardousto be elected the first woman president of the community of communes, on the day of theinternational women's rights day. Afterwards, I am not elected because I am a woman; I also refused to run in certain elections when parity was required and I was asked to do so. On the other hand, if someone comes to pick me up for my skills and for what I can represent and bringthen it's yes. I am elected, because I believe in the function of elected official in this territory of Haut-Jura where I have been based for 21 years now. In Haut-Jura, I made my life there and I made it my own this territory for which I fight. I'm not here for the title, but for give what I can give to the territory. I defend projects and beliefs; This is for me what is important in the role of elected official.

So, how do you define Haut-Jura Saint-Claude?

This territory is welcomingfull of potential, who has human, heritage and natural values…It’s a territory very rich of its inhabitants. I happily use a quote from my husband who says: “we have lots of luck to live in a region where people come on vacation“. And it’s true, we are in a territory that has assets. I was very well received and quickly I was able to get involved as an elected official in Bouchoux. I come from Creuse, from a small village near Aubusson, which is known for the size of diamonds. As a kid, I remember going to watch the last lapidarieswith a museum of diamantery which has just opened. There are a lot of similarities and we realize that the rural communities have a lot in common and values ​​to defend. And when you are elected, you must be effectiveeven if in communities this takes timedue to the obligations and administrative difficulties. This is sometimes the hardest thing to make our fellow citizens understand. We do not manage public funds like a household.

Among the projects, there is a major one for Haut-Jura Saint-Claude, that of the nautical center…

This is not my project, because it is on track for several years. It was initially initiated by Raphaël Perrin's team of which I was a part. It's a long-term projectthe service orders are signed; which will allow companies to prepare the site and this will be able to start. It's a project major, expensive, ambitious which will be used by the premises, which will allow us to respond to obligations to teach swimming skills for the children that we had difficulty putting in place and who will be a beacon for the region and the Sanclaudian territory. For me it's strong, because they are all twenty-two municipalities which are involved in this project which, I remind you, was voted unanimously in its initial design. Afterwards we cannot deny the difficulties, but we must show that we are an attractive territory.

Apart from the nautical center, what are the main projects?

First of all there is the rehabilitation of the Chacom wasteland (rue des Etapes), which will directly impact the city of Saint-Claude. It will be realized in 2025. It will restore nature and openness in a rather closed area. This project, which will also constitute a hyphen between the top and bottom of the city is very well supported by the State via the green fund. Another project on track, that of gorges of the Abyss in Saint-Claude, with the rehabilitation and securing of the trail access; in a way durable in time. It must be understood that this is an intervention in a natural site. This requires environmental studies which may require several months, while also being dependent on weather conditions. One of the major ongoing projects which will last until the end of the mandate and perhaps beyond is the development of the PLUi (Local intercommunal urban planning plan)for which my wish is to unite elected officials of all municipalities in an equitable manner. Whether you are in the valley, in the town center or in the upper towns, we can't live without each other. Saint-Claude cannot live without the surrounding towns and the towns cannot live without the town center. Once again, our intercommunity has a good scale around a town center with a unit with a industrial centerand tourist center.

And then Haut-Jura Saint-Claude and the City of Saint-Claude are currently carrying out an OPAH (housing improvement operation)?

Yes, it's a incentive project very important, who has the will toimprove the habitat in part of the city center of Saint-Claude (as part of the urban revitalization plan) and all the municipalities of the community of municipalities. It is necessary, because some accommodations are real energy strainers impossible to heat. We must encourage people and above all not hesitate to get closer to organizations to get information, to be advised and if it comes to fruition, to set up your project and carry it out.

How does the community of municipalities address environmental issues and global warming?

Already all our structures are lit with LEDthe instructions are also to control the heating. We are also fortunate to have agents who are very aware of the impact of humans on the environment. Moreover, the nautical center project reflects this well. The investment is a little more expensive, because we put a focus on water consumptionenergy consumption and the use of local wood. So in the market, it was specified to use local wood. It was purchased in Avignon-les-Saint-Claude and was sent to the sawmills to be ready. And in the market, this project is economically strongsince companies are local businesses. As for the global warmingwe have already started a real reflection on the lack of snowbut already the activities, just like the hosts, are focused on the four seasons. Work is underway.

Comments collected by Monique Henriet.

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