the essential
After the death of Jean-Pierre Cabanel, mayor of Salviac until 2014, the current councilor, François Dols, pays tribute to the man he describes as a totem.
The death of Jean-Pierre Cabanel aroused great emotion in Salviac. During his funeral, the church was too small to accommodate the large number of people who came to pay their last respects and the cemetery was crowded. “Jean-Pierre Cabanel was one of the greatest mayors of Salviac” declared François Dols, the current mayor who was also and above all one of his closest friends.
Your funeral oration was a moving tribute, were you very close?
We were more than friends, our families have been linked for three generations, and we never lost sight of each other since childhood. Jean-Pierre and I have always been by each other's side through good times and bad. Not necessarily agreeing on everything, but we discussed it kindly, sometimes firmly, and in the end we agreed on the main points. Our friendship was never tainted.
Had you ever considered joining his team?
He had often asked me, but my very busy professional activity at the time did not allow me to do so. His objective being to be as close as possible to the population, he knew that I would not have signed up to be an extra. As soon as he knew that I was finally available, he was one of the first to support me without restraint as one friend can do for another. He wanted me to invest in the village, it was his choice, and my election relieved him all the more as his son was and still is on my list.
You say he was the totem, what does that mean to you?
For me a totem is both a symbol and a reassuring element. Jean-Pierre knew how to listen and when he gave advice it was wisely with a lot of pedagogy. He didn't call me every four morning to judge me, and always took my opinion with great consideration. If I needed to ask him something, I could call him at any time, especially when I became mayor, he was really reassuring.
Did his support during the last campaign surprise you?
No way ! To be honest, he encouraged me to run and he was one of the first people to support me.
