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William Lackaille
Published on
Nov. 5, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
; updated Nov 5, 2024 at 5:09 p.m.
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The thunder rumbled in Melun (Seine-et-Marne) this Tuesday, November 5, 2024 in the morning. Many elected, equipped with their blue, white, red scarves, were gathered with agents of the Department, in order to mark their fierce opposition to the project of Barnier government of puncture the community of 70 million euros against the public deficitfor the budget 2025. They organized one of the first gatherings protester against the government.
All impacted municipalities
THE speeches followed one another in front of the Department of Seine-et-Marne hotel. Mayors, elected officials delegates to the community, associations, business leadersmajor players in the heritage and the culture…All were present to reaffirm the importance of departmental authorities in their respective activities.
They thus expressed their fears as for the budget cuts which could arise if the Barnier government continues its bill for the 2025 budget, aimed at collect money from local authorities to bring back a economic balance.
” The planer policy will only make losers. And in the first row our citizens“, began seriously Kadir Mebarek, the mayor of Melun.
Recalling theclose collaboration that a mayor and the Department can have, he evokes the support of the departmental community on major structuring projects of its territory such as a new college or the creation of a Tzen axis, public transport on its own route.
“The Department is a major player in good living. It brings a harmonisation of the territory, but also pushes its economic development”, insists the councilor again. Whether it is Melun which is a large city, or a smaller town, worry is present.
Tomorrow, we will have to straighten out the country. Get up yes! Start walking again, yes! But we must not shoot ourselves in the foot.
François Deysson, the President of the association of rural mayors of 77, also drew the line alarm bell : « The department is a essential community. We experience this closeness around each table of each municipal council. What municipality, small or large, could do without rural contracts ? »
Cet partnership commitment between the Île-de-France Region and the Department of Seine-et-Marne, in favor of the municipalities of less than 2,000 inhabitants and unions of municipalities with less than 3,000 inhabitants, makes it possible to financially support certain projects. Between July 2015 and November 2023, nearly 266 contracts rural people have been signed.
Guy Geoffroy, the president of the Association of Mayors of Seine-et-Marne regrets that it is the local authorities which are targeted to compensate for the poor financial balance of the State: “The municipalities and the department form a couple which ensures the daily, the well-being et the future of our fellow citizens. »
Many sectors in danger
In addition to the alert given by elected officials, many sectors who work in conjunction with the Department have shared their fears about the future. This is the case of Elisabeth Détry, business manager and delegated departmental president of the BTP 77who reported the impacts on the construction field.
“The Department contributes greatly to the construction and public markets that irrigate our businesses. Any questioning of investment capacities will have negative effectstouching a ten companies and threatening a hundred jobs“, she says.
We are happy to have won medals at the Olympics, but I hope that the departmental council will have the necessary resources to continue to develop the sport.
Regarding disabilityLaurent Courtier, president of the Aramis association, dedicated to the autonomy of people with mental disabilities, this is not a time for joy. Reporting already a tense situation facing a cruel staff shortagehe explains that “the best intentions will not resist a lack of financial resources« .
In terms of heritage, it is Jean-Charles de Vogüéone of the owners of the castle of Vaux-le-Vicomtewho expressed his gratitude for the support of the community: “France is the country that attracts the most visitors and it is thanks to its heritage. It is preserved by the State […] but also by the Department and the Region. Without the support of the department, we could not not maintain as much of events at the castle. »
Finally, Samuel Vandaele, president of the Departmental Federation of Farmers' Unions of Seine-et-Marne (FDSEA77), also wished to recall the role of the Department: “We have 3,000 farmers on the territory. Thanks to the departmental council, 60 of them are equipped with blades for snow removal. They are also mobilized to fight fires. You can count on the farmers. We are counting on you, because we walk on our heads ! »
Safety concerns
One of the major sectors of activity of the Department of Seine-et-Marne concerns road maintenance. Pascal Pian, president of the Seine-et-Marne Trade Union Chamber of Public Works (CSTP), underlines the essential character of this mission.
“We are working to redo roads, sidewalks and schoolyards… We are linked with 50 companiesnext to 2,000 direct jobs et 4,000 indirect. Whether for the construction of a roundabout or small works, how will we be able to have projects if the budget is cut by several million euros? », he explains.
In the worst-case scenario, he already sees “ layoffs » arrive and “ bankruptcy filings« .
And the consequences of degraded roads could be much more serious than it seems! Isoline Garreau, president of the board of directors of SDIS77, reveals her concern: “A road in poor condition will increase the risk of accidents“, she assures.
But beyond this serious problemthe funding emergency services is a source of torment for her. “ 85 % of the SDIS77 operating budget comes from the Department. In this part, we discuss mainly payroll. The slightest drop would imply make choices“, squeaks the chosen one. Reduce headcount? Close barracks? “This is without taking into account the cost of insurance which has gone from 700,000 euros to 2 million euros in a single year. »
The president of the Department angry
Faced with the numerous questions that may have circulated internally, Jean-François Parigithe president of the Department, wished clarify things : “The department of Seine-et-Marne is not dead ! » Nevertheless, the health of the community has taken a turn for the worse in recent years.
The president explains that the real estate crisis caused to lose 150 million euros in revenue between 2023 and 2024. And this levy seems to be a new blow. “In 2024, the State owes the Department 174 million euros. In all, these are almost two billion“, he listed.
I am filled with incomprehension and cold anger.
What he regrets is seeing that the communities are penalized at the end : “I simply ask find common sense. When there are crises, fortunately there were municipalities, departments and regions. We worked as a team. We need these 70 million! I can't accept and I hope we will be heard. »
For him, this subtraction of 70 million euros, from the overall budget of 1.6 billion, will bring many complications for the Department's budget exercise. “Our expenses are not not disconnected from realitythey meet our needs. Will I be asked to arbitrate between SDIS and security? Arbitrate between our seniors and disability? »
He wants to defuse of himself a criticism that could be addressed to him concerning his political alignment. Jean-François Parigi is part of the group The Republicans (LR), just like Michel Barnierthe prime minister. “That doesn’t stop me from seeing when things go too far. It's like a parent who would say to their child 'that's too much' or vice versa when a child gives advice to their parents,” he adds.
Faced with the elected officials who came in large numbers to support the Department's cause, its president explains that it makes him “ warm to the heart“. He now knows that the budget discussion period and cross your fingers that you have been heard, like other departmental councils. He nevertheless confesses to having a fear regarding a recourse to section 49.3.
Yes, yes budget of the Department should be studied and voted on at the end of the yearit was finally pushed back to March 2025while waiting to know the outcome of the dispute.
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