Foix: around a hundred local Ariège elected officials demonstrate against cuts in resources

The word was given on the occasion of the congress of mayors of the department, on November 9. This November 18 at midday, around a hundred local elected officials – from municipal councilors to senators, including mayors, presidents and elected representatives of intermunicipalities, departmental councilors and deputies – from all walks of life converged in downtown Foix . For a first gathering before heading to the prefecture.

Objective ? “Tell the prefect how shocked we are by the words of certain ministers, who hold the municipalities responsible for the country's deficit, summed up Ariège senator Jean-Jacques Michau in front of the assembled elected officials. The announced cuts will prevent municipalities and intercommunities from maintaining public services.” Intercommunalités de France has, for example, calculated the expected fate for all communities of municipalities, agglomerations and other EPCIs, after application of the “toxic cocktail” of measures: in Ariège, the drain would amount to between 1 and 2.3% of operating revenue. “For the Agglo Foix-Varilhes, after a detailed calculation, we expect to lose 466,000 euros”, even announces President Thomas Fromentin.

“It is a creeping recentralization that is at work, continues Jean-Jacques Michau. With less and less revenue, we are undermining decentralization, which allows real local services.” In his letter to the prefect, the senator announces the logical continuation: “we will have to eliminate or degrade public services. Should we alter or stop canteen services, reduce or close daycare hours, reduce school transportation and libraries? What will happen to the help given to our elders? Should we give up maintaining our roads and public lighting and investing in security? Should we stop investments in favor of the ecological transition? »

A delegation of 10 elected officials, including parliamentarians and the president of the Department Christine Téqui, was received by the prefect Simon Bertoux.

A. C.