Was the move of this war memorial decided without the agreement of veterans?

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A video published on social networks, by an opposition municipal councilor, ignited the powder. This is the speech given by the Yvelines president of the Federal Union of Veterans and the Committee of Understanding of Veterans' Associations, Michel Féron, on the occasion of the last November 11 commemorationswhich took place in Houilles (Yvelines).

In this video where he evokes the monument to the dead of the 1914-1918 war, we can hear: “Mr. Mayor [Julien Chambon, N.D.L.R]in your project to reorganize the Charles-de-Gaulle park, you wish to move this monument, without any consultation with our veterans associations and without response to our past written requests. » He continues: “Our monument has its rightful place in the place where it was installed by our elders, and must stay in this place. »

Meetings organized

Questioned, the commune of Houilles demented firmly the lack of consultation. “The park redevelopment project has been underway for several years.”

“We carried out a major consultation campaign with the people of Ovillo and three meetings were organized with all the veterans' associations concerning the relocation of the war memorial. »

“To say that this was done without consultation is false,” explains those around the mayor.

According to the City, a final meeting was held in September 2023 during which the project to move the monument was presented to the associations on site and thatno opposition has not been formulated since.

“It will collapse if we touch it”

Michel Féron admits to having attended this meeting but affirms that the project has evolved since then. “I had access to new plans only a month ago. It was at that moment that I learned of the project to move the monument,” he maintains.

Basically, the president of the veterans' understanding committee wants the monument to keep its place.

“The monument is 100 years old this year and I do not agree that it should be moved. »

“It is dilapidated and it will collapse if you touch it. » L'Ovillois recommends consolidating it and installing a base.

“Highlight it”

The Commune, for its part, evokes a shift of only 15 metersmade necessary by the redevelopment of the park. “It’s a complete overhaul of the park, the paths and the direction of traffic will be modified. It is planned to install the monument opposite the central aisle, to highlight it during commemorations. If we leave it where it is, it will be in the middle of the vegetation. »

A political subject?

Beyond the question of the monument, Michel Féron criticizes the redevelopment project more generally. “The mayor wants turn everything upside down in the park, he makes his project according to his idea. They razed 54 trees, the population does not accept it” (a petition was launched in September 2024 against the felling of these trees).

The City, for its part, says it is surprised by these criticisms, “at the very end of the project, while the work starts next week”. She regrets the moment chosen to speak about it “on the occasion of a commemoration, an event unifying and apolitical ».

Michel Féron denies playing politics and says he acted on his own initiative. He remains opposed to moving the war memorial and intends to turn to the president of the Federal Union of Veterans' Associations and the ministry, to support him in his fight.

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