Before beginning the deliberations of the Beaune municipal council, several questions and debates were raised this Thursday, November 7, on subjects ranging from support for Paul Watson to funeral concessions, including postponed renovation work.
The wish for Paul Watson: a debate on municipal jurisdiction
The group “Pour Beaune Vraiment”, led by Carole Bernhard, submitted a request requesting the extradition and release of Paul Watson, environmental activist and founder of the Sea Shepherd organization detained in Greenland for more than 100 days. However, Alain Suguenot, mayor of Beaune, rejected this proposal, explaining that the wish was “ without local interest » et « exceeded the legal and regulatory framework of the municipal council.” Although favorable to the terms of the wish, the mayor, Alain Suguenot specified: “We cannot express an opinion on this wish ».
Carole Bernhard expressed her astonishment at this response, citing the example of cities like Besançon which took a position in favor of Paul Watson. She also questioned the mayor about other wishes adopted in the past, such as those in support of disaster victims or victims of conflict. Alain Suguenot responded by emphasizing that these situations concerned collective causes, while the case of Paul Watson was “too specific”.
Heritage and memory: the question of funeral concessions
Geoffroy Brunel, from the “Beaune Convergence” group, raised a question concerning the resumption of funeral concessions, particularly those with heritage or historical value. Concerned about the fate of these monuments, Mr. Brunel asked for details on the graves of heritage interest, those of famous personalities or soldiers who died for France.
Mayor Alain Suguenot reassured the assembly by affirming that “ no monument is doomed to be destroyed “. He specified that the City is currently carrying out a census of graves in order to archive and protect them. “ We have a duty of memory towards these abandoned graves which have a heritage interest », he underlined, while recalling that the City must also respond to a need for space in cemeteries.
Postponement of renovation work at the Champagne school
Carole Bernhard then questioned the mayor about the postponement of the renovation work on the facade of the two Champagne school buildings. Alain Suguenot explained that the City had initially planned these renovations after the creation of a motor skills room, but the technical studies revealed a structural problem: “ The design firm informed us that the current roofing could not support the renovated walls and that the entire roofing would have to be redone. “. The cost of this operation was equivalent to that of a new school, the municipality preferred to postpone the work.
To meet the educational needs of the City, a new Saint-Nicolas – Champagne school center will be created by 2026, with work planned on the Blanches-Fleurs school for the period 2025-2026.
Jeannette Monarchi
France
