Article published in “Mirepoix Infos” No.104, January/February 2012
This translation by Arthur Groves
At the end of each December, I have adopted the practice of reporting to you on what has been achieved in the course of the year, and setting out the plans for the future. It is my choice to do this via this magazine which you all enjoy and which is the our preferred monthly link between us.
At the end of 2010, I drew your attention to the increasing difficulties faced by all local authorities confronted by the ongoing withdrawal of central state support. KRAF’T our cartoonist (whom I would like to thank publicly for his voluntary contributions) added the caption – “If you want to do all that, your going to need a USA-sized budget”. Well, all our forecasts have been met in 2011, or are in the course of being met, and it gives us pleasure to report it. Our concerns and our doubts remain unchanged, or become even greater. We are working hard to find solutions in a time of financial crisis, we are doing all we can to strengthen the marketing image of the town in partnership with all the driving forces of the community. The object is to ensure that our actions are effective and achieve the success they deserve.
The only project which has not yet been started relates to the former cathedral. The delay is due to the scale and complexity of the project, and the number of partners involved, but it is well under way. The town council has delegated the supervision of the works to Monsieur Wetts, Architectural Director of Historic Monuments and author of the report on the integrity of the roof and prevention of water ingress. A meeting of all the partners, held at the Mairie on 18th November, agreed on a timetable, and the “essential preventative” works are due to start in June. They will be in three stages, and will allow the programming of the internal renovation works once the walls have dried out.
2011 saw the completion of the restoration work on the stained glass windows, carried out with great skill by the craftsmen of Pierre Rivière.
Major electrical works have been carried out as part of the heating installation, with an increase in available power and upgrading to modern standards of all safety features.
The buildings on the site of the municipal stadium have been totally renovated. After the changing rooms in 2010, it was the turn of the grandstand to be repainted, and to have new seating and safety barrier. In 2012, the works on the perimeter fence will continue and the necessary hedge planting carried out.
The renovation of the building at Jean-Jaurès School, under way since 2002, continue each year in accordance with a predetermined programme. We are currently in the heating phase : in 2011 we have changed all the pipework and radiators. Installation of the wood-burning boiler started in November.
The resurfacing of the playground has been put out to tender, with works due to be carried out in spring/summer 2012. I would add that the three-bedroom flat which was completely renovated was immediately let. While on the subject of public buildings, I would also note the renovation of the first floor hall behind the swimming pool, and of the toilets at the Paul Dardier Hall, where the works will be completed during the winter. We will be looking at the financial possibilities of converting this hall in 2012 to a cultural centre.
Street and parks have not been forgotten, with restoration work on the 54 lamp standards of the avenues, and the painting of the Market Hall after anti-rust treatment and cleaning of the roof.
You will have noticed all the works on the roads, in accordance with the existing long term plan : the widening and surfacing of many central and rural routes which I am not going to list here, the relaying of the Allée des Soupirs and the installation of kerbs and sowing of grassy areas. The play area on the Promenade, which had to be closed because of deterioration and vandalism, will be reconditioned and brought back into use during the first quarter of 2012.
Also there were the works in Rue Caraman which brought to an end the improvements to the eastern zone of the town; that area had already seen the removal of the overhead telephone and electricity cables, thus improving security and visual appearance. EDRF are due to carry out the same operation in the northern zone in 2012; the legal and administrative preparations for this have already been started.
The banks of the Hers, from the Béal to the bridge via Le Foulon, are to be developed thanks to the Communauté des Communes – they have taken responsibility for this project which relates both to tourism and footpaths.
The Plan Local d’Urbanisme (Town Planning Project) replaced the POS (Plan d’Occupation des Sols) at the beginning of November. The drawing up of the PLU required long and difficult work over a period of almost 4 years – it was totally necessary to comply with all the requirements in respect of safety, urban development and our future environment. Open air games suitable for young children, and an outside table tennis table, will shortly be installed in the “garden” area of the Promenade, in accordance with the decision of the Junior Town Council.
The elected representatives, we who examine and plan and programme, would not be able to bring you this list of successes without the involvement of all of the municipal employees. Each one of them, according to their expertise, assists in the implementing of the policies which have been adopted. We thank them for what they have done for the town.
2011 was a good year for public events and for tourism. Mirepoix leads the department in terms of tourist numbers logged by the Tourist Office, due to its renown and its active reputation.
I am sure that 2012 will be just as successful, thanks to the commitment and joint efforts of all concerned. That is my dearest wish for our town, and to each and every one of you I wish a happy and successful 2012.
