Frédérique Grégoire (Municipal Councilor, PS):
I can’t believe that Jean-François has left us. Since this morning, I have been re-reading press releases and articles to try to accept that this is the harsh reality.
It’s terrible to read all these tributes that he would have loved to hear.
I am deeply saddened by his disappearance. I had been working with Jean-François for nearly 7 years as part of the Nice pluriel team. Already elected to this role, he taught me a lot about managing this city that he knew so well.
His fight and tenacity over issues, his strength of conviction will remain exemplary for me.
I will remember the moments of conviviality, the council preparation meetings where we sometimes laughed. He was never stingy with a kind word.
I keep in mind the battles we fought together, his uncompromising stance towards dishonesty and injustice.
The injustice is departing so abruptly, when he still had so much to do, so much to give.
Jean-François had a big heart, obviously too big…
I am thinking, of course, of his children whom I tenderly embrace.
Elodie Jomat (PRG candidate for the legislative elections):
I am in shock.
My first thoughts go to his family, especially his six children, to whom I offer my deepest and sincerest condolences.
Jean-François had honored me by agreeing to be either my deputy or the president of my support committee. As a young candidate, I relied heavily on his experience and advice.
Besides being a friend, he was for me a role model, an example to follow.
He knows that many will follow the path he has blazed.
He should have no doubts that his fight against corruption will be continued by others.
Deeply affected by his passing, I am suspending my campaign for a few days.
Jean-Christophe Picard (Departmental Spokesman of the PRG 06):
No. That’s the first word that came to my mind when I learned of the unthinkable. No, one cannot die when one has six children. No, one cannot depart when one has so many friends. No, one cannot abandon one’s electoral mandates when one has made oneself so indispensable.
Our friendship started in 1998, over a drink at the Le Magnan bar.
I admired the man so much that I wanted to work with him, and even for him since he was, for several months, my “boss” when he became the president of the socialist and green group at the general council. Afterwards, we continued to see each other regularly. I was always surprised by the appointments he set for me, at his home, to work on one case or another… on a Sunday!
He was always on the front line: when he wasn’t dealing with local files and wasn’t building his own house, it was to work on defending the Mediterranean forest or to act in favor of co-development with Africa within the Association for Training in Human Development. Last February, together, we launched Anticor 06, the local branch of the national association against corruption sponsored by Éric Halphen.
He was one of the few – and they are not many – who made me want to make Politics because he contradicted the infamous “all the same!”
He indeed demonstrated that one could be an honest, devoted, hardworking, loyal, and courageous elected official. When the cause seemed just to him, nothing could stop him. He was a Don Quixote who perhaps did not have enough Sancho Panza by his side.
His departure will undoubtedly not affect everyone, especially among his political opponents. But it is the destiny of the great to disturb the small. However, I hope that the city of Nice will cease to want to honor crooks and will know how to celebrate the memory of one who, undeniably, personified what is best in us.
I had the opportunity to tell Jean-François that Nice would be saved the day sixty-nine “Knechts” sit on the city council… So, may his example inspire many vocations!
I had the opportunity to tell Jean-François that Nice will be saved the day that sixty-nine ‘Knechts’ sit in the city council… So, may his example inspire many vocations!
Bruno Della Sudda (Alternative Municipal Councilor):
As an Alternative Municipal Councilor of Nice, I am deeply saddened by the news of the disappearance of Jean-François Knecht. An uncompromising defender of the general interest and the public good, rare things in the political class especially locally, he had a very fine approach to local files and was one of the best connoisseurs of our city. The wheeler-dealers and crooks of all kinds will rejoice deep down at his disappearance, despite the crocodile tears shed by several of them.
But the inhabitants of our city, as I witnessed myself while campaigning for Bové just this morning at L’Ariane where several Arianencs shared their sorrow and dismay with me, will be grateful and appreciative of all his activity against corruption, for democracy and the respect of their rights.
Jean-François Knecht was a comrade and a running mate with whom it was pleasant to work, always serious, available, and consistently kind, and his disappearance is a heavy loss for the entire left and the population of our city.
Jean Icart (General Counselor):
My thoughts go first and foremost to his wife and his many children.
Young spirited, lively, hardworking, serious but not taking himself too seriously, you were committed to impeccable principles and ethics.
We were theoretically distant, yet our moral concerns brought us closer, and we often found ourselves on the same page regarding files.
Always attentive and available, you spontaneously helped me against those who had attempted to invalidate my election to the General Council. Thank you!
Some had the indecency to suspect you of sordid ulterior motives in the successive affairs that tarnish the political life of Nice, particularly the “Grand Stade” affair, whereas you were merely denouncing the breaches of legal rules and honesty. They had threatened you. Knowing your integrity and sincerity, I was very shocked and gave you my unconditional support.
They feared you. Jean-François, you will be missed in this local political world.
But your example will remain.
Jérôme Rivière (UMP Deputy):
Nicois politics has lost a man of convictions and courage.
We were not on the same side of the political spectrum, but our relations were always characterized by respect.
