Nice Premium: For example, let’s consider the recent announcement in the local newspaper about the creation of a new Clemenceau association covering the area from Victor Hugo to Thiers. That’s a bit of your territory, isn’t it?
ADRI: Yes! But, the more motivated people we have, the more we can change this neighborhood. Lately, there has been a lack of motivation among some. It’s a pity, though, that no one contacted us to be a part of this project. The real question is: are they reproaching us for our frank speech, do they want to improve the neighborhood, or is this maneuver to stifle criticism?
But this is just one example among others of new neighborhood associations sprouting up in the city center as the municipal elections approach in a year. We’ve seen it happen in Lepante and also further South.
NP: What does an association like yours, which has been on the ground for a long time, think about this?
ADRI: We’ve been around for a long time and with limited resources. It is to be hoped that these new associations being created are really there to make a difference!! We need young people and/or successors who are fighting for their neighborhood, not political submarines trying to counter other associations that have long fought for the good of their neighborhood without being subject to the power of the mayor whether from the majority or the opposition, just doing their job by speaking out directly.
NP: Yet wouldn’t an association aiming to unite be welcome in the city center?
ADRI: Yes! We have been talking about it for so long from Massรฉna to Libรฉration. But let’s start small: this neighborhood around the station between Vernier and Clemenceau suffers, it’s true despite the arrival of the Tramway, and all goodwill is welcome.
Without presupposing the worthy intentions of these new associations, we are allowed to recall that ADRI has been taking care of this area since 2001 and that the various problems concerning commercial renewal, commercial diversity, the arrival of enhancing brands, insecurity, cleanliness, the creation of parking lots (especially Notre Dame), improving traffic, incivilities, and enhancing the quality of life for residents are well known to our Senator Mayor for a long time, as he must have been informed not only by us but also by his Deputy Mayor in charge of the territory – Maรฎtre Chauvet – with whom we have regular contact.
NP: In summary?
ADRI: As the municipal elections approach, we observe a multiplicity of association creations. We, who have been calling for more resident engagement for years, would be thrilled if there weren’t political ulterior motives from both the right and left.
It would be nice if not just another association adds to another and each one doing their own thing. Yes, the municipal elections are an opportunity to be heard but what a picture if 36 associations defend the same neighborhood each saying everything and its opposite.
If there are good intentions to make a difference, let’s unite and make things happen together. There is a strong chance that many of these associations are there to create chaos in the debate and we are taking the bet that many will not survive past March 2008.
