Nice Premium: Fabrice Mauro, Sian d’Aqui seems to be closely interested in the municipal elections. Can you tell us more?
Fabrice Mauro (Sian d’Aqui): First of all, I would like to remind you that Sian d’Aqui has always been a completely apolitical association and will remain so. As such, it is obvious that we will not support any of the candidates in the Nice municipal elections. However, many of our members have asked us to take part in these elections. We therefore offered to act as a liaison between them and the candidates, to ask the questions they would like to ask the candidates, and we promised them, once the questionnaire was finalized, to submit it to each of the candidates.
NP: So, what criteria did you use to select the questions?
FM: We thought it best to make two sorts of selections: In the first, we eliminated all questions too far removed from the Niçoise identity and therefore for which we had no legitimate action. Thus, security, housing, transport, and cleanliness of the city are all themes that we excluded. The second selection eliminated all suggestions to the candidates (do you think commemorating such event, building such edifice, naming a street etc…) we chose to let everyone freely present their program and away from any influence.
NP: Which candidates have agreed to respond?
FM: Almost all. We are finishing our meetings with the candidates because we wanted to meet them, to explain to them how we are conducting this operation. The reception of each has been really enthusiastic and warm. We agreed that the deadline for written responses would be set for January 31, and we asked them to provide us, with their response, a photo representing them in a Niçoise location dear to them. They all found the idea interesting and deeply civic.
The only one who literally hung up on us is Alain Roullier, but is he a candidate? He has also argued his refusal in the press by saying that he does not recognize any legitimacy in me to establish a questionnaire. Unlike him, in the local news where he asks both the questions and the interminable responses, I did not establish this questionnaire alone, but it was the 450 member households of our association who created it. By not responding, he is showing them disdain. In my opinion, he has not understood the approach. He who is fond of nicknames, we might end up calling him “the Non-Understanding.”
NP: What will you do with the responses to these questionnaires?
FM: The rule is simple: We will publish the entirety of each candidate’s response without altering either the form or of course the substance. It is said that writings remain…it is also said that promises only bind those who listen to them…we will issue a Sian d’Aqui special municipal elections letter in early February and we will also share the responses with the loyal readers of Nice Premium, if you agree.
NP: Finally, what are the future actions of Sian d’Aqui for 2008?
FM: Fortunately, we now have 14 members on the board of the association because 2008 will be a busy year. In addition to our ongoing activities like “1388, County of Nice” in September, the “Laughter Stashes” in October, outings in the County and the Charaïssa, we are organizing with our friends from Nissart Per Tougiou and their wonderful President Jean François Marro (who has been part of the Sian d’Aqui board since the General Assembly in December) “Festin d’Aqui”, the first Nissarda Musical Festival in Levens on June 14th.
The program includes Les paure Nautre, Lo Mago d’En Casteu, Lou Seriol, and Nux Vomica. The prestigious godfather of this festival is our friend and celebrated drummer Dédé Cecarelli and the festival’s master of ceremonies will be Richard Cairaschi! With all these wonderful people, we’re bound to have a great evening…
