Yesterday, Mr. Senator Mayor Jacques PEYRAT offered his best wishes to all the municipal staff, a “great moment of intimacy in family” as he likes to say, a feeling that seems widely shared by the audience of more than 3500 territorial public service agents.
A prelude presentation under the theme “in 2006 Nice changes” showcased projects that will make headlines across various services throughout the year including:
1) the regional conservatory equipped with a large auditorium of 750 seats, with its inauguration scheduled around October 20, 2006,
2) the doubling of Mathis way, with the extension of 2000 meters eagerly awaited by many motorists,
3) the tramway, of course, which last year on this same occasion earned a standing ovation of applause, proving if necessary the endorsement of the residents of Nice for this project. “The first unit is built,” announces Mr. Deschamp, director of construction, “in 6 months the first trials will take place. There will be no overhead lines at Masséna and Garibaldi squares, the tram will operate on a battery system there,” a tramway that the Senator Mayor wishes to see extended on a second and third line to better serve the population.
Then the St Jean d’Angely University, the city of sports, Nice Méridia (April-May 2006) which had to pursue a cassation judgment to succeed, the continuation of the school plan, early childhood plan, neighborhood developments, and the new city hall before the end of this current mandate.
“Wow, you are impressive, I wanted to thank you for coming in such large numbers for the 11th year, it’s always a happy and important moment for me, and facing you, happiness prevails over importance.”
Elected officials, the Mayor’s cabinet, and general directors are acknowledged and thanked, “and even though we, elected officials, make the decisions about facilities and major works, it is you who carry them out.”
For a man who is said to be cold, pretentious, brutal, and unapproachable according to his own words, it is with genuine humility that he expresses his deep respect towards the staff, from the lowest to the highest function, nearly listing the services and concluding by saying “this is what justifies and allows us to say that Nice 2006 is changing.”
For the past four years, at the end of the speech, a performance is planned for the staff who, it must be stressed, face the public the best they can with their capabilities and resources. This year, Noëlle PERNA portrays Mado the Niçoise in front of an army of “Mikado,” delivering a show that once again earned a standing ovation.
It is around the friendship drink that the Senator Mayor walks among those who grab him to greet him, and present their wishes in their own way, hoping that in 2006, the work they provide is not overshadowed by events beyond their control.
One observation, only one opposition elected official was present, although it was indeed the occasion of the wishes to the staff. Should one deduce that apart from political battles, the City Hall does not interest the elected officials opposed to the majority?
