The voice reserves of Yann Librati seem to give him hope of destabilizing the incumbent general councilor who does not have the support of Brigitte Ferrari, candidate of the Republican Agreement who calls not to vote for the candidate of the departmental majority, just like Philippe Vardon who invites his voters to opt for the socialist candidate.
Is the 10-point lead enough for Jean Icart?
First round results:
Jean Icart: 35.67% – Yann Librati: 25.91% – Brigitte Ferrari: 14% – Jean-Marc Lebeau: 7.06% – André Minetto: 4.88% – Regis Mezzasalma: 4.73% – Philippe Vardon: 4.22% – Roselyne Colon: 3.52%
INTERVIEW JEAN ICART
Candidate Majorité Départementale
Nice Premium: Jean Icart, how did you interpret the first round results?
Jean Icart: The voters overwhelmingly put me in the lead with 36% of the votes, comfortably ahead of my first challenger by 10 points. The score is all the more satisfying as I had the privilege of being opposed for most of the campaign by two close associates of Jacques Peyrat (G.Nofri and B. Ferrari). I think the voters realized the truth. Mr. Librati has sat for seven years on the Municipal Council and cannot show any record of his term.
He took interest in the second canton a few months ago with a marketing approach applied to politics. Thus, he implemented a campaign of misinformation, coupled with massive communication efforts: a dozen glossy color leaflets, widely distributed. That’s expensive for getting one in ten votes from the canton’s electorate. My work and proximity (my office has been open since the beginning of my first term) have, despite this, convinced the voters, who were not duped.
I have tirelessly worked at the General Council in the interest of the canton’s residents: transportation (1 euro ticket), youth (scholarships, canteens, driving licenses…), the elderly (APA, home help, teleassistance, care), integration (social assistance, vocational training, RMI..) housing (homeownership, rehabilitation, energy saving..), multiple subsidies (various associations, colleges, retirement homes..), and department-owned roads (completion of Paillon’s penentrant, footbridge over the Paillon). I have also acted in other areas outside the Department’s remit: Foch police station (keeping a police post confirmed in 2006 following a petition from neighborhood committees: I distributed the letters), parking lots (numerous interventions at the City Hall), squats and security (interventions with the national police and the Prefect), defense of local commerce (participation in the Courier Observatory to find solutions to the distribution malfunctions…
NP: Aren’t you worried that Brigitte Ferrari’s votes might also distribute to your immediate competitor, Yann Libratti?
JI: I see no reason why Mrs. Ferrari’s votes – which do not belong to her in any case – would transfer to Mr. Librati, who is a permanent member of the Socialist Party, serving Mr. Allemand, and his spokesperson.
NP: What are the projects you propose if you are reelected?
JI: My projects concern the areas of competency but also those of the City Hall, since I will be a member if the list of Ch. Estrosi is chosen by the voters.
My main ones are as follows:
– A resolute policy of creating parking lots which are much needed in the canton, with a special rate for residents and one free hour to favor commerce.
– The reorganization of the bus circuits.
– A reconquest of the city center (Notre-Dame/Raimbaldi neighborhood) by rehabilitating the abandoned buildings that are squatted or left to slum landlords, by reviving local commerce, which has suffered a lot; and the Pauliani district, whose Don Bosco real estate program is exemplary.
– Sustained action for security by supporting the development of local policing to dismantle street trafficking.
– For families, the creation of nurseries, retirement homes, the development of personal services.
– Pollution reduction by completing the entire expressway, instituting an ecotax for transit heavy trucks, enhancing the railway for local transportation, issues I am already working on at the General Council.
– The reorganization of street cleaning services and enhancing green spaces.
A lot of abstentions in the canton in the first round. What message would you pass on this matter?
JI: It is important that voters mobilize and realize that my re-election will enable reinforced action with the City Hall, if they choose the list of Ch. Estrosi in which I am prominently placed. This will not be the case for Mr. Librati.
NP: Finally, what would you say to the residents of the second canton a few days before the second round?
JI: Choosing a socialist candidate, very marked on the left, spokesperson for the socialist party would create a break with the policy of the General Council and that of the future City Hall.
Moreover, several generations of my family have preceded me in this canton, where my office is located. I, therefore, have a very strong and authentic attachment to this part of the city. No one can doubt the sincerity of my commitment and my strong will to improve the living environment of its residents.
