Through Normandy editorial staff
Published on 18 Nov 20 at 20:20
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Elected in mars 2020 without any municipal experience, Bruno Guilbert was cataloged as theheir to Philippe Leroy, in Franqueville-Saint-Pierre, on the eastern plateau of Rouen (Seine-Maritime). Today he defends his vision and projects himself into “his” mandate. Interview.
News: Can you reconsider your election? How did you react ?
Bruno Guilbert: I experienced it as both a pleasant and a frustrating situation. Pleasant, because winning the election is something interesting and rewarding given that we have been working on it for a year. It was a substantial commitment. I would like to thank my constituents and running mates for that. Frustrating because we knew the difficult situation. Frustrating, because beyond the festive side that we could not do, we were not installed so the previous team continued with current affairs. We had to watch from a distance. We were a little unsatisfied. I imagined my arrival differently. But now we are there and we must move forward.
We were expecting you as the heir to Philippe Leroy, but you apply another tone, another method. Is this a break with the previous municipality?
B.G : The word rupture is excessive! In my mind, I was never the heir. I was never on his list. Besides, I never had a political mandate in Franqueville. What happened is that Maryse Betous, the first assistant, assembled a team in which I recognized myself. Then we decided to head the list. It was me! After the municipal elections, it was out of the question to put myself in slippers. Philippe Leroy has his personality and has done good things. I see things differently. I am more collaborative. This comes from my previous engagements. I like teamwork. If we take the minority, I do not consider it as an opposition. I treat them like a respectable group that has the right to express opinions. This does not prevent me from listening, taking note and especially giving the floor. Then I answer. So yes ! If the change of tone was noticed, I welcome it.
Has the health crisis not slowed down your entry into the costume of mayor?
B.G : I had never been mayor or local elected official, but I have a strong professional and associative experience which has seasoned me. So, like everyone else, I was confined, I took the opportunity, using modern tools, to train myself for certain responsibilities of the mayor such as that of the police, town planning or even relations. with the préfet whom I didn’t know well, I recognize him. Afterwards, I plunged into the bath. From there, we take the files head-on and learn every day, surrounded by a team and competent staff. As since July 30, I am retired, I can devote a lot of time to it. But, honestly, I did not expect such a shock, between the Covid and the Vigipirate plan. You have to ask yourself a lot of questions. I am a regal person: for example, I did not sign a decree for businesses to the chagrin of some. It’s my opinion. I believe that we have authorities and I find that my role is to enforce the directives. Otherwise, I flout my function as mayor and that, even if personally, I can have moods.
Will the pandemic change your program?
B.G : I think that will shift things. Already, the year 2020 will be white! We were in a hurry. Our program is a little behind, particularly in terms of participatory democracy. Difficult to hold neighborhood meetings. On the other hand, we will quickly put in place the repair of the Nicolas Fleury gymnasium. We made the decision to renovate it and not to demolish it for the sake of cost. There will also be a lot of work on our schools that we must continue to develop. With an additional class, and therefore more students, we must also review the refectory of the canteen. We are also reflecting on its digital development. Finally, there is the mastery of town planning. There, projects have already been initiated by the previous term. This is not the subject. On the other hand, we must work on road infrastructure. Building poses problems at this level. We must review the traffic plan. How to absorb the extra flow?
And the Zac du Val aux Daims?
B.G : We don’t talk about it anymore! The Rouen Normandy Metropolis has not retained it in its PLUi (Plan Local d’Urbanisme intercommunal). The previous term of office appealed. He was rejected. Me, I stop there. There may be in the future new elements in terms of town planning for a Val aux Daims bis or rather, as colleagues say, a Val aux Biches [rires]. I am not going to engage in this lost fight.
Where are the plans to extend the shopping area and the development of the Route de Paris?
B.G : The shopping area is always the order of the day. It is scheduled for 2021/2022. For the Route de Paris, we are discussing with the Rouen Normandy Metropolis. Relations are going well. It is a colossal project in financial terms. I hope that at the same time as the repair, it is necessary to move forward on public transport. For my part, I find it abnormal that the F5 circulates in the city center. I do not see the point and moreover, residents complain about safety and the roads deteriorate quickly. I would prefer that the Fast follow the Route de Paris. It is under discussion with the Metropolis as well as the cycle paths.
You have also discovered the metropolitan universe. Your feeling?
B.G : Unity is strength ! The Rouen Normandy metropolis has its place. There is no discussion about it. On the other hand, I discovered there a heavy structure where Franqueville does not represent anything. I see it as a tool for the municipality so I don’t hesitate to use it. What really interests me is when I call, having a listen. I am not a politician at heart, I have no ambition, nor a career to make. I have a city to manage and defend.
And for intercommunality?
B.G : I find that the Association of Mayors of the East Plateau is starting to function. I’m delighted, because there are lots of things to do together. Our predecessors showed us the way with the swimming pool. Bulldozers are coming soon. Afterwards, on the Plateau Est we can do a lot of things in common or bilaterally on sport, culture, the sharing of human or technical resources. I remain convinced that the significant change of mayors and elected officials during the last municipal elections gives new impetus. In this statement, there is no value judgment.
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