Local figures in the spotlight
Commemorations and other celebrations provide an opportunity to honour local figures. This was the case last Tuesday during the National Day celebrations.
Following the traditional wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial, Colonel Hugues Loyez, Commander of the Gendarmerie, presented the French Commemorative Medal with the former Yugoslavia bar to veteran Rodolphe Arnal on behalf of the Minister for the Armed Forces. The French Commemorative Medal is awarded to foreign military personnel and civilians who have served under French command, based on operations carried out in six specific locations, including the former Yugoslavia, with corresponding clasps and minimum periods of service required.
It was then the turn of the President of the Collectivité to honour a number of prominent figures from the territory, bringing the National Day ceremony to a close. Louis Mussington first paid tribute to the commitment of one individual – the entrepreneur Antoine Baker – and then to the collective efforts of two well-established associations: Grain d’Or and the Carnival Festivities Committee. They have been keeping the island’s traditions and culture alive… for 37 years in the case of the Grain d’Or dance troupe, founded by Juliette Mingau, and for nearly 15 years in the case of the Carnival Committee in its current form. Its chair, Luciana Raspail, took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of everyone’s involvement (and not just that of institutions) in ensuring this tradition lives on. As a sneak preview, she announced the dates for the next Saint Martin Carnival, which will take place from 28 January to 7 February 2027.
A Friendly Book for 12 local government staff
On the initiative of the Mayor’s office, Friendly Book has published a book entirely dedicated to these unassuming yet steadfast civil servants… from the local council to the Collectivité, they have over 35 years’ service to their credit. Today, most of them are enjoying a well-deserved retirement: Alex Richards (head of international relations, former chief of staff to the mayor, former adviser to the president), Albert Conner (former head of the local police force), Fabien Gumbs (former director of community services), Lou Baly (former director of sports), Brenda Ellis (former Deputy Director of Technical Services), Delphine Baray (who held several administrative posts and is now head of Neighbourhood Council 1), Philomena Plaisant (former head of the citizens’ reception desk at the town hall) and Christian Champare, represented by his son Christophe. The following were also honoured for their professional careers and long service to the institution: Joe Jules (works manager within the technical services department), Marie-Line Hughes-Richards (director of transport and regulations), Lucien Griffith (local police officer) and Christine Bosqui (deputy director of education). Their faces and professional stories will be immortalised in this book, entitled “Empreintes”.
