THE MAYOR'S NEW YEAR WISHES
Dear residents of Eguelshardt,
As this new year begins, I send you my very best wishes for health, success and happiness to share with your family and friends.
2025 was marked by major world events such as Donald Trump's return to the White House, the conviction of political figures, the election of a new Pope (Leo XIV), Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) first Champions League title, a scorching summer in France with a record heatwave and forest fires, the robbery at the Louvre museum, the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks, the war in Ukraine waged by Russia (still), which will enter its fourth year next month, and Israel continuing to devastate the Gaza Strip until a ceasefire agreement in October… This list is far from complete; it is only a representative sample of the often brutal, sometimes beautiful and ever more frantic course of our world.
Closer to home, in Eguelshardt, major work on the drinking water network was carried out in 2025. Infrastructure that was too old and worn out, the need to make the network safer and a very high volume of lost water all led us to undertake works that meet both the criteria of the funding bodies and today's environmental and climate realities. They will allow us to supply stable, better-quality water and improve the network, avoiding the losses and leak searches that are very costly. For information, the investment cost (excluding repairs and maintenance) is about €62,000, of which about €45,000 is expected in grants (notably from the Rhine-Meuse Water Agency and the Grand Est Region). The remaining cost to the municipality is about €17,000.
In 2026, we will continue studying the redevelopment of rue des Pruneliers (final road surface) together with "MATEC" (Moselle Agence Technique), a public body that provides technical and administrative support to the municipalities of the département that ask for it. Their cost estimate, covering part of the work and an optional phase, will allow us to plan the work needed to complete the project and to apply for grants from the State (DETR), the Water Agency, the Département and the Region.
We will keep promoting our school, looking after its facilities and its development so as to keep the three current classes and as many teaching posts. Steps to this end are under way with the Academic Directorate of National Education Services (DASEN). We will keep you informed of any developments.
Finally, work to make the D662 safer where it passes through "Bannstein" will continue.
In March the municipal councils will be renewed; the elections will be held on 15 March 2026 and, if a second round is needed, on 22 March. I have decided to stand again and, if re-elected, will continue to serve you with respect and dignity, together with my municipal team.
Yours sincerely,
Jean-Louis EIBEL
BAG DISTRIBUTION
The next distribution of multiflux bags will take place on 23 March 2026 on the Place de l'Église from 4:30pm to 7:15pm.
Don't forget to bring your Sydem Pass.
BIRTHDAYS 70 AND OVER
Birthdays in February 2026:
- 6 February: Christmann Yvonne, 78
- 9 February: Werner Gaston, 72
- 13 February: Muller Yves, 73
- 14 February: Spindler Raymond, 70
- 20 February: Vuillod Jacques, 75
- 21 February: Lang Danielle, 75
Happy birthday!
MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS 2026
A decree published in the Journal officiel of 28 August 2025 set the dates of the next municipal elections. The first round will take place on 15 March 2026 and, if needed, the second round on 22 March.
What voting system in municipalities with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants?
In municipalities with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants, in previous municipal elections you could modify the list you wanted to vote for. Councillors were elected by a two-round, multi-member majority vote. Candidates could stand alone or as a group; in the latter case "panachage" was allowed, meaning that as a voter you could strike names off the list you had chosen and possibly replace them with other people.
Votes were then counted individually for each candidate, including those who had stood as a group.
From now on, municipalities with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants will use the same voting system as other towns: a two-round, proportional list vote with gender parity.
Lists must have gender parity (as many women as men) and alternate one woman / one man or vice versa. This system means that lists of candidates must be filed (individual candidacies are no longer possible) and that panachage is abolished.
From now on, if you add or strike out the name of at least one candidate on your ballot paper, it will be considered void. The same applies if you change the order of the candidates.
This change was made because the system used until now in municipalities with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants did not ensure gender parity on municipal councils.
BAFA
The winter holidays are a good time for training: the Loisirs et Jeunesse association tells us its BAFA (youth leader certificate) training will run from 18/02 to 25/02 in Baerenthal.
The association also offers a special activity programme for teenagers, with minibus pick-up!
For more information: 03 87 09 85 26 / loisirs.jeunesse57@gmail.com
NEW RESIDENT
Weller Steve has moved to rue des Chalets.
We wish him a warm welcome!
ASSOCIATION LIFE
The general meeting of the Inter Association will take place on 30 January 2026 at 7pm in the village hall.
The general meeting of the Sport et Loisirs association will take place on 6 February at 7pm at the shooting range.