SENIORS, GUESTS OF THE MUNICIPALITY
Nearly fifty seniors met on Sunday 19 January in the village hall, beautifully decorated for the occasion, for the meal organised for them by the municipality. As usual, our oldest resident, Mrs Rose Py, aged 90 and as charming as ever, honoured the gathering with her presence. The mayor stressed that since time immemorial peoples have honoured their elders for their wisdom, their experience and their ability to pass on knowledge, and hoped this tradition would continue…
He took the opportunity to thank the municipal staff warmly for their efficiency, dedication and public-service spirit. Then, through the elders, he sent his good wishes to the whole population, believing that people of every age need good wishes, if only a few words of comfort and encouragement to overcome life’s adversities and obstacles. To young people he wished happiness in love and a first job; to those who are depressed or ill, renewed health and joy in life; to older people, the means to overcome loneliness; and to everyone, mutual respect for their differences so that each person finds their place in a village that wants to bring them all together.
The municipal staff and council members served at table, and everyone clearly enjoyed getting together over an excellent meal prepared by the local caterer. The afternoon was a joyful one. French and German songs alternated to the sound of Anne Fischer-Bernard’s accordion and the beat of her husband Karl’s drumstick – a recently retired couple who have just settled in Eguelshardt. The unexpected icing on the cake came from Robert de la Michellerie: the sound of his magic guitar, kept hidden until then, brought guests who were about to leave back to the table – some started singing again and others began to dance. Isn’t life wonderful?
MUNICIPAL COUNCIL MEETING OF 23.12.2013
- Transfer of the sewage service to the SDEA: the council approves the Pays de Bitche Community of Municipalities joining the Bas-Rhin water and sewage syndicate (SDEA) from 1 January 2015, and the transfer of the Community’s collective and individual sewage service – the collection, transport and treatment of waste water and rainwater (under existing conditions) – to the SDEA. The syndicate includes more than 450 local authorities and inter-municipal bodies; it has been operating for more than 70 years and employs 550 local government staff. It is run by local elected representatives, and the Bitche Community of Municipalities would be represented by one. A branch office would be set up in Bitche. Operating savings could reach 10%, i.e. €100,000 a year, on an annual budget of €1 million.
- Rent review for the communal flat in the presbytery: the rent is reviewed from 1 January 2014 in line with the rent reference index (IRL).
- School timetable – September 2014: the law keeps 24 hours of teaching a week but spreads them over 4½ days instead of 4. The council adopts the following timetable for the new school year:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings: no change – childcare from 7.30am to 8.30am, lessons from 8.30am to 11.30am. Wednesday morning will be added, with the same childcare and lesson times.
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: lunch break from 11.30am to 1.30pm, with a meal for those who wish – no change from the current arrangements. However, lessons will resume at 1.30pm and end at 3.45pm. The municipality will provide childcare from 3.45pm to 6pm. Parents concerned are invited to think, together with the Town Hall, about the best activities for this time, so that the children can relax rather than being overloaded with more lessons. The mayor will call a meeting of parents in due course. Written homework will be abolished.
- Allowance for prefecture duties: by a decision of 30 April 2004, the council had granted the prefecture duties allowance to municipal staff in the following grades: maintenance worker and administrative assistant. At its meeting of 23 December 2013, the council decided:
- to grant this allowance not only to the 1st-class administrative staff and 2nd-class technical assistants employed by the municipality whose duties correspond to the posts listed in the decision of 30 April 2004, but also, from the date of this decision, to 1st-class nursery school assistants;
- to grant staff who work 30 hours a week instead of 35 the allowance at a reduced rate of 30/35ths of the annual reference amount for their grade.
- 2014 capital expenditure: under article L 1612-1 of the local authorities code, the council authorises the mayor, if necessary, to commit and pay from 1 January 2014, before the 2014 budget is voted, up to €33,000 for urgent works in street lighting, roads, general equipment, residential areas, office equipment and IT.
- Budget amendments: the council authorises the following amendments:
- general budget: general expenses: -€3,000; staff costs: -€4,644; loan interest: -€610; other current expenses: +€8,254;
- water budget: staff pay: -€1,000; general expenses: +€1,000.
RÉPUBLICAIN LORRAIN CORRESPONDENT
At her request, we inform residents that Mrs Nathalie Morainville, rue Nationale, is now the local correspondent of the Républicain Lorrain newspaper.
PLANÈTE JEUNES
Mr Damien Weureither will be at the Eguelshardt Town Hall on Monday 3 February 2014 from 2pm to 4pm to take registrations for the March holiday club.
DIARY
- Seniors’ Club meeting, Thursday 6 February in the salle Rapin, from 2pm
- Speckfest organised by the “La Vigilante” shooting club, Sunday 9 February, at the shooting range
SILVER MEDAL FOR MARIE-JEANNE DEROU
Marie-Jeanne Derou took 2nd place in the D2 category of the regional 10-metre shooting championships. Francis Tousch also performed well, finishing his match with 559 points out of 600, placing him 9th in the S2 category.
Well done to both!
HAPPY NEWS: BIRTHS
Daphné Megel was born in Haguenau on 27 December 2013 to Mr Philippe and Mrs Caroline Megel. Our best wishes to her, and congratulations to her happy parents.
Elouan Grivel was born in Haguenau on 7 January 2014 to Mr Loïc Grivel and Mrs Annie Godivat. Welcome to Elouan, and congratulations to his happy parents.
IN MEMORIAM
Mr Erwinn Jacob, born on 24 May 1949, died on 14 January 2014, aged 64. We offer our most sincere condolences to his family.
2013 REGISTER OF BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS
In 2013 we recorded 4 births, 3 deaths and no marriages.
On 1 January 2014 the municipal population was 445, compared with 441 on 1 January 2013. The population of the Étoile du Matin, counted separately, is 140. The total population is 585, compared with 571 on 1 January 2013.
WELCOME
Mr Loïc Letzelter-Grivel, Mrs Annie Godivat and their son Elouan have moved to our village. We wish them a warm welcome.
LA VIGILANTE
The “La Vigilante” shooting club is holding its traditional Speckfest on Sunday 9 February 2014.
The programme: an 8 km walk in the forest, starting at 9.30am from the shooting range. From 12 noon, in true Speckfest style, pea soup will be served in the heated clubhouse, and open-air fires will let everyone grill their own slices of bacon and sausages.
Prices: €8 for adults, €4 for children under 12, free for under-6s.
Information and registration: Mr J.-M. Christmann, tel. 03 87 96 10 82, or Mrs Martine Tousch, tel. 03 87 06 55 20.
LA VIGILANTE’S YOUNG SHOOTERS – 2013/2014 SEASON
Since September, 11 schoolchildren have been regularly attending introductory sport shooting sessions. All licensed with the FSCF, they take part in the winter cup in nearby Alsace and the Dieuze tournament. On 17 December they all got together for a Christmas snack.
THE WALDECK IN THE LATE 1960s
This wonderful photo was taken towards the end of the 1960s at the foot of the Waldeck hill, whose western slope had been replanted with young pines about three years earlier. It shows Mr Alphonse Mischler, a resident of Waldeck, and his magnificent horses hauling timber.