Read Online Our House is Definitely Not in Paris by Susan Cutsforth - Free Book Online Page B

claim,
    I have not totally given up active life. I am still responsible for missions of local development in the Préfets’ entourage; I have been responsible for the Lot network to help young people to find jobs in the building industry for 10 years and I am responsible for inquests in villages for the PLU’ — the Plan Local d’Urbanisme, that is, where you may build houses or factories.
    Pierre Pipereau,
    â€¦ claims to be the president and founder of Cuzance Patrimoine which is divided into five sections, such as country lanes, restoring small monuments and exhibitions. ‘I want to be a mayor that listens to his voters, to be active in the development of my village by taking advantage of its strong points, and put an end to its financial debts which are quite heavy.’
    Again, Jean-Claude goes to great lengths to ensure I grasp the machinations of Cuzance politics, for he assures me that this is untrue. He tells me that Gérard Lacroix was the founder. I find this fascinating, as he was the man we bought our petite maison from. The plot thickens. I also find it extraordinary that such attention is given to so many facets of our village. Who could have ever possibly known that there was individual focus on country lanes? There seems to be far more to village life than meets the eye. Now I know what they are plotting and planning when I look out and see the lights in the Maire office burning late into the evening. I am quite sure that the passion of their discussions is further fuelled by a digestif or two.
    Jean-Claude elaborates further in his extensive reporting of village affairs.

    Pierre Pipereau is now gathering a pluridisciplinarian team. ‘I feel like working, unlike today’s team, with councillors who are only present for visitors; who know their files, and are knowledgeable enough to further them. I shall resolutely commit myself to a policy of democratic participation within the village where my councillors will be active.’
    My goodness, I think. Such lofty aspirations and such a strong political platform for our little rural village. It sounds more like the heated politics of Paris.
    In order to make up my team I have strived to get a panel of the forces active in the commune, as many men as women; active people, farmers. I want my councillors to work for everybody’s good. This notion is not just a rhetorical or electoral formula; it is a concept that has deep implications for me.
    Jean-Claude loses no time in setting me straight on this political gambit: ‘Susan: this is anyway a necessity by law today.’
    He continues to fill me in by sending information straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak — we are in the country, after all.
    Right now the team is still in the process of gathering ideas in order to insure pertinent long-term projects. I do not want to resemble the people who are today in office since they are people of yesterday and are present only to accumulate financially profitable jobs. The mayor must show the way; our long-term projects will be rooted and programmed in the local reality of our land and we shall make sure they are furthered. I love Cuzance, I love my village. I will give life to a team which is able to work conjointly for the common good.
    Quite frankly, I start to wonder if Jean-Claude is mistakenly quoting from the national journal , Les Figaro , for these ambitious sentiments seem to come directly from the heart of someone aspiring to be president of France.
    However, all this pales into insignificance when I discover that in another rural village in France, chicken farmers threaten legal action over a defamatory porn film. All I can say to that is, oh là là . Imagine if such high drama took place in Cuzance. Our petite village would definitely be on the tourist trail.
    This really dispels all notions of a quiet life in the country. It makes me think again of our notes about not buying a house near sheep