"We want more security in career paths": despite the adoption of the law to support them, the mayors of rural communities in Var speak of their difficulties

Mayor of Cotignac since 1990 , and president of the association of mayors of Var, Jean-Pierre Véran : "This famous status of the local elected official, we have been asking for it for 35 years! The goal is not necessarily to obtain more compensation, even if it is a useful argument, but above all to offer more security in the professional career of people who commit to a mandate as mayor. For my part I am retired, so it does not pose a problem, but for active people, it is very different! In terms of compensation, I made the choice to share part of it with my colleagues on the municipal council, in fact I have between 1,000 and 1,500 euros left per month, it is not much considering the amount of work that it represents... Mayor of a small town, we do not have a chief of staff, no company car, etc. Even if there are always a few crazies, the mayors are in their immense majority of responsible people who spend little public money."

"Moreover, I don't think there is a particular crisis in the number of mayoral candidates: it is an exciting mandate, certainly difficult, but in high demand, and you will see that the majority of outgoing mayors will run in the next municipal elections. The next mandate will be particularly tough, moreover, with major budgetary efforts planned at all levels..."

"If a major reform of local authorities was needed to save money, and the famous "mille-feuille", I think that inter-municipalities, which I was very much in favor of a few years ago, are not as efficient as expected. Mergers and groupings do not always lead to savings, sometimes even the opposite. And in terms of waste management, or water and sanitation, for example, the results are no better with agglomeration management, compared to municipal management. And then citizens expect that: a local level, accessible elected officials that we know, who are somewhat the guardians of living together, we see today how important that is! I am now of a certain age, with a long experience, and I conclude that it is time to stop stripping the municipalities of their powers and give power back to the mayors!"

Thierry Bongiorno, Mayor of Gonfaron: "If some people think mayors are overpaid, let them run!"

Thierry Bongiorno, mayor of Gonfaron since 2014 : "If there are still some who think that you become mayor for the sake of money, I invite them to run in the next elections and see the reality for themselves! Being mayor of a town like Gonfaron, with 4,500 inhabitants, is a commitment 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. It is a strong republican commitment, you have to deal with day-to-day management as well as crisis situations, it takes passion..." "Especially in rural towns: the less populated a town is, the fewer local government officials, deputies, etc. the mayor benefits from. And if you are not elected to receive the allowances, they should not be so low that they discourage potential vocations. As the manager of a very small business, I obviously had to significantly reduce my professional activity when I became mayor, and This has a financial impact. As mayor of Gonfaron, I receive 1,645 euros per month in compensation, to which is added approximately 660 euros as vice-president of the Cœur du Var community of communes. If I calculate the ratio in relation to the number of hours I devote to these two functions, we are far below the minimum wage… So increasing the compensation of elected officials, and even better creating a real status for local elected officials, is a good thing, and we can see it as a form of recognition from the State in relation to our daily work, working as closely as possible with citizens."