News

Apr 7, 2009

Overseas Secretary Yves Jégo Visits Saint Barth

On Saturday morning, March 21, the president of the Collectivity of St Barthélemy and members of the UMP political party were at the airport to meet the French Overseas Secretary of State when he arrived from St Martin with his wife. During his brief visit to St Barth, Yves Jégo first met with the gendarmes to discuss various aspects of their new mission as frontier police. Accompanied by Bruno Magras, senator Michel Magras, and the island’s vice presidents, the Secretary of State was able to change his schedule in order to meet the population during a walk through Gustavia. From the main dock, the delegation walked along the waterfront and examined the dock damaged by the high seas during hurricane Omar. During a stop for a cold drink and a plate of fresh fruit at the La Route des Boucaniers, Yves Jégo met with various island representatives and elected officials on the theme of sustainable development through solar power and electric cars. When they arrived at the Hôtel de la Collectivité a half-hour later, a sizable crowd welcomed Yves Jégo in the council chambers.

In his speech, Bruno Magras first discussed the high cost of living on the island—an average of 20% higher than in Guadeloupe—and asked that when the LODEOM (law for overseas development) passes, to have the amendment adopted by the Senate to adjust prices of necessary products in the other overseas departments, to be applicable in Saint Barth as well. The president then asked the Secretary of State about the fiscal agreement that is still unsettled between the COM and the general finance office. Bruno Magras lastly stated his disappointment in the decision made by the constitutional council on January 8, 2009 rejecting the idea of a deputy to represent the island in the National Assembly.

After a speech by senator Michel Magras, and one by Christian Lédée, who was named the island’s economic and social councilor in June 2008, Yves Jégo spoke, replying that he had heard the requests that Bruno Magras had made and that the government would support Saint Barth while applauding its desire to ensure its own growth. He noted that all of the decisions made about Guadeloupe following the general strikes would also be applied in St Barth as well as St Martin. Jégo also said that he regretted the decision made by the constitutional council, and indicated that the law could be modified in the future.

Yves Jégo then presented the insignias of Chevalier of the National Order of Merit to Jean-Pierre Ballagny for his “career and depth of his commitment” in terms of his service to the art, culture, and quality of life on the island. After founding the association St. B’Art in 2002, this talented painter—who is also a member of the Lions Club—was one of the creators of the association Avenir Plus, whose goal is to encourage the young people on the island. Teacher, director of a public relations office, then a local newspaper near Paris, he decided to start afresh and settled in Saint Barth after arriving on the island on a sailboat in 1988.

This official visit by the Overseas Secretary of State concluded with a visit to La Ligne de St Barth in Lorient, before lunch with the politicians at the Sereno Hotel. Yves Jégo, who had already visited the island on a personal trip, spent the weekend in Saint Barth before leaving the island for Guadeloupe and Martinique on Monday morning.

Cécile Lucot

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