“There has been a real awareness, rejoices Christos Nüssli, president of the victorious referendum committee who opposed a career project on Mont-Aubert. The Concisois understood how important the preservation of the landscape and nature is. The impressive mobilization of the day demonstrates this. We are relieved. ”Sunday, in the village on the shore of Lake Neuchâtel, the participation rate exceeded 71%. “It’s huge,” comments Stéphane Fanchini, president of the municipal council.
It must be said that the stakes were high. Called to the polls following the tabling of a referendum a few months ago, the population had to decide whether the 24-hectare quarry project at Bois de la Côte on Mont-Aubert (see infographic) would be carried out or not. At around 67%, voters decided to dynamite it by refusing that the easement for the exploitation of the quarry could be signed by the Municipality.
Towards higher taxes
A deep ditch separated pro and anti-career, and it was felt until the last seconds of the count. “Opponents have called on observers, continues Stéphane Fanchini. It’s their right, but it reflects the fact that they don’t trust the members of the office. I find this limit limit and not very respectful for the militiamen who spend their Sunday counting the votes when they would surely have something else to do. “
Conversely, on the side of the winners, we are pleased with the good performance of the debates and discussions that fueled their campaign. “The nature of this part of northern Vaud is still very well preserved, argues Christos Nüssli, who did not dare to hope for such a frank result. Do we want to see the region become as concrete and saturated as the Lake Geneva region? The people have decided. Everyone had the opportunity to form their opinion. “
For the local executive, however, is not the time for celebration. Indeed, the quarry was to be used to replenish the coffers of the Commune. The trustee, Patrick Jaggi, assured that his village urgently needed the benefits it would generate, that is 300,000 to 600,000 francs per year over nearly thirty years. What are now the avenues envisaged for achieving financial equilibrium? “I have no magic wand,” says the trustee, a little bitter. We will either have to decrease services, which are already limited, or increase the tax rate. In all cases, the people have spoken and their choice could not be more clear. “He continues, without concealing his concerns:” I now hope that the opponents will be consistent: we can not refuse the career then s to oppose an increase in taxation. We simply have no choice. We can’t even do the minimum anymore, like the maintenance of communal buildings. We will have to grapple with the issue this year as our debt continues to climb. ”
Still according to the councilor, one of the arguments of the opponents would eventually turn against them. “They notably argued that the quarry was going to have a negative impact on the value of real estate in Concise,” says Patrick Jaggi. They will realize that a tax rate above 75 points will also have undesirable consequences. “
“Stay mobilized”
If the strong popular support reassures the initiators of the referendum, they cannot be fooled by the general euphoria: the result of Sunday represents “unfortunately” only a stage victory. “A new project of this kind could arise in two or three years, prophesies Christos Nüssli. We will have to stay mobilized. But by then, with the Association of Friends of Mont Aubert, we hope to convince neighboring villages and the region, or even the whole canton, that this remarkable natural site must absolutely be preserved. ”
Created: 09.02.2020, 19h44
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