City manager: mixed reactions from shopkeepers

While welcoming the arrival of a city manager on a rotating basis, Langres' shopkeepers are skeptical about the chosen approach and hope that relations with the municipality can be fully restored.

The decision had caused considerable discontent among local businesses. Following Damien Petitjean's departure at the beginning of the year, the town center manager position was eliminated during the March town council meeting. In its place, the mayor, his deputies, and his staff assumed responsibility for commercial relations, while the Sports and Events department took over the management of promotional activities. Finally, through a partnership established with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), a recruitment process was undertaken for the position, with Thomas Grégoire being hired on an apprenticeship basis.

The decision has delighted shopkeepers, who see it primarily as a desire to revitalize dialogue. “I wasn’t aware of it, but I’m glad he’s coming. It’s necessary to have someone to do the work in the town center, and especially for communication,” says Charlene Oudot of “La Brûlerie” on Place Diderot. “I hope he’ll have good ideas and initiatives; in any case, we have to let him do his thing. What I’d like is for there to be a plan, a real commercial strategy to be implemented,” adds Véronique François, manager of the leather goods shop “Au Caïman” (Rue Diderot), while Mickaël Venturoli of “La Crèmerie des Remparts” believes it’s “satisfying to finally have someone.” However, the chosen arrangement (alternating and, inevitably, part-time) isn’t necessarily universally popular.

“It’s clear and simple: it’s not enough. I don’t understand why the town center manager position was eliminated. For a town like ours, we need a manager. Having a young person on an apprenticeship is all well and good, but to help and learn, not to take on the role. We need a town manager with real authority, and without obstacles being put in their way,” laments cutler Vincent Legendre (rue Diderot). “There needs to be more communication between the town and the shopkeepers,” adds Mickaël Venturoli, citing as an example the decision to hold the Christmas market at the Jean-Favre hall rather than in the town center.

However, everyone is pleased to now have a clearly identified "point of contact," even though relations were never broken despite Damien Petitjean's departure. "I've seen Céline Dessain (Editor's note: municipal councilor in charge of commerce) regularly in recent months, for example, for the Sainte-Catherine celebrations," notes Charlene Oudot. For his part, Mickaël Venturoli explains that he has "always received replies by email." And he hopes that this will continue to improve.

NC

[email protected]