Volunteers wear safety vests are at the service of their village

Momentum seems to be born, pushing people to give a “helping hand” occasional village. These do not sulk-pocket savings in terms of labor.

 

They progress heads lowered in the tall grass, the steeple of the village piercing the sky away in this marshy area of ​​the valley or along a rolling county. They are generally identifiable by their fluorescent reflective vests and gloves, and hang a trash bag still too heavy. They erase the shame from tirelessly behind the perpetrators of illegal waste deposits, and do it for nothing. They are simple villagers taking things in hand, and a little over rural municipalities that are struggling to cope, as confesses Olivier Citron.

 

Washing machines, tires, bottles…

The mayor knows it can count on the action of the Exona association, which, twice a year, cleans the campaign, as will be the case on 3 December: “The town does not directly appeal to them, they are independent, but I have to admit that their action relieves municipal employees who could not make it to pick up.”

 

Pick up, but not just that, it’s also that fact, once a year – next time Saturday, March 11 – At the All ages association. “It’s now been two years since we organize this kind of beaten. It is from 15 to 20 pickers, and I would say that in the space of one morning, we subtract the nature around 300 kilos of rubbish, “says the President Martine. Some 90 glass bottles, not to mention plastic ones, but pieces of washing machines, tires … “It’s impressive, filled an entire trailer before sending it all to the dump. ” “That’s why we only accept children wear safety vest accompanied” says Martine, on behalf of his association, believes normal “this small gesture towards the village,” happy to provide garbage bags.

 

They repair the village

A village solidarity equally appreciable therefore, and also Boulancourt (terraced town Seine-et-Marne side), but we will also find another form this time. Is not this that was held in July the first day? If, and it has gathered a dozen villagers and elected officials around mini-sites that list Chantal, Associate Mayor 160 inhabitants: “We mainly remade the bus shelter, that is painted, with mounting a wall in front with his glass to cut the wind and rain the students waiting since the early morning. A Way of the Cross, then in the nettles, was cleared and repainted, we punched a hole in the pavement and also quilted flowers … We for example, provided the paint, but it makes you realize savings at Workforce. ”

 

The delegate mayor evokes its scope of action: “A dormitory area, many leave work early to Paris and return late with reflective material at night; it was also an opportunity for them to meet, to invest a little in the life of town. I think this type of action could be developed in the future; it is also perhaps one of the solutions to budgetary problems encountered in rural areas. ”

 

There must also odd jobs to do there … City staff to troubleshoot. “Do not imagine that it is to work for people in their place, but it is true that it represents a significant helping hand,” says Chantal, grateful.

 

“A significant helping hand”

But it had been created as well as Augerville the mayor did not say anything when he praises the citizen service provided. “People swing their garbage in the woods, unscrupulous contractors toss their rubble, we find old doors or tires in the river, appliance along hiking trails … But, as it has have happened, are sometimes found an envelope with an address among garbage … “Out of respect flouted nature, Olivier Citron then called the gendarmes that provide a statement and initiate legal proceedings. What, no doubt, bring the offender in the right way? And relieve some of the unbearable task the volunteers of the campaign to rescue their town.