At the Youth Council, creative ideas flow freely

Seated in the deliberation room of the Territorial Collectivity’s headquarters on Monday, March 16, thirteen elected members of the CTJ (Territorial Youth Council) were joined by President Xavier Lédée and their respective liaison representatives, based on the committees on which they serve. Bettina Cointre for the committee on culture, sports, and community life; Pascale Minarro Baudoin for urban planning; and Sylvère Gréaux for the environment. Good humor is the order of the day among the young council members. However, even though laughter sometimes breaks out or they occasionally find it difficult to maintain a serious demeanor, ideas and proposals flow freely when they take the floor.
The elected members of the Planning Committee note the low foot traffic at the Rockefeller Plaza in Gustavia. They therefore suggest making the area “more attractive” by adding benches and a few tables to draw workers during their lunch breaks or passersby. They go further and, noting that the reflecting pool is “often dirty” and potentially “dangerous,” propose draining it and turning it into a playground. The chair takes note, emphasizing that the project must be reviewed with the technical services.
Members of the Environment Committee propose organizing a cleanup of Public Beach. “Perhaps with an organization like INE,” a council member suggests. They also wish to establish an Environment Week that would allow students on the island to visit the EDF power plant and the Paprec waste management facility.
As for the members of the culture, sports, and community life committee, they mention their treasure hunt (which kicks off in this issue of the JSB), their participation in Handi-Color, and the reading evening on March 24 at the educational farm…
When questioned by the “grown-ups,” the young elected officials respond. But only when they have an answer. Always with spontaneity, both in their words and their ideas.