MARIGOT--René Arnell, currently St. Martin’s representative on the national Economic, Social, and Environmental Council (CESE) in Paris, disclosed he is seeking a second five year term when the Council comes up for renewal at the end of this year.
“Everyone knows I am working wholeheartedly for St. Martin, and I believe I have achieved what I set out to do, whether it is for L’Agence de L’Outre Mer pour la Mobilité (LADOM) that helps students and also young people needing a second chance through training and jobs, or assistance to the general public for travel to France once a year,” he said. “I have contributed to the installation of the Fédération de Trés Petits Entreprises (very small enterprises) and I’m working on installation of Association pour le Droit a Initiative Economique (L’ADIE), an institution that offers small loans and financing to micro enterprises.
“And I have participated in many environmental studies. I trust the St. Martin people will give me the support, the strength to continue working for St. Martin.”
The only other person so far to make his candidacy for the CESE public is Michel Vogel, businessman and President of Fédération Interprofessionelle de la Collectivité d’Outre Mer (FIPCOM) since 2006. He is also a member of the Economic advisory council in St. Martin since 2008.
“For 18 years I have contributed to the general interest of St. Martin through my meetings with the men and women I come into contact with in my daily professional life and at events connected with the current situation in St. Martin,” Vogel told a French-side newspaper. “I have always wanted to add a building block to the social, economic, environmental aspects of my adopted island and its people.”
He said he would be fully prepared “to lobby and defend the various St. Martin dossiers” in Paris.
There are 233 members of the CESE, 163 of which come from socio-professional organisations. In St. Martin 36 associations will be asked to choose the candidate most suitable to represent St. Martin.
These associations have until August 26 to make their choice known to the Préfecture.
