Tip from Rousseau (to Rousseau): “Stay friendly”

Anyone who slips in the Wetstraat or ends up in the rumor mill will sooner or later end up in this section.

Mnemonic

De Standaard went to Sint-Niklaas on Tuesday evening for a report Conner Rousseau (Forward) started his Listening Tour in the Fabiola Meeting Center, a tour of 21 locations in East Flanders. The photographer of The standard took a snapshot of his notes, on which Rousseau had listed some tips for himself. “Look, take notes, ask open questions back” and, above all, “stay friendly,” the former chairman had written down for himself as a mnemonic. We were there and assure you: Rousseau was able to tick all four. And the latter is a life lesson that we have also noted in our agenda.

Gin tonic

Audit Flanders has already completed its fourth forensic investigation into the city Sint Truiden. Enough jars to stir in exactly, reports The Importance of Limburg. This time it’s about conflicts of interest. For example, there is an alderman who carried out various communication assignments for the city of Sint-Truiden through intermediary companies.

Mnemonic (2)

“I mainly come to listen,” Rousseau’s notes also say. That too: check. He listened to the people. He also spoke, but not excessively, he listened kindly. His notes also reveal why he did that: “I have the politicians not missed, I missed you.”

Gin and tonic (2)

That some politicians can be missed like a toothache, as the former board of Sint-Truiden proves. At least one alderman and three municipal councilors and their associated companies are being investigated. They all act as if their noses are bleeding. “It was never my intention to gain personal benefit from this,” says one. “What kind of lame nonsense is that,” says the other.

Gin and tonic (3)

Now you have probably been wondering for two paragraphs why the title Gin Tonic is always above it. Not because politicians in Sint-Truiden are completely drunk, or at least no audit has revealed that for the time being. Well, because a conflict of interest was also investigated with bottles of gin and tonic that were included in the staff New Year’s packages in 2021. These came from the company of a current ships. He too was not aware of any harm. When it was brought to his attention that it was a form of conflict of interest, he “immediately stopped it”.