Letter from the President

The 2015 summer season is fast approaching and we hope it will be a cause for celebration.  Up until now the year has seen many tragic events and the violent death of hundreds of innocent people.  The attacks in Paris in January were followed by the suicidal crash of the Lufthansa flight in the Alps.  Not forgetting the hundreds of men, women and children seeking a better life who have been lost at sea.

On a more cheerful note, the ARM is proposing a summer season of friendly and convivial activities.

Please note that our Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on the 5^th of August 2015, as every year , at the Palais des Sports (see attached notice in the Newsletter).  This year we will have a presentation by the Head of the Morzine-Avoriaz Rescue Centre on the Centre’s activities.  For this reason the AGM must start at 4:30pm HOURS PROMPT.

The cost of this Newsletter will be more than previously as a result of significant changes in its production and distribution.  In order to maintain our financial stability, we must find ways to reduce this cost, for example, by putting the Newsletter on the internet.  A matter for debate.

Finally note that the “Communities of Communes” are considering consolidating their Tourist Offices.  The ARM is a member of the Morzine Tourist Office.  This could involve us in a merger with other Associations?  The AGM on the 5^th of August at 4:30pm, prompt, will provide an opportunity to discuss this matter.

Regards Alain Hermet

Winter will soon be upon us, and hopefully the weather will be favourable to the many skiers that come to Morzine for our good snow and sun, which we missed so much this year in July and August, despite the unexpected return of our "Indian Summer".

Among the highlights of this summer, we look back to the various activities offered by ARM, actively led by our members whom, I would say, are all volunteers. We are seeking members to help run some new activities such as  Petanque, small family walks and to take over the golf section, for which the incumbent, Bernard Rebin, wishes to withdraw after eight years of loyal service. Given the links that we want to build with the ARG (Association des Residents des Gets) we must be proactive in strengthening our existing operations and offer new features such as the Festival of Alpine Pastures initiated by ARM, an idea of André Parois, and implemented by the Tourist Office with ARM volunteer support.

The vote taken at the General Assembly reached a comfortable majority that supports the position taken by the Committee on the project linking Morzine-Les Prodains.  Thank you for your support and we also respect our opponents for their contributions to the debate.

We should also consider the FESM 74, of which we are a member.  This is a Federation consisting of mountain resorts of Haute-Savoie whose AGM was held on 07/08/14.  The Federation has obtained approval for the "Environment and Quality of Life," which allows its member stations to be recognized and to participate in debates on these topics. Today, it comprises of nine mountain resorts including 3 within the Portes du Soleil.

We are concerned about the recent government project that plans to allow some communes "experiencing shortage of available properties” to increase the Taxe d'Habitation for secondary residents by 20%. I recently wrote to our Mayor to find out if Morzine-Avoriaz might be affected by this initiative.

Finally, note that this Newsletter will be the last produced by Jacky Lecointre who, after many years of dedication to the ARM, as Treasurer and Editor of our newsletter, has asked to be replaced.  Claude Richard has agreed to succeed him. He has co-produced this Bulletin with Jacky before finally taking over the reins.

Thank you Jacky for your involvement in our Committee during all this time and thank you to Claude for taking over this task for ARM.

Alain HERMET

The winter season was generally quite successful, particularly during peak periods, with good snow, a new lift at Pleney, that had some minor teething problems that were quickly overcome.

The season ended with the Municipal Elections that saw the unopposed return of the outgoing Mayor.

It was important to know the thoughts of the new municipal team on the various projects and in particular the 3S.  I was able to meet the initiator of the 3S project who spoke on the Mayor’s behalf.  The report of this meeting is in this newsletter.

ARM has also been the source of two major new initiatives:

• The first concerns the co-operation between the Associations of Morzine and Les Gets joint participation in our respective activities (see note on the subject in this newsletter).
• The second is the "Fêtes des Alpages" (Alpine Celebration) held on 24 August 2014, which it is hoped, would be a very popular mountain festival (see note on this subject in this newsletter).

Finally, do not forget our AGM in August.  In order to obtain maximum benefit from the question and answer session with the municipal authorities, it would be helpful if you could e-mail any questions you may have to our General Secretary, Jocelyne Migeon.  Alternatively you could use the form in this newsletter. This should help to clarify the debate.

Thank you for your understanding.  I hope you enjoy this newsletter and I look forward to meeting you on 4 August for our AGM.

The winter season was generally quite successful, particularly during peak periods, with good snow, a new lift at Pleney, that had some minor teething problems that were quickly overcome.

The season ended with the Municipal Elections that saw the unopposed return of the outgoing Mayor.

It was important to know the thoughts of the new municipal team on the various projects and in particular the 3S.  I was able to meet the initiator of the 3S project who spoke on the Mayor’s behalf.  The report of this meeting is in this newsletter.

 ARM has also been the source of two major new initiatives:

•  The first concerns the co-operation between the Associations of Morzine and Les Gets joint participation in our respective activities (see note on the subject in this newsletter).
• The second is the "Fêtes des Alpages" (Alpine Celebration) held on 24 August 2014, which it is hoped, would be a very popular mountain festival (see note on this subject in this newsletter).

Finally, do not forget our AGM in August.  In order to obtain maximum benefit from the question and answer session with the municipal authorities, it would be helpful if you could e-mail any questions you may have to our General Secretary, Jocelyne Migeon.  Alternatively you could use the form in this newsletter. This should help to clarify the debate.

Thank you for your understanding.  I hope you enjoy this newsletter and I look forward to meeting you on 4 August for our AGM

Message from the President

As you are aware we have been unable to produce our Spring Newsletter this year as our friend Jacky has been in mourning for the sad loss of his wife following her long illness.  However, Jacky now wishes to resume his role, with immediate effect, as Editor of the “Spring-Summer 2013” Newsletter, for which I thank him.

I would like to share with you information on topics which directly affect us and which we will discuss at our AGM on 5 August 2013.

1)  Municipal Team Projects:

• The Morzine-Avoriaz link by the “Gros Porteur”. A 3D simulation showing possible routes was presented to the officials of the Tourist office at its meeting in March 2013. Route Number 1 was selected and approved by all present with one exception; ARM abstained pending our AGM on 5 August 2013. A copy was given to us and can be viewed on our website.
• As part of the modernization project the Pleney gondola station has been decommissioned and will be replaced by a modern station with access to the RDC. It should be operational by summer 2014. This means that mountain biking will not be available there this summer but an alternative is being sought.
• The new Prodain-Avoriaz link by the  “Gros Porteur” opened successfully on 14 April 2013, much to the satisfaction of those who used it.
• The ARS SONORA is a sound animation project that involves installing in Morzine a chime made up of 19 bells. The project, suggested by the Municipality, will be supported in part by government subsidies together with individual and company donations. A video on this topic has been posted on our website.

2)  There are also government projects from the Grenelle Environment Forum including “The redesignation of leisure housing in France which would include secondary homes”. It is to deal with the UNDER UTILISATION of leisure housing, and therefore our secondary residences by TAXING under used properties. The Federation of Residents’ Associations (FFARSM) has questioned the Ministry of the Environment on this subject. Nothing has been decided yet, but we must be vigilant.

In anticipation of meeting you again at our AGM, I wish you a pleasant spring, flowers … and good weather.

Regards

Alain Hermet

A Word from the President

We benefitted this year from a great summer.  August was full of varied activities,  some sporty, some cultural, but always friendly. I will not name them all in case I miss some out, but I would like to thank all our leaders for making the activities such a success. A special mention for our summer Dinner at the Hotel Les Champs Fleuris, which was particularly successful.

We are also concerned about the future development of Morzine, of which we are very fond. Our main concern has been the "Gros Porteur/Aménagement du Plan" (Large Carrier/Redesign of the ‘Plan’). This has generated a large number of issues of concern among our members.  The  Mayor and his staff  attended  our Annual General Meeting on 6 August.  We thanked them for attending and answering our questions. These exchanges have enabled us to take into account the opinion of our members and to define ARM’s position.  This position was formalized and approved unanimously by the ARM Committee, at its meeting 23 August.  Our position, which is attached to this newsletter, was sent to the Mayor.

Following meetings with local officials we have prepared details of the winter tariffs applicable to ARM members.  There are new tariffs, in particular for Pleney-Nyon-Les Gets, and a renewal of prices offered by Serma (Avoriaz) and ESF. A summary of this information is included in this Newsletter: for more detailed information, you can visit our website, which also has an English version.

Finally, I would like to thank the many members who have renewed their membership, thus allowing ARM to be recognized as a major player in  local life. There is STRENGTH in numbers.

Kind regards

Alain Hermet

ARM’s Position regarding the “Gros Porteur (Grand Carrier)

At the ARM General Meeting on 6 August 2012, members discussed, in the presence of the Mayor of Morzine/Avoriaz and his staff, an item on the Agenda "Other Matters" called "Project Gros Porteur".

They appreciated the technical explanations on the selected route for the Gros Porteur, as well as those related to the two options presented on this occasion.

In their name, ARM thanks the presenters for the quality of the presentation. The ARM acknowledges the choice made by the municipal team for this route, but remains committed to a solution that would finally connect the various different areas of the resort thus avoiding the isolation of PNG (Pleney-Nyon-Les Gets).

Members have, however, been surprised by the information released on "The Development of the Plan Area" (*). ARM would like to express its concern at the developments’ poorly defined information and the magnitude of the plan which is hardly compatible with the current financial crisis.

ARM is opposed to the idea of transforming Morzine into a "ski processing industry" which ultimately means the Commune losing much of its character as a Savoyard village.

However, ARM approves the use of external consultants (AMO) to determine the feasibility of the project, both technically, financially and as a whole. ARM asks that Morzine residents be kept regularly informed through local associations and municipal newsletters.

ARM supports development projects proposed by the Municipality when they appear clearly to be in the interests of the people of Morzine, as was argued at the time, regarding the division of Morzine/Avoriaz.

For the Board of Members of ARM

The President                                                    

(*) Parking in the town centre and its access tunnel resulting in an influx of cars and people in the town centre. Proposed hotel and luxury businesses.

A word from the president                     

After this particularly wet and cool spring, we pray, as the song says "the summer is hot".  To be more emphatic: "Every cloud has a silver lining".  So the summer should be hot and sunny if we want to enjoy the many activities offered by the Tourist Office and the ARM.     

Among the new features I would cite: The Nautical Centre at Morzine now open and the Aquatic Centre at Avoriaz which is scheduled to open on 1 July; attached proposed tariffs for access to the Centre.  Two new ARM activities are proposed: the return of  Petanque on the Tourist Office square and a cycling activity including both road and VTT. (described in the Bulletin).                

We should not forget our Annual General Meeting to be held on 6^th August at the Palais des Sports.  I strongly invite you to participate because as every year, we receive the Mayor, the President of the Tourist Office, and their associates for what we hope will be fruitful discussions.

Among the ongoing projects, probably the most important is "the Development of the Area Plan" a description of which is attached to this newsletter.  It is indeed involved in building closer links with Avoriaz-Morzine, and the real estate development of the space between the Mairie and the planned lift.  This project has produced a lot of interest and passion in the population, resulting in: on the one hand the circulation of a petition demanding greater disclosure from the Town Hall,  and on the other  by the birth of a new association of "Protection of Interests" of the Morzinois. This subject is red-hot and of course we are all concerned.   

To all of you, come and enjoy Happy Holidays with all that Morzine has to offer.

A word from the President

For those of us who were in Morzine this winter, we have enjoyed excellent conditions for skiing, snow was plentiful and the weather was almost perfect.   .......... and the Morzine authorities were satisfied.

We also met informally, the Mayor and members of his staff, with whom we:

• Took stock of the progress of projects of common interest
• Expressed the concern of our members who were surprised by the extension of paid parking in Morzine and its cost (Read_the_report).

Things to remember:

• On projects: the "Aquatic Centre" was inaugurated in February (I paid this a visit and thought it was rather well done); the new lift which replaces the funicular linking the tennis courts to the Super Morzine Telecabin should open in May. Work on the Avoriaz Medical Centre is progressing, whilst that for Morzine is being studied.
• With regard to paid parking, alterations were made to the charges in some areas, for example, outside the Palais des Sports, where free parking was increased to 4 hours. Moreover, the Municipal Services are studying the implementation of free parking outside the town centre.

You will find attached two documents from the Municipal Bulletin, courtesy of The Mayor: one on the Aquatic Centre and the other on the map of car parks.

(clic on the picture to increase)

 Lastly, among the actions initiated by the Tourist Office, of which we are Members,  ARM was asked to help with two of them:

• 15 April:  "Clean Up Day"
• In July, the "Art'Recup" day, which translates as the collection of items for recycling.

In principle I would support these initiatives because it is a good way to illustrate the contribution that our Association makes to the town.               

And we need volunteers!

Please contact our representative at the Tourist Office, Agnes Lesaichot, for any additional information.

That's all for today. Enjoy the good weather to come and try to find new members amongst your friends.

Thank you.

Alain Hermet

The highlight of the ARM winter activities is the dinner held just after Christmas.  This year the dinner was held at the Auberge du Mont-Rond on the 28^th December.  It was well attended by members and their guests.

A number of developments have come to fruition in Morzine.

• First, a new indoor aquatic centre has opened alongside the open air swimming pool.  The centre includes a 25 metre fitness pool, a 125 m² learners pool, 50 m² babies’ pool and 160 m² hydro-fitness area with 3 saunas and 2 steam baths.
• Second the funicular link between the Ice Rink car park and the Super Morzine telecabine has been replaced by a two-stage lift and connecting walkways.
• Third, parking meters have been installed in many places throughout Morzine.  Many of these meters will only operate during the winter season.

The ARM programme of summer activities is well in hand and will continue to include the ever popular events such as walking excursions to suit all levels of ability, golf and tennis tournaments, dancing, scrabble and bridge, cultural excursions and the summer dinner and tennis barbeque.

The ARM not only organizes all these activities but also provides an opportunity to make new friends of all nationalities.

A word from the president

The summer holidays are now behind us, and I hope that the return to normal has not been too difficult. In this "pre-winter period", I would like to make three points.

1/ First, about our summer season, which despite some variable weather, was generally satisfactory. In fact:

• most of our activities were highly successful; a big thank you to our leaders who stepped in at short notice to deputise for absent friends.
• at our Annual General Meeting, we welcomed four new members to our Committee and I would like to thank them once again for their involvement in our Association.
• we appreciated the explanations given by the Technical Services staff from the Mairie on numerous current projects in Morzine and Avoriaz, and in particular, the major new gondola project at Prodains ("gros porteur"). Many thanks to them.

2/ Next, the discounted prices for the 2011/2012 season. I have met/contacted the Directors of the Pleney and SERMA Lifts and also the Director of the ESF. You will find more details in this newsletter. The main points are:

• Morzine-Les Gets: ARM discounts maintained
• Portes du Soleil: ARM discounts maintained (resident tariff)
• Avoriaz: No AM discounts, but interesting promotional offers
• ESF discounts remain (10% excluding February); as well as a Chamois or Flèche test available to any member of ARM on presentation of the ARM membership card (one per year)

3/Finally, the comments or suggestions from our members: in particular those concerning the running of the chair lifts, telecabines and shuttle buses, were put forward by our representative at the Tourist Office (TO) Committee Meeting held on 30th August. The recorded Minutes are available for all to see on the TO website.

I hope to meet many of you on the slopes ... and at our Dinner on the 28th December.

Kind regards

Alain HELMET