Colette Le Boucher began her political career in 1989 on the Meslin municipal council. Her first mandate was mainly about learning the role of an elected official. “I was young and maybe a bit too impulsive. Jacqueline Carpier, former mayor of Meslin, had to straighten me out,” she recalls humorously. This initial experience convinced her to continue in this direction. “I was in the minority, but in the end, we all worked together,” she rejoices. “It was this understanding and the opportunity to participate in the life of the community that I enjoyed,” analyzes the retiree.
She served as a municipal councilor until 2001 and then as deputy in charge of finances in Meslin until 2014. After a break due to health issues, Colette Le Boucher returned for six years as an opposition elected official in the Lamballe-Armor city hall, as Meslin had merged with the latter in 2016.
A demanding commitment that inevitably impacted her family life. The former nurse remembers a remark made by her daughter: “Mom, do you want us to set up a bed for you in the town hall?” She was struck by this comment. “At that moment, I realized that I had pushed the limit too far,” she admits. Despite everything, when asked if she has any regrets, she emphatically declares, “No, never. I am proud to have participated in all these mandates.”
In her 31-year political career, Colette Le Boucher has seen many projects, some of which have left a lasting impression on her. One such project was the compromise on the merger of schools in Meslin and Trégénestre. “I wanted each village to maintain its identity. In the end, I realized that the construction of the school group was beneficial for everyone,” she admits. However, she would have liked to change certain things, such as the Urban Planning Plan of Meslin being too long. Colette Le Boucher remains satisfied with her commitment, despite a challenging final mandate, which she defines as the biggest difficulty she has encountered. “We were not involved as a minority. While we were all elected officials, each with their own skills to bring,” she bitterly observes.
Even though she is retiring from politics, Colette Le Boucher does not want to completely distance herself. “I think I will attend town council meetings from time to time,” she confides. As for the future of Lamballe-Armor, she watches closely what will happen next. “I only wish one thing, that the commune of Lamballe continues to develop and that there is better harmony. So now, whether it’s a right-wing policy, I’ll wait and see.”
Nevertheless, Colette Le Boucher wants to remain close to her fellow citizens, especially through her involvement in associations. “I need it, I need this social connection,” she justifies. Between the twinning committee, the Trégénestre festival committee, the organization committee of the Meslin Telethon, her role as administrator at the rural family home of Lamballe, and her treasurer role at the Saint-Brieuc Hospitaliers’ Club, her schedule remains busy even in her second retirement.
