Julliard knows that people in French St. Martin want some institutional evolution and more autonomy from France. The same sentiment is true on the Dutch side of the island. The Dutch are having their own referendum related to their status as a territory of the Netherlands Antilles in June 2000. However, the sous-prefet noted that at the same time locals have financial needs and France has always tried to meet these needs.

"France is a very old country with a very centralized government. The government is asked to decide on many issues," he said. "Now, the system is trying to decentralize a bit. We always refer to the state in France. The state has built up the nation and citizens always come to the state for answers."

Julliard is a busy man. He represents the French government on both the island of St. Martin and the island of St. Barthelemy (St. Barth's). These islands are two departments of the Commune of Guadeloupe. His position is similar to that of Governor Dennis Richardson, his colleague to the south in Dutch St. Maarten. Appointed by President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, the sous-prefet is the official representative of the Guadeloupe-based prefet. The prefet is the official French government representative for all of the French West Indies (FWI).

"I coordinate the duties of the French state government, but I am not involved with the local government," he said. "My first business is law and order on St. Martin and St. Barth's." As an adviser and regulator, Julliard is skilled at working with both local government as well as his superiors in Guadeloupe and France. Many may not realize it, but such a task is quite challenging.

As a resident of St. Martin, but regulator of local government, Julliard knows about negotiation and consensus building. He understands the needs of the local people and he makes sure that their voice is heard in Guadeloupe. This is difficult, as St. Martin is only part of the larger region of Guadeloupe.

"Guadeloupe is like a U.S. state," he said. St. Martin has to compete with the island of St. Barth's and the Commune of Guadeloupe for budgetary assistance funding each year.

The island receives income in the form of taxes from local residents, but also receives assistance from the European Union and France. The FWI compete for this assistance, which is based mainly on population and allocated accordingly. St. Martin has done well the past several years - its budget increases about 10 percent each year.

The government of Guadeloupe is currently finalizing its docup for 2000 to 2006. The docup is a general agreement at a regional scale that involves the EU, France and local FWI governments. About $2 billion is allocated for the Department of Guadeloupe.

Julliard works to see that St. Martin is not left out of the process. He reviews any budget that is approved locally before it is sent to Guadeloupe. Currently, citizens of the island are requesting relief from high water rates.

"We pay as much as $12 per cubic meter for our water," said the past president of the St. Martin Hotel Association, Maurice Perrinmarechal. Perrinmarechal is the general manager of the Hotel Beach Plaza in Marigot and members of his association pay high rates because of water use in their hotels.

Julliard acknowledged that rates are too high. He is working with the prefet of Guadeloupe and local mayor Albert Fleming to resolve what could become a contentious and costly issue. The process could be difficult.

"We need to work together to make the right decision," he said. If all goes according to plan, the budget should be approved by the end of March 2000 and the sous-prefet is committed to getting the water issue resolved as soon as possible as well.

Julliard said that St. Martiners feel far from France and even Guadeloupe, which is only 250 miles south. Nevertheless, he is confident that over time the issues of decentralization, independence and the budget will be worked out. As a leader that works to build consensus, French St. Martiners should be pleased that they have Julliard on their side.

"A lot of people all over the world love St. Martin. They love the beaches and the sun, but more deeply they love the people in St. Martin who are welcoming and friendly. Whether you speak French, Dutch, Spanish or English the people will still welcome you here. I personally think this is more important than beaches and sun," he concluded.