Patrice Bertheau: 2025 candidate for Geneva City Council Ward 5

Bio

Office Sought: Geneva City Council Ward 5

City: Geneva

Age: 65

Occupation: Retired

Previous offices held: Precinct committeeman

What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the city council respond to it?

Geneva faces a significant challenge with the state of its public service infrastructure. Over decades, there has been a notable neglect in routine maintenance and investment in key public safety systems. This issue has profound implications for the city's functionality, economy, and the daily lives of its residents.

A withdrawn referendum has eroded public trust and left Geneva without any concrete answers from the city.

Solutions needed are:

• A comprehensive assessment of public infrastructure to identify most urgent needs

• Implementation of a phased repair and upgrade plan

• Allocation of funds specifically for infrastructure maintenance and development

• Establish a long-term infrastructure fund to ensure continuous investment, avoiding future neglect

• Transparent collaboration with residents

• Exploration of alternative funding options

There must be a commitment from city officials to prioritize infrastructure over short-term political gains. This includes resisting pressures to divert funds to more visible but less urgent projects.

How would you describe the state of your community's finances? What should be the top priorities for spending during the next few years? Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed?

The pulled referendum proposal in Geneva indicates inadequate finances for essential infrastructure, particularly public safety systems. This move suggests a need for public endorsement to fund projects beyond the city's current fiscal capacity.

Prioritizing spending on public safety aims to address long-standing neglect, focusing on critical areas that enhance both business attraction and homeowner retention through improved livability and property values.

The strategy includes targeting “critical path” investments for immediate benefits, advocating for phased implementation, and possibly setting up dedicated infrastructure funds to ensure continuous investment.

This approach not only seeks to tackle immediate infrastructure issues but also aims to foster economic growth and community stability. The referendum reflects a broader strategy of involving citizens in fiscal decisions, aiming for transparency and accountability in how public funds are utilized for long-term city development.

What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?

The most critical infrastructure projects in Geneva involve the long-neglected public safety systems, which have been overlooked for decades. Even more pressing is the Geneva dam, where its removal would be an ecological and economic disaster.

City officials have failed to conduct thorough due diligence on the actual costs involved, neglecting to incorporate these expenses into strategic planning or budgeting.

Full funding plans have been secured to modify the dam with a stair-step spillway, addressing the public safety issue and associated liability, effectively reducing the cost of keeping the dam to nearly zero.

In contrast, the unfunded costs of dam removal are projected to be in the millions, presenting a stark financial decision for the city. Despite being clearly communicated through a series of letters and presentations, the city has ignored the issue, erroneously dismissing it as beyond their jurisdiction.

Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach an agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your city council.

My extensive experience in group settings spans managing corporate teams, serving on various boards and committees, and leading as chairman for a diverse volunteer charity board. These roles have honed my ability to navigate complex discussions and conflicting interests to reach consensus.

I've learned that effective agreement often stems from clear communication, active listening, and the strategic alignment of individual goals with collective objectives. This experience translates directly to municipal decision-making, where I apply these skills to foster collaborative environments that produce actionable, community-beneficial decisions.

By ensuring all voices are heard and integrating diverse viewpoints, I help drive effective actions and decisions that reflect the city's multifaceted needs and aspirations.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

My love for this community profoundly shapes my approach to local governance. I carry this passion into every group setting, whether it's managing corporate teams or chairing community boards, ensuring that all decisions and actions are not only effective but also deeply aligned with the community's needs and aspirations.

What’s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

Technology has conditioned us to expect immediate answers and updates in all facets of life, yet our city government has not kept pace with this evolution. Communication remains clunky, with a lack of transparency and responses to inquiries often taking days or even weeks.

To address this, I would advocate for the implementation of IT solutions that facilitate real-time communication. This would include systems for tracking service requests, providing instant updates on permitting statuses, and giving the public direct access to information about upcoming city council votes, thereby fostering a more engaged and informed community.