Editor’s Note: The following is an op-ed written by Michael Salotto, one of the candidates running for Geneva City Council in Ward 6. The election is slated for March 12. Op-ed’s and letters to the editor can be submitted to [email protected].
For the past seven years, I have been a proud homeowner here in Geneva’s sixth ward. During that time, I’ve been actively involved in our community, working to make it a better place for all our residents.
But I’ve also seen the considerable turnover that has occurred in the Ward 6 City Council seat. Since the passing of John Greco, Geneva’s longest serving city councilor, in 2019, Ward 6 has had 4 different councilors. That is an average span of just over 10 months per councilor, excluding the 7 months the ward did not have representation at all.
This makes the upcoming special election on March 12 especially important. Ward 6 is due for a councilor who is ready and willing to put the time in to ensure our residents have a consistent voice on council. I believe I am that ideal councilor.
As a school counselor, I know the importance of making empathic and meaningful connections when having difficult conversations. It is nearly impossible to have someone see your point of view if you are unwilling to see theirs. It is my hope to bring this sentiment to council and to build a rapport with all of its members. From previous conversations I’ve had, I’d like to think that I already have positive relationships with many of the current and former city councilors, even when I have strongly disagreed with some of their votes. My desire to build positive working relationships with other elected officials extends to the county and state level as well, as is seen through building strong collaborative ties with county supervisors John Pruett and Jim Kennedy.
My empathic approach has the added benefit of being politically pragmatic, too. There isn’t a single person that has the best answers to all of the challenges…
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