So why should we vote for you ?
The question, directed at all three political candidates of the “Grand Debat” (Big Debate) in Nyon came almost at the end of the Wednesday night event, but arguably produced the most interesting answers. Bernadette Nelissen who is commenting on current political events for this site, was present and gives her report below.
“This debate hosted by La Cote newspaper brought a full house of interested townsfolk to the council buildings, all keen to hear the candidate’s views (despite the fact that the Swiss National football team were playing in a World Cup qualifying match the same night).
Jean Meyer answered first on this and said Nyon voters should vote for him because of his excellent knowledge of communal law and communal administration. He also pointed out that it was important to have an overall vision of the issues.
Daniel Rossellat stated that his main focus would be on the three key points that make Nyon a successful, thriving town. Firstly, the 170 associations who organise more than 670 events every year, secondly the shopkeepers who keep the city centre alive and finally, the companies who provide employment. He also mentioned his personal qualities such as his ingenuity, his positive spirit, his vision on the future of Nyon and his excellent network in the region.
Maurice Gay said that we should vote for him because of his previous and existing council experience and also because he felt that the radical party should be represented in the governing body. He also stressed that it was important to be a teamplayer and to work with the current municipaux, which he was looking forward to doing.
The debate was led by Isidore Rapose, chief-editor of La Cote. He made sure that the candidates ventured their views (amongst others) on the social issues, the budget problems, the lack of affordable appartments and the urban development of Nyon.
On the whole, it was felt that Daniel Rossellat took the lead in the debate by demonstrating his ideas and by giving proof of his knowledge of Nyon on the subjects discussed. Jean Meyer did stress the importance of a global vision but seemed less informed on some of the issues.
Maurice Gay, who has the most political experience of the three, suprisingly did not put forth too many new opinions, but he did make an issue of the necessary development of the lake border. The audience agreed with him that supplying a view of Mont Blanc for cars rather than people (the outside car park down at the Rive) is not an example of good urban development.
The candidates are preparing the next two weeks which will be full of activities and meeting the voters of Nyon, it’s still not clear at all who will win this race…….”
Thanks Bernadette, its going to be very interesting. I too was there on Wednesday night. As an outsider to Nyon (someone who has only been here for seven years and who has only recently begun to understand the local political situation) I was interested to see that although these issues being discussed are local ones, they are not unique to Nyon.
Having also lived in seven other countries, I have seen that the question of how a town develops without losing its soul is always a constant topic. So is the cost of affordable housing for young people and for those on low wages. The development of public spaces and where and how to distribute public money has probably been discussed in town councils across the world for millennia. In fact, there was a joke was made that evening by one of the candidates that the Amphitheatre of Nyon was built thousands of years ago, yet still there didn’t seem to be any progress on its development today in 2008.
The joke brought a little light relief to a hot and muggy evening. But despite the heat, no sparks flew, it was very civilised, there was no big bang, unlike the events over at CERN the same day.
However, as Bernadette says “the race is now on” and it’s going to be interesting. Living in Nyon will keep you posted and was out at the weekend taking photos of some of the candidates campaiging in the rain.