Our Village Says ‘No’ to Extravagance, ‘Yes’ to Compromise (and New Neighbors!)

Last night, our village assembly, the twice-yearly gathering where grassroots democracy truly shines, was anything but routine. While the autumn meeting typically focuses on budget approvals, this session brought pivotal decisions on both new citizenship and a hotly debated community building project. The air was thick with anticipation, culminating in a dramatic vote that will shape our village for years to come.

Welcoming New Faces: A Heartwarming Start

Before diving into the fiscal debates, we had the privilege of welcoming a charming young Spanish family applying for village citizenship. After successfully navigating interviews and tests on Swiss politics and culture (and yes, even the ‘respect for the opposite sex’ question, which thankfully posed no issues for this family!), the parents and their two little girls were given a chance to introduce themselves. Their genuine enthusiasm for village life – the sports, the outdoor activities, the community – was clear.

Following their heartfelt presentation, the family briefly stepped out while we cast our votes. The result was a resounding, unanimous “Yes!” They were invited back to a wave of applause, officially becoming our newest fellow citizens. A truly heartwarming moment that set a positive tone for the evening.

The Elephant in the Room: The Double Gymnasium Project

Next up was the main event: the proposed construction credit of Fr. 14.25 million for a new Double Gymnasium Hall, including underground civil protection facilities for 200 people and a variety of rooms for clubs and youth activities, based on the prize-winning “Libelle” project. This wasn’t a sudden proposal; it has a significant history:

• 2018: The Municipal Council was first tasked with exploring the need for a new gym.
• 2021-2023: Planning credits were approved, a project competition was held, and the “Libelle” design was selected.
• June 2024: Our citizens’ assembly actually voted in favor of the Double Hall variant and approved initial planning credits. At this point, the estimated cost was around Fr. 15.38 million.
• Nov 2024: To fund this, the Council proposed raising the municipal tax rate from 74% to 82%. The assembly initially approved this. However, the citizens decide themselves how much tax they are willing to pay.
• Feb 2025: A referendum was launched by an inter-party committee, and the voters overwhelmingly rejected the 82% tax rate, largely due to the high project costs.
• April 2025: Consequently, the 2025 budget was approved with the tax rate remaining at 74%.

Despite this complex history and the clear message from the referendum, the council, bound by the earlier June 2024 decision, presented the full construction credit last night.

A Debate, a Demand for Secrecy, and a Dramatic Vote

The discussion around the Fr. 14.25 million proposal was, as expected, passionate. Some argued it was too luxurious, too expensive, and beyond our village’s means, especially given the recent tax rate rejection. Others passionately pleaded for it, highlighting the desperate need for more space for our sports clubs, music groups, and drama societies, many of whom struggle to find practice venues. They envisioned our village as a central hub, offering a modern facility that other communities could also utilise.

Then came the unexpected twist: a citizen proposed a secret ballot. This was unheard of in our community, where hand-raising votes are the norm. After a quick check of the rules, the Council President confirmed that if 40% of attendees supported it, a secret vote was mandatory. A preliminary hand vote confirmed a majority wanted secrecy – a sign of the deep divisions and perhaps the personal convictions at play.

The ensuing process was a sight to behold! Hundreds of small paper slips were distributed among the 265 citizens present. Pens appeared, heads bowed, and the hum of conversation was replaced by the scratching of individual decisions. The collection and meticulous counting of these slips took a considerable amount of time, testing everyone’s patience.

Finally, the results were announced: the Fr. 14.25 million Double Hall proposal was soundly REJECTED, by roughly a 2-to-1 margin!

The Compromise: A More Affordable Future

The story didn’t end there. Two citizens, who had previously argued for more affordable solutions, immediately stepped forward with counter-proposals. After a rapid-fire series of votes, the assembly rejected a proposal for an Fr. 8 million project but ACCEPTED a proposal for a new project with a maximum budget of Fr. 11 million. Crucially, this new mandate emphasized using a general building project management company, suggesting a desire for cost-efficiency over a grand architectural statement.

So, the council now faces the task of crafting a new gymnasium project, keeping it within the Fr. 11 million ceiling, complete with similar facilities and civil protection rooms. This will undoubtedly take several years, followed by another vote.

Last night was a powerful demonstration of grassroots democracy in action – a testament to our community’s engagement, its readiness to embrace new procedures, and its ability to find a compromise between ambition and fiscal responsibility. We await the next chapter with keen interest!

The official meeting ended at 23:15! I didn’t hang around for the regular get-together with wine and snacks on the house, which was officially extended to 1 am, instead of the usual midnight closing time.