George A. Codding, Jr., Governing the Commune of Veyrier: Politics in Swiss Local Government, 1967.
Preface The official history of the Commune of Veyrier sets forth three main features which tend to differentiate it from other communes in the same general area.1 The first and foremost is the Saleve, an imposing mass of rock of some 17 miles in length and over 3,000 feet in height, which rises almost vertically out of the plain just a few hundred yards from the southern border of the commune. It is the rare visitor to the area, or resident for that matter, who can fail to be awed by the presence of this impressive wall of stone. Depending upon the time of day and the mood of the onlooker, the Saleve has been described as both dazzling and sinister.2 The second feature is the wide curve of the Arve river which marks the northeastern boundary of the commune. The wide, muddy Arve, rushing madly down the mountains, seems to take up a more stately pace as it passes along the border of Veyrier. The third feature mentioned in the history of Veyrier is the existence of several relatively large wooded areas, the sole survivors of the time far back in history when the entire surface of what is now the commune was heavily wooded.
While a knowledge of these three features would undoubtedly be adequate to permit a resident of the general area to locate Veyrier without a great deal of difficulty, the outsider would probably need more. It would be important to know that the commune of Veyrier is situated in the canton of Geneva, just about three and one-half miles south of the city of Geneva. It would also be of help to know that the Arve river separates the commune of Veyrier from several other communes (the largest in size is Chene-Bourgiers), most of which are now little better than physical extensions of the ever-growing city of Geneva. To the west and north, Veyrier is bounded directly by the commune of Carouge, the second largest commune in population in the canton and one which in reality has become a part of the city of Geneva. Veyrier is still preserved from the fate of Carouge and other communes like it by the presence of the Arve on one side and a mile or so of green fields which separate it from Carouge on the other.
Another very important feature of the commune of Veyrier is that it is bounded on its entire southern side by the French Department of Haute Savoie. The dominant and domineering Saleve, in fact, is wholly within French territory. This frontier is very close to the village of Veyrier, in some cases running just at the back of the flower gardens of its residents. The customs post in Veyrier is thus a busy one, receiving a daily movement of French into the canton to work or shop, mostly in the city of Geneva, and the reverse tide of Genevese who make a visit to the French countryside an almost weekly ritual.
The commune of Veyrier has been subjected to a number of stresses and strains over the years. In response, its community leaders have established certain goals which they believe will permit the commune to provide for the needs of its inhabitants. The three major goals are orderly growth; preservation, as long as possible, of the unique character of the commune; and provision of a community-centered leisure and recreation facility.
The reason why these goals should have been chosen by its leaders, the manner in which these goals are being pursued, and the political machinery available for their pursuit will be treated in the following pages. The first chapter is devoted to a brief discussion of the over-all Swiss political system, especially the canton of Geneva, in order to locate the commune of Veyrier politically as well as geographically. The second chapter contains a brief description of Veyrier, both the land and its people, necessary to an understanding of the functions of the system. The third chapter deals with the politics of the commune, including a description of the interest groups and the political parties, as well as the socio-political communication network. The fourth and fifth chapters are concerned with the two major organs of communal government, the legislative and the executive. The sixth and concluding chapter provides an overview of the many different tasks involved in administering the commune of Veyrier, including the important problem of financing.
This book could not have been written without the help of many people. The cooperation of the members of the government of the commune of Veyrier, which was given with such willingness and grace, was essential. These included the mayor, M. Genet, and both of his deputies, M. Bordier and M. Pougnier, as well as the secretary to the mayor, M. Monjon, who knows so much about the commune and who was quite willing to take the time to place the necessary material at my disposal. There were also several members of the municipal council and just plain interested citizens who gave generously of their time. The author also owes a debt of gratitude to several cantonal officials, especially those in the bureaus of statistics and elections.
The most important individual of all, however, was M. Frangois J. Hugon, who has a strong interest in the affairs of his community. M. Hugon has been active in communal affairs since World War II, and for sixteen years has served as an active member of the communal council. He was always available to give his advice, to introduce the author to anyone he wished to meet, and to include him in many of the more important of the commune's social activities. This book could not have been written without the help of M. Frangois J. Hugon, bouliste, philosopher, politician, gourmet, and good friend.
A special note of thanks is due to my colleague, Professor John Buechner, Director of the Bureau of Governmental Service, who suggested .that I undertake this study and who has provided much advice and counsel. I am also greatly indebted to Professor William O. Winter for reading the text and for his comments, as I am to Professor Royal Sloan. Mr. John Goormaghtigh of the European Center of the Carnegie Endowment made many helpful suggestions. The photograph is by A. Rey, Veyrier. Mrs. Lisbeth Stanek typed the manuscript.
It should be noted that the materials that were the basis of the manuscript were gathered in the academic year 1965-66 when I held a faculty fellowship for research granted by the University of Colorado.
Of importance almost beyond description at every stage of the manuscript was that help rendered by Yolanda Codding and the boys, George III and William.
The author remains responsible for any inaccuracies which remain despite all of this help.
Notes 1 Pierre Bertrand, Veyrier: Histoire de la Commune (Geneva: Edite par la Municipality 1963), pp. 9-10.
2 Even at night or when it is obscured by fog, residents of the commune claim to "feel" its presence. Ibid., p. 19.