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Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns directly addressed the city’s failed public safety referendum during last week's Tri-Cities Live panel discussion, telling viewers the city is actively meeting with council members and community leaders to understand why the public safety measure failed at the polls.
The referendum was rejected by a wide margin in the March election. Burns said the next phase will involve refining and rethinking the city's approach — with input from residents.
Here's what to know:
Not the intended outcome: Burns acknowledged the city "failed greatly" at the ballot box and said leaders are now working to understand what went wrong. He framed the next phase as a chance to "refine, perhaps recalibrate, to rethink, and then to re-present an opportunity with everyone's input."
Addressing the process narrative: Burns challenged the idea that the plan was rushed or dropped on the community without warning. "There are sometimes comments made that all of a sudden there was this plan approved and it was presented to the community. Nothing could be further from the truth," he said. "The plan was developed over multiple months."
Engagement is central: Burns said an informed and engaged citizenry working alongside the city council remains central to Geneva's strategic plan, and the process "will begin again very soon." He did not specify what form that process will take or when residents might see a new proposal.
Mayor Burns provided his personal cell phone number during the panel and invited residents to text or call him about the referendum or any other city issue.
Watch the full Tri-Cities Live panel discussion.
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