Candidate Profile: Genevieve Cerf, Groton Town Council

GROTON, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Groton and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Groton Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Mystic resident Genevieve Cerf tells Patch why she should be elected to Groton Town Council.

How old will you be as of Election Day?

79

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://www.grotonindependents...

Please give us your party affiliation.

Democrat running on Independent slate

Education.

PhD Electrical Engineering, Columbia University, NY

What is your occupation?

Retired AI Researcher & System Architect, Verizon

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Divorced, now with long-time partner. Have 5 siblings and many beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nephews (7 year old twins, and a 3 year old golfing prodigy) whom I dote on!

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

no

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

RTM Town of Groton, 4 terms 2005-2009, 2011-2013, 2021-2023, Groton Town Council 2013-2015

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I spent summers here with my family since birth, and moved back permanently in 2000. I was Treasurer of Groton Open Space Association for 7 years, and became increasingly involved in helping achieve a balance between necessary development and the preservation of the open space we love, as well as our rich maritime heritage. I feel that a majority of the current Town Council doesn't have the experience or political ability to properly judge the complexity and nuances of legislating in a way to both take into account the wishes of the community, and the need for good, to scale, sustainable development. They do only what special interests and staff talk them into, and as such, are not performing the job they were elected to do, which is to oversee staff, not blindly agree with them. In addition, they squabble with each other like middle schoolers, throwing around and changing the rule book capriciously as if it were a weapon rather than a method to enhance good relations and debate. Almost everyone finds their behavior embarrassing and yearns for a more measured, experienced, compromising, common sense set of councilors. I have always engaged in lively debate, but always respected my peers and yielded good-naturedly to the majority vote.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it.

High taxes and affordable housing for all, especially our young people who were raised here and want to stay here, raise their own young families and be near their parents as they age. It is tragic to me that so many of our young people have to move someplace more affordable and that our population is shrinking and aging.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Our group of 5 independents have been activists and very engaged in the community for many years. We are bipartisan/non-partisan, know each other well and agree about the major issues facing Groton. We want more community input, transparency and accountability in our financial affairs, a greater emphasis on fighting climate change and rising sea level, as well as preserving our existing open space and diverse richness of species.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

Democracy has been trampled at the hands of the cliquish majority of this Town Council, and access has been given only to special interests, while being withheld from individual community members.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I'd like to use our new generative AI technology to make access to Town Government documents and processes more accessible to the public. I feel democracy is only as strong as the citizen support it gets. I'd also like work with our school board and administrators to put more STEM in the classrooms. The kids are more than ready for that!

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I've served 5 terms on the RTM and the Groton Town Council, and have been a member of many boards and commissions. I taught hundreds of students at Columbia, and had many different projects while working at Verizon, many of which I was project manager for. I enjoy working in teams and helping the team achieve success in a harmonious way!

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Learn to listen in depth. People are so interesting!

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I really love Groton, and everything about it! I want to preserve our traditions, and move into the future with grace!