Emilio Martinenghi, remembering Geo Mantegazza, you mentioned the ease of contact afforded by the small Ticino community as an important element in the city's social relations. Can we elaborate on this?
It's undoubtedly a fact that, in a small community like Lugano's even in the middle of the last century, families with strong ties to the area through tradition, profession, or business were relatively few in number, and consequently, connections, or at least opportunities for encounters, were more frequent. Added to this is the very special situation of the Mantegazza family, already well-known for the success of the two brothers' entrepreneurial ventures and later becoming extremely popular following Geo's role as president of the Lugano Hockey Club.
The sporting environment, however, was not only linked to cheering for a winning team…
This is an aspect worth highlighting. In Ticino, practicing a sport or multiple disciplines was not uncommon. In particular, before the advent of other sporting phenomena, it was common to meet on the youth soccer fields and, in other capacities, on the ice of the Resega (now Corner Arena) or the Valascia. This also meant coming into contact with a world that was taken as a model of behavior and the transmission of values. In this sense, too, the figure of Geo Mantegazza is emblematic: after being a champion soccer player and an excellent skier, he linked his name to the world of hockey. And the Resega, just as it had been the soccer field of old Lugano, became, thanks to its champions, its personalities, its coaches, and its managers, a true training ground for young people, a point of reference not only in sport but also as a healthy and positive environment, a place for training and a place to start a career. This is certainly the great strength and significant social impact that team sports with strong local ties can still have today.
Speaking of Geo Mantegazza's entrepreneurial journey and his achievements, is it possible to recognize a particular style in carrying out his projects?
I'd say that Geo, like his brother Sergio, have undoubtedly demonstrated that they have something extra. They deserve recognition for their ability to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, an attitude that prioritizes long-term vision. This also means having an open mind, using critical thinking, and being able to seek solutions, not problems. This is true in the large-scale private and public projects, which Geo, in particular, spearheaded, also in his capacity as an engineer.
Another element that can perhaps be linked to their authentic Ticinese way of being is the great discretion with which they generally conducted their business, avoiding unnecessary competitive situations and always maintaining a sense of detachment and great confidentiality, while making their presence felt in all circumstances where their participation and support were required.
Great discretion is also the hallmark of his professional career....
I consider it an essential value, even if in the media-driven and digital age it seems limiting. In reality, discretion and confidentiality are and always must be part of our Swiss culture. I have also always tried to apply a dose of pleasure and passion to the things I do, combined with a common denominator: the way I express myself in various fields, remaining authentic whenever possible and not conditioned by the eventual outcome of my activities. In other words, I am more concerned with how I act than with what I think I will achieve. With this spirit, I have tried, together with my partners and all my colleagues, to shape the WMM Group, which has been offering services in the fields of tax and corporate consulting, wealth management, and real estate management and brokerage since 1972. Alongside a passion for our work, I believe that expertise and a connection to the local community must be cornerstones of our daily consulting activities. When a client turns to a professional, they are not only entrusting the management of their assets, but also their history, their personal and corporate values.
Based on your experience, have you managed to apply this philosophy of yours in the field of political activity as well?
«A balance sheet can never be definitive.'political activity It allowed me to get to know the people and the region, to receive input and criticism, and also to participate in the social life of the Canton. I began my political career at a time when there was a pre-established, village-like system, where everyone knew each other and you felt directly involved. In any case, I served for 28 years on the City Council and in various other roles, including eight years as Mayor of Cureglia. I thought it was time to make room for those who came after me and wanted to get involved. So for ten years I no longer thought about politics; of course I followed it, but never actively and without expressing my ideas publicly. Later, for a period of four years, I had the opportunity to participate in the presidential office of the PLRT, and this at the invitation of the current president, Alessandro Speziali, my opponent in the 2020 presidential race.
What would you like to help achieve over the next few years?
As a simple citizen, example counts, and with this, I hope to help shape a courageous and uncompromising mentality, with an entrepreneurial spirit and risk-taking attitude, where the principles of solidarity are prioritized, through recognition and respect for individual well-being and development. Everyone should be able to aspire to their own success, including economic success. Therefore, a Canton where it is possible to dream of improving one's social status and which has a profound sense of respect for all citizens.
Getting down to specifics, what is the priority choice that should be made to grow and consolidate the Canton's economic fabric?
A much-needed change has been made to personal taxation in Ticino. This has meant maintaining the progressive nature of the tax burden, while bringing it back to levels proportionate to the average of the other cantons in the Confederation. Today, Ticino is no longer among the lowest-ranked taxpayers; instead, it ranks in the middle class for the middle class and is very attractive to low-income earners. This fact alone makes one reflect on the need for even a minor reform of the tax system. Some cantons have already understood that good taxpayers should not be let go. Individual wealth benefits the community, creates economic benefits, and generates a redistributive force that favors the economically vulnerable.
My attention now turns more to economic and financial policy. Contrary to center-right thinking, I am convinced that public debt should not and cannot be an untouchable dogma. Quite the opposite; the function of debt is to enable investments, both in infrastructure and in research, education, and culture, which can equip our society with what it needs for emancipation. Debt must be managed, not rejected outright. This way, we will leave tangible assets, not stall the economic cycle, and promote interest in our region and the quality of life of its citizens.
In his life, full of interests and activities aimed at enriching the spirit, painting occupies an important place…
I began painting around 2010, searching for a technique that would allow me to vigorously express a dynamic relationship with the canvas. Consequently, I chose to work with acrylic and oil, layering multiple layers, which are often erased and modified to achieve depth and texture. But it's a long and painstaking process; the work can last months, and I consider it complete only when the energy imprinted on the canvas returns to my visual and material perception. This artistic streak of mine was born completely by chance and developed as a form of expression that could express who I am and what I think. It's an investigation that renews itself every time the brush or spatula touches the canvas, leading me to an unknown destination. I will continue like this until I can escape the pursuit of a predetermined result. This is my nature, and I intend to remain faithful to it.
My memory of Geo
My personal history has intertwined on many occasions with that of Geo Mantegazza. My earliest memories date back to my school days, when I was in the same class with his son Claudio. It was through sport that I met Mario on the youth teams of Hockey Club Lugano, and recently, as a member of the Academy Foundation, I got to know Vicky better, whose passion and dedication to sport I admire. I am grateful to Fabio Gaggini, a person very close to Geo, for involving me in the foundation's activities. This rekindled my passion for the sport and brought me back into contact with many old friends, always under the spotlight of Geo.
Among our mutual friends, whom I'm pleased to mention, are the families of Cuccio Viglezio and Tullio Righinetti. The former was a merchant and the latter a pharmacist. These were people from the Lugano era who were very close to Geo and who encouraged him to assume the role of president.
In this regard an episode that I'm pleased to tell you about a dinner I organized in Engadine at Tullio Righinetti's house. I attended the dinner as my father's replacement. e where I found myself sitting next to Geo. I had only been in the business for a few years and was naturally a little intimidated by someone like him, who exuded such authority. But I was deeply impressed by his ability to immediately put people at ease with his direct and friendly manner. With Geo, it was therefore easy and natural to be on first name terms, which he immediately wanted.
Geo Mantegazza was a gentleman to me, a friend of the people and his city. A man who, with his meticulous attention to detail and sensitivity, won the respect and hearts of many. An entrepreneur who demonstrated courage in taking risks, not only financially but also personally.
