In the first hours of candidate filing, it's incumbent Mayor Kevin R. Burns versus TaxFACTS member Robert (Bob) McQuillan, and in the 1st Ward, Michael Bruno versus Zachary J. Ploppert.
It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings, but already there are two contested races for city of Geneva offices up for grabs in the April 9 election.
In the first hours of candidate filing, three-term incumbent Mayor Kevin Burns faces off against Bob McQuillan, one of the co-founders of the Geneva TaxFACTS citizens group.
And in the race for 1st Ward alderman, to replace the irreplaceable Sam Hill, Historic Preservation Commission member Michael Bruno goes toe to toe with community activist Zachary J. Ploppert.
There's still plenty of time for folks to submit nominating petitions—until 5 p.m. Dec. 26, in fact—and of course, there's a period of time that nominating petitions can be challenged. That said, it's not unusual for the ballot to be pretty much decided in the first hours of filing.
Three citywide offices will be on the April 9 ballot. In addition to the Burns-versus-McQuillan mayoral contest, Lynn P. Landberg is seeking to return as city clerk and Patrick J. McQueeny is running again for the treasurer position.
There are actually six aldermanic contests for Geneva's five wards this time around, due to the two-year term to fill the remainder of Bob Piper's 2nd Ward position. Piper resigned in at the end of 2011 because he had moved out of the ward and no longer met the residency requirements. Burns appointed former Library Board member Don Cummings to fill the seat through the April election.
Cummings said Monday night that he would submitting his petition later in the week.
Four other incumbents are seeking another four-year term and filed Monday. They are:
Jon Azavedo
8:26 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
How come whenever I see Tubby Burns pic, I think of swine and bacon? SUUUUUUEEEYYYY!!
Mike Bruno
1:18 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Such comments say far more about you, Jon, than Mr. Burns.