In Their Own Words: Here's Why You Should Vote for 1st Ward Aldermanic Candidate Esther Barclay

I am excited about the opportunity to serve the residents of the 1st Ward as an Alderman for the City of Geneva. I also want to thank all of the people who have voiced their support and offers of help and encouragement throughout this election process.

Geneva has a proud history and has been referred to as the “Jewel of the Fox Valley.” That kind of reputation comes from a dedication that flows throughout the community. It takes a commitment from many to maintain that reputation. 

As an alderman, I feel I will be able to further my contribution to the community.  For many years I have served on multiple committees and boards. It takes hour of hard work and care to make Geneva what it is. I feel as a candidate for the 1st Ward, I bring a great deal of experience in public service to the residents and a proven commitment to the community as a whole.

As we continue down a road of uncharted territory regarding the economy and the future of our town, it is imperative the leadership is dedicated to guide the city through. The city will need to listen to the concerns of the residents taking seriously the fiduciary responsibility of the tax dollars.   

It is a time to commit not only to the next four years, but to eight or 12 years of service. The recovery of the economy will only be the beginning. We need to plan now to maintain a positive future for Geneva while working within the constraints of the current economic environment. Time will not stand still and neither should the vision for the future.

The residents of Geneva have come to expect a level of service and they deserve to get exactly that. I believe that is attainable with careful planning and diligence. With the downtown master plan, we have the opportunity to put into motion a formalized plan that will support the community’s vision of the future. While I will be new to the council, I will not be new to the expectations of this community or the requirements of service.  

 From the high school and residential areas to the downtown, the 1st Ward is representative of a wide range of the characteristics of our city. The voices of the residents who live in the 1st ward and the concerns and expectations they have are extremely important to me.

An important aspect of the 1st Ward is the downtown. The council needs to stay focused on the viability of our downtown and the voices of the business owners must be heard. The 1st ward also encompasses a wide range of public facilities. This community has expressed repeatedly the concerns they have regarding maintaining the small town feel that comes with maintaining the public facilities in the downtown area.

Along with the basic services that the city needs to continue to provide, I believe it is incumbent upon the city council to establish a solid philosophical base for supporting and encouraging green initiatives in the community. I truly believe in the idea of leading by example and I think that our taxing bodies can do a lot to enhance the communities overall approach to sustaining our environment for the future generations.

I am so proud of the fact that we have adopted so many environmentally-friendly processes, but there is a lot more to do. It is a process that can take a long time as we are changing in many cases mindsets that have been in place for generations.   

I think even more now than ever before we need to cooperate and work together for the common good of the community. Avoiding duplication of services wherever possible. I believe strongly in the cooperation of the taxing bodies and have worked tirelessly to further that cause over the years. This includes becoming more of a partner with neighboring communities and the county.  

I hope to have the opportunity to earn the confidence of the residents of the 1st Ward and please know that I will do everything in my power to respond to all concerns quickly and with results. Thank you for your concern and the love we share for our hometown.

Editor's note: Geneva Patch invited candidates in contested races for Park Board, City Council and School Board to write their own autobiographical introductions and final essays. You can read them all in the Elections 2011 tab at the top of the home page.