Politics & Government
Some Controversy With 5th Ward Choice of Simonian
A City Council subcommittee chooses Tom Simonian to take the 5th Ward seat held most recently by the late Ralph Dantino, but the council's 7-2 OK comes with concerns about the selection process.
Two Geneva alderman voted against Mayor Kevin Burns' appointment of Tom Simonian to Geneva's 5th Ward seat Monday night.
Newly elected 1st Ward Alderman Mike Bruno cast the first "no" vote, saying he wasn't comfortable with the process. Bruno at first said he was concerned about a "lack of transparency" but later said his primary concern was a lack of information regarding the candidates who applied.
"In the appointment process, the City Council doesn’t see the name or the resume of any applicants for any appointed positions," Bruno said. "It just makes it difficult for me to vote on an issue when I don’t know really what I’m voting on. (It’s) choose between ‘A.’ “
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Bruno's concerns were echoed by 3rd Ward Alderman Dean Kilburg.
"It’s not about Tom Simonian," he said. "I thought we didn’t have sufficient information. I know it’s advise and consent, but it’s consent without at least some minimal information."
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The seat had to be filled by appointment because the incumbent, Ralph Dantino, died in February, without enough time to allow for write-in candidates to make a bid for the 5th Ward seat. Dantino's family was present Monday night, as Dantino was remembered fondly by the City Council.
Simonian will serve two years, until the spring election in 2015.
The process of choosing a replacement alderman was announced in prior to the April election. Fifth Ward Alderman Craig Maladra was selected to interview candidates, and he solicited help from 3rd Ward Alderman Dawn Vogelsberg.
Four candidates submitted their names for consideration:
- Augi Fesi Jr.—a former head of vehicle maintenance for the Carol Stream Fire Protection District.
- Tom Simonian—founder and CEO of Incentives, Inc. and Array Enterprises, Inc.
- Robert Swanson—CEO, CFO and president of Riverbank Laboratories, Inc.
- Jerry Cass Jr.—a 21-year employee of the city of St. Charles, presently working in the Electric Division.
"I think we were very transparent," Maladra said. "There was no secrecy at all. Whether every member of this council had a piece of the control, maybe that’s an issue. But as far as being transparent, I don’t understand how we fall on the outside of that."
Burns said Simonian wasn't selected because he agrees with the administration's policies or any set agenda.
"We’ve disagreed on many (issues), we’ve agreed on others," Burns said. "But we’ve always had, I think, a very strong and positive relationship, (such) that we can disagree yet still remain focused on what remains important, and that’s the community, pure and simple."
Simonian said he has watched every Geneva City Council meeting on Channel 10 for the past five years, and he's been active in the Community Chest and many other civic enterprises. He actively opposed the establishment of a South Geneva Historic Preservation Distict in 2011, saying the city does not need to legislate what a homeowner can or can't do with his or her own property.
"I look forward with working with each and every one of you and challenging each and every one of you," Simonian said to the City Council. "You’ll hear everything I have to say and everything I feel. I’m not a political guy—it’s probably a mistake that I’m on television. I look forward to working with the city and making Geneva a great place to live and be part of for years to come."
