Which of These 4 Will Be Geneva's Next 5th Ward Alderman?

There are big shoes to fill in Geneva's 5th Ward, and four people so far have volunteered to try fill them.

When Ralph Dantino passed away on President's Day, he left a void not only in the community but on the City Council after deciding to seek re-election. He died before the election, and the city has been seeking appointees to serve two years.

A Freedom of Information Act request filed by blogger Jeff Ward indicates that four candidates have applied for the position.

They are:

• 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 presidnet of Riverbank Laboratories, Inc.
• Jerry Cass Jr.—a 21-year employee of the city of St. Charles, presently working in the Electric Division.

Fesi is an eight-year resident of Geneva who says he can bring a “common man" perspective to the position. 

He's a volunteer for the Kane County Forest Preserve and has become heavily involved with the clean-up and restoration of The Fabyan Forest East Project. He's been involved in the development and future use of the Settleŕs Hill site and currently sit on the Fox Run Homeowners Association Board. 

"Being in a management position for 13 years with a fire district l understand the integrity, loyalty and responsibility that is required of a public employee," he wrote in his cover letter. "As a past automotive and truck service manager l understand public expectations. As a manager l have overseen operations of as many as 30 direct reports. I have hiring and disciplinary experience, and have experience managing budgets. contracts and bids and I know what it means to be fair."

Simonian is a 15-year resident of Geneva and has not missed a single City Councll meeting on Channel 10 or in person during the past five years. He has been active in the Geneva Community Chest.

"I have been an entrepreneur all my life, and I believe that I bring unique perspectives, ideas, solutions and out of the box thinking and problem solving to the city council and city staff," he said in his cover letter. "I feel that the city planning and economic development has to be looked at under a microscope to make sure we don't make a mistake in the direction the city council takes Geneva, especially with the downtown plans. As l mentioned earlier, there needs to be a balance of continuing what has been done for generations and moving in a different direction with some other things that have been done for generations."

Swanson has lived in Geneva for more than 22 years.

"I am a self employed business owner, and have relocated a business from Chicago to Geneva in 1995. My wife and I purchased Riverbank Laboratories in 1999, and successfully relocated this historic business to our present location in the first ward in downtown Geneva. I feel that being both a homeowner and business owner ln Geneva provides me with a solid understanding of the needs of Geneva taxpayers," he said in his cover letter.

"I have a pragmatic approach to problem solving, with a strong background in finance and accounting. l have been on the Board of Directors at the Geneva History Center since 2009, serving as the treasurer for the last two years, and being elected president on March 15 of this year."

Cass has been a resident of Geneva for more than 13 years. He has been a precinct committeeman for three years, has attended various city of Geneva focus groups and has 18 years experience as a union steward.

"It would give me great pleasure to serve as an alderman for the 5th Ward and help be the voice of those in my area," he said in his cover letter. "Specifically, I hope to assist the City of Geneva in the development of vacant property and pursuing additional downtown parking options."

The city's requested deadline for applications closed on April 12, according to a city memo. Fifth Ward Alderman Craig Maladra accepted and reviewed the appointments and will submit three nominations to Mayor Kevin Burns, who will choose from among the appointees. The final decision must go before the full City Council for approval.