The citizens group that sometimes criticizes local government and elected officials gets a dose of criticism itself on Monday night.
Candidates and elected officials sometimes criticize TaxFACTS privately, but they rarely take the citizens group to task head on, perhaps for the sake of civil discourse or concern about the flak they might receive in response, from the podium or the comments field. Not so for Robert "Larry" Cabeen, the former School Board candidate who gave the TaxFACTS organization a small dose of criticism at Monday night's meeting. "Put your mouth where your money is," Cabeen said. "It might actually cut costs." Cabeen stepped to the podium during the first public comments portion of the Board of Education meeting at Williamsburg Elementary School. He offered well-wishes to the board members who won election and commented on technology spending, for …
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Geneva Library Board President Esther Barclay-Steel shares her thoughts during an election-night interview.
Two Geneva Library Board members who opposed the move of the library from James Street to a new campus at the former Cetron site won election April 9—but so did Geneva Library Board President Esther Barclay-Steel, who has been one of the catalysts and strongest proponents of a new campus. So the question in the wake of the local election is whether there might be a change in the Library Board's philosophy, point of view or momentum. The answer probably is no. Although Steve Andersson voted against purchasing the Cetron property in February, 2011, he has by no means been an impediment to the process, as Barclay-Steel points out in the election-night interview presented here. The other candidate to win election is Mark Adams, who has said …
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11:37 am on Monday, April 15, 2013
We had that argument last week. And while one municipal election won't kill the everyone for themselves tea party mentality, it was still refreshing to know that most Geneva residents still supported hitting it on the nose with a newspaper. more ›
Morning-After Pill: What actually happened last night?
It's time to play Wednesday-morning quarterback and take a look at the various election results—for the sake of reasoned political analysis and just for the fun of it. In the higher-profile April 9 elections—mayor, School Board, 1st Ward alderman, Library Board and Park Board—voters for the most part sent metaphorical Facebook likes to the incumbents. This might be a rash over-simplification, but township government often is about who's in with the (good-old-boy) in-crowd. That wasn't the case in a couple instances in this election. This probably should have been the lead and its own, standalone story. Carreiro was all set with his petition to be the only candidate on the ballot for township clerk—but hold on there, young man. The in-crowd…
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9:21 am on Friday, April 12, 2013
@ Angela, I wish you the best. You are very passionate regarding your fears and beliefs. It's unfortunate that you aren't able to channel that passion and energy in a more positive direction. I'm going to take your suggestion and call Mike Fortner's office. We really need to get our State Reps working for us. This state is a mess and if it goes under we are locally in big trouble. Anyways, it is … more ›
Voters on Tuesday said they liked what the Geneva School Board has been doing these past four years—and that incumbency and community involvement matter.
When Geneva School Board members met with Geneva Education Association representatives across the bargaining table in 2012, Geneva saw perhaps for the first time in its history a disagreement between faculty and elected officials strong enough to make a teachers strike a very real possibility. It was a trial by fire for the board, for educators, for parents and students, and for the community as a whole, which ended with a signed contract, hopes for healing and the promise of continued academic success. On Tuesday night, School District 304 voters said thank you by supporting two incumbent School Board members and by adding two candidates who represent School Board and finance experience as well as deeply-layered community involvement. …
1:58 pm on Thursday, April 11, 2013
I'm very comfortable with the reelection of Grosso and Wilson to the school board. I think they have both showed good judgement and leadership over the last four years. In Bills case the last TWELVE. Wilson might be a bit of a school board junkie but his heart is in it. :) Very happy to see David Lamb elected to the board. He is passionate about education and it's really good that the community … more ›
This race was about quality city services, statemanship and experience versus property-tax relief, activism and change. In the end, tradition and experience won.
If Tuesday's election was a referendum between experienced, traditional, well-run city government versus a public outcry for property-tax relief, tradition was the decisive winner. Incumbent Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns won a fourth term over challenger Bob McQuillan, 2,114-1,401, a margin of victory that reflects about a 60-40 decision in favor of the incumbent. "When you stripped away all the rhetoric and you actually focused on what really had been accomplished, I think people understand that some pretty doggone good things have been done in Geneva over the past 12 years," Burns said. McQuillan, one of the co-founders of the Geneva TaxFACTS citizens group, challenged the mayor primarily on one issue: to keep property taxes and government …
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9:53 pm on Sunday, April 14, 2013
Casual conversation with friends and associates in town have led me to believe that the vast majority have no clue about local politics. The 'patch junkies' are a definite minority. Ask 5 friends about 'enrollmentgate' and you'll get a blank stare from 4 of them." Zac? Oh he's that kid, right?" "Burns? Oh, he's funny and said hi to me at Trader Joe's once." Hey, at least we went from 16 to 23% - … more ›
Now that the polls have closed, follow our site for live results to learn who won and by how much in all your Geneva races. We'll be updating this post throughout the night as votes are tallied.
The results are finally rolling in. The above list gives you the results for all your local races and will be updated regularly as vote totals become available.
12:16 pm on Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Here's some interesting information about an elected official: http://countyleaks.blogspot.com/2013/04/tweets-twits-tax-dollars-joe-birkett.html more ›
If you've voted, tell us how it went! If you haven't, here are some tips from someone who's recently been there, done that.
"I Voted." The sticker says it all, but never enough. Every time I vote I'm reminded of how lucky and grateful I am to live in Geneva, IL, in the United States of America, in the 21st century, stoked up on my large, $1 McCafe coffee and participating in what may well be—for all its faults—the greatest democracy in the history of planet Earth. That said, I want to make your voting in this local election as easy as possible, so here are a few Geneva-centric reminders and advice as you head to your polling places, based on my recent, personal experience. Read up before you vote. There are a lot of local races, and you don't want to be deciding based on whatever name sounds "nice." Geneva Election Central is one place to look first. Be sure to…
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4:58 pm on Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Thanks, Rick! Corrected now. That's Geoffrey Carreiro as write-in for Geneva Township clerk. more ›
Before you go to the voting booth, check out this source for a list of candidates and links to other articles on Patch and other sites.
As of noon April 8, Bob McQuillan leads Mayor Kevin Burns in our completely unofficial and unscientific Patch poll. Write a comment about the candidate you support, sign your name and keep it positive, please.
As of noon April 8, Leslie Juby leads seven other School Board candidates in our unscientific Patch poll. Write a comment about the candidate you support, sign your name and keep it positive, please. Unfortunately, you can only pick one candidate.
John R
2:36 pm on Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Gdt, this will be my last exchange, with whoever you are, as I've said this can be exhausting. What I said was "They are mean and spiteful". They being some of the people who identify with and advocate for TF. Maybe they are wonderful people but are just misunderstood. Who knows and who really cares. All I care about is figuring out a way to keep our property taxes in check. And you know what my … more ›