Saturday, April 13, 2013
Tri-Cities residents, Patch wants to hear from you on the issues that affect you and your neighbors.
Welcome to Tri-Cities Talk—a regular feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on current issues facing Geneva, Batavia and St. Charles. Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked the Tri-Cities community in recent days on local Patch Facebook pages. This week's election saw the reelection of two longtime Tri-Cities mayors. Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns won his fourth term, and Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke was reelected after more than 30 years in office. Meanwhile, St. Charles elected new mayor Raymond Rogina since Donald DeWitte decided not to seek another term after 20 years as an elected official for the city—eight as mayor and 12 as alderman. That brings us to this week's …
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
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 …
Friday, April 5, 2013
In the last forum before April 9, the two candidates for Geneva mayor make clear who they are and what they stand for.
Unfortunately for all of us, I shot video of the opening statements instead of the closing and Q&A portions of Thursday night's candidates forum hosted by the League of Women Voters at the Kane County Branch Court. I say "unfortunately," because the opening statements don't tell the whole story. By the end of the night, the distinctions between Geneva mayoral candidates Kevin Burns and Bob McQuillan could not have been more apparent. At issue is a fundamental philosophy about the role of local government—a theme that's carried, not only in the contest for mayor, but in the races for School Board, 1st Ward alderman, library and park board seats. Do we want less government or sustainable government? An emphasis on property tax relief or …
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Patch on Politics: Win or lose on April 9, the TaxFACTS co-founder gains ground simply in the act of running.
The 2013 Geneva election campaign already is full of surprises, not the least of which is that Bob McQuillan—a guy some folks branded as a villain and a troublemaker—has a shot at becoming the next mayor of Geneva. There are a number of reasons McQuillan could win election on April 9, and some of them have to do with numbers. The hard truth is that very few of us vote in local elections—a couple thousand votes can win it—and any candidate with a good ground game has a chance. Wear out enough shoe leather, knock on enough doors, encourage enough folks to vote early, and you have a formula for an election upset. Add to that McQuillan's core support group, the TaxFACTS organization he co-founded, plus the 5-1 or even 10-1 "we-can't-afford-…
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
The Geneva TaxFACTS co-founder says "it is the responsibility of elected officials to make sure that expenses are maintained at the lowest possible level." He faces Kevin R. Burns in the April 9 race for Geneva mayor.
ROBERT (BOB) McQUILLAN — CANDIDATE FOR GENEVA MAYOR Your Name: Robert (Bob) McQuillan Position Sought: Mayor of Geneva Campaign Contact Information Home Address: 2677 Berkshire Drive, Geneva, IL 60134 Family Members Education Current Occupation and Employer: Self employed sales consultant at the Dialogue Company Political Party Affiliation: Republican Why Are You Seeking Office? To serve the residents of Geneva in a honest, professional manner. What will be your single most important priority if you get elected? Work with the City Council and professional staff to make decisions with the best interest of the residents in mind. What sets you apart from the other candidate? Business and life experience. Issue 1: What will you do to …
The incumbent says reasons to vote for him are "continuity of demonstrated leadership and the spirit of teamwork with the Geneva City Council, professional staff, appointed officials and volunteers." He faces Robert (Bob) McQuillan in the April 9 election
KEVIN R. BURNS — CANDIDATE FOR GENEVA MAYOR Your Name: Kevin Ryan Burns Position Sought: Mayor Campaign Contact Information: Your Home Address: 1630 Kaneville Road Family Members: Three daughters: Emma (23), Grace (20), Florence (19) Education: Bachelor of Arts Degree, Augustana College Current Occupation and Employer: Development (fundraising) Professional, Non Profit Industry Political Party Affiliation: Independent/Non-Partisan Why Are You Seeking Office? My desire to continue serving as Geneva's mayor is rooted in my belief that public service is an opportunity to re-invest in the community that has provided me and my family with so much. During my tenure as mayor, I have worked with dedicated staff, volunteers and business owners…
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Here's an easy way to endorse your favorite candidate—and you don't even need an envelop or a stamp.
Who do you like in the April 9 mayoral election: Bob McQuillan or Kevin Burns? Attached to this article is a Patch poll, where you can "vote" for your favorite candidate. In the comments field below, write your personal endorsement for your favorite candidate. There's no limit to the number of comments you can post, but we're going to ask that you post only the reasons you are voting for a candidate, not why you're voting against his opponent. For this exercise, on-site comments will need approval by the Geneva Patch editor. To qualify for on-site approval: If you have questions you would like to pose to either or both candidates, please feel free to ask them here. The same rules apply for on-site approval.
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109 James St, Geneva, IL
/articles/who-do-you-endorse-for-mayor-kevin-burns-or-bob-mcquillan
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Saturday, January 12, 2013
In the race for mayor, do you favor the three-term incumbent or the political newcomer? McQuillan leads in the early going of our informal poll.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Challenger Bob McQuillan is approaching the mayoral race in textbook fashion.
Last time we discussed how Jay Moffatt’s odd choice to simultaneously run for school, library and park board can and will be used against him at the polling place. Though he has since dropped out of the District 304 contest, giving voters the impression that you can’t make up your mind is never a good thing. As I pointed out in that previous column, if you’re going to expend the energy necessary to make the leap from couch to cause, then you may as well act like you’ve been there. Because if you don’t, you’ll discover you’re dead in the water before you make it out of the harbor. Ah! But there is one Geneva candidate who appears to be taking that sage advice to heart: Bob McQuillan. Don’t worry! I’ll pause while your significant other gets…
Friday, January 4, 2013
April 9 isn't so far off. Who do you like in the race for mayor? Incumbent Kevin Burns or challenger Bob McQuillan?
Kevin Burns announced in August that he will seek a fourth term as Geneva's mayor. In December, TaxFACTS co-founder Bob McQuillan threw his hat in the ring for a chance to become a first-term mayor of our fair city. Who will you vote for? Let us know in our Patch poll. And while you're at it, add a comment with a question or two you would like us to ask the candidates. If you'd rather, you also can post a question on the Geneva Patch Facebook page or e-mail your question to rickn@patch.com. We're looking for 20 questions to ask the candidates prior to the April 9 election. And you don't have to ask if the candidates are animal, vegetable or mineral or bigger than a breadbox. Here are some examples you might consider:
Melother
1:43 am on Saturday, April 27, 2013
Unfortunately the majority of our society is mind numbingly complacent and ignorant...until you make them mad! If there is nothing glaringly wrong in a town or with a particular politician than, no one cares. That is unbelievably sad, but true. I was astounded by the number of people who had no clue when voting day was but I have to admit, it was not well advertised either. Politician's want to … more ›