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.’ “ Bruno's concerns were echoed by 3rd Ward Alderman Dean Kilburg. "It’s not …

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

Four people have applied so far: Augi Fesi, Tom Simonian, Robert Swanson and Jerry Cass.

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: 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. …

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Geneva 5th Ward Seat Likely to Be Taken Off the April Ballot

An appointment for a two-year term to fill the vacancy of the late Ralph Dantino probably will be made after the April election, Mayor Kevin Burns said Tuesday night.

In the wake of 5th Ward Alderman Ralph Dantino's passing on Presidents Day 2013, voters likely will not have a chance to decide who will fill his seat on the Geneva City Council. Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns said Tuesday night that state law would require the 5th Ward seat to be filled by appointment for two years. Voters will have a chance to select a candidate for a two-year term in 2015. Dantino was the only candidate who had filed for the four-year term that was to be decided by voters in the April 9 municipal election, and his name was the only one slated for the ballot. His death came after the Feb. 7 deadline for write-in candidates to file with the Kane County Clerk's Office, Burns said. "Right now, the city is focusing on mourning the…

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Geneva City Council Remembers Alderman Ralph Dantino

Visitation is 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, and funeral Mass is Friday for the Geneva alderman who died Monday at the age of 56. Also remembered Tuesday at City Hall is beloved Geneva music teacher Adella Granquist, who died Feb. 15 in California.

After a moment of silence for Ralph Dantino, Fourth Ward Alderman Ron Singer summed up a community's feelings about his fellow alderman, who died Monday after a four-year battle with cancer. "If love could have saved him, he would have lived forever," Singer said. Dantino was remembered Tuesday night at City Hall, where he had held a 5th Ward seat for the better part of the past four years. "Ralph was a great husband, a great father and a great friend, and he will certainly be missed," said Dean Kilburg, a 3rd Ward alderman and close friend. The moment of silence was extended, as well, to include legendary Geneva music teacher Adella M. Granquist of Geneva, who died Feb. 15 in El Cajon, CA. Adella was the wife of Herb Granquist, who …

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Beloved Geneva Alderman Ralph Dantino Dies at His Home

Geneva's 5th Ward alderman dies at his home in Geneva after a long battle with a rare appendix cancer.

Geneva 5th Ward alderman Ralph Dantino died Monday, Feb. 18, on Presidents Day 2013 at his home, surrounded by family and friends. Third Ward Alderman Dean Kilburg passed along the sad news with a brief statement at about 1:03 p.m. "It is with a deep sadness that I share that Ralph passed away today at his home here in Geneva. Ralph fought a gallant battle with his cancer over the last four years," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Nancy and their children, Tom and Sara Sheridan, Russell, Lindsey and Drew." Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns offered heartfelt condolences, as well. "Geneva has lost another of it's long-time friends and tireless advocate for our community," he said. "Mr. Dantino's contributions were many and his commitment …

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Dantino Will Run Again for Geneva 5th Ward Alderman

Rebounding from his battle against a rare appendix cancer, 5th Ward Alderman Ralph Dantino says he's ready for another go at the City Council.

It's been a tough but rewarding year for Geneva Alderman Ralph Dantino, who has been battling a rare appendix cancer as well as the mounting medical bills that go with his treatment. Dantino announced this week he is determined to continue his battle against cancer and his service as representative of Geneva's 5th Ward. Dantino said in a quick e-mail on Dec. 5 that he would seek re-election. He intends to file his nominating petition on Dec. 17. He told the Kane County Chronicle that he is feeling good and that he's running again because "I enjoy doing it." In addition to his role as alderman, Dantino is a former School Board member, Dancing With the Geneva Stars contestant and perennial community volunteer. He is known on the council for …

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Letter to the Editor

Ralph Dantino: Thanks to Everyone

Letter to the Editor: A year after surgery, Fifth Ward Alderman Ralph Dantino thanks all the community members who have rallied together to show their love and generosity.

It has been a full year now since my family and I ventured out to the East Coast so I could undergo major surgery. It was a very tough decision to go ahead and have this surgery, but it in my mind proves out to be the correct one. In the past year I have more than understood the value of having a good family, having good friends, and living in the great community of Geneva. The decision 28 years ago for my wife Nancy and I to raise our family in Geneva was one of the best decisions of our lives. From the long list of people that have sent cards with their thoughts and prayers, to the many people that visited me in the hospital, I am forever thankful. We also were very fortunate to have the “Rally for Ralph” in early June which brought out …

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Beth Bales

A Supportive Community Rallies for Ralph

A rally to provide support for Ralph Dantino, battling a rare cancer, brought out hundreds of friends and family on a perfect June afternoon.

The community rallied for Ralph Sunday. Family, friends, co-workers, friends and co-workers of family members ... they all gathered at the St. Peter Knights of Columbus hall, Riverview Banquets, to enjoy picture-perfect June weather and a picnic atmosphere and to support Ralph Dantino. All proceeds from the afternoon, which included hot dogs, brats and potato chips, plus games for the kids, a cake walk, more baked goods that you can imagine and a raffle, will help the Dantino family defray medical expenses associated with Ralph’s three-year-plus battle against cancer of the appendix.  It’s a rare form of the disease, and Ralph’s battle has been hard-fought, including an intensive surgery last September in Baltimore. Complications followed…

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Plans Finalized for 'Rally for Ralph' on June 3

Friends of Ralph Dantino of Geneva will hold a “Rally for Ralph” from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 3, at Riverview Banquets, 1117 N. Washington Ave., Batavia.

Friends of Ralph Dantino of Geneva will hold a “Rally for Ralph” from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 3, at Riverview Banquets, 1117 N. Washington Ave., Batavia. The afternoon of family fun will include games, music, a raffle, plus food for purchase and a cash bar. Proceeds will benefit the Dantino family, to help defray medical expenses associated with Ralph’s three-plus-year battle against appendiceal cancer, a rare form of the disease. His fight included a several-week stay at a Baltimore hospital in late 2011. Dantino and his wife, Nancy, have a long history of involvement in the Geneva community. Ralph is a former member of the Geneva Park District Foundation, Geneva School Board and Geneva Plan Commission, and currently represents the city’…

'Rally for Ralph' Dantino is June 3 in Batavia

Geneva 5th Ward Alderman Ralph Dantino is battling cancer of the appendix. Now, the community is coming together to help the family defray the huge costs of medical expenses.

A rally for 5th Ward Alderman Ralph Dantino will be held next month to help defray some of the costs of his continuing battle against cancer. It's called “Rally for Ralph,” and it’s a family-friendly, picnic-type affair. It will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 3, at the Knight of Columbus hall, 1117 N. Washington St., Batavia—the building along the Fox River just south of Geneva formally called Riverview Banquets. Tickets are $10 a family. There will be games, music, food and drink for purchase, a cash bar and a raffle.  The "Rally for Ralph" will help support the Dantino family, who have amassed medical bills as he fights cancer of the appendix. What: Enjoy a family-style picnic with games, music, food for purchase, cash bar, raffle, …

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