Geneva mayoral hopefuls spar on style of governing, how long to serve
A previous version incorrectly stated the number of aldermen who were interested in discussing whether the city should have police enforce the governor's COVID-19 orders regarding restaurant closures.
The former Geneva alderman seeking to replace Mayor Kevin Burns says the five-term incumbent has been in office too long and hasn't done enough to help restaurants and other businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But Burns says his opponent, Tom Simonian, fans flames of discord and doesn't understand that success in Geneva is achieved through collaboration between elected officials, residents and city workers.
It's a replay of what happened when Burns and Simonian faced off in the 2017 election.
"I'm running on a lot of the same issues I ran on four years ago," Simonian said. "I believe it is time for change, it is time for a new perspective."
Simonian became an alderman in 2013 when Burns appointed him to fill a vacancy. He served on the city council until 2017.
He said Burns did "a marvelous job" as mayor in his first few terms, but "the job of mayor is the job of a lifetime, not for a lifetime."
Burns said he can continue to deliver "quality services at quality prices - $11 an hour."
"It is not the job of a lifetime. It is, in fact, a part-time job with a four-year contract," Burns said.
He also said he accomplishes the work with the collaboration of the council, city workers and residents.
Simonian also criticized the city's response to economic problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The city has done absolutely horrible as it stands with small businesses," Simonian said. "If you really think that waiving a liquor license (fee) for a couple of thousand dollars is going to sustain a $2.5 million restaurant, you've obviously never been in business."
Simonian said that if he was mayor, he would have proposed having the city borrow $10 million to $15 million to loan to restaurants to get through the crisis, with the understanding they would have to repay it.
He also said the mayor had tried to get the city council to approve a plan to have police cite restaurants that remained open when the governor had ordered restaurants closed.
"I am astounded and impressed at how easily Tom lies," Burns replied. He said he asked aldermen if they wanted to meet to discuss calls he and they received from people upset about open restaurants and what, if anything, the city should do. All were interested in having the discussion, Burns said.
"We do what we can," Burns said, defending the waiving of liquor fees and water charges. He said a Geneva restaurant owners association asked if property taxes on restaurant buildings could be cut 30%, but he explained to them that would be illegal.