2017 Election Questionnaire: Tom Simonian, Geneva Mayor

Name: Tom Simonian

Age: 58

Town of residence: Geneva

Position sought: Mayor

Family: I am divorced with no children but live vicariously through my nieces and nephew.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No

Education:

Graduated from Saint Louis University with a BS in Finance
Certified Financial Planner

Occupation:

Founder and CEO - Ultimate Choice, Inc. - 6 years
Founder and CEO - Array Enterprises, Inc. - 21 years
Owner CD One Price Cleaners Franchise Darien, IL - 8 years
Owner CD One Price Cleaners Franchise Saint Charles, IL - 3 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Currently 5th Ward Alderman - Geneva IL

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it: Taxes

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?: I am a successful businessman and my opponent is a 22 year career politician who has proven that is goal as mayor is to seek higher office as evidenced in his run for Congress and Kane County Board Chairman. What office does he intend to run for next?

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)? Current mayor has allowed the city staff to run the city vs. the citizens and elected officials. Current mayor spends more time cutting ribbons and attending ceremonies vs. overseeing the running of the city and making sure that the citizens/taxpayers of Geneva best interests are being attended to.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform: Please go to www.simonianforgeneva.com to see my four (4) year plan when I become elected mayor.

If you gain this position, what accomplishment would define your term in office as a success?: See my four (4) year plan which I would define as my goals at the beginning of my term and accomplishments at the end of my term. www.simonianforgeneva.com

Please share with voters a story about wisdom gained from a mistake you made in your life or career: Wisdom Gained: It can take a lifetime to earn someone's trust and a second to lose it. I have lost the trust of a good friend long ago and I learned this lesson the hard way.

Why should voters trust you?: The last four (4) years as 5th Ward Alderman every decision I have made was in the best interest of the citizens/taxpayers of Geneva NOT in the best interest of getting re-elected.

Share a quote that defines your philosophy: The softest pillow is a clear conscience.

What questions should be asked of current government employees accountable to your board?: Are any and all decisions being made in the best interest of the citizens/taxpayers of Geneva?

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office (or board)?: Government needs to be run more like a successful business of which I have done many times in my career. Our sole job is to be stewards of taxpayers dollars and spend those dollars in the best interest of the citizens/taxpayers of Geneva. That should be the ONLY agenda for every elected official and city staff.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?: My running many successful businesses over the last 40 years from selling night crawlers to fishermen when I was 12 years old to running multi-million dollar companies with hundreds of employees.

The best advice ever shared with me was: From my mom: Listen to your mother - At 58 years old I still do.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?: Geneva is GREAT but I believe we can make it GREATER and make sure we hand off this gem of a city to the next generation just as it was handed off to us from the prior generation. I love this town and would never do anything but keep its charm but come up with alternative ways to generate income so we do not tax people out of their homes.

More via Tom Simonian's campaign website.

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