Two seats contested in Geneva (10/30/03)

GENEVA — Two current town council members here will face opposition in Tuesday’s general election.

Incumbent Mike Schwartz, a Republican, faces Democrat Jack Kaiser while Republican Jim Timmons, the incumbent, will face Democrat Skeeter Shepherd. Council member Lew Wingler and clerk-treasurer Doug Milligan will be unopposed in Tuesday’s election.

Geneva is divided into three council districts. Currently, Wingler represents residents who live west of U.S. 27 and north of Line Street.

Timmons represents residents living south of Line Street, and Schwartz represents residents located east of U.S. 27 and north of Line Street.

Schwartz, 46, is in his sixth year as a councilman. He has served as council president for two of those years.

He is the co-owner of Limberlost Construction of Geneva and lives at 125 E. Line St. in Geneva with his wife and family. He has three daughters ages 24, 8, 4, and a 21-year-old son.

“I would like my two little girls to have fond memories of Geneva as I did,” Schwartz said in a recent interview, adding that he moved his family back to Geneva after living in California.

“Since I have been involved in the town council I have gotten to know the fundamentals of the town... I have found at times a real satisfaction at doing my part to better my community,” he added.

Schwartz said that top issues for the council to tackle are improving storm drainage — focusing on the Hardy Addition and Winchester Road, keeping town streets and sidewalks in good shape, and looking for ideas on how to best renovate the fire station after city hall moves to the Pyle Building.

Kaiser, 115 E. Butcher St., declined to be interviewed.

Timmons, 47, said during recently that bringing new businesses to the downtown area, addressing the town’s surface drainage issues, working to improve the park system, and renovating the fire station are top issues for future and current council members to address.

He is an employee of Fleetwood Motor Homes of Decatur and resides at 220 W. Line St. in Geneva with his wife and two sons, ages 10 and one.

Timmons, an eight-year council member and the current council president, said he is running again to see that the progress of current projects continues and to begin new projects.

Shepherd, 41, lives in Geneva with her husband and has a 14-year-old son, and daughters ages 11, 17 and 19.

“I want to check on things and make sure things are being done legally. That things are corrected,” Shepherd said during a recent interview ,referring to an illegal executive session held in 2002 when the council fired its town marshal. “I feel like I shouldn’t be pointing fingers if I’m not doing something about it.”

Shepherd, who is involved with the Geneva Youth Council, also said that there is a need for more activities in Geneva for youth.

She is a stay-at-home mom, a substitute bus driver, and a reserve police officer for Geneva Police Department.

“I truly believe that the council are put in office by the people who vote for them. People should have a voice (at the meetings) and express their opinions,” Shepherd added.[[In-content Ad]]