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Batavia picks business owner as replacement alderman

Businessman Scott Salvati will take over as First Ward alderman in Batavia.

He replaces Carl Fischer, who resigned this month. He will serve until April when voters will elect someone to fill the remaining two years of Fischer's term.

Aldermen Tuesday chose Salvati over Fernando Martinez and Carl Dinwiddie.

"When we moved here, we were looking at Geneva, Batavia, St. Charles, and there was something about Batavia that was completely different," Salvati, who has lived in Batavia since 2001, told the council during its interview.

Aldermen asked the candidates about what values or philosophies they use to guide their decisions; their ability to withstand pressure if they vote against the wishes of their ward; how they handle conflict; what they thought of creating a stormwater utility; and their views on the city's role in economic development, including the proposed One North Washington Place.

"It is OK to fight but you need to fight honorably. If everyone here was a 'Yes' person, nothing would get done," Salvati said.

He also apologized to fellow First Ward Alderman Michael O'Brien, who asked about taxpayer support for incentives to attract businesses.

"I wrote you a pretty nasty email about North River Street (streetscape design). I didn't see the vision. I freely admit that I didn't see it, but it is good, it really is," Salvati said. In 2012, the city rebuilt North River into a brick-paved, curbless space to accommodate walkers, bicyclists and autos. The farmers market and other events take place there.

Salvati is president of Lighthouse Marketing Services, Inc. of Batavia, and executive council secretary at First Baptist Church of Geneva.

Salvati, who will be sworn in Oct. 25, said he "will probably" run in April. Dinwiddie said he is considering seeking the post. He also ran in 2015.

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