This is anything but 'common sense'

Mr. Simonian, the self-described "common sense" candidate, had his day at the Ethics Commission where he was heard on his complaint against Mayor Burns and a Geneva Fire Chief.

He accused the firefighter of doing campaign work for Burns using city time and resources when he was seen delivering a sign to the mayor's home. The board heard both sides and dismissed based on insufficient evidence of an intentional violation.

The Mayor and the Chief explained that the Chief was only returning a sign to the Mayor that had been found lodged under a city truck after our horrendous windstorms the previous day. The vote was unanimous, 3-0. Mr. Simonian had a right to bring to light this possible violation in an effort to have transparency for our citizens - and he exercised it. He could justify it was "common sense" to do so, and some might agree. That is where the common sense ended.

Now Mr. Simonian refuses to accept the ruling of the City of Geneva's Ethics Commission. He has filed suit against the City of Geneva in Circuit Court to have the case reopened. The city has to pay for attorneys for the Ethics committee, using our tax dollars, when they go before the Circuit Court judge in July.

The unwitting fire chief could face a heavy fine and possible jail time for returning a sign to the mayor's home. Escalating this complaint to court is not common sense for our city but is a significant cost, and it will be three months past the election if any decisions even possibly get overturned.

Common sense says this act is petty and petulant and not the actions of a man claiming to have the city's best interest at heart. When Mr. Simonian doesn't get the outcome he wants he doesn't seem to acknowledge a valid, alternative point of view. Sensible people in the community will recognize this for the bullying behavior that it is, and anything but "common sense."

Kimberley Larsen

Geneva