Daily Herald endorsement: Burns for Geneva mayor

Voters in Geneva will see a familiar name for mayor when they enter the voting booth this election. Incumbent Kevin Burns is seeking a seventh term as mayor.

As in many past elections, Burns is facing a challenger. This time, it’s newcomer Karsten Pawlik.

A civil engineer with a background in construction, Pawlik has lived in Geneva for more than 20 years and wants to bring a fresh approach to lead the community into the future.

Pawlik initially explored running for alderman before switching gears and throwing his hat into the mayor’s race.

Burns, a 51-year-resident of the community, wants to see the city implement its 2030 strategic plan, which the board unanimously approved in 2024 after nearly 2,000 residents and business owners worked to develop it.

Pawlik cites stalled developments and empty storefronts as reasons the city needs new leadership. He touts experience working with legislators and his experience in business and development as reasons to pick him in April.

Burns points out that occupancy rates are over 90% in downtown, Geneva Commons and along South Randall Road. He points to the recently approved strategic plan as a road map for the future.

Pawlik raises a number of the same concerns that past candidates have raised: Complaints of a lack of transparency; that Burns has become complacent; that the city council is a rubber stamp for the mayor. Each time, voters have put Burns back in office.

Both candidates have a clear passion to make Geneva the best community it can be.

If voters decided to change course and elect Pawlik, he’ll make a fine leader. But it’s hard to find a compelling reason not to continue to support an incumbent who has led Geneva well for more than two decades.

With a several incumbents not seeking reelection to the city council it’s more important than ever that an experienced hand can guide the city.

Burns is endorsed.