Tad Hemming: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Tad Hemming

City: Geneva

Office sought: Geneva 2nd Ward Alderman

Age: 62, lifelong Geneva resident

Family: Married to Katie for 34 years, father to 5 children, grandfather to 3 boys

Occupation: Project Superintendent at Geneva-based Havlicek Builders, builder of single-family custom homes, many built in Geneva

Education: Geneva High School, Western Illinois University

Civic Involvement: Former youth basketball and baseball coach

Previous elected offices held: No

Facebook: Tad Hemming for 2nd ward Alderman

Issue questions

What are the most important issues facing your community and how do you intend to address them?

There are a number important issues facing Geneva, but the ones that are most important to me are the increasing property taxes and empty storefronts in downtown. Geneva is a beautiful town and it takes money to maintain the standards and services that we, as a community, have come to expect. We need to explore new means to expand our existing resources without burdening the taxpayers; one way this can be achieved is by developing, and redeveloping, existing areas throughout the town. The development of the former Kane County jail site is a good example of bringing property back into the tax base. I think it's more important than ever to encourage Geneva residents to shop, dine and entertain in Geneva, as this will help keep our existing businesses viable and encourage new businesses to fill the empty spaces.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

As a lifelong resident of Geneva and local business owner for 23 years, I offer a unique combination of town history, life experience, and visions for the future. I'm the only candidate across all of the aldermanic elections that was born and raised in Geneva and there is no other candidate who understands this town and its people better than I do. I will work diligently to manage the budget, using our assets prudently, while maintaining Geneva's place in The Fox Valley as a great town to be from and live in.

Describe your leadership style and explain how you think that will be effective in producing actions and decisions with your village board or city council.

I am a good listener and interact well with other people. I'm quick to empathize and slow to anger. I expect this to translate well when working with the Council and City staff. I am not afraid to ask questions or express my opinions in a respectful manner. I will always look for reasonable and cost effective solutions to solve problems or issues and above all else, my love for this city cannot be matched. I will do everything in my power work toward bettering it for its residents.

How would you describe the condition of your community's budget, and what are the most important specific actions the town should take to assure providing the level of services people want?

I think Geneva has done a good job with maintaining a balanced budget. I am concerned with the need to keep expanding our revenue levels to maintain this balance. We need to bring in new businesses to expand our tax base.

What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

I often hear complaints from business owners and residents about the amount of parking downtown. I would like to see the City look into the feasibility of a multi-level parking garage in the current courthouse parking lot at James Street and 4th Street. This garage would get courthouse related cars off the streets to free up parking for residents, visitors and business owners alike.