Council candidates strive to show their differences/PHOTOS
By Lynn Zerschling Journal staff writer | Posted: Friday, October 26, 2007
SIOUX CITY -- Citizens can hardly be blamed if they confuse the two men who are running for the one open seat on the City Council in the Nov. 6 general election.
After all, incumbent Jason Geary and challenger Aaron Rochester come from similar backgrounds, and both can be considered fiscal conservatives, are small-business owners and registered Republicans, attend conservative churches and are children of the '70s. And, to people who don't know them well, they even look alike.
Both said they struggle to tell voters where the differ and how their election to the council would make an impact on the community.
"I think my greatest asset is my experience in having served this community for almost four years on the City Council," Geary, 30, said. "People know that I will serve this community in a dignified manner and govern with integrity, sound judgment and a real focus on solving problems."
Rochester, 33, said, "I believe in truly holding the line on property taxes, yet my opponent has voted to raise taxes the last three years. My opponent believes tax increases are natural and inevitable because the cost of government swells. I see many inefficiencies, such as excess consultant fees and extreme subsidies."
Rochester, of 1304 46th St., owns Impact Accounting, LLC, a firm that handles accounting for more than 60 small businesses.
Geary, of 2622 S. Coral St., is custodial supervisor at Western Iowa Tech and owns Thuro-Cleaning LLC, an office cleaning firm,
Their take on property tax relief
Since 63 cents out of every property tax dollar goes to finance fire and police services, would they reduce the public safety budgets?.
"The police and fire departments are the main responsibilities of a city, and our citizens deserve to be served well by these two divisions," Rochester said. "I believe that there will always be discussions about how the money is used, but I would not be in favor of cutbacks in these important services. I would look at trimming the budget by minimizing excess consultant fees and enlarged subsidies."
Geary said he has not voted for reductions in the public safety budgets. Rather, he pointed out, "In the last four to five years we have created efficiencies that allowed us to trim back our workforce by 12 percent. If more cuts were needed I would evaluate where we could cut back with the least impact to the services we provide the citizens. I have pledged to limit cuts to police and fire personnel."
Privatizing convention center
Rochester said it should be considered; Geary said it should not.
"We have already made big changes to its management structure and paid off debt that consumed a lot of the budget," Geary said. "Things are now better than they were four years ago, and with that progress I don't see the need to take that kind of drastic action, although my opponent has advocated for it."
Rochester countered, "I would only be in favor of selling a city building if it would save taxpayers money while still allowing that service to be available to the public. They city must do what any reasonable individual would do with their personal finances, examine their deficit, determine why the deficiency continues from year to year and make adjustments to stop incurring the losses."
Anti-discrimination Law
On one of the more explosive issues to come before the council in recent years, the candidates seem to agree -- they would not add sexual orientation to the protected class in the city's anti-discrimination law. On Feb. 24, 2004, the council voted 4-1 to reject a measure that would have added that language.
The ordinance makes it illegal to discriminate against people in jobs, accommodations and housing on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, ancestry or disability. How would the candidates vote if the city's Human Rights Commission again proposed adding sexual orientation?
Geary, who voted against the measure in 2004, said, "I do not believe the vast majority of our community supports such a change in our city code and feel that giving more power to government to enforce special rights is not the solution to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation."
In explaining his vote in 2004, Geary told the Journal: "The primary reason I did not vote for this ordinance lies in my opposition to government granting special rights and protections to those who practice the homosexual lifestyle. I do not believe they are in need of heightened protection. Government regulation can be and is frequently used as a powerful tool that forces acceptance and legitimacy upon citizens in the community who have differing beliefs about the homosexual lifestyle," he said. "Do I think discrimination is wrong? Yes. Do I think this is the answer? No."
Rochester explained, "While I deeply dislike the ill treatment of any fellow citizen, I believe we must avoid a slippery slope that is inclined against the First Amendment rights of every American.
"The well-intended request of the Human Rights Commission to add this language to anti-discrimination laws, as noble and sincere as it may be, tends to suggest that government can determine the thoughts and intentions of its citizens. ... This type of language might also jeopardize the small-business community by restraining restaurant owners from enforcing a reasonable dress code.
"Also, we must consider the ability of a day-care facility to refrain from hiring a cross-dresser to care for his clientele's children, without being accused of 'hate.' It is not the role of government to force one segment of society to trust another, nor is it appropriate for the latter to criminalize decisions that are made due to a lack of trust," Rochester said.
Quick Takes on Previous Votes
Settling Doctor John's Lingerie Boutique lawsuit for $220,000: Geary cast the lone vote against. "It was not in our long-term best interest to allow adult entertainment businesses to go unregulated and thought we would see a favorable ruling on appeal."
Rochester would have voted to settle. "I believe the city was too late in trying to stop a business that had already been constructed and set to open. It is unfortunate that this miscalculation cost the city appropriately $600,000," including attorneys' fees.
Animal Control contract: Geary voted to award the three-year contract to the current contract holder, Cindy Rarrat. Rochester said he would have done the same.
Lynn Zerschling may be reached at (712) 293-4202 or lynnzerschling@lee.net
How Similar?
Jason Geary Aaron Rochester
Where born: Sioux City Sioux City
Siblings: One brother One brother
Birth Order: Younger Younger
Political Party: Republican Republican
Church: Morningside Assembly of God Cornerstone World Outreach
Favorite Hobby Spending time with family Spending time with family
Favorite Color: Blue Periwinkle
Devices: MP3 player, Blackberry PDA; family owns iPods
Morning/Night: Night person Night person
Cars: Dodge Intrepid Mustang GT convertible
Favorite Drink: Tea, Diet Mountain Dew Famous Dave's sweet tea, coffee
Favorite saying "Have a Great Day!" Doesn't have one, but signed a campaign door hanger "Have a great day."
Direct Election of Mayor:
Headed city's legislative lobbying
for change in state law
Co-founder of group that lobbied
for change with voters
After all, incumbent Jason Geary and challenger Aaron Rochester come from similar backgrounds, and both can be considered fiscal conservatives, are small-business owners and registered Republicans, attend conservative churches and are children of the '70s. And, to people who don't know them well, they even look alike.
Both said they struggle to tell voters where the differ and how their election to the council would make an impact on the community.
"I think my greatest asset is my experience in having served this community for almost four years on the City Council," Geary, 30, said. "People know that I will serve this community in a dignified manner and govern with integrity, sound judgment and a real focus on solving problems."
Rochester, 33, said, "I believe in truly holding the line on property taxes, yet my opponent has voted to raise taxes the last three years. My opponent believes tax increases are natural and inevitable because the cost of government swells. I see many inefficiencies, such as excess consultant fees and extreme subsidies."
Rochester, of 1304 46th St., owns Impact Accounting, LLC, a firm that handles accounting for more than 60 small businesses.
Geary, of 2622 S. Coral St., is custodial supervisor at Western Iowa Tech and owns Thuro-Cleaning LLC, an office cleaning firm,
Their take on property tax relief
Since 63 cents out of every property tax dollar goes to finance fire and police services, would they reduce the public safety budgets?.
"The police and fire departments are the main responsibilities of a city, and our citizens deserve to be served well by these two divisions," Rochester said. "I believe that there will always be discussions about how the money is used, but I would not be in favor of cutbacks in these important services. I would look at trimming the budget by minimizing excess consultant fees and enlarged subsidies."
Geary said he has not voted for reductions in the public safety budgets. Rather, he pointed out, "In the last four to five years we have created efficiencies that allowed us to trim back our workforce by 12 percent. If more cuts were needed I would evaluate where we could cut back with the least impact to the services we provide the citizens. I have pledged to limit cuts to police and fire personnel."
Privatizing convention center
Rochester said it should be considered; Geary said it should not.
"We have already made big changes to its management structure and paid off debt that consumed a lot of the budget," Geary said. "Things are now better than they were four years ago, and with that progress I don't see the need to take that kind of drastic action, although my opponent has advocated for it."
Rochester countered, "I would only be in favor of selling a city building if it would save taxpayers money while still allowing that service to be available to the public. They city must do what any reasonable individual would do with their personal finances, examine their deficit, determine why the deficiency continues from year to year and make adjustments to stop incurring the losses."
Anti-discrimination Law
On one of the more explosive issues to come before the council in recent years, the candidates seem to agree -- they would not add sexual orientation to the protected class in the city's anti-discrimination law. On Feb. 24, 2004, the council voted 4-1 to reject a measure that would have added that language.
The ordinance makes it illegal to discriminate against people in jobs, accommodations and housing on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, ancestry or disability. How would the candidates vote if the city's Human Rights Commission again proposed adding sexual orientation?
Geary, who voted against the measure in 2004, said, "I do not believe the vast majority of our community supports such a change in our city code and feel that giving more power to government to enforce special rights is not the solution to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation."
In explaining his vote in 2004, Geary told the Journal: "The primary reason I did not vote for this ordinance lies in my opposition to government granting special rights and protections to those who practice the homosexual lifestyle. I do not believe they are in need of heightened protection. Government regulation can be and is frequently used as a powerful tool that forces acceptance and legitimacy upon citizens in the community who have differing beliefs about the homosexual lifestyle," he said. "Do I think discrimination is wrong? Yes. Do I think this is the answer? No."
Rochester explained, "While I deeply dislike the ill treatment of any fellow citizen, I believe we must avoid a slippery slope that is inclined against the First Amendment rights of every American.
"The well-intended request of the Human Rights Commission to add this language to anti-discrimination laws, as noble and sincere as it may be, tends to suggest that government can determine the thoughts and intentions of its citizens. ... This type of language might also jeopardize the small-business community by restraining restaurant owners from enforcing a reasonable dress code.
"Also, we must consider the ability of a day-care facility to refrain from hiring a cross-dresser to care for his clientele's children, without being accused of 'hate.' It is not the role of government to force one segment of society to trust another, nor is it appropriate for the latter to criminalize decisions that are made due to a lack of trust," Rochester said.
Quick Takes on Previous Votes
Settling Doctor John's Lingerie Boutique lawsuit for $220,000: Geary cast the lone vote against. "It was not in our long-term best interest to allow adult entertainment businesses to go unregulated and thought we would see a favorable ruling on appeal."
Rochester would have voted to settle. "I believe the city was too late in trying to stop a business that had already been constructed and set to open. It is unfortunate that this miscalculation cost the city appropriately $600,000," including attorneys' fees.
Animal Control contract: Geary voted to award the three-year contract to the current contract holder, Cindy Rarrat. Rochester said he would have done the same.
Lynn Zerschling may be reached at (712) 293-4202 or lynnzerschling@lee.net
How Similar?
Jason Geary Aaron Rochester
Where born: Sioux City Sioux City
Siblings: One brother One brother
Birth Order: Younger Younger
Political Party: Republican Republican
Church: Morningside Assembly of God Cornerstone World Outreach
Favorite Hobby Spending time with family Spending time with family
Favorite Color: Blue Periwinkle
Devices: MP3 player, Blackberry PDA; family owns iPods
Morning/Night: Night person Night person
Cars: Dodge Intrepid Mustang GT convertible
Favorite Drink: Tea, Diet Mountain Dew Famous Dave's sweet tea, coffee
Favorite saying "Have a Great Day!" Doesn't have one, but signed a campaign door hanger "Have a great day."
Direct Election of Mayor:
Headed city's legislative lobbying
for change in state law
Co-founder of group that lobbied
for change with voters
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Interesting wrote on Oct 26, 2007 9:18 PM:
mike wrote on Oct 26, 2007 8:59 PM:
Dick wrote on Oct 26, 2007 8:14 PM:
Go Rochester!! wrote on Oct 26, 2007 7:46 PM:
Kathy L wrote on Oct 26, 2007 7:43 PM: