Making a Difference
The City of Geneva GOP is and has always been devoted to the people. That’s what being a Political Candidate is all about. It’s this intense dedication, passion, and devotion that fuels our candidates and their fight for change. Explore this site to learn more about the issues that The City of Geneva GOP is concerned with, their plan to tackle the problems and ways you can join the cause in Making a Difference.
MEET OUR CANDIDATES
City of Geneva Candidates
Steve Valentino
Mayor - City of Geneva (Incumbent)
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Address: Greenbriar Circle
Experience: 21 years serving on city council – 17 yrs as a Ward councilor, the past four years as Mayor, former council liaison to the Geneva Human Rights Commission and Geneva BID
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Work: Currently Principal Engineer for Thermo Fisher Scientific,16yrs in Management at Currier Plastics, 18yrs Zotos International.
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Personal: I'm a Graduate of DeSales High School – Class of 1978, US Army Veteran, member of Our Lady of Peace Parish, former member of the parish council, coach Jr. League football, Youth Baseball, member of American Legion Post 396, member of Sons and Daughters of Italy.
Family: Fiance Christine Johnson Zugec (and her children – Alyssa, Brady, and Carson), two sons – Michael and Steven Jr., two grandchildren, sisters – Valerie and Michelle, parents Mary Jane and Anthony (deceased)
Frank Gaglianese
Councilor At Large - City of Geneva (Incumbent)
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Address: S. Morrell St.
Experience: Currently Councilor At-Large, served a term on the City of Geneva Planning Board.
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Work: Supervisor at Massa Construction.
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Family: Wife , Son - Dominick
Anthony Noone
Councilor At Large - City of Geneva (Incumbent)
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Antonio Gomez
Ward 1 Councilor - City of Geneva
Email@ ​​
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Address: Monroe St.
Experience: two terms on the Geneva Human Rights Commission, two terms on the Geneva City Zoning Board, one term of the Geneva Board of Education, member of the advisory board – Canandaigua National Bank, six years as a board director of F.L.C.H.,
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Work: 22 years working for Hansen Farms supervising staff and managing growing and production operations. 4 years as a manager at Pedersen Farms. In 2020 I started a handyman service (A-G Creative Touch) catering to the elderly and low-income residents of the community.
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Personal: Naturalized citizen of the United States, emigrating from Guatemala. Senior Pastor at the House of Restoration Church – Farmington, NY. Serve in the Chaplaincy of Ontario County supporting county law enforcement agencies and departments.
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Family: Wife – Evelyn, daughters – Kaitlynn, Evelyne and Hadassa .
Bill Pealer Jr.
Ward 2 Councilor - City of Geneva (Incumbent)
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Address: Jefferson Avenue
Experience: City Councilor – Ward 2 from 2020 to present.
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Work: Media production specialist, Finger Lakes Community College
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Personal: HWS Fencing Club coach; FLCC Fencing Club adviser; Hydrant Hose volunteer firefighter; youth sports coach; Cub Scouts pack leader; STEAM Camp volunteer; Geneva Budget Academy.
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Family: Wife, Jaclyn Bauer-Pealer, children Luke, Eliana and William.
Pat Grimaldi
Ward 3 Councilor - City of Geneva
Email@ ​​
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Address: Optical Street
Experience: Former Assessor – City of Geneva
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Work: Town of Milo Assessor
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Bio: I have worked in government for 42 year
I am retired from the City of Geneva, but still work part time in two small towns in Yates County. I am a member of Our Lady of Peace Parish, and am on the Board at the Knights of Columbus. My wife Mary and I have 3 children who are all grown and living and working in other parts of the county.
Peter Gillotte
Ward 4 Councilor - City of Geneva
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Address: Angelo Street
Experience: Geneva Local Development Corp., Geneva Board of Ethics, attended most city councils meetings since 2020.
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Work: Currently the owner and chef of Hospitality Chef Solutions, Inc., formerly owner/chef of Alice’s Kitchen, owner – Angelo’s Take N’ Bake, former Food Service Director and Training Chef - Marriott Health Care Services, former Administration Officer at Canandaigua VA Medical Center.
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Personal: Active volunteer – Geneva Fire Dept., 4th Degree member – Knights of Columbus, Vice President – Geneva Sons and Daughters of Italy, member – Sons of the American Legion, member - American Culinary Federation.
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Family: wife Jessica, sons David and Brian, daughter Regina, grandchildren -
Jim Petropoulos
Ward 5 Councilor - City of Geneva
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Address: 506 Exchange Street
Experience: Ontario County Board of Supervisors, March-December 2022, City of Geneva Board of Ethics, 2019-2022; 2023-present.
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Work: U.S. Navy Veteran, U.S. Army Veteran. Served 25+ years total, retired 2022, currently working at Veterans Outreach Center of Rochester, November 2021- April 2023.
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Personal: Past Master, Geneva-Ark Lodge No. 33, Free and Accepted Masons.
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Family: Wife Rebecca and two cats, Muffin and Olive.
Kyle Brimm
Ward 6 Councilor - City of Geneva (Incumbent)
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Address: Herbert Street
Experience: 15 months on City Council with 1 year as council liaison to the Geneva Housing Authority.
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Work: Employed by Paychex, Rochester, NY.
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Personal: Coach- age 5/6 boys lacrosse, Over the hill hockey, shoot out for soldier’s lacrosse, golf, fishing, hiking.
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Family: Wife Brittany and son Wesley, two cats, Mia and Dori, and our dog Loki.
Ontario County Candidates
Karen Sollene
Ontario County Supervisor - District 1
karensollenne@gmail.com ​​
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Address: 41 Slosson Lane
Experience: Born and raised in Geneva as well as a lifelong resident, 61 years. I continuously stay up-to-date as to what is going on in our community and the area.
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Work: Over 25 years at Geneva City School District, Teacher’s Assistant and also assist at various sporting events. Serves on the local CSEA Union Audit Committee.
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Personal: Graduate of De Sales High School and Finger Lakes Community College, Associates Degree in Human Services. Active community volunteer---Cancer Relay for Life, Thrive to Survive, Geneva Family YMCA ---youth sports coach, Geneva Community Projects Inc. event volunteer, Knights of Columbus of Geneva Ladies Auxiliary.
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Family: Husband—Rob Sollenne and children -- Tyler, Ryan Bobby and Julia.
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Jim DeVaney
Ontario County Coroner (Incumbent)
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Address: W. Lake Rd – Whites Pt.
Experience: Served as an Ontario County Coroner for two terms now starting eight year as a coroner. Nominated by the Ontario County Republican party and also nominated by the Conservative party.
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Work: Owner and Operator of the DeVaney-Bennett Funeral Home – took over when my father passed away in October of 1967 – still working – with my son who is a 4th generation funeral director in our family owned business.
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Personal: Volunteer member- Nester Hose, Knights of Columbus, Sons and Daughters of Italy, Ancient Order of Hibernians. Graduate of DeSales High School, Freeman Business School and New England Institute of Anatomy, Sanitary Science (Funeral Directing) in Boston, MA.
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Family: widowed, son Michael and daughter Kathleen (Jeffrey) Pullano and they all live in Geneva.
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Bio:
James J. DeVaney Born in Geneva, New York on October 25, 1946 – a lifelong resident. Active in several community affairs and served on many boards and President of most of the boards that I have served on.
Presently President of the Ontario – Wayne - Yates Funeral Directors Association. President of the Ancient Order of Hybernians in Geneva,
Vice-President of the Firematic’s Committee of the Geneva Fire Department. Past president of the Kiwanis Club in Geneva, Geneva Rotary Club, – Former member of the Board of Trustees of the Finger Lakes Health, and past president of Finger Lakes Health Foundation; Past president of the Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce - 54 year member and Past President of the Nester Hose Co. of the Geneva Fire Department. Past President Geneva Jaycees. 64 year member of Knights of Columbus where I am a Past Grand Knight and Past Faithful Navigator of the Fourth Degree. Past President of Geneva Country Club – 56 year member.
Former member of the Board of Trustees of Finger Lakes Community College.
Mike John
Ontario County Coroner (Incumbent)
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Address: Nagel Place
Experience: Ontario County Coroner – two terms.
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Work: 29 years as a Career Fire Driver – Geneva Fire Dept., City of Geneva Planning Board – 10 yrs
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Personal: 29 years in the Nester Hose Company, serving in capacities as Director, Vice President and President. 10-year member on the Geneva City Republican Committee.
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