Giovanelli Pledges to Work to Move City Forward

Ben Giovanelli considers himself part of Rochester's new guard.

Giovanelli first became involved in local government in 2006 when some city leaders were considering outsourcing the to the .

What concerned Giovanelli most about the discussion was how difficult it was to get information about what was happening at City Council.

"There was no webcast, no video footage of what was going on with City Council," Giovanelli said. "There was no information available online. Back then, I asked for a copy of the city budget and I had to pay $25 for it."

A need for transparency inspired Giovanelli to seek a spot on City Council, which he earned in 2007. His four-year term is up for re-election next week.

A sense for business

Election Day is . Voters will elect City Council members and members of the .

Giovanelli is one of six candidates for four positions on the Rochester City Council. The three candidates who receive the most votes will serve four-year terms; the candidate who finishes in fourth place will serve a two-year term.

Candidates are Cathy Daldin, Ann Peterson, Kim Russell, Steve Sage and Stan Surratt.

Giovanelli, 47, is married to Julie and they have two young sons. He's also a numbers guy – he works as chief financial officer at ES3, an auto supplier based in Rochester Hills.

He said he brings his business sense to City Council.

"I work in the service industry, and it's like working for the people of the city — it's all in the realm of pleasing customers," he said.

Giovanelli said the city has a new enviornment since he first got involved five years ago; it's an environment committed to ethics and transparency, he said.

Moving forward

Giovanelli supported the recent improvements to the as helping to connect the traditional downtown area with the businesses north of Main Street. If re-elected, he will work to continue to build those connections.

He was also instrumental in the vision for the , which the city built earlier this year; he is equally excited about plans to expand the garden next year.

Giovanelli never pictured himself as a politician. He still doesn't. Instead, he's a dad in a city he loves and he's determined to move it forward.

"It's a major sacrifice to be on City Council," Giovanelli said.

"People are generally satisfied with what we're doing. I don't want to see the city go backward. I honor the old guard in the city, but I am commited to trying new things rather than go backward."

For more election news, see our Election Page on Rochester Patch. For more about Giovanelli, visit www.benforcouncil.com