Richard Irvin's platform for Aurora is based on three areas of action:
Heal | Strengthen | Build
HEAL
 Click to see Richard discuss how to heal Aurora
We must heal the image and perception of Aurora, addressing the challenges of gangs, drugs and violence and replacing it opportunities, jobs and community pride.
A positive process begins with the 3 C's, Children, C.O.P.S and Community.
Children - Investing in our children with safe streets, good schools, improved education, plentiful recreational opportunities, and strong role models in the community
C.O.P.S. - Using community oriented policing tactics and standards, return to the "beat cop" and have police in the neighborhoods partnering with community groups, encouraging residents and children to become more involved with police in positive settings. Police officers need to be deployed proportionate to our priorities and we must make sure we have adequate support personnel. Safe streets and neighborhoods are essential to quality of life. We must encourage the highest professional level of integrity and confidence within our police department, so communication and trust can develop with the community to mutually eliminate our difficult problems.
Community - Working in partnerships with our police, administration, legislators, citizen and neighborhood groups, religious, social, health, schools, civic and business organizations, we will address community issues and create community solutions. Addressing quality of life issues from housing standards to safe water, we will have ongoing efforts to improve our community and provide the community with a transparent and responsive city administration that will aggressively seek to implement the best ideas. The community will see its city visible and communicate effectively with its diverse population.
STRENGTHEN
 Click to see Richard discuss how to strengthen Aurora
Aurora's future progress must include plans to address chronic problems and weaknesses. Aurora as a regional center and destination will thrive with comprehensive and visionary plans that require time-sensitive and bold action with aggressive efforts for cooperation from our state and federal officials so that all residents of Aurora benefit.
Centralized and Strong Downtown - take action to create a true vibrant downtown environment and culture that is safe for people to work, live and enjoy. Aggressively pursue all tools to find constructive solutions to chronic problems.
Neighborhoods - address issues of parking, infrastructure, vacant or deteriorating properties and delegate resources to create solutions, improve aesthetics and quality of life and consistently communicate with neighborhoods to prevent problems in a proactive manner.
Facilities, Infrastructure and Gateways - enhance use of existing facilities and focal points such as libraries, parks, sports and recreation to provide opportunities for our youth while addressing our infrastructure improvements to correct problems and plan ahead for the future. Make sure our gateways and key points of travel throughout the city are attractive for our residents and visitors as well as to send a message to everyone the entire community cares and takes pride in its city.
BUILD
 Click to see Richard discuss how to build Aurora
Recruit and keep large businesses, high-tech, industrial, retail, all sectors. Diversify tax base, make sure that the ratio of residential to commercial properties does not exceed 80-20. Foster home ownerships and investments in our communities and neighborhoods. Work with banks for home improvement and façade loans. Take advantage of our infrastructure of train, bus, and air service to attract the best businesses and employers.
Convention Center - Make the dream a reality- strike a public/private partnership
Riverfront - Better utilize our valuable riverfront- condos, offices, restaurants, public space, etc.
Downtown housing - Improve and build upon downtown housing options- more people living downtown, more income for businesses and better tax base
Taller buildings - Take advantage of aesthetic views of river and bring more businesses and residences into smaller spaces without negatively impacting green space
Quality of Life - We must address all quality of life issues. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani of New York City believed in the "broken window" style of law enforcement. If we tolerate a single broken window in an abandoned building, then criminals will see that people don't care, and they'll break out the rest of the windows and infest that building with drugs and other forms of crime.
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