February 25, 2009
Mayor Weisner should just pronounce downtown dead
In response to the Feb. 18th mayoral debate:

Bambina's served the community for 10 years. All through that time we kept a clean, safe and congenial haven for all our customers, while serving good food at fair prices. It was a place where people could stop in before climbing into their cold car in the winter. City staff could meet after work or during cold nights of plowing and be welcomed. The lights were always on, and the store had an air of camaraderie.

Our store was good enough for Mayor Weisner to hold campaign parties, and meet with his cronies in hushed whispers at the bar.

Mayor Weisner has done what he intended to do, and that is to make the downtown business disappear.

All the mom and pop stores are gone, and now he wants them replaced with high-priced chain-type restaurants, which require the city to constantly match money dollar for dollar with the investors and offer tax rebate incentives.

Perhaps if he had helped stores like Ciara's, and Bambina's, and Cody's, along with others, the lights would still be on.

A town this size has no place for petty, small-town politics and vendettas. Town fathers are expected to have more vision for the good of their community.

As a result of his narrow-mindedness, the only thing left that Tom should do is give the downtown "the last rites and pronounce it dead."

John Fiorelli
Aurora

Irvin would help Aurora create opportunities
Beacon News – Letter to the Editor 01/27/209
> Español

This is not a criticism, however, an observation from an Aurora taxpayer. The Fox Valley area has seen an economic boom these past 4 years. Example, Montgomery, Oswego, Yorkville and North Aurora have made some significant commercial and residential improvements in these areas.

However, Aurora being the second largest city in the state of Illinois has come up short in keeping up with suburbs, not cities. Example, the west side of Aurora has been the home of an empty Cub Foods Store for over two years.

Why has Aurora come up short? That is a good question to be asking yourself. The gateways in to the city of Aurora should represent the rich economic diversity it has to offer. Is this a pattern of mere ignorance or arrogance not pursuing the opportunities that surrounding areas that have demonstrated success?

The city of Aurora needs a new positive approach on creating opportunities. The city needs young, energetic leadership with a true entrepreneur sprit. It's my belief that Richard C. Irvin would be a great mayor. Richard C. Irvin has gone to make Aurora proud and that's by serving our country in the Gulf War. Mr. Irvin has is a successful business owner and is a sitting alderman at large for the city of Aurora.

Richard knows the value of creating jobs and keeping businesses in this area, for example attracting new businesses and university satellite campuses to downtown.

This would create a positive change and bring much needed new life.

Richard will bring the change, passion and devotion Aurora has been in need for long time. Richard C. Irvin would make a great mayor.

John M. Aguilar
Former Aurora  Township trustee