Aurora's increasing development and decreasing crime rate were among the city's accomplishments Mayor Tom Weisner highlighted in his 2009 State of the City address Thursday. The event was part of the annual meeting of the Aurora Economic Development Commission and drew about 220 people to the Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora. Weisner, who was recently elected to his second term, discussed the ups and downs of 2008 and looked ahead to what 2009 will bring. Three times in the opening minutes of his address Weisner told the crowd crime is at its lowest level in 30 years. "Parents can breathe a little easier as kids ride their bikes and play in their backyards without fear," he said. Tom Weisner, elected mayor of Aurora, IL in 2005, served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Solomon Islands.
Mayor Tom Weisner touts Aurora's progress
Mayor touts Aurora's progress
By Melissa Jenco | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 5/1/2009 12:02 AM
Aurora's increasing development and decreasing crime rate were among the city's accomplishments Mayor Tom Weisner highlighted in his 2009 State of the City address Thursday.
The event was part of the annual meeting of the Aurora Economic Development Commission and drew about 220 people to the Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora.
Weisner, who was recently elected to his second term, discussed the ups and downs of 2008 and looked ahead to what 2009 will bring.
Three times in the opening minutes of his address Weisner told the crowd crime is at its lowest level in 30 years.
"Parents can breathe a little easier as kids ride their bikes and play in their backyards without fear," he said.
The police department has put 19 new officers on the street and will soon have a new headquarters with more modern technology.
Weisner received applause for his mention of the new I-88 interchange project at Eola Road that recently got underway. He said it will provide additional development and jobs for the city.
On the topic of development, he spotlighted some of the downtown's newest features including Ballydoyle Irish Pub, Waubonsee Community College's downtown campus and McCarty Park renovations. Other companies that have recently set up shop in Aurora or announced plans to do so include HondaJetMidwest, Freudenberg Household Products, Wal-Mart and Sonic.
"My point is that even while the economy was beginning to grind to a halt on a national level companies were still coming to Aurora, which is a very good sign for Aurora," Weisner said.
He acknowledged Aurora was not unscathed by the economic downtown. He said unemployment is on the rise and the city itself imposed a hiring freeze and eliminated 12 unfilled positions.
The city has cut $10 million from this year's budget, Weisner said, and the general fund budget rose by less than 1 percent.
Still, Weisner said he believes the city's taxes are too high.
"Years of neglect along our river and in older industrial areas caused property values to drop in prime real estate areas," he said. "That's why my administration has worked so diligently to make the investments needed to revitalize these areas, which will boost the tax base and lower the residential tax burden."
He said the city will continue to tighten its belt and warned more sacrifices may be ahead, but said the city will not stop looking to the future.
"The world is not an escalator, and no one has ever made forward progress standing still," Weisner said. "We must be judicious in our choices and careful with our resources, but with that being said Aurora must continue moving boldly forward."
The city and Greater Aurora Chamber of Commerce have created a task force to make the city more business friendly. One development awaiting city council approval is a proposal for a restaurant and condominiums in the Elk's Building on the corner of Benton and Stolp.
In partnership with the Fox Valley Park District, the city is also moving forward on RiverEdge Park that will include a music venue and natural areas as part of a plan to revitalize downtown.
Weisner also has several environmentally friendly initiatives in mind including creating a green technology business zone and a task force to make recommendations on green building codes for future developments. Through grant and stimulus money, the city will start a new program to help seniors and low-income residents make their homes more energy efficient.
Weisner received a standing ovation for the half-hour address. John Diederich, a member of the commission's board of directors, was among those who gave it high marks.
"I think it really captures the spirit of where Aurora is right now," Diederich said. "We've had a tough economy that's been facing all the communities and the country, and I think Aurora is really poised to, once the economy rebounds, really get going and get it done. I think the mayor outlined it very well."
