BY DAVE PARRO
We knew Rick Lawrence and Stephanie Kifowit would be running for mayor in Aurora, but things could get really interesting if Richard Irvin throws his hat in the ring again.
The at-large alderman, who lost to Mayor Tom Weisner in 2005, is being coy about a poll being conducted that asks Aurora residents about another potential mayoral run for the young attorney. Irvin played dumb about the survey, but said, "I will run for mayor again at some point in the future."
With three aldermen potentially running against Weisner, things could get very interesting on the City Council over the next year. But who has the best chance of beating an incumbent mayor with a huge war chest?
Lawrence has been the most critical of the mayor and has certainly established a base of supporters who are unhappy with the current administration. Kifowit also expressed disappointment with the direction of the city while officially announcing her candidacy last week. Both aldermen have made references to the fact that many of Weisner's big campaign donors have landed city contracts.
But while Irvin was critical of Weisner during his campaign, he has not been the antagonist many thought he would be as an alderman. In fact, he made a point of saying at the start of his term that he would put aside his differences with Weisner and work with the mayor to improve Aurora.
Irvin has cast a few dissenting votes during his time on the council, but he seems to be taking a different approach than Lawrence and Kifowit by not branding himself as an opponent of the mayor or publicly criticizing decisions made by the administration. Maybe he doesn't need to go that route because he already has name recognition from the last mayoral election, and he probably learned from that experience that negative campaigning sometimes backfires. (Remember the ill-advised mailer that accused Weisner of poisoning the city's water?)
On the other hand, Weisner is vulnerable to criticism about the perception of pay-to-play politics and cronyism in Aurora, and Lawrence and Kifowit realize they have a legitimate issue there that could influence voters. Will Irvin take advantage of that if he runs, or will he continue to stay positive and decide not to tangle with the mayor?
Which approach will be the most effective? What will it take to oust Weisner?
There would have to be problems with the incumbent for any of the ambitious aldermen to have a chance. And I don't think the people of Aurora are affected by the "drama" that take place behind council doors. I've seen growth in Aurora (and not just with trees). I hope Weisner stays around and follows through on the projects he initiated, he seems to be doing a good job.
If it ain't broke...
There has been more progress in Aurora moving forward during the last three years than the two previous mayors accomplished in sixteen years. I think most people recognize and appreciate that. In agree with what @6 stated. It's very difficult to beat an incumbent who's been successful. I agree that Lawrence has created a following, but his following is all based on his negative rantings and baseless innuendo of misdeeds of the Mayor and City Council members whom he portrays as mindless zombies just following the Mayor around like lost children. I too hope Mayor Weisner stays around and keeps moving our city forward.
Yes...I have seen growth in Aurora, there is the new abortion clinic, over paying for the property for the new police department, and a field where the state's oldest drive-in used to be. I do not think Aurora can afford any more of the mayor's projects to be completed.
It is the conventional wisdom that it's very difficult to beat any incumbent. Whether or not Weisner has been successful is the question. I hear a lot of sizzle but there's not much steak.
I have little respect for Tom Weisner. We loved the drive in and he didn't care. We are stuck with the largest abortion clinic in North America. He has done nothing for downtown, the Beacon reported a Zero in redevelopment after they found out about his lies. Personally, he will lie to your face and then stab you in the back. I have given up calling him because he is too busy now to return my calls (funny how he was able to call before he got re-elected). He is on the take; just look at his election paperwork. It might be hard to beat him; but I know I won't vote for him again. People like that, two faced individuals, are what is wrong with our government.
Mayor Tom Weisner has done an outstanding job and look forward to his re-election. I am sorry that the people of Aurora will be subjected to some rapid mudslinging in the months to come though.
I think the manager idea is a good one. Back in the day, VOICE was working hard to get a manager; and it lost by 17 votes. Now we have a chance to actually do the right thing. In over 20 years, Aurora has made major mistakes; mostly due to the fact that there is little accountability after the Mayor gets elected (a bit like Blagoevich and the State of Illinois). One the election is over, the taxpayers are ignored. I will vote for a manager; Aurora needs one.