BY DAN CAMPANA
Alderman Richard Irvin setting the tone for tonight's gathering with this bulletin-board material.
For Immediate Release
February 18, 2009
Tonight's Debate will Showcase Two Very Different Philosophies: Tom Weisner Thinks You Don't Pay Enough in Taxes - Richard Irvin Thinks You Pay Too Much
(Aurora, IL) - Tonight, the candidates for Mayor of Aurora will face off in the first debate of the election. "The first thing Tom Weisner did when he took office was to raise taxes," said Mayoral candidate Alderman-at-Large Richard Irvin. "The first thing I will do after I am elected is work to roll back the Weisner tax increases."
"It's a fundamental difference in philosophy," continued Irvin. "Mayor Weisner believes that Aurorans don't pay enough in taxes and I believe the exact opposite. I think the individuals, families and seniors of Aurora pay too much in taxes and deserve real tax relief."
Irvin pointed to the disparity in property taxes paid between people who live in Aurora as compared to those who live in Naperville. "It is simply inexcusable that Aurorans are forced to pay almost three times as much as their neighbors in Naperville when it comes to property taxes," said Irvin. "
"In these tough economic times, I believe that the people of Aurora deserve to keep more of their hard-earned money. When I am Mayor, I will work to alleviate the burden that Mayor Weisner's tax increases has placed on Aurorans," concluded Irvin.
# # #
Irvin for Aurora, P.O. Box 4433, Aurora, IL 60507. For more information on Alderman Irvin visit our website at www.oneaurora.com
I was at the forum and enjoyed it. I thought all of the candidates did well. I thought Irvin presented himself extremely well and was prepared. His story is an impressive lifting up by the bootstraps. I'd like to know a little bit more about how he would lift the percentage of minority/women contractors with the city without quotas or preferences. But I liked his presentation best overall.
I'd like to defend the Mayor on what I thought was the most memorable point of the debate: when he said some businesses deserve to fail. This was a Chamber event, remember. The other two candidates took him to task on that, and I don't think his statement played well with the crowd. But he's right. If a business isn't performing, the government can't perpetually hold it up. Whether it is the city, state, or feds, the government should create a climate for success, but should not guarantee success. Otherwise, you're an economy of GM, Chrysler, Bank of America and Citigroup, taking billions because they aren't allowed to fail.
The Mayor sounded harsh, but I think he was right.
It's pretty easy for the mayor to beat up on the guy who tried to build a successful restaurant in downtown Aurora. The mayor's never worked in the private sector a day of his life. From the Peace Corps to a politically connected job at the city. Not all of us have it so easy, Tom.
Brian,
What happened with the tax bailout for Honda Valley? He bent over backwards to make sure they got tax cuts when they had already reported record earnings! I guess it "guarantees success" when the Honda owner gives you a $5k gift for your wedding anniversary, not to mention a complimentary car before that.
Put aside your feelings for the mayor, and I think what he said is true. But I agree that the government shouldn't be picking winners and losers.
Ya...No,
The City pays for that car. It is a lease that is over $500 a month billed directly to the City.
Thanks Bma!
Brian, I agree with the statement. I wouldn't say it the way he said it, lol, that's political suicide. But you sounded like you wanted to put a Weisner sign in your yard because of that one statement he made. I mean, I like clean water too, that doesn't mean I'm going to vote for him in this election.