Wednesday Open Thread: 3 in City Council make News
Posted by Roger, February 20th, 2008
It looks like this week is the week for Aurora City Council members to be in the news. Three of our distinguished Aldermen made headlines this week (so far). Rick Lawerence, Stephanie Kifowit and Chris Beykirch.
What would you say to each of these aldermen?
What would you say to YOUR alderman?
(Please indicate your ward number in any comments. Ward Map)
Rick Lawerence was selected by the Illinois State Crime Commission to receive the 2008 Award of Excellence in Government. Way to go Alderman Lawerence! (Our family lives in the 4th ward, so we are especially proud.)
Also, the article mentions that he is “considering a run for mayor”. That would be fantastic, in our humble opinion. Rick has been a HUGE supporting of FVFAPP in our fight against PP.
Stephanie Kifowit is making a run for the Mayor seat. One of her goals would be to remove the mayor’s seat in place of a city manager. How would that work? Would she put herself out of an elected / paid position and into the role of city manager who can be fired by the City Council?
Lastly, at least here, Chris Beykirch, who along with Rick Lawerence and Rick Irvin spearheaded the effort to past the Parental Notification Resolution. is resigning for the city council. He has taken a job as a development coordinator for the Aurora Economic Development Commission. (Congrats on the new job, Chris.)
Lawrence gets award for work from downtown to Jericho Circle (February 19, 2008)
Alderman to run for Aurora mayor (February 20, 2008)
Beykirch to step off council to join AEDC (February 20, 2008)
God Bless,
Roger
Great Wednesday Open Thread topic, Roger.
To Rick Lawrence, who is my alderman (4th Ward), I'd say, "Congratulations—that's the kind of leadership that our community needs. Hint, hint!"
To Chris Beykirch, I'd say, "Thank you for your many years of service to this community, especially your leadership on the parental notice resolution last year."
To Stephanie Kifowit, I'd say, "I admire your strong support of openness and accountability in government, and I look forward to hearing about what specific policies you propose for Aurora, beyond a change in our form of government."
I'd also say to anyone thinking about running for mayor in 2009 that the Planned Parenthood controversy will be a major issue in the election, and all candidates will be expected to state exactly where they stand on the presence of an abortuary in this city and the "Gemini" deception and ongoing litigation.
February 20th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Since Eric Scheidler took the words right out of my mouth and stated them so articulately, I would just say "Copy that, Roger"-
Jane
February 20th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
We strongly encourage Rick Lawrence to run for mayor and we note that he has consistently stood up and spoke out for honesty and doing the right thing all along with the Planned Parenthood controversy.
He also didn't just sit there like most of the other city council members. He decided to do something to protect children with the parental notification issue.
If there is one lesson everyone should learn from what happened in Aurora, it's that local officials such as who the mayor is are critical to how controversial issues are handled.
We invite anyone to join us in helping to encourage Mr. Lawrence to run for Mayor and demonstrate that people's voices do matter and the Weisner wish that everyone just go away will not happen.
SeeRickRun.com
February 21st, 2008 at 10:39 am
Go Rick!! Thanks Chris!! You have both shown real leadership, and we are in your debt. Thanks for standing up when others took the easy way out and stayed silent.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:35 pm
I do not live in Aurora but as a neighbor I would like to give you my heart-felt thanks for your public service
March 1st, 2008 at 11:57 pm