Aurora alderman calls for change

On June 1, like many of you, I paid our property tax bills. My tax bill has increased 27 percent in two years. I hear the blame to include school districts, park districts, township and county. Ultimately, it comes down to the cost of living within the city of Aurora.

These economic times present challenges most have not faced. The private sector must make bold changes to their spending and priorities. Government should be no different.

During negotiations with city unions, Mayor Tom Weisner said city employees "don't get it." I would expand that statement to include our city council and all government entities.

We have several highly paid executives and departments that are underperforming and redundant. They should be eliminated.

As a business owner, I understand and appreciate the hard work of employees, but guaranteed raises and jobs are not feasible. With benefits that are unmatched in the private sector, we should consider a salary freeze across the board. As noble as it may sound to provide a guaranteed job with raises, it is not based in reality.

Aurora has committed millions of dollars to projects and concepts that have failed to produce positive results for Aurora. Since becoming alderman, I have been disappointed in the reckless spending of our tax dollars by the city council.

Currently, the city has significant debt from infrastructure, pensions, retiree health insurance and general obligations. At the same time, our projected revenues are lower.

Capital projects and infrastructure investments are necessary for the future. However, when it comes to concepts like the RiverEdge Park along Broadway, the council is committing more than $12 million tax dollars for the first phase without any development to offset this cost. One has to question if the City Council "gets it."

I applaud the mayor for taking a tough stand. If our employees must adjust, so should the city council when it comes to spending.

Rick Lawrence

4th Ward Alderman