Aldermen take look back at state of city

AURORA -- As Mayor Tom Weisner and top city figures prepare for tonight's State of the City Address, the city's 11 aldermen and a former one were asked what stood out about the last 12 months and what's to come in the year ahead.

Sewer projects and downtown redevelopment were high on their lists, although some aldermen felt the city didn't accomplish enough over the past year.

• Abby Schuler, 1st Ward, talked about the magnitude of the downtown sewer "decombination" work. Although most people see the everyday inconvenience of torn-up or closed streets, the progress -- through time and money -- made to separate storm and waste sewers has gone relatively unnoticed. The economy, and its effect on Aurora, is on her mind for the next year.

• For 2nd Ward Alderman Juany Garza, improved communication over the last year has made projects like the McCarty Park renovation possible. "One alderman can't do anything by themselves. All the departments have to be involved," Garza said. She also touted efforts to reduce crime and improve housing, as well as providing economic and educational forums for residents.

• "The city was stagnant last year," Alderman Stephanie Kifowit said. The city should have been better prepared for the financial difficulties brought on by the economy and lower-than-projected gaming tax money from the casino, she said. Kifowit also would have liked to see more progress on the Shodeen project along the Fox River's east side and at the old Copley Hospital site. Finances are high on her list for the coming year.

• Aside from the sewer project, Greg Thomas' promotion to police chief and River Street Plaza, Alderman Rick Lawrence found little positive about the last year. He tempers any discussion of city progress -- especially the new police headquarters or the proposed River's Edge Park on Broadway -- by wondering how the city expects to pay for it. As for next year, he's focused on the residential impact on area schools.

• Sixth Ward Alderman Mike Saville has served on the council for more than two decades, and in that time, he's seen Aurora's ups and downs. But he said he is more excited about the last four years than any in his tenure. The city, Saville said, has made forward progress on some important initiatives, like downtown redevelopment, and he is hopeful for the future.

• Chris Beykirch is no longer the 8th Ward alderman, having stepped down last month to join the Aurora Economic Development Commission. But with 13 years on the council under his belt, Beykirch said he is pleased with the direction of the city, particularly the upswing in development and employment. He said Aurora is bucking a national trend, and the amount of new projects in the past year has him excited for the next 12 months.

The State of the City Address is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. today at Pipers Banquets in Aurora. For information, call (630) 897-5500.