From the
Mayor’s Desk
Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
Aurora Continues to Shine
into the New Year
This is a season of remembrance,
thankfulness, and family. As I look back
on our year, I am reminded just how much
we have to be thankful for because our
community has been blessed in many ways.
It was truly an honor and a privilege for
Aurora to host the Vietnam “Moving Wall”
Memorial over the entire Veterans Day
weekend. Thousands visited the Wall and
attended events on West Aurora High
School’s campus, which included both the
somber, but powerful Moving Wall and
the Healing Fields – 2013 American Flags
making an indelible visual impression as they
flew together in a large open field. It was a
time to remember our military personnel
who fell in Vietnam (18 Aurorans gave their
lives), as well as to honor all of our Vets who
have returned home. It was a Veterans Day
weekend that will be long remembered. Many
thanks to all the volunteers who made this
possible. (See pg. 11)
At long last, the negative economic impacts
of the housing scandal and resulting recession
are beginning to loosen their grip on Aurora.
Data for the first eleven months of 2013 from
Mainstreet Organization of Realtors shows
nearly a 16% increase in housing sales in
Aurora, compared to 2012. The average sale
price rose by 15.4%. Unemployment in
our City fell from 10.2% in January,
to 7.7% in October, less than
similar Illinois cities.
Our Downtown area continued to improve
in 2013 with the opening of RiverEdge Park
and its exciting Dunham Stage energizing
our summer. Locally produced “Miss Saigon”,
part of the Paramount’s slam-dunk Broadway
Series, gained four stars from Theater Critic
Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune – his
highest compliment. (See pg. 6)
Through careful budgeting for 2013 and a
watchful eye on expenditures, the city will
come in slightly under budget this year.
The tax levy for the 2014 General Fund
Budget will be lower than the 2013 levy.
Although the State Legislature recently
reformed State-paid pensions for teachers
and others, it has yet to reform police and
fire pensions. The funding formulas for
these public safety employee pensions are
dictated by the State Legislature, but local
governments are obligated to fund them
through property taxes. This part of your
property tax bill – over which the city has no
control – is likely to increase significantly each
year going forward, unless and until the State
Legislature takes necessary action.
Aurora also reorganized its Economic
Development Team this year, bringing on
David Hulseberg as its new Economic
Development Director and tapping Seize
the Future – an established not-for-profit
composed of local business leaders – to
oversee the effort. One of Mr. Hulseberg’s
first jobs is to finalize plans with Simon
Property Group for a significant expansion
of the Premium Outlet Mall at I-88 and
Farnsworth. All of which reminds me to
remind you to “shop locally” this Holiday
Season and keep Aurora strong! (See pg. 4)
Special thanks to the Aurora Noon Rotary
and the Lehnertz Avenue Community for
also keeping Aurora strong with the annual
traditions of the Festival of Lights at Phillips
Park and the Lehnertz Avenue Lights Show.
They are joys to the entire community as they
quite literally help Aurora continue to shine!
Wishing you a Merry Christmas,
Happy Hanukkah, a Joyful Kwanzaa, and,
of course, a Very Happy New Year!
Mayor Weisner congratulates
Miss Merry Christmas Kaitlyn Ramos
and Jack Frost Samuel Gonzalez.
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