After a historic third rally, the Aurora City Council voted on Tuesday, June 13th, 2006 to kill the drive-in theater to satisfy the financial interests of Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner and his campaign crony, Perry Bigelow. There were passionate, articulate and substantive reasons to keep the drive-in and find a solution. Several television and print media were present to document the rally and the meeting.
Before we go any further, we here at the OpenlineBlog.com want to express our most sincere appreciation for everyone who has made a small or big effort to participate in this process, from Aurora to nearby communities to the region to the nation and special thanks to Alderman Stephanie Kifowit and Alderman Rick Lawrence who proved they DO care about the best interests of the community, not the best interests of a greedy developer.
Although we know many people are disappointed at the reckless disregard for the community's wishes, this situation already has and will have a chain-reaction of consequences.
"We try to make judgments based on what this will mean 25 or 50 years from now...and we hold to a small, silent hope that people won't say, 'What did those idiots do in 2006?'"
-Alderman-at-Large Bob O'Connor
...SEE INSIDE FOR FULL MEDIA COVERAGE
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It’s lights out for Aurora’s Hi-Lite drive-in
By Amy Boerema
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted Wednesday, June 14, 2006
The Hi-Lite 30 Drive-in has gone dark for good.
Aurora city officials Tuesday rejected an offer to take over the state’s oldest drive-in theater, at Hill Avenue and Montgomery Road.
Their 10-2 vote paves the way for Bigelow Homes to donate an 8-acre piece of land east of the drive-in, which the developer says is valued at $1.3 million, to East Aurora School District 131.
Most residents at the meeting were drive-in supporters, with a few booing and yelling at officials after the vote.
“Aurora lost something unique to town,” Henry Treftz said. “We don’t have a whole lot other towns next to us don’t have. It’s depressing.”
But District 131 mom Christine Walker was elated.
“I’m so glad they voted for the future of education for our children,” she said.
The deteriorating Hi-Lite hasn’t opened this year, as Bigelow bought the site and surrounding property to build a 240-home development. The theater site previously was in unincorporated Kane County, with Nova Cinetech leasing and operating the drive-in.
The developer originally offered to donate the 9-acre theater site to the city, but officials were unsure if it was worth the financial risk, given the estimated renovation costs.
New development built in its place could bring in more tax dollars for the struggling District 131, they said.
But hundreds of residents showed their support for saving the drive-in through rallies, petitions and public comment. There also was a smaller group of school supporters who rallied to raze the drive-in.
Last week, Bigelow came forward with its latest deal: demolish the drive-in, and donate a similar-size piece of land to the district. School leaders say it’s too small to build a school on and they’ll hold on to it to sell someday.
Many felt the deal was too good to pass up, though some leaders said the last-minute plan had too many unknowns.
“We have no idea when or if this property can be sold,” said Alderman Stephanie Kifowit, who represents the Third Ward, which includes the Hi-Lite and District 131.
Alderman Rick Lawrence said the plan wouldn’t be the district savior, calling it “the most convoluted thing you can see.”
“Once again, we’ve done something without a plan,” he said. “It always seems it’s the next idea that walks in the door.”
The other aldermen disagreed. Even though it’s only a drop in the bucket, every drop counts, they said.
“This is a benefit long term that’s of higher priority than retaining the theater and not knowing what’ll happen (with it),” Alderman Robert O’Connor said.
Alderman Chris Beykirch said the city shouldn’t be in the business of running a theater, but said he hears residents’ concerns.
“The community is clearly saying they like affordable family entertainment,” he said.
Resident Dennis Burgin didn’t feel he was being heard.
“They decided to do what they wanted, despite (most) people speaking in favor of the drive-in,” he said. “It confirms my thought that there’s very few independent thinkers on city council.”
In a lengthy public comment session prior to the vote, residents offered their own solutions to the issue, including a short-term summer lease, or donating their own money and time to renovate the theater.
“It’s an American heritage,” said Tim Mahoney of Joliet, who offered to give $200 for repairs.
A teenage girl donated her allowance and birthday money and collected $50 from friends in a just a few days.
Other residents urged officials to not be sold on nostalgia and think of the future.
Both sides held a rally outside city hall prior to the meeting, with balloons and T-shirts. Sign slogans included “Vote today, don’t delay,” “Good schools raise property values, drive-ins don’t,” “Kifowit’s selfishness is ruining our ward,” and “No to the mayor, yes to the drive-in.”
Lights out for Hi-Lite
By Andre Salles
Staff Writer
AURORA — After an impassioned pre-meeting rally and more than half an hour of emotional comments on both sides, the City Council voted Tuesday night to roll the credits on the Hi-Lite 30 saga.
The vote came down 10-2, with only Aldermen Stephanie Kifowit, 3rd Ward, and Rick Lawrence, 4th Ward, dissenting.
Tuesday's decision brings to an end a sometimes tumultuous process of discussion and argument, marked by failed deals, conflicting figures and distrust on both sides. The Hi-Lite 30, one of the state's oldest drive-in theaters, sat at the center of a debate that, by the time it was over, became at least partially about the financial fate of the East Aurora School District.
The Hi-Lite 30 currently sits on land owned by developer Bigelow Homes, property that was annexed into the city of Aurora last year. As a condition of that agreement, Bigelow offered the Hi-Lite land to the city, provided it would continue to operate as a drive-in theater.
But city staffers estimated the cost of renovating the outdoor theater to bring it up to city code at roughly $830,000. Potential private deals to help fix and operate the Hi-Lite fell through, in one case over a disagreement with the mayor's office over confidentiality. And with no new investors coming forward, many aldermen saw the issue as a question of using tax dollars for an entertainment venue and could not support it.
"The private sector is just not supporting that drive-in," said Chris Beykirch, 8th Ward.
With the vote, Bigelow will receive the go-ahead to submit a plan to the city for their complete parcel, slated for a 240-home expansion of their existing HomeTown subdivision. As announced last week, Bigelow has also agreed to donate an 8.3-acre parcel north of Montgomery Road, which the city has valued at $1.3 million, to the East Aurora School District, .
"We're very appreciative of Bigelow and the mayor," said East Aurora spokesman Clayton Muhammad. "There is no negative to donating money to children."
Muhammad acknowledged that the parcel is not large enough to build either a middle school or an elementary school, but said that the district has no concrete plans for it. However, he said he is not overly concerned about the final resale value of the land.
"Whatever this piece brings in, it's more than we had," he said.
That deal influenced the votes of several aldermen, many of whom echoed Muhammad's sentiment — every little bit will help.
"This proposal, some may say it's a drop in the bucket," said Mike Saville, 6th Ward. "But every drop helps a school district."
The final vote brought both boos and applause from the assembled, many of whom turned out an hour before the meeting to demonstrate in front of City Hall. This rally, the third such gathering over this issue, was more heated than prior ones, and that emotion carried over into participants' statements before the council.
"The idea of the city of Aurora owning and operating a drive-in does not appeal to me, especially considering how well it seems to have managed this whole process," said Henry Treftz of Aurora, who stood on the front lines of the rally. "I don't have a lot of faith the city could even get a double feature right."
"No one put the energy into trying to save the drive-in as they put into trying to tear it down," said Jeff Dooley, whose daughter Carol, an East Aurora High School student, also spoke in favor of the drive-in.
Many residents also came out to support the school district and to argue in favor of shuttering the drive-in to help the students.
"We can't subsidize the cost of movies," said Sean Bradshaw of Aurora. "There is no financial investment that is better than education."
Kifowit, who has been the Hi-Lite's strongest supporter on the council, called Tuesday a "sad day for government," but said she was not surprised by the outcome.
"I think the residents should have prevailed," she said.
Lawrence, in a passionate speech, took the city and the residents to task, urging them to hold aldermen and school board members accountable for their actions. He referenced the 26-acre parcel on Indian Trail west of Farnsworth on which the city plans to build a police station complex.
That land was sold by the East Aurora School District for $2.58 million in 2004 and later resold to the city for $5.7 million, profit that the district will not see. Many have questioned the school board for that decision, and Lawrence urged the East residents to make sure a similar situation does not occur again.
"They had 26 acres, and they screwed that up," Lawrence said. "They have 8 acres now, and don't let them mess that up, too."
In the end, Alderman-at-Large Bob O'Connor summed up the difficulty of such a large decision.
"We try to make judgments based on what this will mean 25 or 50 years from now," he said. "And we hold to a small, silent hope that people won't say, 'What did those idiots do in 2006?'"
Kudos to openlineblog for obviously getting under the skin of the mayor and certain aldermen. After a gentleman spoke, alderman Keith actually asked him, over the speaker system, if he ran openlineblog. I don't know WHY he did that at THAT particular time, but it does show a fear by this current administration of the truth being disseminated. Again, KUDOS.
I hope voters realize these aldermen just disregarded the will of the people. We know who they are, and when they will be up for re-election.
Alderman Lawrence, I assure you District 131 WILL screw it up. The residents have absolutely no say on what the school board does any more than they do with the aldermen. It's a mess over here and it has been for a very long time. Those of us that have tried to "fight" the board have been retaliated against. Either through our children or just avoided in every circumstance. Forget ever trying to run for office or being asked to serve on any board. This city and district is about as crooked as you can get. Without outside help I don't see anything changing. I am proud to have stood up for something I truly believe in and that is a lot more than most of City government and District 131 officials can say. What we need now is someone to organize this force and really sink our teeth into the problem. I pray this happens. As for me, I am out of here. I cannot allow D131 to torture another one of my children or make them pay the price of our speaking out.
I have to reiterate a blog entry posted last evening.
We have got to go to the the school board and demand answers. There was not one in the audience last evening (although Russell P. did try and get in at 8:30, but was locked out) Maybe someone forgot to tell him the meeting STRARTED at 6:00PM. The school board is now counting on everyone to just go away.
We must take Ald. Lawrence's and others advice and seek out accountablity. Why this district sat idly by and even supported the development of an additional 250+ homes within the district verges on negligence.
If we really want change at 131 we have got to start with replacing almost the entire Board. They have proved they are incapable of running this district. Their incompetence with the loss of over $3 million on the sale of the Indian Trail Property they owned, the decision to add onto schools rather than build new ones, and now the support for more homes to be built in the district.
I urge openlineblog.com to begin holding this district to task just as it did the City of Aurora. I think there was mention of a school board meeting on Monday--I hope people show up there to voice their concerns also.
Hats off to everyone who participated in the public forum last evening (whether for or against)to bad more people do not get involved.
I always ask myself "should I go speak at this meeting tonight" and I always come to the same answer and that is there is a soldier(s) buried 6-feet under who fought for my right to do just that!
Obviously, Alderman O'Connor was not thinking when he made the statement about whether people in twenty-five years will say "what did those idiots do?" It won't take twenty-five years; people are saying it now. Next year, when the drive in is torn down, Bigelow has crammed 252 additional homes into Hometown, the school district sells the property for $100,000.00 to some strip mall that is built, but sits 80% vacant, with only a liquor store, discount cigarette store and pay day loan store open, can we all line up to slap some sense into the council.
Tom Weisner and the Bigelow Bozos wanted to make the East Aurora School District the "issue." As they say, be careful what you ask for.
We know this mayor, his staff, cronies and members of the old-guard cartel are hot-n-bothered by exposing facts and information about their misconduct and exploitation of taxpayers.
It's going to get worse for them :)
Thumbs down for drive-in
Theater's fate sealed as Aurora OKs swap
By Crystal Yednak, Tribune staff reporter. Freelance reporter Rhianna Wisniewski contributed to this report
Published June 14, 2006
Efforts to save Aurora's Hi-Lite 30 drive-in theater met their doom Tuesday night as the Aurora City Council voted to accept a deal that will turn the site into part of a residential development.
In lengthy, passionate speeches, some residents urged council members to save the drive-in they love, while others pushed for the development deal and revenue it would generate for the school district.
Last week, Mayor Tom Weisner announced a plan to give property fronting Montgomery Road to East Aurora Unit School District 131 in exchange for the drive-in site--at Hill Avenue and Montgomery Road--becoming part of the Bigelow Homes project. He said the donated land of similar size would be worth about $1.3 million.
The City Council voted 10-2 Tuesday night to accept the deal.
Ald. Stephanie Kifowit (3rd), who represents the theater area and has been one of the main supporters on the council to keep it open, raised questions about whether the land donation would net the desired income.
"There is no guarantee this land will be developed," she said.
Ald. Chris Beykirch (8th), who voted for the resolution, said he saw first-run movies such as "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" at a drive-in in his hometown of Belleville. Although he appreciates the memory of a drive-in, he said supporting education is more important.
"Every little bit will help," he said of the money. "We may not be able to do this, may not be able to do that, but, by gosh, it's a mighty fine donation."
The future of the drive-in theater has been in question since Bigelow bought the 60 acres in unincorporated Kane County that includes the drive-in site.
The 1950s-era dilapidated and now-closed drive-in and indoor movie theater have been a topic of debate for weeks. The drive-in had been leased and operated until this year.
Supporters of the drive-in wanted the city to find private investors to buy it or a company to operate it.
City officials said they don't want to take on any additional financial liabilities for the drive-in and bringing it up to code would be too costly.
In dueling rallies outside City Hall on Tuesday afternoon before the meeting, groups for the drive-in and for the school land swap competed for the attention of City Council members.
Christine Walker, who lives near the drive-in, said the city should not be spending money on the drive-in, which she described as being in bad condition.
"I put the education of my children and the children of Aurora before outside entertainment for people outside of Aurora," she said.
George Griesman, born and raised in Aurora, said he spent a lot of time at the drive-in as a teen, and he doesn't want to see one of the city's inexpensive entertainment opportunities lost.
"We've got enough malls in this town, and enough housing, but not enough to go to that doesn't cost an arm and a leg."
I would like to comment on Clayton Muhammad in the paper. While I think his concern is genuine it must be noted that he is and employee of District 131.
I also think Clayton is a great guy.
However, on this issue he is really uninformed. If the land deal goes through the property would go off the tax roles. Only if and when it is sold will any money be seen.
This is exactly what happened with old copley and 10 years later the district has see O dollars from this property valued at 'millions'
I love you Clayton (in a manly way of course) but on this issue you are dead wrong.
I was glad to see Pastor Mark Smith of Family & Faith Church at city council last night.
First I would like to commend a man of the cloth for speaking his mind. However, Pastor Smith while you are right most of the time on this you were misinformed.
The drive in issue had nothing to do with money for the school district (how I wish it had)
It was all about money for Bigelow homes and Tom Weisner.
While I understand how you where decieved as many were. The facts are quite clear. I would encourage you and others to read this blog as it chronicled the real story that the beacon news didn't cover and that the mayor and many alderman don't want you to know about.
I would also encourage you to set up a meeting with Alderman Kifowit and Alderman Lawrence. They can set you straight on the facts. This Mayor sure won't !
I would also like to encourage you to once you find out all the facts to again address city council and demand answers from the mayor and these bozo Alderman.
GO Get 'EM Pastor Mark!
It is amazing how everyone who did not support the Hi Lite was either lied to, misinformed or just stupid. Maybe the supporters of the Hi Lite need to consider the possibility that they were lied to, misinformed, too stupid to understand the full details or just didn't want to because of their hatred for Weisner. When a person claims that everyone else is always wrong and he is always right, that is usually a sign of mental instability. If this blog had any credibility there would have been hundreds of people in front of city hall last night. Twenty adults don’t come close to being a representation of how the rest of Aurora felt about the Hi Lite. Petitions are a dime a dozen. People will sign anything you stick under their noises if you tell (lie) them that they are going to be harmed or wronged if they don't sign. The Hi Lite was a run down, out-dated piece of crap and should have been torn down years ago. The only thing left to do now is get those ugly homes that Kifowit put there moved.
Thanks for the comment kool aid drinker!
I don't know about anyone else but this guy represent the electorate who backs these knobs who are in city hall. That say a lot! If you don't want to face the facts fine. Live in your little 'land of OZ'
As for the rest of us we actually care about out children and do the research to know when we are being lied to.
I'm glad to see Alderman Kieth is posting again!
Not sure how 11:57 does their math! But his or her number is defintely wrong. This person is probably a product of district 131 education. That would account for the willingness to buy into the 'new math' put forth by the mayor and Bob Vaughn.
I see Jim Jones still has followers even today.
Amazing.
Hey, where were the Bigelow Bozos on school busing for D131? Where were the Bigelow Bozos on Copley Hospital sitting dormant? Unlike the drive-in that was operational, the hospital sits dysfunctional with environmental problems. How much is that costing the school district? Bigelow and their dishonest employees are just a bunch of hypocrites looking to exploit education for their financial gain.
I urge everyone to boycott Bigelow and make sure the whole region understand just how these people operate.
Cracker, I think the admin and the aldermen who are upset can't handle the reality that information is not only getting out there, but people are DOING something about it. What was really striking to me about last night's meeting was this blog combined with the willingess to do the right thing from Kifowit and Lawrence has resulted in three rallies and hundreds of people getting involved. Maybe someone political scientist or sociologist out there can do a project on this, but I bet 3 years from now when city government is turned inside out, we will look back on these things.
Lets not waste a keystroke on commenting about 11:57. This person is obviously the one misinformed. People like this are just looking to get a rise out of us so lets just ignore the post and continue to focus on what we do best. This is another tactic to get us to waste time and stray from the real facts.
Do you people realize what happened last night? Thanks to this blog and this issue, there was television coverage of the usually almost-confidential city council meetings! When was the last time there THAT happened in Aurora? Channel 7. Channel 5 (who's the blonde reporter?). Channel 2. Channel 9. Front page on the Daily Herald. Front page on the Tribune's Metro section. Front page on the fishwrap.
MILLIONS of people either saw or read the City of Auora killed a drive-in theater to benefit a developer. MILLIONS!
Sure, the cronies may get their way in killing the drive-in (and it remains to be seen how this comes back to haunt them), but the biggest winnners are clearly everyone else.
I'm seriously impressed! Congratulations Openline and to all the people who did something about this!
Thanks also the media for covering this issue! I have friends all over the Chicago area who were wondering what would happen.
1:59 PM
I agree with you. But can't resist saying that that person does not know what flavor Kool-Aid they are drinking.
I for one am still working on saving the Drive-In. Have not stopped!
Hello, I live in Schaumburg and saw the story on the news and after reading through the posts, I see this is about helping a developer and the drive-in was just in the way. I don't understand why the city didn't take the theater, see what solutions could be found. Didn't the theater operator offer to buy it? Why didn't the city just take the theater and sell it to them? Am I missing something?
Last night thoughts:
Schuler: I wonder how everyone else is going to vote? I have to vote first gosh what should I do, Oh yeah do what the mayor tells me too.
Garza: Okay why did I sign up for this. Now I think I will use my ward funds for a jazzercise class and lets see my ward is a freekin mess but I will just sit here and say and do nothing.
Kifowit: I am sitting with a pack of idiots. Thomas Jefferson where are you when I need you.
Peters: If this helps my buddies Ill vote to kill it. Glad all the focus is on Weisner, If people only knew how corrupt I am.
Lawrence: I am sitting with a pack of idiots and I am going to do something about this because I am Thomas Jefferson.
O'Conner: Okay I have got to get my mic time in and say something insightful, but I do not want to be looked at like an idiot 20-50 years from now.
Shelton: This is really an intersting meeting. What are they all talking about because I do not have a thought of my own. Did everyone know that the Mayor presided over my wedding?
Weisner: I want to have my usual hissy fit but the media is here. Is there a way I can put my chair a few inches higher than everyone elses?
Saville: Duh
Hart-Burns: Should I say Consent or So moved. Man this job is really tough. My ward is worse than Juany's and I think I will say and do just about the same as she does since noone gives a crap.
Beykirch: Should I run for mayor? hmmm okay I will tell a stupid story from my childhood and maybe everyone will think I am so genuine and boy do I love to hear myself talk. Who needs a ward committee I am king of the world.
Keith: I know a bit more than Saville and if I did not have my head so far up my rear I could see the idiots that are all around me.
Oh yeah I forgot to call Beykirch and see how many more low class townhomes and strip malls will can fit into our wards.
Elmore: You mean stonebridge is still in Aurora? Can we secede from the City?
Last Nights Thoughts
That was funny. Everyone in my company is laughing
Rick - That's right, they're laughing AT you!
hahahaha
I want to thank (again) Alderman Kifowit and Alderman Lawrence for being the only voices of reasonable thought and sound opinion. They were the only members of the board who realized that they represent the PEOPLE. I can only wonder what everyone else was following (money, mayor, path of least resistance?).
Two things that angered me the most last night:
(1) When an Alderman (was it Beykirch?) asked if a gentleman speaking in favor of the drive-in was "the man behind openline blog". I really wanted to ask why he wanted to know - was he going to threaten him? What possible reason would he need to know that?
(2) Half of the Aldermen that voted to kill the drive-in did NOT justify their position to the crowd that obviously supported the drive-in. At the VERY LEAST each of those mute members should have explained why they were voting AGAINST the will of the people.
Anyway, I am still hopeful that this can be stopped before the screen is torn down. What can we do? How can we fix this? Is there an e-mail mailing list that I can join so the next time we need to do battle I can join in like last night?
To annon 6/14 @ 2:55 PM
You have not missed a thing except that this is not bringing out all the corruption in Aurora. Think you can help us with saving the oldest Drive-In in the state?
The alderman that asked the odd question about the blog at the city council meeting was LeRoy Keith. That was completely an attempt at intimidation. As someone who reads this blog, enjoys the many issues, including many things unrelated to Aurora politics, I felt as if it was an act of intimidation toward ALL of us who read this.
I have to slightly disagree with Alderman Kifowit. Her reference last night to Thomas Jefferson's statement that government is to do the service of the people sounds great, but late today, Tom Weisner and Perry Bigelow announced a "donation" to the Jefferson Foundation.
As part of the "deal" the new and revised statement from Jefferson now says "government is to do the service of cronies and contributors."
Unfortunately, none of the aldermen were invited to the press conference until afterward. Chris Beykirch and Leroy Keith complained they didn't hear about it because the mowing sounds from the Fox Valley Park District were too loud.
Ain't it ironic that Bob O'Connor tried to say we should just talk "positive" about Aurora (just keep the bad stuff going on under the rug), but then he is the one who said what we all know, that years from now, people will wonder about the "idiots" from 2006?
I am with all of you wanting to continue this pressure we have started. Let's start with the school board. let's organize as a group and put the pressure on this board to answer for it's decisions. Let's get our own people to run and support their campaigns to force some changes. As it has been stated over and over again, we have the funds coming into the school but what is happeing with them. I think we should start requesting some these answers thru the Freedom of Informations Act. I know for a fact that we have students attending these schools that DO NOT live in this district. That means WE ARE footing the bill for their education and if I heard them right last night that was about 6000 per student. This is no different than overcrowding and if they don't live here why would they want to attend. Could it be they are trouble makers that have been throuwn out of other schools coming here to cause problems?
I am so proud to have been a part of all of this with all of you. Standing in front of City Hall with everyone has helped me to believe in people again. We have done something that will help shape the future and no matter how hard they try, they cannot take that away from us. Thanks for the opportunity! I look forward to our future endeavors.
Which side was more clean cut haha makes me laugh. So we don't dress to a T and look like high paid citezins of Aurora, maybe they felt they didn't need to dress as they are going to a gala or put our money into balloons, bullhorns, and police sirens. Something tells me that the green eyed monster of greed will never cease. Instead of putting our money into politics and biulding high class homes that aren't very well constructed we should be putting it into makeing school district 131 better, I was a former memeber of district 131 from Gates school all the way to East High. I will never forget the day I went and picked up my nephew up from kingergarden and the teachers were speaking to the kids in spanish. I will never forget that I will never forget the way Aurora bows down to catering to everyones needs I do believe this is as being America that you have the right to keep your culture although I feel you don't bow down to the culture as it is in this town,and the drive-in is apart of Aurora's culture. To rip that down so these people can make their Stanford Wives life is rediculious. Isn't that why they built White Eagle? I think tearing the Hi-lite 30 down would be a grave mistake. Yes it does need work but isn't that why that grant was there? I would like to keep that culture and luxuray of haveing a drive -in it was affordable and a great family memory to make. There maybe another drive-in's to go to, but why when we could have it in our own town. And wouldn't some of the taxes people pay to go to the drive-in go towards state taxes? Regaurdless if the customer is from Aurora or not? I know that with a life fill with everyday modern and changeing technology it is kinda nice haveing something around and avaiable to the public that is from a diffrent time and era. Something I can make a memory with my kids with? Instead of going to franchise chains of theathers this is something out of the norm and somewhere you don't find everyday. It really is a landmark in this town. But I guess my opinion really doesn't matter because I can't pay off high officals and people like me don't make more than 40,000 a year even though we pay the same taxes we the Bigelow people pay we don't matter. This is such a sad state of affairs. I really guess I picked the wrong profession I should have really became apart of politics and being able to get paid off for things I knew was worng to a community. To tear the heart out of people who really stood for something. What will tearing the Hi-lite 30 befit for Aurora I feel nothing everything they say and promise will never come its all a ploy to make their pockets fatter.
To annon 6/14 @ 11:57 AM
If you feel the supporters of the Drive-In have been lied to and or misinformed why didn't you just post that information? I for one am not stupid and am willing to hear both sides. Bigelow gave permission for those homes to be parked there not Alderman Kifowit, it is his property, remember? Please post the information as you know it.
Are there any historic preservationists out there? I know that one can petition to have a property designated a landmark, even against the owners will:), but what are the criteria? Maybe the drive-in could qualify. Then the school district would have to maintain the theater and restore it, and it could not be torn down. Just a thought.
Yes, this paves way for Beigelow. Will distict 131 sell that 8+ back to them for less money to build more homes and put a burden on the district. Maybe now the people in Hometown can see what we are going through. I don't know what the builders are telling you but we have a problem with overcrowding. Check the school report cards of the districts. If I spelled anything wrong thats because I came from district 131 and there was so many kids in my class I couldn't hear. Please don't tell me a 8 acres of land donated to the schools will help us they already showed how they missed used the land they had before. Alderman Keith please let us know what you know so we can see your point of view.
Go to www.illinoisreview.com
The editor's take on this issue is different than ours.
Let's get some more responses posted.
Here is the thing. We need to form a Political Action Committee (PAC) we need to raise funds and back honest and good candidates for aldermen and school board. People who can do the job. Have you seen the school board lately? They are so old that I'm afraid one of them is going to die at the meetings! We need fresh, new ideas.
The name of the pac should be ACE (Aurora Citizens for Excellence) and we need to organize and generate the money to make a change. This is what happens when there is no voter participation. Beykirch & Hart-Burns ran unopposed last election!
What is a good day of the week for people to meet? Any ideas for locations? Let's start putting this together and start MAKING the council take notice of the residents. This tragedy must not be forgotten, and we must seek revenge for the good of our community!!!!
Join Me!
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who provided support last night. And I also wanted to thank everyone for their e-mails and phone calls. It is important to continue to stand up for what is right!
If anyone needs anything, please don't hesitate to call me at (630) 306-2888 or you can e-mail me directly at skifowit@yahoo.com
Thanks again!
Where was Linda"Hi Good Lookin!" Blago Lavia? Remember November!!! Leroy is a wannabe thug cop whose watches too much Dragnet on TV.
He won his election by 3% against a guy who never left his house.
Thanks Lee-Roy, your comments were very insightful.
What's the next fiasco?
11:57 sounded more like Beykirch than Keith to me.
I was sitting here and it dawned on me. While we tear down the drive-in lets hit up the skateing rink and the bowling alley, hell lets go for the mini-golf/ go carts. Hell rip it all out and then when the kids and adults who did partake in these forms of entertainment and recreation in the area have nothing better to do they can go out and get a gang initiation and start doing drugs, then we can build more MacDonalds and chains franchise stores cause we all know that it would make Aurora better. Then in the mean time for entertainment we can all head out to Naperville and sopport all of there wonderful establishments,and fund the city of Naperville with the Aurora hard working dollars. Now this sounds fun doesn't it? And I think the Hometown people would really have fun. Then Bigelow will really sit back and laugh when they are sitting on their millions and millions of dollars with Weisner on their right hand side of the devil!! Now that sounds like alot of fun to me any takers on that?
Alderman Kifowit, No-Thank You!
You did an excellent job last evening. Although I am not a 3rd ward resident I am proud that you are on the Council. You believed in this and you battled to the very end to try and make it work. I left last evening thinking to myslef if you or Alderman Lawrence were not on that Council how that evening would have gone.
It is unfortunate that the Council including the Mayor takes your disent personally and act almost vindictive in nature. When you sit and watch all of you from the audience it is very transparent what is going on before us and what is probably occurring behind the scenes.
Last night was a sad day in Aurora's history. I have lived here for over a decade and never went to the Hi-Lite, but I did always think to myself everytime I drove by it that Aurora had something special that very few communities around the country have. Now we will have what every other community has-high density housing that will not be unique and will be lined up like salt boxes which eventually eveyone will learn was another mistep for the health of the East Aurora School district.
You had some of the best training ever and this experience probably has made you a much stronger leader and this is what you are. You proved to all of us last night that you can lead-something very few alderman or other city officials have been able to demonstrate to the public. People remember the fighters in history and you and alderman Lawrence will go down as the only two who tried to do what was in the best interest of all Aurorans.
You and your family should be very proud.
Long live the fighters!
Has anyone from HomeTown ever gone to a school board meeting to voice their opinon about the problems in D131? This is where it should have started. Whoops, forgot the ones at the rally live there, but some are employees of Bigelow.Questions of ethics here. A Federal grant has been applied for the Lincoln Highway and the Drive-In is apart of it. Hastert has a copy of it and is in favor of the grant. The Mayor and City Council know about this. If the Mayor and Vaughn know then Bigelow knows. This is in reply to looking into historic preseervation. Have not been able to find out yet about the other but am working on it. Where is Sue Vos in all of this? Has she gone AWOL like Weisner did before?
Yes, Bigelow's bozos were deceptive and frauds trying to fool the city council. Gina Marasco, one of the last Bigelow agents to speak to the city council, works for Bigelow, but of course she didn't mention that.
But, we must take them at their word. They care about every dollar for education, so they are now going to SCREAM about Copley Hospital sitting dormant. They are going to SCREAM about the incompetent school district. And, they are going to help build COMMERCIAL STRIP MALLS on all current grass areas of HomeTown's development and allow the district to issue a SSA for HomeTown that significantly raises their property taxes. Yes! It's all about the kids and education, right?
Someone told me about Gina at the meeting. Was just waiting to find out if anyone else knew this. Now know. Thank you. Now, how can we find out who paid for those t-shirts, ballons, etc? The money spent on that could have gone to D131 if whomever is really concerned about the problems in D131. What a FARCE!
If you really want things done, you have to put pressure on the board. Make them work for their money.
Ride by their houses, if their grass is to long, take a photograph and send it to the newspapers and call the city inspector. If they have junk in their yard, call about that.
If you see them parked illegaly, take photos. If you see them parked at a meter with no money in it, signal the meter reader.
Write to them about any and every issue you were ever concerned about.
Write letters to the editors of newspapers. Keep their names in the spotlight.
Write to you Senators and Representatives about actions you believe are wrong.
Let them know, just because the drive-in issue is 'closed', we aren't backing down. Send a message that when you mess with the bull, you're gonna get the horns.
mike b.
My name is Dennis Burgin. I am the guy who spoke at council and that Alderman Kieth tried to threaten with his remark about this blog.
He is just pissed becuase I helped to slate someone to run against him during the last election. The guy almost beat him without any campaigning. He had some health issues and basically withdrew from the race without pulling his name off the ballot.
This should show us all that with just a little work all of these folks can easily be beaten.
While I am not the guy behind this blog I am flattered that people think that it is me. I only wish I could write that well.
This blog rocks! Keep up the good work and keep the pressure on. The will of the people can and will be done.
D.B.
I see the infamous Jon Zahm is posting here.
JZ I think we might agree on this one.
While as a true Conservtive Republican I do not believe govt' the city in this case should be in the business of running drive ins. They should also not be in the business of running, water parks (2 I might add) golf courses or zoos. They should also not be in the business of giving money to underwrite outlet malls to the tune of millions or the Paramount theatre to the tune of millions.
Having said all that the real purpose of Govt is to do the will of the people. It is quite obvious that the people overwhelmingly wanted to keep the drive in.
And thus it should have been!
So the rally cry should be to oust the Dem Mayor Weisner and the Rhino Republicans like Bob Shelton, Whitey Peters, Leroy Kieth, Chris (did I mention I am Realtor) BuyCrap and the others.
For those who are not up for reelection soon. We should have the party at the township and county level put so much pressure on these guys that they even ask permission to breath.
Jon use your influence to make this all happen and you will be liked a lot more than you are by some.
Good to see you around and kicking!
Can someone post the addresses of all the aldermen, mayor, etc.?
Have some film that I would love to use on this.
Whoever the guys are that have put this blog together should not only get a Pulitzer Prize, but they should run the Beacon-News and whatever honor we as a city can give. When the FIRST rally was about to happen, I thought like the Leonard gentleman "we'll see..." if this blog can really get a rally and interest going. Well, that was answered big time. Three rallies, television crews, helicopters flying over the drive-in, news coverage, front page pictures and a standing room audience to watch the city council. The people that supported the drive-in were a very diverse group, Republicans and Democrats, east and west, old and young. I have lived in Aurora since high school. I didn't think I'd see the day when the people would start to rise.
The guy who spoke at the meeting about his football coach saying to do right. That was great!
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