By Jason Crane
Love for the Village of North Aurora is one of many things in common between Village Board president Dale Berman and Village trustee Mark Gaffino.
When asked if he’s seeking a fifth term as Village president, Berman said, “I mailed a campaign flyer last week and it said ‘I will not be a candidate for mayor.’”
In his 12th election bid, North Aurora Village president Dale Berman decided to throw his hat in the ring for a seat on the Kane County Board in District 2. He chuckled when he said his record is eight and three.
The incumbent Kane County Board member from District 2, Theresa Barreiro of Aurora, a Democrat, did not run for re-election, but won her bid Tuesday, unopposed, as the Democratic candidate for Kane County Circuit Clerk.
Tuesday night Berman won the Democratic primary for the Kane County Board seat in District 2 against Richard Leonard of Aurora.
“I’ve been involved in the County, involved in several committees along the way, and have been very familiar with what goes on with the County, so I felt it would be a good opportunity for me to continue to serve and do something different.
“I think the time has come and I know we have a trustee that would like to be mayor. He loves the community as much as I do. He has dedicated himself to it, so I think he’s got the experience.”
When asked if it is too soon to give Mark Gaffino an endorsement, Berman said, “No.”
At age 86, or as North Aurora Village president Dale Berman would say “14 years from 100,” he stated, “I’ve been doing this so long. I think we deserve someone else.”
Berman was a Village trustee for 14 years prior to the last 15 years as Village president. His first appointment was in the 1960s. For 44 years his involvement has included being a part of North Aurora’s Planning Commission, Police Commission, and Planning Board of Appeals.
“My time has come and it has been great! I’ve been so blessed, I really have! Good health, great people to work with.” Berman said he has no plans to leave North Aurora where he has called his home for 58 years.
The Village of North Aurora has worked hard to have its own identity from the City of Aurora, its neighbor to the south.
“We still have that small town feel,” Berman said. “The Village is in good hands, we’ve got a great staff, our Police Department is fantastic, luckily we don’t have the Fire Department under our control, so we get a little break there. The Board has really worked well together.”
Gaffino, born and raised in North Aurora, wants to take the reigns of the Village and recently announced his desire. He owns a landscaping company and said he loves the Village so much he named his company after it.
Gaffino was a part-time Police Officer for North Aurora for approximately 10 years. He said his company was flourishing and he decided to focus on that.
When asked if there are any changes he would like to see in the Village, Gaffino replied, “No, continue onward and upward. I think we’ve all done a good job, with Dale leading us.”
Berman and Gaffino are both fans of Northern Illinois University Football and have traveled to many games and enjoy discussing the Village. One trip together included a five-hour drive from Detroit with their discussion mostly about the Village and when the trip was over they “still had more to say.”
“We love the community,” Gaffino said. “We have no underlying, hidden agenda, just pure love for the community.” Berman chimed in, “It’s certainly not for the pay.”