March 30, 2020
Dear editor;
COVID-19 (coronavirus) and social distancing have given me, and I hope all of us, time to think and evaluate where we are going, personally, locally, and nationally. Non-essential businesses are closed. Were they previously essential?
The city government of Aurora wants to put a convention center on Bilter Road on the Northeast Side of Aurora. Nine houses would be condemned. Do we need this center? I hear the city government cry for mental health help, education needs, how gangs are multiplying, the increase of the poor and homeless, children of all ages filled with anxiety and hopelessness, lack of good-paying jobs. How would a convention center help? Residents who want a quiet place to live would look forward to an increase in traffic, noise, and pollution. The land is a natural wetland.
If it brings in tax money it most likely will go to pension payments, handouts to developers who often leave town, or never finish the job appropriately, which expands government and fills pockets of a few of the elected. The tax education money would go to Batavia because it would be in the Batavia school district.
To Aurora mayor Richard Irvin, I hope you are well now after testing positive for COVID-19. It is up for a vote to have liquor restrictions loosened in Aurora. We have serious drug and alcohol issues. Our late spiritual first lady of Aurora, Marie Wilkinson, was before the City Council to limit liquor sales in Aurora. I have copies of Beacon-News articles. Is this effort something that would make our City better or just more non-essential access to overindulgence?
As it is suggested, take time to think, breathe, care for each other, and reevaluate as we move forward. There will be a day we will be on the other side.
Marjorie Logman, Aurora