Recordpub.com - Aurora mayor faces challenge from at-large, ward councilmen: Candidates in favor of purchasing more land for preservation

By Ken Lahmers

Aurora Advocate editor

AURORA — Three candidates are seeking the mayor’s post in Aurora — Mayor Lynn McGill, At-large Councilman John Kudley and Ward 6 Councilman Tom Dreher.

McGill, 80, is completing his second term in the office, having been first elected in 2001. He served on council for 12 years before that. He worked in business and sales for 40 years before retiring.

Kudley, 63, a retired teacher with 35 years of experience, has been a councilman for 10 years, while Dreher, 76, is a former mayor of Willowick and served on Aurora and Willowick city councils for a total of 28 years.

At a recent candidates forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Northern Portage County, the three candidates favored the city purchasing more land for preservation, such as Spring Hill Farm on East Pioneer Trail and the Aurora Golf Club.

“What I’d like to see is the city get rid of land we don’t need to fund the purchase of desirable properties,” said Kudley.

McGill noted Spring Hill is a high priority, and the city is working with the Trust for Public Land to acquire the 153-acre farm, which was the first settled in what is now the city limits.

“It would cost the city only $300,000,” he said. “The Trust would pick up the remainder of the estimated $2.9 million purchase price.”

Dreher said the golf club and Spring Hill purchases are “not done deals.” He also emphasized the city must maintain the land and buildings it has, “and we haven’t demonstrated that” in the past.

Kudley and McGill said they would like to see a rec center built some day, and they would work closely with the school district to bring it about.

Kudley admitted it is “a challenge” to fund it.

McGill said it is also important to work in partnership with hospitals and the YMCA when planning a center.

Dreher said the golf club property has some valuable assets such as a swimming pool and clubhouse, and acquiring it would be a “great first step” toward a rec center.

Saying the city needs to communicate better with its citizens, Dreher said he would put out a city newsletter at his own expense and would favor more Town Hall meetings.

He said he also would appoint a citizens group to look at purchases of more than $10,000 before they go to council.

Kudley said enhancing the safety of “students in the schools and adults on the streets” is a high priority of his. And he vowed to “stop wasteful spending.”

“Aurora doesn’t need a clocktower or any more four-lane highways,” he said.

McGill said he is available almost around the clock, and is willing to help people with problems by phone and e-mail, even after office hours.

As for city services, Dreher said he would make it easier for senior citizens to sign up for programs and improve the brush collection program.

About economic development, McGill said the city has attracted 500 new workers during his tenure, and his goals are $100 million more in business investments and 300 more jobs.

Kudley said he favors hiring a full-time economic development director, and he would continue partnerships with various universities to work on job creation.

He said he supports bringing “anything to the city that produces tax revenue,” as long as it doesn’t create problems for the public.

Dreher said it’s important to consult with the Chamber of Commerce and various manufacturing and technical consultants, and talk candidly with officials of firms considering moving here.

Kudley noted it’s important to join governmental groups such as the Northeast Ohio Mayors Association to “broaden our horizons.”

McGill noted he has been active in several governmental organizations such as the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study policy committee.

McGill said he is looking forward to “great drinking water” from Cleveland in 2010.

However, with the city running at about a $200,000 per year deficit in its water/sewer funds, Kudley predicted Council will have to look at a 5 percent to 15 percent increase in rates next year.

McGill denied that a sewer increase would be needed. He said only a 3.5 percent water rate increase from Portage County would be passed on to residents in 2010.

The Aurora Advocate is a sister publication of the Record-Courier.