ILLNESS CAUSING AURORA MAYOR TO STEP DOWN
1. Three- term Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner will step down Oct. 30, saying his long- running battle with cancer has taken a toll and he no longer can meet his job expectations.
He announced his decision Thursday.
Weisner, who has served as mayor of the state’s secondlargest city for 11 1/ 2 years and would be 67 at the end of his term, announced in May he would not seek re- election next April. Four candidates — Richard Irvin, Linda Chapa LaVia, Rick Guzman and Mike Saville — already are campaigning for the post.
State law makes the city council responsible for selecting an acting mayor from among its members to fill the remainder of Weisner’s term. The city’s lawyers are expected to provide the council with further direction when it meets Sept. 6.
In a written statement, Weisner said he decided to step down “with considerable reluctance, as I have dearly loved my job as mayor of this wonderful city that opened its arms to me and my wife some 43 years ago.”
Weisner said he has been dealing with cancer for most of his tenure.
“Despite regular chemotherapy,” he said, “I have been able to fully function within our ‘ strong mayor’ form of government, which unlike most cities, includes the day- to- day management of city operations, as well as the other duties most mayors perform.
“I have recently begun to feel that I cannot continue to perform at the level I expect of myself and I do not wish to remain as mayor if I can’t.”
Weisner said he’s proud of the work he did facing the “stimulating challenge” of leading Aurora through the Great Recession.
“I am most thankful for both that honor and that challenge, for this has caused me to try to operate consistently at my very best,” he said in the statement. “No doubt, I haven’t always succeeded, but as Theodore Roosevelt might say, I have been blessed to be ‘ the man in the arena.’”
Ward 8 Alderman Rick Mervine said Weisner’s leadership provided a steady hand in the economic downturn.
“Even during the Great Recession we just went through, this city was still bringing in new businesses, still adding jobs,” Mervine said.
Weisner ran unopposed when he was elected to his third term in April 2013.
In listing his accomplishments, he has pointed to the revitalization of the city’s riverfront — including creation of RiverEdge Park — promotion of improved development practices, and reductions in crime.
— Marie Wilson, Bob Smith