William Donnell: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: AuroraWebsite: http://www.facebook.com/wmdforthe4thward/pageOffice sought: Aurora City Council Ward 4 (4-year Term)Age: 55Family: Married to Margie for 33 years; three children, Allison, Kate and SamOccupation: Independent Landscape Architect Consultant; Fox Valley Park District 1998 to 2011 Director of Park Operations Natural Resources; Fox Valley Park District January 1984 to 1998 Landscape Architect/PlannerEducation: Bachelor of Science, Majoring in Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, 1979Civic involvement: Aurora Plan Commission - Chairman Big Brothers Big Sisters - Resource Council Family Counseling Service - Former Board President Fox River Ecosystem Partnership - Former President Greenman School - Former PTA PresidentElected offices held: noneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 The most frequent issue I hear from 4th ward residents is the concern over the number and effect of vacant and foreclosed homes in our community. The City of Aurora needs to be more proactive in working with the banks and others who own these properties, to insure they maintain the yards and home exteriors, so that the impact to the value of adjacent homes is minimized. I think we can do a better job of linking homeowners in financial trouble to the existing services in our community to help prevent foreclosures.Key Issue 2 Similar to home foreclosures, the number of vacant businesses, factories and the old Copley Hospital is a major issue in the 4th Ward. The City should focus more effort on finding users to occupy these properties. If after a reasonable time an appropriate user cannot be found we should make every effort to remove the vacant buildings that reflect poorly on our community.Key Issue 3 Many residents of the 4th Ward would like to see the City do more to help revitalize Aurora's Downtown.Questions Answers Downtown Aurora is undergoing a revival, but there are still a number of vacant storefronts. What should be done to spur more business development?The City should continue to use TIF funds, generated by downtown businesses to work with building owners and potential businesses to help renovate, redevelop and occupy our historic downtown buildings. RiverEdge Park will open this spring bringing thousands of visitors to Aurora's Downtown. The city should target new restaurants and businesses that could serve these additional visitors.The city recently celebrated an entire calendar year without a murder for the first time since the 1940s. What are your top two ideas for making Aurora a safer place?I believe that we can do a better job of promoting Aurora's COP police program which has been very effective and one of the best ways to fight residential crime. Using vacant property lists and recent burglary locations the COP officers who know their neighborhood can reduce crime by providing front line surveillance of both occupied and vacant homes. The Aurora Police should continue and expand targeted traffic enforcement focusing on areas which have high rates of accidents or speeding. Texting while driving should be addressed more seriously as part of this program.Residents will be paying more property taxes for the next 30 years to pay for the new library and library technology improvements. What can be done to keep property taxes in check? What are your ideas for streamlining city services or reducing its budget?Aurora should continue to seek grants and private funding to offset the costs of capital projects like the the new library and RiverEdge Park. Not only do these projects improve our community but also provide local jobs. The City should continue to seek out new businesses to occupy both our vacant buildings and new tollway locations to expand the city's tax base. Most of the residents I have talked to are satisfied with the city services they receive. The city should continue to look for ways to provide these services as efficiently as possible to hold the line on city property taxes.What makes you the best candidate for the job?I believe there are three things that separate me from the other candidates. 1. 28 years of experience with the Fox Valley Park District, helping to design, build and maintain a system of over 150 parks while administering a $4.5 million budget. 2. Serving on the Aurora Plan Commission since 1986 has made me a good listener. Serving as the Plan Commission Chairman for the past 10 years has helped me develop leadership skills. This experience has provided me with an insight into Aurora's planning, zoning and development plans and policies. 3. I am retired and will focus my time and efforts on serving as the 4th Ward Alderman.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?With the dramatic decease in crime, revival of the downtown, beautiful parks and trails, historic housing stock and so much more, the City of Aurora should do more to promote the positive aspects of our community.