Endorsement: O'Connor for Aurora alderman at large

Aurora Alderman-at-Large Robert J. O'Connor stepped up last fall and was unanimously named acting mayor by other council members when longtime Mayor Tom Weisner stepped down for health reasons.

It's a good sign O'Connor is doing some things right that his colleagues looked to him to lead the city until the election of a new mayor in April. Another is the fact he's been on the council for almost 32 years. Like his council colleagues, the city's voters seem to like what's he all about as well.

We can't argue with either. O'Connor, 72 and an attorney, rightly touts his experience and his long involvement in Aurora when making a case for himself to be re-elected as an at-large alderman. He faces 54-year-old Matt Harrington, the chairman and CEO of Ammo Coding Systems and twice an unsuccessful candidate for alderman.

Harrington is critical of Aurora's current leadership, saying city hall is too bureaucratic. Among other economic development ideas, he suggests moving the casino out of downtown Aurora. O'Connor believes Aurora has made significant strides in economic development downtown and said the city compares favorably to similar cities like Elgin and Joliet.

While Harrington has some good ideas that deserve discussion, O'Connor has been an effective leader in his low-key manner and deserves another four years on the City Council.