North Aurora's Berman pleased with first couple of months at helm

Dale Berman came out on top in a four-way race for president of North Aurora in April, and got right to work.

Upon taking office May 11, he proceeded to shake things up right away, persuading the village board to get rid of the paid village administrator, and establish a committee system to handle the board's business.

He replaced John Hansen, who stepped down after one term as president.

His 100th day in office passed Aug. 18, and it's been an eventful time.

Question: What has been the highlight of your first 100 days in office?

Berman: "I think seeing our board working together and the formulation of the new committee systems," Berman said of his move to return to a previous practice. Each committee oversees a village department, and consists of three trustees and a village worker. Berman felt trustees would learn more about the government that way, and staffers would be more in tune with what elected officials want.

Q: What has been a disappointment?

A: "Certainly the economy and its effect on the community, on our businesses and on our builders," he said. North Aurora is dealing with two incomplete commercial developments where financing was cut off in the middle of construction, including one in foreclosure that has more than $2 million in subcontractors' liens filed against it. There are also weedy vacant lots in subdivisions, Berman said, with which to deal.

Q: How many hours a day are you working now compared to your pre-presidential days? Or, are you finding it more difficult to find more hours in the day to get things accomplished?

A: "I'm putting in as much time as I can," he said of his average of three to four hours daily. He did go out of town on vacation for a couple weeks in Wisconsin this month. "And I'm trying to paint my house also, so that is taking some time."

Q: Have you considered or implemented any methods to streamline government or the governmental process?

A: "Just our committees. That's really it. In working more closely with the staff, I've really discovered how good a job they are doing. The more I work with them on a day-to-day basis, the more I appreciate what they are doing for the village." Berman asked the village board to terminate its contract with village administrator Sue McLaughlin when he took office, saying he would take on some of her duties for an indeterminate amount of time.

Q: Now that you're president, are you finding that more people approach you or call you with their concerns?

A: "Yes, very much so. I think it is great they feel I'm available," he said, noting a lot of the conversations have to do with the faltering economy and the problems the village has because of it.

Q: Do you regret any of your actions so far?

A: "No. None that I've ... I think the things I've done, that we've done, have really been good. Everything I've done has been worthwhile. There's certainly much more to be done."