Aurora alderman running for mayor

Aurora 3rd Ward Alderman Stephanie Kifowit is the first out of the box to announce her 2009 mayoral bid.

Kifowit said Tuesday she is forming a campaign committee to begin filing the necessary paperwork and getting her "ducks in a row."

"Aurora's a big town," she said of her early start. "It's going to take some time to work it."

A formal announcement will be scheduled in April, she said.

Her campaign platform will include creating a nonpolitical city manager position, forming online and televised access to city council meetings and "the return to a trustworthy, transparent and accountable local government."

The last statement, she said is not criticism of current Mayor Tom Weisner or any of her fellow aldermen, but merely a statement of her beliefs.

"I've always been an advocate for switching to a city manager form of government and away from the strong-mayor form," said Kifowit, a five-year incumbent. "I believe it provides a government structure that is accountable to the taxpayers and allows for more transparency at city hall."

Kifowit was elected to her council post in 2003 and re-elected in 2007. She is a 10-year resident of Aurora and is married with two children.

Weisner has not said whether he will seek re-election.