N. Aurorans can now elect own fire board

North Aurora residents voted overwhelmingly in favor for the right to elect members of their fire board.

In Tuesday's unofficial results, with all precincts reporting, 2,274 voted "yes" and 437 voted "no."

The three-member board is currently appointed by the county board to 3-year terms.

"The taxpayers of North Aurora will now have a voice in how their fire protection district is run," said former firefighter Steve Gaspardo, who led the petition drive. "It's encouraging.

"Now we have to find some trustees," Gaspardo added. He said he is undecided about whether he will run.

Gaspardo and a group of residents collected about 1,000 signatures to get the issue on Tuesday's ballot.

The fire board certified the petition to go on the ballot and passed a resolution in support of the referendum. Fire Chief Steve Miller said he wanted to stress that the current fire board is doing a good job.

Gaspardo led a similar drive in early 2007, but the Kane County electoral board threw out the petition, citing technical issues.