Anderson's next challenge - running for Elburn village president

Longtime community activist Dave Anderson is running for village president of Elburn.

The familiar name will be on the ballot April 7 opposing Patricia Romke. Both are hoping to succeed Village President James Willey, who is not seeking re-election after serving 14 years.

"I will not disappear," Anderson vowed.

The voters can believe him. Anderson never has disappeared, even after he closed The Grocery Store in downtown Elburn in 2006 after owning and operating it for 28 years.

Shortly after retiring, (Anderson will be 65 in May) he helped Delnor Hospital in Geneva with a successful capital campaign.

He is finishing his last year as Blackberry Township supervisor, a post he has held for more than 14 years. Anderson also has been involved in establishing the Ride In Kane program that was launched in February 2008 for the elderly and disabled.

But when he says he will never disappear, he isn't just talking about public life. Anderson has lived all his life in a village that could serve as the backdrop for a movie on small-town America. It's where social networking is done in coffee shops on Main Street, not online in Internet cafes.

"I return phone calls, I'm accessible," Anderson said. "I was in the coffee shop every morning during the teachers' strike. I took the heat."

Anderson was on the Kaneland school board from 1979 to 1991 and he remembers being an object of hostility during the teachers' strike of 1983.

His public service goes back further. At age 27, he became the youngest person ever elected to the Elburn village board and served under two village presidents. He is proud to have been instrumental in establishing the first village plan commission.

His hopes for today's Elburn can be summarized briefly.

"Elburn is a good place to live, work and play. Together we can make it a great place," Anderson says.

Concerning the town's development, he believes the term "controlled growth" is an oxymoron.

"You have no control over growth, but you can mold it," he said. He favors development around Elburn's Metra station but believes the plan must have vision to be economically sound. He also believes there should be another access to the train station from downtown Elburn, not solely from Keslinger Road.

"I can see (downtown Elburn) being a unique shopping experience," he said. "There are many positives."

Anderson says he has the support of his family, and many members of the community.

"Even before I announced that I was running, people asked me about it," he said. "I've had tremendous support from some residents. I really enjoy people. I enjoy working with people. I like hearing their ideas."