3rd Ward Alderman Stephanie Kifowit...What the heck happened last night?We call it like see it and that sometimes means disagreeing with some of our loyal viewers and friends (note to local political rockstar Barack Obama, enough of the Clinton regime alumni club and Daley connections...that ain't "change we can believe in").
Aurora's 3rd Ward Alderman Stephanie Kifowit has been one of a few voices in the City of Aurora during recent years that has spoken up when things are wrong and we have given her credit for being on the right side of various issues.
However, when she's wrong, we must speak out clearly and request her to apply her mayoral campaign slogan of "leadership that listens" to herself.
Several sources confirm on Tuesday evening at the Aurora City Council, Ms. Kifowit had what some called a "tantrum" during the meeting, pumping her fists on the table, getting agitated and calling 5th Ward Alderman Whitey Peters a "pig."
The issue was an old house that New England Congregational Church would like to demolish or move from its property and whether the City of Aurora should accept a donation of the house to place on a city-owned lot.
Alderman Rick Lawrence asked for an amendment to the proposal that would insure the City of Aurora and taxpayers do not get into the business of moving and renovating the house if a private developer is not found to take on the project.
The amendment by Lawrence was supported by the entire city council, except Alderman Kifowit. The donation was accepted with a deadline by August 1, 2009 to find a private solution that would not cost taxpayers or the house would be demolished in lieu of a solution.
Sources say at the end of the discussion of the amendment, Kifowit wanted to add more discussion but Alderman Peters made a motion to call a vote on the amendment, which Mayor Tom Weisner then asked for a vote.
Kifowit apparently was visibly upset at not being able to voice further discussion, pumped her fists on the table, started to get up at one point and made many comments directed at Peters, including calling him a "pig."
After the amendment was passed 11-1, the original resolution for the donation provided opportunity for more discussion from city council members, but Kifowit didn't speak on the issue.
We have been critical of Alderman Peters for many issues and votes, but in this case, not only was he on the right side that the city "should not be in the business of house moving or house remodeling" but it was inappropriate for Alderman Kifowit to call him names in a public setting.
Some say Kifowit was trying to advocate moving the house there at the request of her campaign supporters, the McCue family, who may want a house moved to the vacant lot on Downer that would prevent Our Savior Church from having a parking lot in future.
Regardless of the issue about the house, when multiple sources independently refer to her behavior as a "tantrum" we think it's time to get real and ask Ms. Kifowit to listen to what she said herself when she announced her candidacy for mayor.
"My goal as Mayor, is to provide Leadership that Listens to the people. It is the people that I will serve, not anyone who contributes to my campaign, not any special interests. The good people in this fine City will be in charge for once."
- Stephanie Kifowit
Putting a campaign supporter's interest in seeing a house move or renovation at any taxpayer cost or risk is not reflective of the above. People want leadership that aggressively protects the interests of taxpayers and without calling another alderman a "pig" at an official city council meeting in front of the public.
We hope Alderman Kifowit realizes the mistake of last night and listens to the people. Those same people, according to our recent poll, are not supportive of her thus far.
Perhaps she should consider why if she wants to continue her candidacy for mayor.
Should former Illinois Gov. George Ryan's
