Allen Cavender

On the Record

What experiences do you have that make you a good candidate for office?

I am a 20 year resident of North Aurora and care deeply about my family’s living community. And I have supported my community over the years in the following ways: Volunteer baseball manager/coach Aurora Boys Baseball, 65 E. Downer Pl. Aurora, IL 60507 (2006-present) Volunteer West Aurora High School Band Boosters, Aurora, IL (2006-2010) Member/volunteer Schneider Elementary School PTO, North Aurora, IL (1999-2005) Volunteer basketball/soccer coach Fox Valley Park District, 150 W. Illinois Ave. Aurora, IL 60506 (2002-2003) Parent Ministry coordinator Ginger Creek Community Church, Aurora, IL (2000-2005) Board member/Vice-President North-towne Home Owners’ Association, North Aurora, IL C/O Alpha Property Management P.O. Box 4482 Aurora, IL 60507 (1994-2002) Volunteer baseball manager/coach West Chicago Athletic Association, West Chicago, IL (1988-1993)

What are your top three priorities if elected?

1) I have lived in North Aurora for nearly 20 years. There have been times when I have presented issues to elected officials and / or the police department and been told my concerns / complaints were not valid. As a matter of fact the city officials demonstrated no flexibility in dealing with a very difficult neighbor situation. I plan to be a listening ear and willing to see past the letter of the law or ordinance. 2) For the most part the city appears to be fiscally sound. I want to be part of the continuation of a sound fiscal community as well as keeping taxes low and possibly reducing current taxes. 3) As a current state of Illinois employee I am deeply concerned about the pension issues for all levels of public employees. I want to be a voice in support of all the hard working men and women who have done their part in contributing to their communities and their own future livelihoods. We must find a way to fulfill the promises made to all who have put in so many years of faithful service.

Would you support freezing your taxing district’s levy until housing prices rebound? Why or why not?

I am in support of questioning any and all taxes that seem to be ever increasing. As a matter of fact I was not in support of the utility taxes the village instituted a few years ago. I would vote to have those taxes repealed.

What one decision by the village board do you most disagree with and why?

The village has a newer library and police station and a remodeled village hall. But there are a lot of streets throughout the village in considerable need of maintenance and upgrade. I know the village has a list, or master plan, for many of these streets. I would like to see the village put extra resources into speeding the plan along since the major building projects are no longer in need of more funding.

What was the biggest accomplishment of the board in the past year?

I believe the Village of North Aurora is fiscally sound. The Village works regularly with local civic groups. The Village runs an incredible local festival each August. And the Village has ample volunteer involvement in those endeavors. I hope to contribute a little of that giving spirit as a member of the Village board.

Why should voters elect you to office?

I look forward to the opportunity to be part of North Aurora’s future and to give back to the community.