Supporters rally for West Aurora referendum

March 15, 2007

By Erika Wurst Staff Writer

AURORA -- On April 17, there will be no president on the ballot. There will be no governor to elect.

What residents will be voting on is the future of 12,500 kids who attend West Aurora schools.

That's why West Aurora seniors Kate Hunger and Kate Butler showed up to Wednesday night's rally at Luigi's Pizza in support of the School District's operation rate referendum.

"We want to put a face to the numbers," Hunger said of joining the campaign. "They don't know us, but I'm here to tell them that I'm proud of everyone at West."

Butler and Hunger are members of a grass-roots group of students supporting the referendum -- SAVE, Students All Vote for Education.

The teens are striving to give back to a community that they say has given so much to them.

With aspirations of attending Notre Dame and Northwestern, and with a list of social
activities on their resumes too detailed to mention, these two young women feel
passionately about the future of their district.

"To say our district isn't worth it is ridiculous," Butler said. "You can succeed in this
district; you can go to the top." Mayor Tom Weisner agreed.

"I can't tell you how to vote," he said to the group of parents, teachers, principals, PTA
members and residents who crammed into the tiny room, chanting and chowing on pizza.
"I can tell you how I'm going to vote, though. It's going to be a yes, and I'm going to walk
out of here with a sign."

Phone trees, sign delivery and door-to-door campaigning for the referendum were a few
of the committees volunteers signed up for Wednesday evening. Each person was
preparing to blanket the city with knowledge.

"The spirit I've been able to observe is incredible," Weisner said.

ewurst@scn1.com

© Copyright 2007 Sun-Times News Group