Pat Barcas/staff photographer
Guests of the Kane County Democrats golf outing weathered rain showers June 4. They later enjoyed a steak dinner and entertainment.

By Pat Barcas
Staff writer
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Email Pat Barcas at pat@foxvalleylabornews.com

ELBURN — The Kane County Democrats welcomed golfers, politicians and supporters June 4 in Elburn for its annual golf outing.

The rain at this year’s event didn’t keep the golfers off the links, as Mark Guethle, chairman of the Kane County Democratic Central Committee reported 60 paid donations, the largest number yet.

“We really methodically gain ground every year. It’s always a step in the right direction,” said Guethle.

14th Congressional District candidate Dennis Anderson said he’s open to a debate with his incumbent Republican opponent, Randy Hultgren — if Hultgren will agree to it.

The Kane County Democrats welcomed Anderson at its annual golf outing June 4 in Elburn. Anderson explained he’d like a debate prior to this fall’s election, and talked about a variety of issues as he sat down with the Fox Valley Labor News.

Anderson, who says he’s an old school labor proponent, criticized Congress for stalling on jobs.

“I’m still concerned about jobs. This is an area which Congress hasn’t done anything,” he said. “If you go to the Republican House website, and you look at the 41 bills they’ve passed, there’s no jobs there.”

He said the Republicans have instead fed the public a steady stream of misdirections aimed at making the President and his party look bad.

“What’s happened, there’s a constant stream of scandals — Benghazi, health care, birthers, you name it. It’s distracting people,” he said.

Other chief concerns of his are net neutrality and the VA, which has taken the spotlight recently for woefully long wait times for care.

“People need to start asking their representatives: ‘Where are you on immigration? Where are you on jobs?’”

Anderson also commented on the June 3 proposal by the Obama administration to cut carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants by up to 30 percent by 2030, a move Republicans said will kill jobs and slash household income.

“A higher up in General Motors in the 1970s, upon the mandate of catalytic converters, said it could be the end of GM. Not true. Innovation gets around this, and we’re all better in the outcome. The handwriting’s on the wall, and it’s been on the wall, let’s cut back on carbon emissions,” he said. “People on the other side are fond of saying they’ll look after our children, and our children’s children. They need to actually do that.”

Anderson hopes to hold about 25 town hall meetings between now and October.

Pat Barcas/staff photographer
Even though its been open for some time now, the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry made its grand opening offical May 28 and invited the public to its ribbon cutting event.

By Pat Barcas
Staff writer
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Email Pat Barcas at pat@foxvalleylabornews.com

AURORA — Hopefully, now that the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry has had its official ribbon cutting ceremony, the organization won’t need an even larger building for awhile.

Of course, the demand hasn’t slowed down one bit since the new 8,000 square foot facility on Jericho Road opened in the summer of 2012.

“Since January, requests for food are up 14 percent,” said Kristan Ensminger, director of operations.
Thankfully, the new pantry is about three times larger than the old facility at Hesed House on South River Street. It also has an indoor waiting area, a walk in freezer, new loading docks, warehouse space, offices for staff, several public bathrooms, private orientation rooms for new members, and a play area for children. Patrons can also choose which food they would like to take home, instead of the old place’s partially pre-packaged choices.

Pat Barcas/staff photographer
The Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry shows off its refrigerated section, which displays milk, cheese and other cold food items available for its clients.

About 100 people gathered May 28 for the official ribbon cutting, which signaled the end of the finishing touches on the offices upstairs.

“The best part of today is just seeing everyone here to support the pantry and what we do. It’s a great feeling,” said Marilyn Weisner, executive director.

She said the pantry’s biggest intangible offering is dignity to its customers.

“The pantry provides dignity to everyone who visits. People no longer have to worry about where they are getting their next meal. We are so grateful to everyone tonight, this is truly a community effort,” said Weisner.

Lynn Flores, pantry board president, said the search for the new building was a long one, but worth it.

“We knew when we were operating at Hesed House and saw people waiting in line outside in the weather, there has got to be a better way to make the pantry better for the community,” she said.

The search was on. A steering committee was formed, and building grants secured. The pantry board managed to raise $425,000 to match a Dunham Fund grant. The new building was purchased in early 2012.

“It’s great to support an organization run by volunteers who make the community a better place,” said Bob Vaughan, executive director of the Dunham Fund.

“This facility is large enough to serve a good amount of people,” said Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner. “The people here are who make me proud to be mayor of Aurora,” he said pointing to the group of supporters.

Pat Barcas/staff photographer
Aurora Police officer Graciano Flores volunteers his time outside the North Farnsworth Avenue Dunkin’ Donuts in an effort to raise money for Illinois Special Olympics. In 2013, Aurora Police officers and support personnel raised more than $23,000.

By Pat Barcas
Staff writer
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Email Pat Barcas at pat@foxvalleylabornews.com

AURORA — The Dunkin’ Donuts on North Farnsworth Avenue in Aurora May 30 had some traffic-slowing construction out front, but it may have actually aided donations for the Illinois Special Olympics.

“It’s a great turnout today. I think the construction might slow the traffic down, but it might direct some people in here while they wait,” said officer Mike Carrasco, who was one of the Aurora police officers participating in the Cop on Top donation drive.

The team included Carrasco, officer Graciano Flores, and booking officers Linda Conard and Shari Clark.

Two years ago, the Farnsworth Avenue store had the lowest amount of donations out of the four Dunkin’ Donuts locations the Aurora police department visits during Cop on Top. This year, the team hoped to push it out front.
“We turned it around, it was second highest last year,” said Flores.

The reason, Carrasco said, is the friendly demeanor of these officers.

“We’re friendly people, we’re willing to talk and get out there and ask,” he said. “It also helps to be bilingual, you can explain to people in Spanish and they usually donate.”

Everyone also agreed the rate of donations at all locations is unusually high.

“It always amazes me the percentage of customers who donate,” said Dave Bohman, president of the Citizen Police Academy Alumni of Aurora, who took donations inside the store. “With other charities, you might get 5 or 10 percent of people donating. Here it’s more like 80 to 90 percent. We like to think it’s because it’s such a great cause.”

The officer’s friendliness was thanked by one woman who had her child with special needs in the car. She was looking for more information on the Special Olympics.

“It’s really cool to see people. That kid could end up being a participant in the Special Olympics,” said Flores.

“When you see the people the charity helps firsthand, it’s really cool,” Flores explained.

In 2013, Aurora Police officers and support personnel raised more than $23,000 to help Special Olympics Illinois continue to provide year-round training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

This past March, a team of Aurora Police officers, their family members, and support employees raised $5,100 during the annual “Polar Plunge” in Yorkville.

Several more fund raisers for Special Olympics are planned by Aurora Police throughout the remainder of the year.