AURORA -- Aurora's new Planned Parenthood facility may not open as scheduled September 18, pending the outcome of an investigation initiated by the city's mayor and demanded by angry residents.
Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner told residents late Tuesday night that Planned Parenthood's new facility would not open until an investigation had been completed as to whether city protocol had been properly followed to obtain city permits and whether or not Planned Parenthood used fraud or deception in the process.
"If I had known Planned Parenthood was moving into that location, I would have voted no," Alderman Richard Laurence said. "If I find out someone was involved in hiding this, well . . ."
Angry about an abortion clinic threatening to open its doors mid-September, a massive demonstration with 1200 protesters Saturday morning was followed Tuesday night by another outrcry of 400 area residents filling the Aurora City Hall and overflowing into building hallways and onto the street.
"You've been duped and lied to," Father Martin Heinz of Holy Angels Church told Aurora council members.
Over 100 signed in before Tuesday night's meeting to oppose the opening Planned Parenthood's 22,000 square foot new facility located at East New York and Eola Drives.
Attorney Vince Tessitore gave the aldermen copies of forms showing Gemini Office Development said new building's tenant was "Unknown at this time," withholding a direct connection between Gemini and Planned Parenthood, who is to be the new occupant.
Questions as to whether city officials knowingly cooperated with Gemini or whether Gemini withheld information on their own will be investigated, Weisner said.
For five and a half hours, city council members heard first from Aurora residents. Two women voiced support for the clinic: both members of Illinois NOW.
"We welcome Planned Parenthood to our community," Bonnie Grabenhofer said. "These extremists intend to harass women and intimidate them from exercising their rights."
The rest opposed the clinic's opening, giving reasons ranging from more traffic in the area, ongoing protests disturbing nearby residences, possible decline in property values to just a general embarrassment and grief about being known as the town "where that big abortion mill is."
"Planned Parenthood covers crime by protecting sexual predators," State Senator Chris Lauzen told the council. "They hide statutory rape, and tell the girls no one ever has to know."
"They make money off our children's morale demise, " Aurora resident Rebecca Mueller said. "They will use the same willful deception on our children. Do you want this abortion clinic to be your legacy to this community?"
"It's not too late, you can do something," Molly Baine said, identifying herself as a member of Calvary Church in Naperville, "Let's celebrate life. Let's celebrate Aurora."
Copyright 2007 IllinoisReview.com
Related IR posts on the Aurora Planned Parenthood controversy:
- Planned Parenthood opening could be delayed, pending Aurora mayor's investigation
- Aurora Planned Parenthood investigation
- "Planned Parenthood driven underground"
- Aurora City Council hears citizen outrage
- Two federal lawsuits filed against City of Aurora
- South Suburbs: an abortion-free zone
- Aurora abortion protestors call for investigation
- Prolifers "won't back down" in Aurora
- On the spot: Joe Scheidler of ProLife Action League
