Chicago Bears great Mike Singletary and Chicago White Sox mascot Southpaw got in on the act as the Aurora City Council Tuesday night honored retiring Deputy Mayor Chuck Nelson.
Mayor Richard Irvin reserved his usual mayor’s report at the conclusion of the City Council Committee of the Whole meeting to honor Nelson for his service to Aurora, which included a number of years as alderman from the 4th Ward.
Irvin approached Nelson to be deputy mayor as he prepared for his first campaign for mayor in 2005.
“I was a young community-based prosecutor in the city of Aurora and Chuck was an alderman – we did a lot of work together,” he said.
Irvin personally called Nelson to meet to ask him if he would be his deputy mayor if he was elected in 2005.
“I recognized Chuck’s value to the city, our community and his overall value as a human being. I wanted him to be part of my team way back then,” Irvin said.
Nelson’s response at the time was, “Let’s talk about it if you win,” the mayor noted.
Tom Weisner won that election in 2005 to be become mayor of Aurora.
Irvin was elected mayor in 2017 and decided to “call my buddy Chuck who was on the way of retiring” to become deputy mayor.
“When I asked him in 2017 it was probably one of the best decisions I made. Whoever follows in Chuck’s footsteps will have big shoes to fill,” the mayor said.
“From the bottom of my heart, brother, thank you for being part of the team and being willing to join my administration. I know you were on the way to retire and this is four years longer than you expected to be but you did it with class,” Irvin said.
The mayor read a proclamation that recognized Nelson as a lifelong Auroran and for his work in the city as well as a graduate of East Aurora High School.
The proclamation ended with “Everybody loves Chuck,” a mantra that was repeated by members of the City Council in their remarks. The proclamation proclaimed Nelson’s birthday Jan. 7 as Chuck Nelson Day and this week of Dec. 14-20 as Chuck Nelson Week.
Nelson has served as deputy mayor since 2017. He was elected as alderman of the 4th Ward in 1993 and served for three terms until 2005. In 2006, he began his tenure as assistant chief of staff for Weisner, a position he held until 2015. Nelson was then appointed as director of Neighborhood Standards for the city of Aurora for two years. He is a Class of 1976 graduate of East Aurora High School.
Photographs of Nelson as an East Aurora High School football player were shown during Tuesday’s meeting.
The city had the White Sox mascot Southpaw congratulate Nelson with a series of placards showing how appreciated he is in the city. Knowing Nelson is a Bears fan, the city had a videotaped message from former Chicago Bears linebacker Mike Singletary played as well.
Singletary recognized Nelson for his integrity, excellence and as a class act and encouraged him to enjoy his retirement.
During his time on the City Council, Nelson represented the 4th Ward and served alongside current aldermen Mike Saville, 6th Ward; Robert O’Connor, at-large; and Scheketa Hart-Burns, 7th Ward.
“You always had your heart in the right place,” Saville said.
“You are a true Auroran,” Hart-Burns said. “Your voice speaks loud. Everybody loves Chuck. Whenever people ask, you try to give it or do it. No one can replace you.”
Nelson appreciated all of the remarks.
“What an honor. I am lost for words. I thought the old (school) pictures were long gone,” he said. “I truly have been blessed to have this opportunity for almost three decades to serve with many of you and the residents of Aurora.”
Nelson thanked the three aldermen he served with for “taking me under their wings and showing me the ropes.” He thanked the other aldermen as well, as well as the mayor.
“It’s been an honor to serve as your deputy mayor,” Nelson said.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
