After sharing breakfast with his wife Pat, it’s time for Mayor Pradel to rev up the engine and head off to City Hall for a KidsMatter meeting. The first of many events on the mayor’s calendar. “I’m not the typical mayor who sits in an office and signs papers and only goes to events when asked. I take a part in a lot of different groups and when there is something going on that is special to me like this veteran event we have today, I want to be a big part of that because I served in the Marine Corp. and I want to show those men and women that I care about them. Its all about caring,” said Mayor A. George Pradel. Naperville Responds For Our Veterans is a growing not for profit, close to the Mayor’s heart. This particular morning, the mayor is honored for his service by fellow Marine Veteran, Lynn Lowder. Following the luncheon it’s time to head back to the office, checking in with Emy Trotz, the Mayor’s long time assistant, to see what the rest of his day holds. “I keep all of his appointments in order and make sure he arrives on time. I enjoy just working with the Mayor and having access and seeing all of the growth of this city, it’s an exciting time for Naperville,” said Trotz. Before the City Council meeting later that night, the Mayor has to do his homework. Making his way down the hall to City Manager, Doug Krieger’s office to go over the agenda. After some family time, it’s back to city hall for the final event in his day, the city council meeting. Mayor Pradel sits on the council and moves the meeting along, making sure important projects and amendments go though the City Council. But he hopes once he kisses the Mayor’s office goodbye, that he is remembered for more than his political work. “The legacy I hope to leave is that he really cared about us he was part of our life and our friend. Not that he did something special or signed papers for a big project, but that fact that he was our friend,” he said. Naperville News 17's Natalie Vitale Reports.

• published: 10 Apr 2015
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