Ron Drake, 54, a John Hersey High School grad and former mayor of Avondale, Arizona, has picked up a packet for Arlington Heights village president in the April 2013 consolidated election. Now two candidates will run for mayor or village president of the Village of Arlington Heights — Thomas Hayes and Ron Drake.
Drake grew up in Mount Prospect and graduated from Hersey High School (1975) and Northern Illinois University (1980). Drake and his wife returned to the Chicago area — moving to Arlington Heights — in 2007. Hayes graduated from rival Prospect High School in 1974 — a year earlier than Drake. The two did not know each other.
Drake has worked since 2007 as Business Development Director for Michael Walters Advertising. He ran for Congress in 2006. He was mayor of the City of Avondale, Arizona from January 2000 until January 2006.
Avondale is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, an adjacent suburb of Phoenix. Avondale’s population is comparable to the population of Arlington Heights. Avondale is also home to the Phoenix International Raceway. Drake believes his skills with the NASCAR raceway in Avondale would be transferable in working with Arlington Park Racetrack.
In a sampling of crime data from the FBI/U.S. Department of Justice, Avondale had a considerably higher crime rate compared to Arlington Heights in 2009.
POPULATION in 2009
Arlington Heights … 73,061
Avondale … 88,773
MURDERS in 2009
Arlington Heights … 2
Avondale, AZ … 5
ROBBERIES IN 2009
Arlington Heights … 14
Avondale, AZ … 111
AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS IN 2009
Arlington Heights … 38
Avondale, AZ … 212
PROPERTY CRIMES IN 2009
Arlington Heights … 1,265
Avondale, AZ … 4,389
BURGLARIES IN 2009
Arlington Heights … 171
Avondale, AZ … 1,012
LARCENY/THEFTS
Arlington Heights … 1,070
Avondale, AZ … 2,831
MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT
Arlington Heights … 24
Avondale, AZ … 546
ARSON
Arlington Heights … 5
Avondale, AZ … 18
SOURCE:
U.S. Department of Justice Table 8 (Illinois) — Crime in the United States
U.S. Department of Justice Table 8 (Arizona) — Crime in the United States
See also …
www.ci.avondale.az.us