Editor's note. Planned Parenthood's at it again. Please send your comments to daveandrusko@hotmail.com.

Pro-lifers will never sit idly by while Planned Parenthood attempts to bring another killing center into a community previously free of the United States' leading abortion "provider." But when PPFA hides its intentions in subterfuge and misdirection--as has proven to be the case in Aurora, Illinois-- resistance will be all the more intense.

In the wake of a crescendo of pro-life criticisms, Aurora has hired Chicago attorney Richard Martens "to examine the city's development process, which culminated in approval in November 2006" of the $7.5 million dollar facility, the Beacon News reported. The newspaper wrote that City Spokesman Carie Anne Ergo "said there have been questions raised in recent weeks about whether Planned Parenthood might have taken an inappropriate tack by bringing the development in under the Gemini Development Corp. moniker. Though the development was approved in November, its specific use was only revealed last month, sparking outrage from anti-abortion groups."

The decision to hire Martens was explained in a memo by Bill Wiet, Mayor Tom Weisner's chief of staff, the paper reported. Martens was described as past chairman of the Chicago Bar Association Local Government Committee.

The abortion clinic is scheduled to open September 18. Planned Parenthood's temporary occupancy permit expires the day before.

Wiet wrote in his memo, "If the review indicates that our laws have been followed, the city will be obligated to issue a final occupancy permit for the facility opening on Sept. 18, 2007," according to the Beacon News.

On July 27, 2007, we discussed the shenanigans surrounding the construction of a new 22,000-square foot Planned Parenthood facility in Aurora. We gave context by quoting from a Chicago Tribune story that began, "Neighbors who drive by the bustling construction site in Aurora think they are seeing the completion of the 'Gemini Health Center,' just as the sign says. So do the painters, carpenters, electricians and other tradesmen who have been working on the project for the last eight months.

"But in a few weeks the sign will be changed to reflect the true owners of the building: Planned Parenthood. At 22,000 square feet, this is among its larger facilities in the nation, providing a wide range of women's health services -- including abortions."

In a comment that blended relief with smugness, Steve Trombley, president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood/Chicago Area, told the Tribune, "Frankly, I'm surprised we were able to keep it a secret for so long."

With the abortion clinic's opening rapidly approaching, opponents have ratchet up their opposition.  The Aurora Beacon News reported that on Tuesday the City Council chambers were packed --"bursting at the seams"--as opponents and supporters came to the second floor meeting room to talk about the "full-service women's health center."

But when Aurora Beacon News reporter Kristen Zambro blandly wrote, "The center was approved by the council's Planning and Development Committee last November and did not require full City Council approval," this both missed altogether what so angered local opponents and underestimated how devious PPFA officials actually were.

Pro-life columnist Jill Stanek, writing on her blog, includes a narrative of deception. To take just a few examples, according to Stanek,

* On four construction permits, Gemini Office Development, though a subsidiary of PPFA, listed itself as the owner and tenant.

* Last November Gemini representative Tom Lehman was asked directly by an Aurora alderman, "Is this building being built specifically for a client?" He responded, according to Stanek, "We're in negotiations with a tenant; we do not currently have a lease, but we still want to move ahead."

* And "On its March 22, 2007, permit application for signage, Gemini stated the tenant was 'unknown at this time.'"

Kendall County is one of the counties that "straddles" Aurora County, according to the Tribune. It's "the nation's second-fastest-growing county, increasing by 62 percent from April 2000 to July 2006," according to data released in June by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Trombley says, "This is a medically underserved area," as if abortion can be defined as "medical care."

Part of Planned Parenthood's big picture plan is to open what it calls suburban "express" sites. In this instance, three have been opened--in Naperville, Schaumburg and Orland Park-- which "mostly offer birth control and testing for sexually transmitted infections."

As we discussed earlier in July, this is the exact approach adopted by Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. It opened two suburban "express" mall stores, targeting young women with scented oils, candles…and referrals to its St. Paul abortion center!

PPFA is not [surprise, surprise] the least bit apologetic about misleading the Aurora community. The stealth approach was adopted Trombley told Fox News Chicago, "to prevent our opposition from knowing so that they wouldn't harass our construction workers and cause more problems."

But none of "the painters, carpenters, electricians and other tradesmen" had a clue they were working on an abortion clinic. Stanek gets it right when she observes, "Trombley did not consider that construction companies and workers would want a 'choice' whether to help build an abortuary."

If you have any comments or questions, please write Dave Andrusko at daveandrusko@hotmail.com.