Activist Toolkit

1. What motivates you to seek this office? What skills, experiences, and perspectives would you bring to the Park District Board, and why would those contributions be valuable to the Park District?

There is a great need to bring focus back on to the community at-large. The new board needs  diversity in perspective. I have many experiences across both Park District (basketball, soccer,  and classes) and non-Park District activities (including 37 seasons in coaching) in the village – both youth and adult. I have served on a number of local boards and was a deacon and  moderator at our local church. My wife and three kids have been actively involved in the  community – in sports, at camps, for leisure, within our church, thru volunteerism and in the arts  too. 

2. What steps will you take to improve and expand community engagement with the Park District and the Board?  What is your view on how local elected officials should communicate with and respond to constituents?

Our community survey is being ignored. The comprehensive questionnaire has many great  ideas and valuable community feedback. The feedback must return to the conversation. We  need to go beyond the survey as well. We need to seek continued feedback from the 18  organizations that use PD facilities, summer campers and parents, camp counselors, PD staff  and program participant families. 

3. Give an example of a time when you worked to understand a situation or view different from your own. What helped you to move through that process? What hindered you as you moved through the process?

A recent, contentious project in town was continually being suspended. I spearheaded a  movement with a group of neighbors that met with outside decision-makers. Each side didn’t  have a full grasp of all of the issues. After trust was established, documents and information  were openly shared. Rich communication occurred. True listening and consideration  happened. The project is on track and scheduled. A great win-win for all. 

4. Who or what is your role model for your approach to governing?

This one is easy. My father was a downstate businessman and community leader. He was a  town trustee and mayor for almost 20 years. He was my role model “back then” and continues  to be now, in memoriam. “Jack” was especially great on data gathering and consensus building  based on data and thorough conversations; he paid attention to ALL. 

5. What do you feel are the three biggest issues facing the Park District, and how do you intend to address them? How will you prioritize among competing priorities? 

1. Lack of communication with the community. Inattention to what’s been said (via the survey,  mostly) and simply not clearly describing processes, plans and objectives. This has created a  great deal of angst, mistrust and stress in our community. 

2. “Non-Community” focus at this time. Frankly, there is a hyper-focus on platform tennis right  now. The recent survey that shows what the community wants, and actually needs, is – at best  – on the “backburner”. We need to simply slow down, reset and consider a number of projects that need to be implemented. Minimally, the results of the survey need to be analyzed and  discussed and then communicated. Even if ALL ideas are “bad” and none will be implemented, the community needs to know this and perhaps the “why”.

3. Money Management. As a non-profit, the PD needs to spend what is received and there is  a fairly robust amount of funds that can be used equitably and logically toward many projects  that are currently shelved.

6. What do you believe has been the most significant action taken by the Park District in recent years, and why? Do you believe the Board acted appropriately?

The community is confused and misinformed about paddle spending and even the relationship  with the Park District. So really, any attention and development of this sport and entity is viewed  as “exclusive” and for a select, small portion of our residents (1.6%). The current facility owes  the Park District about $500K. If this wasn’t problematic already, it soon could be. Construction  of two more courts is being considered ($400K not including add-ons: water reclamation requirements, movement of tennis court(s), playground removal, etc., etc., etc.) and a members only “hut” financed by a revenue bond (vs private funds – the option used by private clubs) for  an additional $800K! (…again plus add-ons.) As far as Q#2-“Do you believe the Board acted  appropriately?” That question will be answered on Election Day. 

7. How do you define racial equity? Have recent events and discussions in the larger community informed or changed your thinking?

I am wired to act, react and function consistently “no matter what”. I guess I base and define RE from the perspective of the end result. RE exists if the attain, the solution, the decision or  the end-all-be-all has considered information, ethics, morals, law and proper process to get to  that end. 

8. How do you plan to solicit feedback from people who may be experiencing the community in a different way than you? What barriers do you believe may exist in this process?

An analysis of the community survey would be a great place to start. There are ample funds,  energy, creativity and ideas to ensure many win-win-win-win outcomes in our community where  the Park District could be truly proud of its work. 

I actually think a barrier could be the need to slow down and move away from a single focus and  basically rewind and talk about a number of opportunities that are being put aside. 

9. How should the Park District balance the needs of all residents versus facilities and resource use by more organized groups such as sports leagues?

That is the #2 problem I identified in Q 5 and the current issue of the board’s sole focus (paddle)  in Q 6. This is, as I see it, easily addressed. I will again restate that the survey needs to be  analyzed and discussed. It is loaded with great information. 

10. Park districts make use of many different sources of funding, including property tax revenues, fees, and grants. Do you feel the Park District maintains the right balance for financial sustainability and equity? What do you see as the tradeoffs?

I would need to get additional information and clarification from the Park District manager, board  and treasurer on accountancy. It appears that the PD is seeking funds (grants) when it can. I DO NOT agree with the Park District’s signing of a debt instrument for an expensive and  unwarranted “hut”. It is not essential and it would NOT be a public building. NO consideration  or options that I know of have discussed PRIVATE / MEMBER funding of the hut. This is  disappointing. Members have voiced financial support in the past but not a single member has  stepped up to provide any funds/funding. 

11. The Park District has many part-time employees. How will you balance the need for fiscal stewardship with the responsibility to pay employees a living wage?

It appears that the Park District has done a spectacular job of compensating, hiring, promoting  and even motivating its employees. I believe from getting feedback – that both the full-time and  part-time employees like working for the PD.  

12. Do you have any ideas or plans for collaboration with neighboring communities? If so, what are they? 

I already have had numerous conversations with other community leaders regarding  programming, as well as challenges, “wins”, and financial matters. Developing programming  and camp activities would be the two best starting points. A further reaching scholarship  program would allow for more participation. 

13. What are your ideas for creating/preserving green or natural space in River Forest? 

I have a number of conservation-type projects currently in place downstate. A few of these  could be copied in our town. Two main areas that could be impacted: 1-plantings and greenery  – trees/shrubs/bushes/grasses and wildflowers, 2-wildlife habitats – mainly aviary. 

14. What are the opportunities and limitations of the Park District coordinating with the River Forest Community Center?

In the past there were numerous roadblocks that stopped collaborative efforts. Any join projects  would need to start from scratch – pushing away almost irreconcilable differences and steadfast  positions. Albeit complicated, a “join venture” might actually be an interesting project and might  provide a rewarding product(s) for the community. 

15. What values and priorities would you bring to the budgeting process? Do you favor any changes in the process by which the Park District conducts its budgeting and fiscal planning?

As I said in Q 10, I really do not have any issues with the Park District’s financials. I think the  Park District should absolutely NOT take on a debt position to build a hut for a club. There are  ample funds available to create new opportunities or improve current facilities. Doing so would  serve many residents – including our kids. In the PD survey “Importance of Program Areas”, 18 areas were listed. Glaringly, 25% of respondents FIRST SELECTION was to FOCUS ON  YOUTH SPORTS.

• • • • •

[The above answers were supplied on 2/17/21.]