Question 7: What experience(s) do you have that demonstrate particular skills or insights to being a qualified park district board member?
Ron Aubrey: Given my five years of experience serving on this board and my background in running two businesses in the investment and finance areas for almost 20 years, I believe that I am uniquely qualified to continue providing financial oversight of the Park District's operating budget and long-term capital expenditure programs during this very difficult economic time. I am known for originating new ideas to better serve our community and then taking an active role in getting things done.
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Melissa Creech, Jay Kinzler, Julia Nephew: Jay Kinzler has long and varied leadership experience with several of the Park District's important programs. As a medical doctor, he has managed his own practice and understands the reality of running a business.
Melissa Creech has demonstrated skill in researching and examining projects from many angles and building a diverse group of supporters. She has experience managing projects and planning, implementing and sticking to budgets.
Julia Nephew has proven skills in organizational leadership and project management. She has procured, managed and won renewal of grants.
All three were key players and valuable leaders in the fight to protect the trees at Ackerman Woods.
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Jeffrey Dickson: I’ve been actively engaged in the running of a successful and growing Park District program as an officer on their Board of Directors. I worked well with our volunteers, parents and coaches, addressing issues and solving problems as they were raised. I’ve had active engagement and have built good working relationships with the Park District staff and understand the financial aspects associated with a large program
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Jeffery Jourdan: I am a controller for a mid size steel company that has similar revenue and expenses as the park district. At my job I handle the following items; budgeting, collection, expenditure, human resources, and gathering quotes on large expenditures, ie: insurance, equipment, and facility maintenance.
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Keith Schoen: I ran my own business for 45 years, managed people, listened to residents with questions and concerns and the coaching kept me close to people regarding park district activities. Have taken trips with the district and this gave me insight as to how well they are run.
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William Taylor: In addition to acting as project manager for the engineering and construction of parks and park improvements for the Glen Ellyn Park District, I also have managed projects for the Plainfield, Elgin, West Dundee, Des Plaines, Romeoville and Naperville Park Districts. This experience has enabled me to understand how districts operate, how projects get funded, what may be the latest advances in “green” technology and how to balance the recreational and aesthetic nature of park systems.
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Question 8: What experience do you have in the areas of budgeting, business and finance?
Ron Aubrey: As previously mentioned I own and operate two businesses in the investments area and also have extensive experience in finance, economics and market history. The Park District’s sources of revenues are balanced between property taxes and user supported programs. In return, our residents expect high quality services, a wide offering of programs, and safe and secure facilities for families and children’s use. Over the last 5 years, I constantly looked for new ways to meet the challenge of stretching tax dollars and do more with less and if re-elected, will continue to do so.
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Melissa Creech, Jay Kinzler, Julia Nephew: Jay Kinzler gained experience in the budget process as a member of the Board of Directors of the Elmhurst Physician Association and the Elmhurst Outpatient Surgery Center. As a board member for the Elmhurst Outpatient Surgery Center he helped turn an unprofitable venture into a profitable one and was re-elected by his peers twice to continue to serve in this role. Currently, Jay is the Secretary/Treasurer for the Chicago Urological Society (CSU). Last year, CSU ran a $40,000 deficit and with change in management, they are now in surplus.
Melissa Creech has held various teaching and leadership positions at Lake Park High School District 108 in Roselle, IL, including Director of Technology. In this role, Melissa managed and budgeted for $500,000 in technology-related expenses and directly supervised 19 employees. She worked with architects and engineers to plan for the district's technology needs in a $60 million school expansion project.
Julia Nephew has led several organizations in addition to her leadership and committee work in various capacities as a college professor. She has been the treasurer of the North American branch of a small international non-profit organization since its creation. Julia filed the IRS and other paperwork that earned the group its non-profit status. Julia has experience writing, winning and maintaining grants in support of service learning and research projects and has supervised the students involved in these projects.
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Jeffrey Dickson: I have an MBA with a major in finance and marketing. I’ve worked in the non-profit sector before and understand the nuisances associated with fund accounting. In my professional career I’ve managed and balanced multi-million dollar capital budgets and been involved in monthly and quarterly financial consolidation for a global computer company.
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Jeffery Jourdan: I have an accounting degree from North Central College. After college I worked for 4 years in public accounting doing audits for many school districts and municipalities as well as corporate and individual tax returns.
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Keith Schoen: My business experience, Softball budgets and Glen Ellyn Rotary budgets for the club and foundation.
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William Taylor: As an engineering and construction project manager, I understand and have successfully demonstrated how projects are delivered on time and within budget. I understand what is at stake for both parties in an agreement. I have worked as both a representative of the owner and a representative of the contractor in the construction process.
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Question 9: What ideas do you have for making the work of the Park District Board more accessible/visible to the community?
Ron Aubrey: See my comments to Question 4.
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Melissa Creech, Jay Kinzler, Julia Nephew: This is one of our main campaign issues. Our citizens need to be well informed about the Park District's plans, finances and actions. Important documents such as budgets, expenditures, board packets, policy manuals and long-range planning documents should all be readily available in the Park District website. Long-range planning sessions by the board should be conducted on-site, in the Park District boardroom so the public can easily attend them. If elected, we will work to broadcast all Board meetings either on the local cable channel or via Internet. Additionally, we will be available by email and phone for residents who need to reach us.
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Jeffrey Dickson: I believe we can better utilize our on-line resources to disseminate board and Park District related information to the public. I believe a closer partnership with the other elected civic officials will benefit the community.
Each Commissioner should be assigned to work as a liaison with each of our volunteer Boards. We should attend at least two meetings a year, collect input as to what is and is not working for their organization and promote the current activities of the Board.
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Jeffery Jourdan: The computer and internet makes the park district very accessible to the community. The park district also sends out quarterly program brochures that describe new programs with updates on all our park projects. We send out e-blasts to all who have signed up for programs. This informs the community of sign up deadlines. The website is updated as often as needed. The community can even watch the progress of the Ackerman Sports Complex being built.
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Keith Schoen: We need to toot our horn more and advise the residents just how much good we do in and for the community.
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William Taylor: The idea of televising park district board meetings has been talked about before. While it seems that this would be a good idea, currently it is only done at the village board meeting level. That is because village hall is equipped with video and sound technology to not only record meetings but to transmit them live to the local cable provider. Before committing to this on the park district level, I would explore the infrastructure costs that would be necessary to produce these broadcasts. Contrary to what some may believe, park district meetings are not held in private. They are held in accordance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act. The agendas for these meetings are on display at all park district buildings well before the meetings themselves and also are posted on the District’s web site. Results and minutes of these meetings are posted on the web site as well. Budget information related to the Park District is also on display at the Glen Ellyn Public Library. All board members are accessible via the email system established by the district. All current board members have listed telephone numbers.
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Question 10: What are your thoughts on registering for summer camps in the winter?
Ron Aubrey: Eight years ago in response to resident feedback, the Park District started offering the summer programs in the winter brochure. This allowed parents the ability to coordinate their children’s Park District programs with their other summer activities including out-of-state camps, vacations, high school sponsored athletic camps, etc. Only six younger children programs are impacted by this situation including: Turf & Surf, Imagination Station; Camp Caravan, Kindergarten Kids Camp; Positively Play and new this year – Travelling Tweens.
Last year, the Park District assumed the responsibility of running the high school athletic summer camps for the first time. Sign up for these camps will be offered in the spring brochure.
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Melissa Creech, Jay Kinzler, Julia Nephew: This is an awkward process. For some parents, registering early is necessary because they rely on Park District programs for childcare during the summer. These parents need to know that they are registered for camps early on so if they don’t get a spot they still have time to make other arrangements.
But for parents who just want a few programs for their kids in the summer, registering for July classes in January is difficult. Not all of the summer classes are listed in January, so there is no way to know if there are conflicts with other classes. The Park District should look into an alternate process for scheduling these camps.
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Jeffrey Dickson: My family has experienced no issues. If you’re a question, though, there must be some concern. As a commissioner, I’d be open to investigating the concern and would work to rectify identified issues.
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Jeffery Jourdan: I am aware that at times it may be difficult for families to plan that far ahead, but in order for the park district to have successful summer camps this is somewhat of a necessity. Lead time is needed to staff and plan meaningful programs that the community is asking for.
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Keith Schoen: I believe this has become necessary due to the volume and popularity of certain camps, this is also why we have lotterys.
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William Taylor: Most summer camps begin the first or second week in June, for younger children it may be even earlier. Some of these camps can accommodate up to 80 participants. Camps are advertised in the winter brochure for winter registration to allow staff to plan accordingly. These camps have repeatedly proven to be highly successful in their operation which is the reason they are so well attended. That is attributable to the dedication of the staff and their ability to plan ahead.
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Question 11: How well do you think the Park District has been maintaining their parks? Do you have any suggestions or comments on park maintenance?
Ron Aubrey: The Park District is responsible for maintaining 29 parks; over 322 acres of open space, numerous playgrounds, basketball/tennis courts, skate parks and four indoor recreational facilities. In the last five years, we have experienced a significant increase in new program offerings and resident participation as well, which has presented new demands for facility use. Some of the Maintenance Dept’s responsibilities include: grass mowing, bush and tree trimming & planting, tree protection services from harmful predators, plantings of flowers, watering & other on-going care requirements, road maintenance, snow removal, upkeep and maintenance of four Park District owned facilities and even making ice for skating. As a whole, they do a lot for our community most of which we don’t even see and they exceed my expectations of service including always staying within budget.
Some park improvements currently under evaluation include:
• Roll out this spring of our next generation park wide recycling program with over 100 new combination recycling/trash containers
• More native perennials and prairie plantings to lower maintenance costs
• More use of bio solids and other environmentally friendly fertilizer products
• Improve irrigation of some Ackerman soccer fields
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Melissa Creech, Jay Kinzler, Julia Nephew: Though most of the parks and facilities are excellent, there are pockets that have been overlooked. Athletic fields are often unplayable because of drainage problems. More can be done to make sure fields are in excellent playing condition. During the clean-up of Ackerman Woods last fall, volunteers removed four truckloads of garbage from the woods. Clearly, these woods had not been given any attention in a very long time. Most Park District natural areas are full of invasive plants. Fixing up neglected areas of the parks would cost very little money but would make a big impact on the community.
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Jeffrey Dickson: The staff works hard to maintain our parks. They look to promote recycling where practical and I understand they evaluate and implement environmentally safe maintenance programs when viable.
I believe they work hard to ensure our fields are prepared for our sports programs. The challenge we face, though, is over utilization. In line with survey responses, we need to continue adding and developing open space so that our fields can be properly rested. On any given weekend, we have many hundreds of children and community members playing on our fields. These same groups use the space during the week for practice and recreation. The end result are fields that look to be in poor shape due to maintenance issues but might just have problems because we use them all the time. There is no easy solution, but space utilization is one area I want to explore further.
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Jeffery Jourdan: The park district is doing a great job on maintaining the parks and facilities. The superintendent of parks is dedicated to keeping his staff up to date on the most current maintenance needs specific to each park and facility. By doing this the park district continuously receives positive feedback from the community. The maintenance of the parks and facilities rank high on the park district’s and community’s priority list.
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Keith Schoen: In keeping with budgetary constraints our parks look great, if our tax rate were as high as some others we would have a better opportunity with a larger staff to better manicure areas but for the most part we are in line.
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William Taylor: Park district buildings and their surrounding grounds are very well taken care of. The buildings are clean, organized, handicapped accessible and laid out to accommodate specific groups and their programs. Program parks (those with ball fields, playgrounds, court surfaces, water features) are also well maintained. Passive use parks such as Lake Ellyn, Churchill Park, Ellynwood Nature Center, Gault Bird Sanctuary and wooded areas at Ackerman Park have begun eco-restoration efforts to control the influence of non-native species. Trees throughout the district are continually examined for disease and infestation. One suggestion I would make on maintenance issues is that as parks continue to grow and activity increases, more refuse and recycle containers be placed in identifiable areas and these containers be emptied more frequently.
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Question 12: Where do you rank the Glen Ellyn Boat House in priorities? What do you think of the Boat House?
Ron Aubrey: Results of a Park District late 2005 survey of residents showed renovation of the historic Boat House as the 2nd highest priority. However, when residents had the opportunity to support a renovation via voter referendum, it did not pass due the impact on parking and preference to not change the size of the building. The proposed plans included: a new front entrance/foyer area with coat check; additional wash rooms for indoor and outdoor use; separating the rented hall and ice skating/private meeting area for year round use; addition of a private meeting room area. The boat house continues to be revered and valued by our community and the Park District is dedicated to preserve its charm and architecture for years to come. Future plans will be included in our 5-year comprehensive plan.
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Melissa Creech, Jay Kinzler, Julia Nephew: We support renovation of the boat house. The boat house should be renovated and preserved in a way that keeps its historic charm, and should not be torn down. Renovating the boat house should be a priority for the Park District Board.
In a 2005 survey, residents ranked boat house renovation number three in a list of thirteen capital projects that the Board was considering. The 2006 Park District referendum included $2.5 million for acquiring open space (ranked first in the survey), $2 million for Main Street Recreation Center renovation (ranked second in the survey), and $7.4 million for the indoor soccer facility currently being built at Ackerman Park. The indoor soccer facility was ranked last in the survey, yet received the most funding.
If elected, we will survey the residents AND take their recommendations into consideration when making decisions.
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Jeffrey Dickson: The community has listed fixing the Boat House as a high priority. I support renovating the Boat House. I believe it is outdated and underutilized by the community.
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Jeffery Jourdan: I feel the boat house is one of the buildings that gives Glen Ellyn its charm. The atmosphere and setting are unbeatable. I have rented the boat house for two family functions and attended other community functions there as well. I would be hard pressed to find a facility in any other community that tops our boat house.
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Keith Schoen: Boat house is high priority actually #4 for me as I would like to see it maintained and kept up as it serves a tremendous function for skating when we have ice and as a rental for many functions such as weddings, engagements, homecoming and even funerals with an absolutely serene surroundings.
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William Taylor: The boathouse sits at the center of the premier park within the Glen Ellyn Park District system. Keeping the boathouse a valuable asset should be a high priority. Like any building its age, it will require from time to time, repairs and improvements to keep it up to code and attractive to those who use it. Any improvements done must be designed by local architects who understand its historic significance. I have attended weddings, holiday parties, presentations and group meetings at the boathouse and have found it in every instance to be a wonderful experience and setting. I also strongly believe that it enhances the ice skating experience greatly and would never want it to lose that function.
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