Richard A. Rosen: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: WheelingWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Wheeling parksAge: 65Family: Married with one sonOccupation: Retired....previously worked at a medium sized manufacturing company over 25 years as their ceo/cfo with daily responsibilities in finance, personnel, and sales areas.Education: Bachelor degree majoring in accounting and economics at the University of ArizonaMasters degree (MBA) majoring in finance at the University of Wisconsin-MadisonCivic involvement: Serving as commissioner for the Wheeling Park District...Served on School District 21's Board...Serving on Wheeling's Rotary Club...Serving on the N.W. Suburban Interfaith Council...Served on Wheeling/Buffalo Grove's United Way Board...Served of OMNI Youth Service's Board...Served a chairman for Indian Trails Library's Facilities Planning Committee...Heads the ""Feed Our Community"" campaign at my place of worship... Elected offices held: Elected to School District 21's Board (4 years)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NeverCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To serve my community by representing them regarding park district matters.Key Issue 2 To best foster communication relationships between me and my community, the Wheeling Park District's staff, and our board of commissioners.Key Issue 3 To continue to study issues relating to our park's policies, goals and programs. In doing so, I will continue to actively present any ideas and/or opinions that reflect what is in the community at large best interests.Questions Answers What programs aren#146;t paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?Less than two years ago, my fellow commissioners appointed me to their board. Although I attended many meeting preceding my appointment, several months were needed before I felt comfortable in learning how Wheeling's Park District operated. In doing so, I surprisingly found a efficiently run organization. The programs are well planned and continuously reviewed. If you look through our program book, you would see a variety of programs that effectively serve all ages, from toddlers to senior citizens. Therefore I would not alter nor eliminate programing at this time. I am open to any suggestions or criticisms from my community regarding this issue.Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.1.Outside of our existing parks, Wheeling does not have much to offer as available land. If open land becomes available to us, I want to be sure that it is affordable, useful, and what the public wants us to do. 2.I do, however, hope that the Cook County Board sees fit to vastly improve the forest preserve that borders us on the east side with additional bicycle/jogging paths...as they have done for the Glenview/Morton Grove area. It would be appropriate that some of our Cook County tax dollars be spent in our community for that purpose. 3. Within the next two years, our Heritage park, with assistance from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and the Village of Wheeling, will become transformed into a centerpiece attraction for all to marvel and enjoy. I hope voters in my community will allow me another TWO years, so I can continue, in my little way, to see this project to its completion. It is going to be incredible.Are there any unmet recreational needs? If yes, what are they and how would you propose paying for them? Or, should they wait until the economy improves?1.No matter how well any organization is run, there is always room to improve. 2.In areas of unmet recreational needs and as previously mentioned, we need more areas for bicycling. The Village of Wheeling, in conjunction with its planning commission and the Wheeling Park District, are working on this need. I have been involved in several of their meetings and hope to continue as one of our park board representatives working to see this need being satisfied. 3. Regarding our golf course at Chevy Chase, I would like to see an area set aside for golf club storage, so that our customers, if they choose, would have their clubs available to them on site whenever they decide to play a round on our golf course. This would provide a ""leg up"" versus many of our public golf course competitors by providing a new and convenient service; and, in doing so, should equate to more rounds/revenues especially by increasing the numbers of weekend ""lottery"" players. 4.I also would love to see an indoor rock climbing area. This would be a great exercising venue especially during the cold winter months. As with our outdoor pool, golf course, and fitness center, this idea could be funded by paid admissions.Would you support sharing/pooling resources (i.e. printing, vehicles) with other local governments (school districts, village, etc.)? If so, what areas would you consider combining or merging to save money or improve efficiency?ABSOLUTELY....1. Our executive director, Jan Buchs, recently hired a safety manager. In doing so she shared that employees' time and expense with Buffalo Grove's park district. I was an outspoken advocate supporting this idea.2. For years, the Wheeling Park District has shared facilities and staff with School District #21 (including its Family Learning Program). Again, I have been an advocate while serving on #21's school board and continue to advocate this relationship as park board commissioner. I strongly support anytime we can partner with another local governing body to provide improved service for all our communities.If you are a newcomer, what prompted you to run for the park board? If you're an incumbent, list your accomplishments or key initiatives in which you played a leadership role.With approximately only two years of experience as commissioner, I have learned a great deal. As the board's newest member, I recognize that I am but one voice of seven; and, respect other commissioners staff, past present, for their experiences efforts in getting the Wheeling Park District to where we are today. In bringing to this body my 25+ years of experience in leading a successful business operation, I look upon the park district as a business, with our mission to our customers/community ""to provide memorable experiences in parks and recreation that enrich our community"". I have found Wheeling Park District is a success whose staff gladly accomplish our mission on a daily basis. My job is has been an enjoyable experience...to attend bi-monthly meetings and many of the park activities/programs...and in doing so, working with so many others to continuously improve on an all ready well run organization. I intend to keep my focus as the watchdog for our community....and, at present, I am a happy, yet vigilant dog. I hope the voters in my community give me another TWO years of service...I will serve you well....