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Tom Truedson: Candidate Profile
Oak Brook parks
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.
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Bio
City: Oak Brook
Website: Candidate did not respond.
Office sought: Oak Brook parks
Age: 55
Family: Married 25 years.
4 children,
youngest attends Hinsdale Central H.S.
2 in college Iowa & Indiana University
1 graduated from Univ. of Ill
Occupation: President/Partner of the Core Organization, Inc.
Integrated direct marketing firm based in Elmhurst, IL
Original Founder, 1989.
Specialize in banks and insurance marketing to consumers
Education: Graduated University of Oregon, BS Marketing 1979
MBA Graduate 1998, Keller Graduate School
Civic involvement: 2 Terms as commissioner Oak Brook Park District
Volunteer at Hinsdale Central H.S.
Elected offices held: 2 Terms Oak Brook Park District Commissioner
Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No
Candidate's Key Issues
Key Issue 1
Programming for the public: residents and business
Key Issue 2
Budgeting/Financing
Key Issue 3
Long range planning
Questions & Answers
What programs aren’t paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?
All programs within the park district are reviewed and evaluated based on the cost benefit model. Programs with a higher cost but lower participation are typically going to be modified before programs that have a high benefit, high participation and low cost.
Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.
Not that I am aware of at this time.
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?
There has been discussion regarding an indoor soccer/multi use facility. This concept has been discussed at length but was tabled three years ago. I think there is potential need for this type of recreational facility. However, the park district has limited land, limited finances and cannot build such a facility in this economic climate.
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?
Some areas for sharing have been discussed with the village and the schools. Our director meets today with the leadership at the schools and the village manager. We have in the past and continue today to ask the director to meet with the other government entities within the village and explore exactly these issues. In the past the elected boards of the village, school and Park District have met formally and explored these issues. I think we need to have meetings between the government boards and explore from the board level ways to combine resourses, improve services and lower costs.
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.
As an incumbant I am proud of the services and facilities of the Oak Brook Park District. The Board of Commissioners, including fellow candidate John O'Brien, have worked hard to develop policy as well as hire leadership to ensure fiscally responsible programing while meeting the diverse needs of our resident and business community. Today we provide thriving programming for all age groups. We have an aquatic center, an active senior pioneer program, expanded fitness center, a tennis/racquet ball facility, pre-school, and the recently completed Dean Nature Sanctuary to name a few of our facilities and service offerings. Each providing a unique experience and fulfilling a need. We have receently completed the preliminary steps in developing a long range strategic plan shepherd by the dynamic Director Laure Kosey. I am confident we have the right staff in place to provide enhanced recreational programming for the community. I am proud to be considered as a candidate for Park District Commissioner and look forward to the years ahead.
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