Art Pierscionek: 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: BartlettWebsite: http://ArtForDistrict6.comOffice sought: DuPage Forest Preserve District 6Age: 56Family: Married 26 Years to Regina Son Alex, 16, sopomore at South Elgin High SchoolOccupation: Information Technology ConsultantEducation: Bachelors of Science in Accounting, Eastern Illinois 1978 Associates Degree in Data Processing, Triton Junior College 1980Civic involvement: Bartlett Little League, Cub Scouts, Bartlett Lions Club, Neighbors for Neighbors, South Elgin High School Boosters, South Elgin High School Stadium CommitteeElected offices held: Bartlett Fire Protection District Trustee, 2 terms (12 years)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NeverCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Make pay and benefits at all levels of the Forest Preserve District, including elected officials, model the private sector.Key Issue 2 Review justification of the large reserve balances the Forest Preserve District has and return it to the public if the justification is not there.My experience on the Bartlett Fire District taught me that reserves are critical to keep operations flowing smoothly due to unexpected circumstances. Unhealthy large reserves contributes to unnecessary spending and a "spend it" or lose it philosophy.Key Issue 3 Eliminate staffing and operating the golf course operations at the courses owned by the district. This should be privatized so that they create private sector jobs subject to current economic conditions.Questions Answers Do you support continuing the effort to acquire County Lakes Golf Club in Naperville? Why or why not?No, I do not believe this property should have been forcibly condemned. I believe the Forest Preserve District was too overly aggressive in it's pursuit of this property.Should the district be in the golf course business' If so, please explain the benefit. If not, please detail why. Should the district consider selling any of its holdings'I believe that owning the golf course properties, when they are available at affordable conditions, fits within the strategy of maintaining open spaces in the county. Under no circumstances should the Forest Preserve District be staffing or operating these facilities.Comment on the forest preserve's current land acquisition policy: Too aggressive? Too passive? Just right?As explained for my answer in the Country Lakes question above, I believe it was too aggressive in that case. I am not in favor of any government body forcibly taking property from anyone unless 1) a fair price is paid, and 2) the argument for acquiring this property is very persuasive.