Lori Pierce: 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: South BarringtonWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: South Barrington Park Board (2-year Term)Age: 57Family: Married with 4 childrenOccupation: Pharmacist currently working for University of Illinois, College of PharmacyEducation: Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy RPH, registered Pharmacist with 30 years experience in pharmacy practiceCivic involvement: South Barrington Park District Commissioner for 18yrs Active Community Volunteer for over 20yrs Supporting Relay for Life, Alexian Brothers Foundation, South Barrington Foundation, Misericordia, NISRAElected offices held: South Barrington Park District Commissioner, 1995-current Treasurer 1998-2000 Secretary 2000-2004 Vice President 2004-2009 President 2009-currentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Maintaining fiscal responsibility by operating within our means in an open and transparent way. Using financial resources wisely by using revenue based income to support the needs of the district rather than depending on tax dollars.Key Issue 2 I would like to improve programing. We are a growing community with a changing population. We have a new development with a senior population that I feel is not utilizing our programming. Also, South Barrington has a very diverse population that I would like the Park District to tap into.Key Issue 3 Building a cooperation between the Village of South Barrington, South Barrington Police Department, Rose Elementary School, and the SB Park District. With the upcoming elections, this will be a perfect time to build this cooperative.Questions Answers What programs aren't paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?We look at all programs at least annually during "budget time". In that process the financial committee, which I am a member of, will evaluate any programs not paying for themselves. At that time we will weigh whether they are providing an important service to the community or whether they can cut back costs through decreasing staff or other costs. Any programs not able to meet these goals are addressed with serious consideration.Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.During my time on the board, the Park District has acquired an additional 67 acres by obtaining an OSLAD grant and using revenue from the South Barrington Club. The Park District currently has an indoor facility, 2 outdoor parks and 47 acres of open space totaling 82 acres. I feel this is adequate for a community the size of South Barrington.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?Some goals I would set for myself in the next couple years would be to improve programs for teens and seniors. We have done a good job with kids programs and family programs, but teens and seniors need improvement. We can accomplish this by including teens and seniors in deciding which programs to offer. Any new programs can be structured to be paid for by user fees and sponsorships.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?Yes, I definitely believe that by developing a better relationship with the South Barrington Village Board we could combine resources to improve and save money. Currently the Village and Park District own separate vacant parcels of property. It maybe in the best interest of the community to evaluate a land swap to provide better service and financial resources to our growing community.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.My biggest accomplishment would be providing financial direction leading to SBPD being 70% revenue, 30% tax dollar funded. Perhaps no other PD in Illinois can say this. The Park Distict has a Moody's AAA bond rating. I believe there are only 5 PD in Illinois with that honor. During my time in office, the PD has built a community center, a 20 acre park, obtained additional park land for future use, largely with revenue based dollars not tax dollars. During my time on the Park Board I am proud to say I was a part of Barrington Library opening a branch in the Park District building providing an excellent service to the South Barrington Community. Also, during my last term I lead a key role in SBPD joining the Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA).