Thomas Earley: 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: BensenvilleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Bensenville Park Board (6-year Terms)Age: 50Family: Married 20 years to Susan, 2 children Samantha and Donovan.Occupation: Developer at U.S. Cellular Corporate office in Bensenville.Education: Candidate did not respond.Civic involvement: President of the Bensenville Community Foundation, Vice President of the White Pines Civic Association, Treasure Boy Scout Troop 47Elected offices held: Bensenville Park District Commissioner currently serving as President.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Development of 2 new properties we acquired last year. When Chicago acquired Schuster Park, we replace it with 2 properties. Thanks to the generosity of Lucille Hyatt Hubbard, the Bensenville Park District is the beneficiary of nearly eight acres of a Wood Dale natural area and wetland which will be dedicated as Hyatt-Hubbard Park.Key Issue 2 Getting a strategic plan and master plan completed.Key Issue 3 Find new ways to get White Pines Golf Course to generate more revenue. Also look at ways to get Fischer Farm to become independent as well.Questions Answers What programs aren't paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?As a Park District, many programs are subsidized by the residents for the betterment and use by all the residents. We are always looking for ways to increase revenue to offset cost, but our goal is give our residents young and old options to get out and get moving. Health in America is a big issue and we are giving our resident good options at affordable prices.Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.Yes - as school district two has built/remolded two schools, and has consolidated two other, the PD is pursuing acquiring the Mohawk School location north of Irving and East of Route 83. This area would have no playground once Mohawk closes. We had a hearing where residents attended and supported the project. We have applied for an OSLAD grant to help pay for this. The Village is also working with us using some of the site for retention the help flooding in the area. We are going to work with the resident to develop an are with playground equipment, parking, and some open field sports like baseball / Soccer. This is a great example of the School district, Village, and Park District working together for the residents.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?We need an updated comprehensive resident survey to assess the current needs. We currently are adding a splash pad to the Water Park that will allow us to operate more hours of the year. This will be good for the residents and will help generate more revenue for the pool.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?I am always looking for ways to do this. The PD director participates in a monthly meeting with the schools, library, and village to do just that. Further, since Frank Soto and the Change Bensenville Party took office, we have worked with the village allowing use of some of our property to alleviate flooding in parts of town and will continue to find opportunities to work with all the taxing bodies and civic groups.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.- No more litigation with the Village of Bensenville! - Fischer Farm is now a museum site. - Pines Park, Vets Park, and Sunset Park have been completely remodeled. - DiOrio Field has a new playground, new backstops and dugouts and some relaid infields.