David Poweleit: 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: CarpentersvilleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Dundee Township Park Board (6-year Terms)Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Father, parents and two grandparentsOccupation: EngineerEducation: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Milwaukee School of Engineering, 1995Civic involvement: Kimball Farms Homeowners Association, Wild Ones chapter, Jelke Creek Fox River Watershed Coalition, Dundee Township Open Space, Schweitzer Environmental CenterElected offices held: Kimball Farms Homeowners Association President 2005-present, and Wild Ones chapter President 2012-presentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Our parks are great and our community supports them. In listening to the community, I will work to take our parks to the next level. I will work to enact the priorities in the Community Survey Report, which includes additional open space, more walking trails, and additional swimming facilities. By continuing the success of current programs and facilities, we can build upon these to meet the Park District's mission of quality services for the benefit of the whole community.Key Issue 2 Part of the Park District's mission includes a focus on building for the future. The future starts with today's children. In 2008, Kane County launchedMaking Kane Fit for Kids?. In some Kane communities, 1 out of 3 children are obese. This is alarming as childhood obesity is linked to diabetes, bone and joint problems, heart disease, and other serious health problems. This initiative has a specific focus to create parks safe and ready for kids to walk, bike, and play. In addition to obesity, recent research has linked the lack of unstructured outdoor play to Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and depression. The Park District is not only well positioned but can deliver upon its mission by playing an active role in these initiatives.Key Issue 3 The Park District manages approximately 4% of the land in Dundee Township. This makes the Park District a major stakeholder in our lives in ways well beyond places to simply recreate. Implementing sustainable landscaping practices offer an opportunity to save the taxpayer's dollar. Land management practices impact the local food web, which supports both flora and fauna for recreation but also the very food we eat. Also, with this land mass, the Park District plays a significant role in our watershed; thus, directly tied to our clean water supply that we need for drinking, cooking, washing, or even watering our lawns. Encouraging and utilizing sustainable land management will both save the taxpayer's dollar but also the taxpayers inherent well-being.Questions Answers What programs aren't paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?The Park District has been well run as evidenced by the high survey marks. It is always wise to insure that every tax dollar is well spent. The Park District could invoke a Pareto analysis on current programs to identify opportunities. Likewise, the Park District could deploy a SWOT analysis to look both in the box but also outside the box for opportunities.Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.The Community Survey Report states this as a priority; thus, I would listen to the community. Open Space under the Park District's domain can facilitate solutions to the challenges discussed in my campaign issue number 2. Current Open Space areas only offer restricted use. The Park District has an opportunity to offer areas where children can walk off a trail, pick a flower, or capture a bug to take home. Opportunities such as a nature center, which many neighboring districts offer, could be vetted in the community. As part of drive forquality parks?, the Park District could become a leader in Nature Explore Classrooms. Open Space can also offer an opportunity to provide local, healthy, food. Having a community that is connected with readily accessible trails for hiking and biking will enable all families the opportunity to enjoy our great heritage. Our land is one treasure that is not owned by the current generation but borrowed from our children. We?ve been very fortunate to have the likes of Schweitzer and Brunner fall in love with the land in Dundee Township, and enable future generations this same opportunity. We can fulfill the Illinois? Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights. We can leverage the assets of our community to both provide recreation and enjoyment to insure healthy lives for both today and tomorrow.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?The survey clearly states additional areas of interest and it would be my intention to listen to the public. The Park District is on good financial footing, and can pursue these opportunities based upon continuing public support either through the existing tax structure or through community approved referendums. We are extremely fortunate to have such a large community under one district. This enables us a unique capability to offer many quality services and facilities. In lean economic times, the Park District is a terrific community asset as it offers recreational opportunities; including forms of passive recreation at no cost and little travel expense for an entire family to enjoy.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, each taxpayer dollar must be spent wisely. The recent downturn in the economy highlighted that we need to be frugal with our resources. Opportunities to leverage intergovernmental buying power, sharing resources, and co-utilization of facilities should be pursued wholeheartedly. The Park District has worked hard to leverage opportunities with the Boys and Girls Club, School District, Forest Preserve District, and the Township. We can strive to further optimize the utilization of resources, which works in the best interest of the community. The Park District has a core mission to provide for community recreation both today and tomorrow.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.Biking, fishing, birding, football and a multitude of other forms of recreation have been a part of my life since early on. Since school days, I have volunteered my time, expertise, and passion to make my community a better place to live. I will listen to the community and work to insure its interests are met. Serving on the Park District's board will offer a unique opportunity to work with topics that have always been part of my life and to leverage my expertise to help our community make a better future for generations to come.