Erin O'Leary: 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: http://www.electerin.comOffice sought: Dundee Township Park Board (6-year Terms)Age: 30Family: I am married and we have a 16 month old daughter.Occupation: I am the Information Technology Director for an international freight forwarding, warehousing logistics company.Education: Bachelor of Arts (NIU, 2004)- Major: Political Science with an emphasis in Public Law. Minors: Environmental Studies Environmental Management Systems. Masters Degree (North Park University, 2008)- Nonprofit Administration- graduated with distinctionsCivic involvement: Boys Girls Club of Dundee Township- Vice President of Board- 2006-2012 Dundee Township Lions Club- Current Member Social Media Manager Boy Scouts of America- Current Volunteer Charity Runner-Boys Girls Club, American Brain Tumor Association, American Cancer Society Coordinator of Community Events Fundraisers Algonquin Moms Group- Group Organizer Rotary Club of Oswego- 2007-2010Elected offices held: Dundee Township Park District Board Commissioner, 2007-2013.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To continue to work to meet the needs of the diverse population that we serve in Dundee Township. We have a wide range of cultural and economic diversity in Dundee Township and we need to continue to be active in meeting the needs of residents in our entire service area.Key Issue 2 To continue to improve and expand the services that Dundee Township Park District offers to its' residents, without increasing expenses. One method is through intergovernmental agreements and commercial agreements instead of purchasing additional properties, as well as providing active and passive recreation programs with existing staff.Key Issue 3 Provide attractive programs for residents who are not interested or capable in competitive athletics. These programs can be educational and recreational for children through seniors.Questions Answers What programs aren't paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?The only area that does not break even is our aquatics program. This program is among the highest in demand by our residents, and a necessity. Some of the programs are revenue generating programs (swim lessons), and some are not. Because of the maintenance, staffing levels and seasonal nature of aquatics it would be cost restrictive to charge a fee throughout all the aquatic programs that would cover the cost of operations. Each individual program budget is monitored by the recreation supervisor, and operated on a profit or break even basis.Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.The Park District was very involved with the acquisition of open space through land exchange and intergovernmental agreements for Library Springs, Raceway Woods and Bonnie Dundee. Our current focus is on continued relationships with the Forest Preserve District and Dundee Township while utilizing resources for programming and development. We continue to remain interested in open space acquisition on the East side of the community where there is a demand for more park space.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?Our Sleepy Hollow pool has been a large expense for the Park District based on the age of the pool and demand, but is the only aquatic facility on the West side of our service area. Replacement of the pool may need to wait until the economy improves. The Park District intends to continue to repair and maintain that facility. There is also a demand for more park space and programming on the East side of the Park District where we have the most density and largest population.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, the Park District currently practices this through Intergovernmental Agreements for use of land and facilities. This is done with School District 300, Library, West Dundee, Forest Preserve District of Kane County, Dundee Township, East Dundee and Carpentersville.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 a current Park District Commissioner for Dundee Township Park District, I have brought forward to the board or played a role in the following accomplishments: -Huffman Park Skate Park -Randall Oaks Recreation Center -Completion of Comprehensive Plan -Lease of Space for Library District at Randall Oaks Recreation Center -Assisted the Boys Girls Club in achieving financial stability through obtaining new key leadership (board and staff) and growing their programming -Community Needs Assessment -Execution on Community Needs -Re-evaulation of Community Needs Assessment -Hiring of bilingual staff -Brunner Property lease agreement with Forest Preserve District