Mary Lou Wehrli: Candidate Profile

Back to DuPage County Forest Preserve President

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:BioQA Bio City: NapervilleWebsite: www.WhoMaryLou.comOffice sought: DuPage County Forest Preserve President Age: 60Family: Husband, Herb NadelhofferOccupation: Sales, Property ManagementEducation: Bachelor of Arts in Television, Columbia College, 1995Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, University of Illinois, 1976Naperville Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy, 2003Citizens Fire Academy, Citizens Police Academy, CERTCivic involvement: Current: Commissioner, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County -- District 5, 2012-2016 termNaperville Parks Foundation BoardPast: Naperville Park District Commissioner, 1999-2005President Naperville Park District, 2000-2001DuPage Neighbors for Open Space, Clean Water Clean Air Co-Chair of successful $68M referendumRiverwalk Foundation PresidentNaperville Heritage Society BoardKidsMatter BoardRotary Club of Naperville Sunrise BoardWestside Home Owners Association PresidentMillennium Carillon Foundation BoardNaperville Downtown Plan Steering Committee AppointeeFriends of the Nichols Library DirectorNaperville Post Office Consumer Advisory Council MemberNaperville Sesquicentennial Commission Executive BoardSpecial Event Leadership:NaperDink Triathlon ChairBottom Feeder Ball ChairRotary Beaux Arts Ball: Chair Live Silent Auctions and RaffleNaperville Sesquicentennial Grand Parage ChairNaperville Sesquicentennial Commemoratives Co-ChairNaperville Sesquicentennial Photo Album Co-EditorElected offices held: Current: Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Commissioner, District 5. Term 2012-2016. Do NOT take a pension.Naperville Park District Commissioner, 1999-2005President Naperville Park District, 2000-2001Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Questions Answers Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is that?I am running for this office to change the culture of the organization. The president performs a significant role in defining the District's culture. It is my experience that open doors and accessibility create a better environment for a unit of government to deliver services desired by the public. I am motivated by the belief that respectful and timely communication with constituents and the commissioners will build a better forest preserve district.What differentiates you most from your opponents in the race?I do not take a pension. I believe in term limits. I am a strong communicator. I believe in respectful listening and a collaborative approach to building relationships that are beneficial to all concerned. I am present and informed. I actively engage in the business and deliberation of the Board of Commissioners. I have an inclusive leadership style. I have experience having served as president of the Naperville Park District.How far do you think the county should carry its quest to consolidate local units of government?The county should not take over the forest preserve district. The purpose of the forest preserve district is distinctly different from that of the county: nature vs. development. I strongly believe the forest preserve district should remain separate from county control to ensure protection of the remaining natural environment within its borders. The District is steward to over 25,000 acres, ~12%, of the land in DuPage County. The forest preserve and county collaborate very efficiently where appropriate, for example, stormwater management projects.If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us about important initiatives you've led. If you are not an incumbent, tell us what contributions you would make.As a commissioner my main contributions have been to ask questions and challenge the status quo with creative alternatives to business as usual. I have worked collaboratively with fellow commissioners to support habitat restoration, schedule evening commission meetings, reduce litigation expenses, web-stream commission meetings, begin historic structure policy review, encourage the Strategic and Master Plan process, and hire an executive director.What should the forest preserve district be doing to address stormwater and flooding issues throughout the county?The forest preserve district should continue 1) appropriate land acquisition, 2) stormwater project collaboration with municipalities and the county, and 3) public outreach education.Should the forest preserve be using district resources to save historic buildings? Why or why not?Yes. Historic structures that attract partnerships in funding and management should be encouraged. Generous benefactors of the forest preserve have cooperated in the transfer of land and historic structures to public control. Examples include Danada, Greene Farmstead and St. James Farm. I believe that citizens value the natural and cultural heritage in this urban county of nearly one million people. Resources should be allocated that strongly support the natural environment with a minor investment in historic structures.What's your position when it comes to the issue of the forest preserve district acquiring more land?Voters have consistently supported dollars for land acquisition. I support appropriate land acquisition. The District is alert to land acquisition opportunities that fall within its guidelines. The forest preserve has the benefit of the recent Conservation Foundation's "DuPage Natural Areas Master Plan" as a resource to help identify land, donors, and funding mechanisms. Quite a few citizens have been generous in donating their property or placing conservation easements on their property. The District has also attracted funding from OSLAD and other grants.Finally, is there anything we haven't asked about that you feel we should know?How important is the Master Plan and Strategic Plan? In order for the forest preserve district to know what citizens want, what it has, what it should aspire to be necessitates a Master Plan. It also requires a Strategic Plan to responsibly attain the goals identified. I believe it is important for the District to have a leader at the helm who believes in reaching out to the public, working internally and externally to develop a Master Plan and Strategic Plan, and a leader who has experience with other government agencies and non-profits in developing a Master and Strategic Plan.