Nicholas Sawyer: Candidate Profile

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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: PalatineWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Palatine Park Board Age: 67Family: Spouse Charmaine Sons Nicholas and KyleOccupation: Print SalesEducation: BS _ Wisconsin State University, PlattevilleCivic involvement: Palatine Park District Affiliate Programs Palatine Park District CommissionerElected offices held: Park Board Treasurer, Vice President and PresidentQuestions Answers What programs aren't paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?As commissioners we look at the overall performance of the park district and listen to the staff recommendations as which programs should stay or be replaced which they do with every new catalog we publish.Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.We acquired a property adjacent to the stable that is currently be utilized as open space and additional trails for the stable. We are working on a master plan for it's future use. There is not much more additional open space of any size available in Palatine.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 biggest recreational need at this time is an indoor pool for our residents and The Palatine Tiger Sharks. The only way to fund it without a referendum or bonding would be partnerships in and around the community. Even an improved economy would require partnerships to keep the costs down.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?We are currently sharing with the Village on the remodeling of the Community Center and we also share the Combined Services Building on Illinois Street. We share with the school districts on land and facility use.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.The completion and opening of Falcon Park. The installation of 2 fields of synthetic turf at Celtic Park. The land acquisition adjacent to the Stable Property. The land acquisition and renovation of Eagle Pool. The renovation of the Palatine Hills Club House. The re-funding of the park district bonds at a lower interest rate.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Our biggest issue is to keep our Park District solvent while providing the best facilities and programs we can to our patrons.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Governor Rauner for what he is attempting to do to fix Illinois.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?There is a direct correlation between hard work and luckIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?A career change into the public sector. My 25 year involvement with the park district made me feel that way.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Psychology, because it teaches a person how to read, accept and get along with others in different situations.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Choose your friends carefully and avoid situations that do not feel right.