Lori Palmer: 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: BartlettWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Bartlett Park Board Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Husband Dan. Children Abbi, Brett Lisa.Occupation: RealtorEducation: Candidate did not respond.Civic involvement: Past volunteer at Prairieview, Eastview Bartlett High schools. Volunteer Fourth of July Bingo, past president Apple Orchard Woman's golf league. Bartlett Parks Foundation. Illinois Association of Park Districts, committee member. National Recreation Parks Association, National Awards Committee. Advocate at the state and national level for parks, recreation and conservation. As a 30 year resident I have been involved in many community endeavors.Elected offices held: Commissioner Bartlett Park District BoardQuestions Answers What programs aren't paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?Our staff is very closely involved in the creation and running of all programs by department. If a program is not paying for itself then it is re-evaluated to make it more cost effective or it is discontinued. With the exception of special events such as movies in the park, National Night Out or Bartlett's Biggest events. Those are times when we feel it is important to give back and thank the community.Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.We are in discussion with Elmhurst Chicago Stone to accept a donation of a 58 acre natural area.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?One unmet recreational need would be a multi-use indoor sports facility. i.e.: soccer field, lacrosse field, softball/baseball field etc. That being said it could only be built by successful referendum and I don't feel the present economy is the right time to ask the voters to approve such a facility.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 have entered into intergovernmental agreements to be more efficient. We have an agreement with the village for the creation and maintenance of our bike path system in town. We also entered into an agreement with the village to acquire athletic fields at the Koehler Athletic Field complex. We have several agreements with the school district where in return for the use of gym space our parks department provides exterior maintenance such as landscaping at a few local elementary schools. We provided funds to create a larger gym when Centennial School was first built. As a result of that agreement we have been able to use that gym space for many needs and an after school program. We entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the State of Illinois and the DuPage County Forest Preserve District for the use of space at the James "Pate" Phillip State Park. We are able to run a very unique and successful Nature Center as a result of that agreement. I am very open to any new intergovernmental agreements that may viable.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.In my tenure on the board 16 neighborhood parks have been acquired. We entered into a cooperative agreement with the village to acquire athletic fields at Koehler Park. I worked with former DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioner, Roger Kotecki, to initiate the present intergovernmental agreement with the State of Illinois, the DuPage Forest Preserve and the Bartlett Park District for the use of space at the James "Pate" Phillip State Park. In my tenure on the board we successfully pursued and received grants totaling $2,845,400. With resident approval we passed two referendums. One to build the community center in 1998 and one to purchase and renovate Villa Olivia and renovate our outdoor pool.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The Board and staff are currently working on updating the park district master plan. After its completion the Board will create a strategic plan for the staff to work on. Continue to be fiscally diligent in our budgets. New development in Bartlett is about complete so we have seen a decline in dollars via developer donations. We have to be sure that our programs and facilities can eventually pay for themselves if they are not already. Assisting our Parks Foundation in achieving their goal of raising funds to build an all-inclusive park at Bartlett Park. The Bartlett Parks Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization created in 2002 to help support the mission of the Bartlett Park District for items that are not usually financed by tax dollars.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Candidate did not respond.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?I was one of six children. I learned patience and teamwork.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Candidate did not respond.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Candidate did not respond.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be kind. It will take you far.