Raymond Morrill: 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: WheatonWebsite: noneOffice sought: Wheaton Park Board Age: 65Family: Wife , Patt Daughter , Jeneen a grand son and grand daughter Son , Chad , deceasedOccupation: Retired . Past Director of Recreation and Special Facilities for the Wheaton Park DistrictEducation: Bachelor Of Science , Park and Recreation ManagementCivic involvement: Past President Wheaton Park Board Past president Kiwanis Club of Wheaton ( current member ) Co-Chair Wheaton Sesquicentennial Commission Play for All-Sensory Garden/ Playground Committee Past Youth Baseball / Girls Softball Board Member Past Wheaton History Center Board of Control MemberElected offices held: President of Wheaton Park Board President of Wheaton Kiwanis Club Co-Chair Wheaton Sesquicentennial Commission Past President Illinois Park and Recreation Board Past President National Park and Recreation Aquatics BoardQuestions Answers What programs aren't paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?The district has a comprehensive fees and charges policy that covers most programs offered . The user fees are set to cover all direct expenses plus a minimum of 30%of the indirect program costs . Thus very few programs do not pay for themselves . Some special events and entertainment in the park do lose some money but they serve the greater community and I would not change them .Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.During the past several decades , the Wheaton Park District has been very proactive in ensuring the provision of adequate open space to meet the needs of the community . The recent acquisition of the Hubble School site is an example . The district has developed a list of properties that have the potential to meet our open space needs . Identification of individual parcels is not advised for several reasons . First , we strive to acquire land through negotiations with willing sellers rather than condemnation . Secondly , identification of a given parcel of land may create an inflated value through the assumption that the park district is a willing and ready buyer .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?I would like to see the completion of the Hubble School site , currently being referred to as the Central Athletic Center , with three outdoor ball fields , two multi purpose fields , lighting , and a skating rink for winter use . Also , I would like to modernize and upgrade the interior of the building . A second synthetic turf field would greatly improve and expand the hours of outdoor use for soccer , football and lacrosse .We would pay for these upgrades with user fees and bonds available to the district . Finally , I would like to see the Play For All - Sensory Playground completed . Phase one is done with three more phases to go .This is to be paid for through donations and fund raisers , no tax dollars .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?I'm a strong advocate of cooperation between governmental agencies and local organizations . We currently participate in state and national cooperative purchasing programs to get the most for our tax dollar . We have intergovernmental agreements with the city , school district , county , and forest preserve district all of which saves the tax payers money . Sharing and pooling resources as well as working together for the benefit of our residents is something I will always supportIf 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.I cannot take personal credit for any accomplishment since the board works as a team and along with the staff we have a lot to be proud of. Completion of the Northside Park project , acquiring the Hubble property through a public / private partnership , synthetic turf field at, Monroe School/ Graf Park , improvements at Cosley Zoo and Arrowhead Golf Course , the excellent parks , facilities and programs we provide our citizens , and the great working relationship we have with the other taxing bodies and local clubs and organizations are all accomplishments I'm proud of .What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I'm committed to serving our community and improving the quality of life for our residents and their families by offering a variety of programs and services that everyone can enjoy at a reasonable cost . I'm proud of the staff and their commitment to their jobs and the community and I'm proud of the relationships we have developed with the Chamber , Downtown Business Association and the local clubs .Please name one current leader who most inspires you.The current Pope . I think he will have a major impact on the catholic church and the worldWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Always be honestIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?To learn patienceWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History , I just enjoy learning from the past .If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be happy.