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Vanessa Bell-LaSota: Candidate Profile

St. Charles Park Board

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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: St CharlesWebsite: www.vanessabell-lasota.comOffice sought: St. Charles Park Board Age: 59Family: Husband Leon, daughter Leigh, 24yrsOccupation: Events/Marketing/Consulting Non-ProfitsEducation: B.S.,Art Education, Northern Illinois University Graduate coursework, Marketing, NIU Graphic Design coursework, American Academy of Art, ChicagoCivic involvement: -Pride of the Fox Board 2012-present;Event Planning/Grant Writing; volunteer 2005-present -Trustee, STC Park Foundation 2013-present -Concerned Coalition for Sensible Spending Co-Founder, Executive Director 2008-present -Downtown STC Partnership STC Fine Art Show: preview party committee 2008-2011 DTSP Bob Leonard Walkathon 2008; Electric Light Parade 2008-2009 -STC East P-ARTS Variety Show Chair 2007-2011 STC East Student Mosaic 2009-2011 -Near West Neighborhood 3rd/5th Ward Watch Co-founder coordinator 2010-present Near West Neighborhood Assn. Vice President 2009-2012 STC Citizen Police Academy graduate Alumna 2011-present -Kane County Cougars/Mary Kay Ash Foundation Play It Pink Chairperson 2006 -STC Sesquicentennial Magazine, "St Charles On Parade" 1984Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers What programs aren't paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?Overall, we are in sound fiscal health-we have adequate funding for well-maintained, safe parks facilities a diverse array of high-quality high value recreation programs. Rising maintenance, marketing, administration costs ,while unavoidable, project our overall expenses exceeding revenues in 2015. Rather than eliminating programs or reducing line item expenses or staff hours, I would look for ways to underwrite specific programs or facilities with sponsorship dollars and partnerships, and reduce waste with sustainable practices, if applicable. I know the Park District has already made some great strides with initiatives in this area.Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.First, we need to maintain a balance between improving recreational facilities, access and programs and the call to safeguard our historical sites like Primrose Farm, as well as open land and our St Charles "home town character". People are drawn to St Charles in part for it's respect and preservation of it's past. Other positives that attract people to St Charles are our progressive community programs and well-maintained facilities . Would suggest as new housing developments are approved by the City, we look to land in proximity to them, to serve those new residents with beauty, recreation and education and continue to cross-promote our revenue-generating programs facilities on any new park spaces, as has been done successfully in 2014 at Pottawatomie, J.O.Breen the East Side Sports Complex. (also, kudos to the Park District for the new Belgium Park.) The 2013 Park Community Needs survey top request from our residents was: "acquire preserve open land". That says it all. I've done my own survey along the river corridor Mt. St Mary's to gather feedback, found people excited about preserving the open land along the river while improving river access. How much public opinion factors into decisions is of great interest to me, across the board in my community.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?The Park District, a founding member of the Fox Valley Special Rec Association, provides a link to their programs, but we need to continue to expand use for people with disabilities of all kinds . In 2012 an ADA Access audit said we don't have to make all sites accessible but do need for every program within the sites to be accessible. It provided goals with 61 site reports having 3,329 deficits, minor major, back in 2012. Said it's reasonable for our mature infrastructure to need access improvements, suggested access work occur every year. I have every confidence that some of those changes have been/are being made. Parks website needs to be readable for those with vision impairment devices. I don't see that under the website's "special needs" tab. A policy for other types of power driven devices used more more, was strongly recommended. I have asked people with mobility needs if they come to parks, festivals-many do not for fear of limited parking and access at busy times Next, marketing more programs facilities to seniors could encourage active seniors to move to St Charles, encouraging new housing development for senior living, rather than apartment living. Last , continue to grow our sustainability mindfulness, operations and programs- big strides have been made by our "Green Team" in 2014, still need more visibility and expanded activities. Would like to explore new partnerships with groups like the Nature Conservancy of Illinois, Earthshare of Illinois and others.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?Saw this question two years ago. Upon the surface, appears to be a difficult logistical task with an awful lot of moving parts. For example, do we have a local high volume printer who could manage a huge account, along with existing business? I am for keeping business LOCAL, supporting St Charles business, not sending our business to a high volume printer outside our community. For cost savings, we would be losing in the end. I looked at our equipment and vehicle expenses in the budget-they appear very conservative and prudent.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.I have first-hand experience as a volunteer for teams that have used our beautiful park lands and facilities since 1984. I have an appreciation for the work that goes on behind the scenes to provide, maintain and develop park properties and programs for our community. I would like an opportunity to bring my experience, expertise and creative vision to the Board, for future decisions and developments.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The "Active River Project" is in it's first phase, gathering research. With the caveat, "if the residents so choose", they are advocating for white water rafting and the accompanying "lifestyle changes" as advantageous for St Charles. There are other actions accompanying this project, part of those being an update to the River Corridor Master Plan. Will that task force be a public process, made open to community input? And, will other options be considered for our greatest asset, our Fox River and adjacent properties, or will this gather steam and momentum without the same careful research into other options? What changes are made along our river will have lasting implications, consequences for identity, development, commerce, lifestyle and livability.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.David Sunday, Sr. Pastor, New Covenant Bible Church, St CharlesWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Make your own place in life, write your own job description. (Just put the apostrophe in the right place, please.... my parents are writers!)If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?No do-overs. I would not be where I am today, if granted a do-over. I believe in a greater source of wisdom than my own!What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Art, channel of communication among people of all ages. Taught toddlers, middle - high school, special needs, seniors, creating a variety of programs events.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Do a better job of putting God first in your life each day. Expect success, always be prepared to forgive yourself, willing to forgive others.