Bill Cooley: 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: Rolling MeadowsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Rolling Meadows Park Board Age: 53Family: Married with a wonderful wife Deborah, and three beautiful children Katie age 13, Connor Age 11, and Kelly age 9.Occupation: Community Volunteer and Stay Home ParentEducation: Bachelor of Science in Management, Southern Illinois University, 1985Civic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Current: Park Board President; President of Park Board- Twice; Vice President of Park Board- Twice; Treasurer of Park Board- Twice.Questions Answers What programs aren't paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?Our Park District in Rolling Meadows offers a large selection of courses and programs with each one being evaluated independently. For most programs, if attendance is too low, the course is cancelled or combined with a similar class. There are two main areas that are not self sufficient- the Swimming Pools, and the Senior Center. The Philosophy of the Park District has been to make these areas affordable for all residents and I agree with this philosophy. They are an important part of this community. To help increase pool usage and revenue, we made the Nelson Sports Complex swimming pool more family friendly by adding a Splash Pad Play Area and we upgraded the locker rooms. We are also currently updating the locker rooms at the Plum Grove pool. To increase usage at the Senior Center, we updated the entire area including the lobby, library, bathrooms, and kitchens. The areas are now fresh and more welcoming.Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.There really isn't much undeveloped land left in Rolling Meadows, so no.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?We are constantly evaluating our parks and facilities- making sure they are safe and meeting the needs of our citizens. In the last several years we have renovated the Florey Park Playground, the Waverly Park playground, and the Creekside Park Playground. We added a Splash Pad Play Area to the Nelson Sports Complex, and a Frisbee Golf Course to North Sauk Park. Ice skaters used to skate on Kimball Hill pond, but when required changes were made to the pond this was no longer possible due to unsafe ice. This year we added two free temporary outdoor rinks in the field behind Nelson Sports Complex- one for Hockey and one for Figure skating. I am also interested in more bike/hiking paths to encourage more people to enjoy our parks.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 am very supportive of sharing resources- and we are already doing it. We currently share with schools, the City of Rolling Meadows, and other park districts to fill gaps in programming or where we don't have facilities. A few examples include our Joint maintenance Facility- shared with the City of Rolling Meadows, agreements with local schools for gymnasium and outdoor field usage in exchange for mowing services. Additionally, we receive resident rates at Arlington Heights Golf Courses and Swimming facilities during select seasons. We continue to look for this type of cost sharing opportunities wherever possible.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 grew up in Rolling Meadows and with my family have been very active in Park District Programs and classes. Additionally, my parents are active members in the Rolling Meadows Senior Center. This has provided me with the ability to see first-hand opportunities for improvements in programs and services for all ages. My accomplishments during my 8 years as a Park Commissioner include: Adding shade structures to most of our playgrounds and on the pool deck. The addition of a park bench along the Salt Creek bike/walking trail. I was heavily involved in the design of the Florey Park Playground renovation, and provided input into the South Salk Park, Waverly Park and Creekside Parks redesign. I lead the effort to make the Sports Complex Pool more family friendly by adding a Splash Pad Play Area, updating the locker rooms and the addition of a Frisbee Golf Course. I strongly supported the addition of car stops to prevent cars from driving into the playground. At the same time we eliminated a large Recreation Fund deficit and are now operating on budget! Many ideas were expressed to me from members of the community, or developed because as an active participant I could see what was needed. I am proud to have been able to give those citizens ideas a voice, and bring so many of these great ideas to fruition. Please vote for me and help me continue to make our Park District the best it can be.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Fiscal Responsibility. As Board members, it is our duty to make certain that the Park District stays fiscally responsible while moving forward to meet the current and future needs of our residents. Before we start any project we make sure of the need, and that funding is in place. Many wish list items have to stay as wishes. Because of our efforts and the hard work of Park District Staff and crew, last year we finally eliminated a large Recreation Fund deficit built up over many years, while maintaining and improving our parks and facilities. We are very fortunate to have two ice rinks and other facilities that help to generate revenue. Additionally we watch every nickel spent. Because of this, we are able to budget for some improvements and have received local, county, and State Grants for others. Senior Programming One of the greatest challenges facing our Senior Center is declining membership. With Baby Boomers retiring, the potential for new membership is enormous. We have renovated the Senior Center, added many new programs and brought in new staff with new ideas. All we need now is for the people to come and give it a try. The need is there, the facilities are there, and we have an open ear for new ideas. I want to see the center become a fun vibrant place where all adults go to interact with other residents with similar hobbies and interests. We must also continuing to maintain and improve our current facilities.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I am most inspired by my father Bob Cooley . He taught me to treat strangers as friends and to be nice to everyone.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Be honest and treat others as you want to be treated.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Nothing. I believe we are all products of our everyday experiences- both good and bad. I love life and the life I have been given.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History: We debated both sides of controversial issues which made me more open to opinions other than my own and to not rush to judgmentIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Treat others as you want to be treated.