Bob Loranger: 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: Prospect HeightsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Prospect Heights Park Board Age: 59Family: Wife - Mary Son- Matt Son- KevinOccupation: Retired - School PrincipalEducation: MS - Master's in Education MBA - Master's in Business Administration BS - Elementary EducationCivic involvement: Indian Guides - Chief Prospect Heights Park District Soccer Coach (multiple years) Basketball Coach (multiple years) Prospect Heights Baseball Softball Vice President - Boys league Head Coach - Baseball (multiple years) AHYBA Basketball head coach (multiple years) Wheeling Travel Soccer Head coach Prospect Heights Park District CommissionerElected offices held: Vice President of Boys Baseball Little League Park District CommissionerQuestions Answers What programs aren't paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?We constantly review our programs to provide programs that pay for themselves. However, our first priority has to be to provide services to our entire park district community. It is important for us to evaluate the amounts charged and modify or drop programs based on careful analysis. Our goal has to be to attract greater enrollment by providing funds to maintain high value for a reasonable financial commitment.Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.While we are consistently evaluating open space opportunities, there is very little open space in our district at the current time.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?It is important that we are connected to our community from youth to seniors. We listen to our park district members and discuss unmet opportunities at each board meeting. I believe it is essential that we are open minded and we have an open line for feedback and ideas. The best ideas come from our residents and I encourage their participation.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?It is imperative as a smaller park district to collaborate with other local governments and school districts to come up with coordinated efforts that will result in a win-win for all. We are currently working with our local school district for cost savings when sharing costs of mutual events.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 was selected to fill my current position in mid 2014 and my goal was to work with the park district team to create a responsive, collaborative team approach to the current needs of our community with an eye on the future. We need to be ever focused on the demographic, technological, and changing demands of our community. I have a passion for serving our residents and wish to exceed their expectations.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I hope to encourage more participation from our teenagers as they are underserved by our current programs. We need to come up with ways to include them in a needs assessment process and then figure out the best way to encourage their involvement. They are an important part of our community and I believe we can do a better job of being all inclusive.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Bill Gates is an inspiration, not only for his prowess in business- but mainly for the way he gives back through his many philanthropic efforts.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My parents taught me "If you are going to do something, do it right"If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Afforded the opportunity- I would tell my Grandfather what an inspiring person he was, how the way he lived his life changed me forever.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I loved history and still do! I have enjoyed building on this love with my sons as they have grown.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Treat others the way you want to be treated.