Cynthia G. Penne: Candidate Profile

Back to Fox Valley Park board District 3

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: AuroraWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Fox Valley Park board District 3 Age: 33Family: Resides with husband Ryan and daughters Charlize #8220;Charlie#8221; age 21 months and Maria Juliette 8mo. Parents are Al David and Maria Hernandez of Aurora, IL. Occupation: On internship at Trinity Services Inc. located out of New Lenox, Illinois. Completing a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology from Adler University (completion date July 2017). Education: Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Health Psychology to be completed July 2017. MBA with a concentration in Leadership from Aurora University. BA in Criminal Justice from Aurora University. Civic involvement: Civic involvement includes: current Trustee on the Fox Valley Park District Board, community volunteer for various non-profits located within the City of Aurora, Fox Valley Special Recreation Association Board member, former employee for the City of Aurora Aldermen's Office, former chairman and board member for the City of Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board, and former Hispanic Information Coordinator for the Georgetown Relief Efforts Neighborhood Organization #8220;Lighten Up City of Lights Campaign,#8221; Elected offices held: Fox Valley Park boardQuestions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?I would like to continue serving the community on the Fox Valley Park District Board because I believe in mission of the Fox Valley Park District Board. I believe that all our community members, no matter their financial ability, should have an opportunity to participate in our programs. As mentioned above, I am completing a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology. I understand the importance of physical fitness and recreation for improved mental health. In this role, I have been able to give input on programming and services that can impact our community members in a positive way. I have strived to ensure that our programs are inclusive and diverse. I have supported measures that tighten our spending so that we can provide quality services to the residents while not increasing their taxes. I have worked to ensure that our practices are sustainable and that we are environmentally friendly. How do you assess the state of the district's finances? What, if any, changes do you propose to alter the district's financial picture, whether through cost reduction or revenue increases? Please be as specific as possible on where you would propose cutting or how you would propose increasing revenue.Financially, we are in good shape. Our Finance Department, policies and ethical standards have guided us to be financially healthy. That being said, we have not asked the tax payers for any tax increases and as a result we have had to find ways to be sustainable over time. The park district has been very conservative over the years in revenue increases. In order to continue maintaining our facilities, fields and parks there have been slight increases in rates for our workout facilities and rentals. The Fox Valley Park District has been very conservative with spending and I have supported measures to ensure that we continue to find ways we can cut our spending while still providing quality services. If elected, I will continue to do so. I will also continue to support collaborate efforts with governmental entities and community organizations. When we work together as a community, we can get more accomplished for our residents. As for additional revenue increasing measures, we can continue to build our rentals for weddings and special events. We can continue to look for sponsors to help offset costs and provide programming. What programs aren't paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?I would say that under the new leadership of the executive director there have been great strides in making our programs more accessible by our residents. As we continue to build our programming to be more inclusive or diverse, we will be able to continue to see increases in memberships, rentals, and programming. I would also add that I would like to see more advisory committees, to make sure that we are providing what the community needs and would like to see. Are there any unmet recreational needs? If yes, what are they and how would you propose paying for them?I am supportive of all the measures being taken to increase diversity and inclusivity in our programming. There are advisory committees made up of participants in place to help inform us of areas we can improve us. Our aim is to ensure that the residents can have a diversity of choices to participate in our programming. One way we are working to increase this is through our scholarships and fundraising efforts of the foundation. I am in support of continued efforts in these areas. 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.#8226; Support of no increase in your tax rate and new measures to save money #8226; Support of improved district policies to ensure we are providing quality services and opportunities to the residents#8226; Blue Light Emergency Call Systems to be installed at the Prisco Community Center, Eola Community Center and Vaughn Athletic Center. These are similar to what you would see on college campuses. This would provide for immediate response in the case of an emergency especially during the evening hours. #8226; Baby changing tables in the men's bathroom to help fathers with infants and toddlers have a safe, clean space to change their children. #8226; I have played a key role in ensuring our residents with all abilities have opportunities to participate in our programs, have accessible facilities, and have an opportunity to lead a full and abundant life. #8226; I have advocated for diversification of our programs in all facilities#8226; I have advocated for increased security measures to ensure our residents feel safe at our facilities, parks and trails.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I want to ensure that the employees of the Fox Valley Park District have opportunities to grow personally and professionally. Providing an environment where their morale is high, can not only ensure improved mental health opportunities for them but also quality services for our residents. Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope Francis is an inspirational leader for me. He took the name of the St. Francis of Assisi because he wants to be for the poor. He believes in loving others no matter our differences. He believes in listening to others concerns and acting on those concerns when necessary. I want to be this type of leader. I want to make sure we at the Fox Valley Park District do not forget individuals with limited financial abilities. I want to make sure that everyone is treated equally, provided equal opportunities and given a voice to be heard. I want to make sure that residents continue to be heard and that we can give them a better quality of life. What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Work hard. If there are difficulties, work through them. Those difficulties become opportunities to grow and help others grow. If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Honestly, I would not want a do-over. Every experience, whether good or bad, is an opportunity for personal growth. What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?If I could respond that my favorite subject/topic to study is mindfulness, I would. Studying mindfulness has changed my life as it has allowed for me to live purposefully. Since I know you are referring to my younger years, I would respond art. Art was a way I could express myself. No matter how the piece came out, it was mine. It helped me appreciate the beauty in things even when it was difficult to. If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Live in the present moment. Live purposefully. Thinking too much about the past will not change the outcome. Thinking too much about the future, can cause anxiety or worry. Living purposefully one moment at a time will help you live life to the fullest.