Elizabeth (Liz) Bolash: 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 Meadows`Website: www.elizabethbolash.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Rolling Meadows Park Board Age: 40Family: I have been married to my amazing husband, Jim, for almost 17 years. We have three children, ages 11, 8, and 7 who attend Central Road and Kimball Hill Elementary Schools.Occupation: Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Co-Owner of Woodcrafters DIY StudioEducation: BS from University of Illinois, Champaign-UrbanaMA from the Illinois School of Professional PsychologyPsyD from the Illinois School of Professional PsychologyCivic involvement: 10/16-current Rolling Meadows Park District Commissioner 2014-16 Weekly Literacy Volunteer at Kimball Hill2013-16 PTA Room Rep at Kimball Hill Central Road 2011-14 Weekly Kindergym Volunteer at Kimball Hill 2011-12 Kimball Hill Representative: D15 Parent Committee For Educational Excellence (PCEE)Elected offices held: 10/16-current Rolling Meadows Park District CommissionerQuestions 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 was chosen to join the Park District board this past October to fulfill an unexpected opening. I have enjoyed my experience on the board thus far and am eager to continue in service to our community. As a mother of 3 school-age children, I have always been greatly invested in our park district programs and services for young families.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.Upon joining the board, I was impressed by the efficiency of the park district's current financial processes. My role would be to continue to support staff in making sound financial decisions to meet the needs of our community. This includes maintaining affordable programs through minimizing economic waste, as well as continuing to seek out grant funds.What programs aren't paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?Swimming pools are generally not economically self-sufficient, but do add an undeniable degree of value to the community. I am in support of current board exploration into ways to make the most efficient use of our pool and water recreation facilities. This may include adding programming such as water fitness, additional swim instruction options, and other ways to draw interest as well as increase revenue.Are there any unmet recreational needs? If yes, what are they and how would you propose paying for them?While I don't see any particularly "unmet" needs, I would be in support of introducing an area of programming designed around "giving back". I have observed "Days of Service" offered in other communities, and I think it would be a great way to encourage the community to enjoy recreational time together while giving back to others. These activities can be economically self-sufficient, as participants give back through donations toward supplies as well as their time. Some examples of these activities might include creating blankets for children in the hospital, writing cards for soldiers, and making dog toys for local animal shelters, etc.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 am fairly new to the board, so I have not yet had the opportunity to take on a leadership role. I recently attended the state conference of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association and am eager to apply all that I learned about becoming an effective board commissioner. My husband and I chose Rolling Meadows as our home 17 years ago, in part because of our love for the parks along the creek. This interest broadened over the years as our children came to view the park district facilities as an important part of their comfort zone and we came to build relationships through our participation in park district programs. The parks have given so much to us, and I look at board participation as my opportunity to give back.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Candidate did not respond.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I am most inspired by my neighbor, who serves on multiple boards in leadership roles and has encouraged me to give back in meaningful ways.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?If you do what you love, it doesn't feel like work.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Giving myself the gift of confidence as a teenager.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Psychology class! It's where I met my future husband and found my future career.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Follow your heart.