Q&A with Paglia

1. 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 that? What will be your main priority in office?

My educational and professional background make me an excellent candidate for the position of forest preserve commissioner. I have an undergraduate degree in Wildlife management and biology and a master's degree in Community Ecology and Biology. While serving in the United States Peace Corp I worked as the head of environmental research and environmental education in Jae Sawn National Park, Thailand. My masters thesis looked at the changing turtle community in the Illinois River. I worked as the senior biologist in charge of the Wetland Science of Soil Solutions Inc.

These experience will allow me to add a unique perspective to the DuPage Forest Preserves. Having worked for government, NGO's and private industry I have the experience of working on all sides of the issues. I believe this will allow me to provide an open minded, objective opinion.

The issues that have motivated me to run are: urban sprawl, smart growth (the balancing of development and preservation), the management of exotic species, fiscal responsibility, and wise use practices.

My main goal would be to restore/maintain the existing forest preserve lands, manager for multiple use in a way that doesn't hurt the habitats we are trying to preserve, acquire ecologically important open lands and mange the forest preserves budget in a fiscally responsible way.

2. If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of important initiatives you've led. If you are not an incumbent, tell us what contributions you would make.

The experience I have will allow me to provide input into the research and ecological practices conducted in the forest preserves. Having worked for a consulting firm for 4+ years, I can lend expertise and insight into the bidding process for habitat restoration. I have owned my own business and also run portions of the budget of a national park. I feel this experience will help me to make decisions regarding the budget of the forest preserve.

3. What specific goals, i.e., potential land acquisition and/or existing preserve management and improvements, do you have in mind for your particular forest preserve district?

I believe in smart growth as a solution to urban sprawl and the preservation of ecologically important lands. I have worked for years to help county's, cities and developers to balance the need for growth with the need for preservations. I believe these two goals are not mutually exclusive and with proactive planning both goal can be achieved. I also believe the forest preserves need proactive management. Exotic species including garlic mustard, reed canary grass, phragmites, and the emerald ash borer poses a tremendous threat to the ecological integrity of the forest preserve system. I would also be a strong supporter of environmental research in the forest preserves.

4. What are your thoughts on the forest preserve commission's decision to build an urban stream research center at the newly acquired Cenacle property in Warrenville?

I believe an urban stream research center is a good thing. Urban streams are often neglected suffering from eroding banks and incurring tremendous amounts of run off from surrounding lands. This run off has tremendous deleterious effects on the rivers ecological communities. Further research into the use of these hidden gems of the county is plus. How the research station is run and how the budget is managed is always a concern. If done correctly I see the research station as a tremendous plus.

5. What are your thoughts on the best use of the St. James Farm and Dunham forest preserves, particularly in terms of public access?

I would like to review the friends of St. James Farm Committee strategic plan and talk with all interested parties before making specific recommendations. I would like to see portions of the land left undisturbed by recreational use and managed for preservation. In the other portions of the land I would like to see a plan developed which will manage the land for multiple use including, recreation, special interest uses, and education.

6. Earlier this year, raises of about 3 percent were approved for forest preserve commissioners. Do you feel this pay hike is justified? If so, why? If not, why not?

I'm sure the forest preserve commissioners work hard and believe they deserve the raise. I am not running for forest preserve commissioner to get rich, I'm running because I'm a professional ecologist who is passionate about the environment. I want to see that forest preserves are run in a responsible manner. I would not have sought nor supported the 3% pay raise.