George Hernandez: Candidate Profile

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:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: WheelingWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Wheeling parksAge: 54Family: Married, 3 Daughters and two granddaughtersOccupation: Electrician/ crane operatorEducation: Degree in ornamental horticulture, Triton Collage.Civic involvement: President Triton Collage garden club. President MIPE Midwest Institute Park Executives. 4 Th. Degree Knight of Columbus, St. Joseph the Worker Vice Chair Wheeling 2000, planning social servicesMember of the Wheeling Zoning Board of Appeals Wheeling citizens policeWheeling Red Cross disaster relief team Elected offices held: Elected Chicago Darwin Local School council. Then appointed to the Principal selection committee for Avondale Middle school.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NOCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Development of Heritage parkKey Issue 2 Bringing back socialization in the park and not just paid programs. This way so whenever you want to do something in the park you do not have to pay a hefty penny for the program.Key Issue 3 Parking and accessibility to the parksQuestions Answers What programs aren#146;t paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?Taxes and Fees have gone way up this year and they need to be investigated more thoroughly.Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.No, They Spent too much money on lake along Lake/Cook road. And raised our taxesAre 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 need more free exercise stations along park paths. Our youths love the outdoor. They need to push themselves, challenge, and brag to there peers. Our seniors are always striving to maintain there health. The park paths are were they can enjoy the oxygen from the open air, the Sunlight, and socialization. There are other parks that need decorative landscaped walking paths, and shelters as well.Revenue: Possibly by the Selling of park district shirts and hats, or other merchandise.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?To be explored. Right now I feel other government agencies are extracting funds and resources from parks to benefit there needs.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.Tired of just volunteering, making suggestions, standing on the side line. Need the next level up, I want to start implementing my experiences and resources.I have worked 23 years for various other park districts. I have seen what brings the community together, and what is enjoyed. The parks or open space has been paid for years ago. These spaces should be designed to be accessibility to the public to enjoy nature, socialize, and years of free recreation opportunities.