Kim VanderSchaaf: 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: WheatonWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Wheaton parksAge: 38Family: Married to husband Brian HollahanOccupation: Vice President and Sr Marketing Analyst at Harris, the 3rd largest bank in the Chicago area serving more than 1.3 million clients. I provide analysis that helps us make strategic decisions based on data, the needs of our organization and our customers.Education: Knox College, Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Magna cum LaudeDePaul University Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, Master of Business Administration with Economics Concentration, with DistinctionCivic involvement: I believe strongly in giving back and supporting my community. With my husband Brian Hollahan, I actively support local charities and services through donations of time and resources. In addition to volunteering and assisting the youth groups at our church, Brian and I are longtime supporters of the People's Resource Center, DuPage PADS, the Glen Ellyn/ Wheaton CROP walk and the Outreach Community Center.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Engaging in dialogue with the community is critical so that decisions are based on the needs of our community. I believe in participatory and responsive government with a proactive approach to community involvement.Key Issue 2 Taxpayer funding means we are all shareholders in the park district. The park district needs to be responsible to our shareholders to maximize the value of our assets- the parks and facilities. I believe in fiscal responsibility and the application of analytics and business skills for the sound decision making that will meet this responsibility.Key Issue 3 I believe in a representative government; the composition of the park board should more closely represent the composition of our community.Questions Answers What programs aren#146;t paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?All programs in the park district need to be closely examined for fiscal sustainability. Examining programs and facilities shows clearly that Cosley Zoo has been operating at a loss for the last several years and is currently projected to continue operating at a loss through 2013. We need to protect this gem so our families can continue to enjoy it. Implementation of nonresident admission fees was a good start, but it is only the first step- more needs to be done to prevent further fiscal erosion and set the zoo on the right path. A detailed analysis of the operations of the zoo and its usage by patrons needs to be completed to determine how it can become self sustaining. Insight from the experiences of other communities in generating positive cash flows from public facilities can also add value and help determine how Cosley Zoo can continue to be a valued park facility.Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.The available property that has received the most attention is the Hubble Middle School site at Main and Roosevelt. This presents a unique opportunity for the Wheaton Park District. To retain the use of the facilities at Hubble, the current board has proposed purchasing all or part of the site. Missing from this proposal, however, are details #8211; how much will the park district offer for the land, how will the costs for the purchase and any future development be funded, what is the usage plan for the area and will it fit in with the neighborhood and surrounding area? Ample time has passed for the park board to address these issues, but no public discussion has occurred. These important questions need to be publically addressed and answered before the board proceeds. The board must be forward-looking function if we are to meet ongoing and future needs. Maintaining a list of available and potentially available property is critical.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?We are starting from a strong base: we are in a great location and have access to well established, high quality programs and facilities throughout DuPage County, in addition to the wonderful programs run by the park district. This is why we live in Wheaton! The 2008 Wheaton Park District Attitude and Interest survey of district residents showed that 98% of households are satisfied with the recreation programs offered by the park district. However, it is important to avoid complacency and to be forward-thinking. The survey also showed that residents need improved bikeways and paths linking parks together. Working with the Active Transportation Alliance, the Wheaton community as a whole is currently exploring ways to improve bicycling in the city. Leadership from the park district is fundamental to the success of this project. Federal funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is underwriting the costs of the plan development. Any costs attributable to the park district from implementing the plan would need to be closely monitored.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?The opportunity to gain economies of scale and efficiencies by combining and pooling resources with other government entities should be examined and considered. As other government bodies are increasing our taxes, the park district needs to work collaboratively to operate more efficiently and lower its tax burden on residents. This will require that the board look at all aspects of the parks, programs and facilities in a new light and in an innovative way. This may mean a shared program or activity among the Wheaton and Glen Ellyn park districts or an agreement with the Carol Stream park district and the Outreach Community Center to support Community Park on the North side of Wheaton. No avenue should be left unexplored. While both benefits and costs of the combined efforts need to be accounted for, all options should be fully examined. If cost savings, improved programs and a greater sense of community between different government entities can be gained, everyone wins.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.Public service is an honor and my three campaign issues reflect my beliefs about government and this service. This is an opportunity for the people of Wheaton, who love our parks, to elect a candidate who built a career on listening, who understands fiscal responsibility and who represents a portion of the constituency that is without a voice on the current board.