Terry A. Mee: 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: Candidate did not respond.Family: Wife and four daughters.Occupation: Chief of Police, East Dundee, ILEducation: B.S. in Law Enforcement Administration, Western Illinois UniversityM.S. in Human Resource Management Development, National-Louis UniversityCivic involvement: Board of Directors, Dundee Township Boys Girls ClubFormer Member, Wheaton P.M. Rotary ClubFormer Member, Wheaton North High School Booster ClubElected offices held: Wheaton Park District Board of Commissioners, 2007-2011Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To provide non-fee and affordable fee-based, varied leisure, athletic, and recreational activities for all resident taxpayers; and to also offer reasonable non-resident fees that encourage non-resident participation in fee-based recreational activities that support the financial stability of the Park District.Key Issue 2 To continue to protect and improve Park District facilities, parks, and other properties that are the support base for the Park District leisure and recreational activities; and to continually evaluate and consider the efficacy and affordability of acquiring or leasing additional properties and/or facilities that support the continually growing demands for athletic and recreational activities of the Park District.Key Issue 3 To insure that the Park District manages its fiscal resources in a conservative and responsible manner, as dicated by the current economic conditions and the expectations of the taxpayer residents.Questions Answers What programs aren#146;t paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?Generally, all of the Park District recreational programs are ""paying for themselves"". The fee-based programs are structured such that the fees support the labor and facility costs associated with the program. Educational programs, such as the Cosley Zoo and the DuPage Historical Museum, are community offerings not dependent upon a specific profit margin; but are self-supported in part by various grants, contributions, admission fees, and other creative fund-raising programs. Recreational programs that ""aren't paying for themselves"" would be eliminated, if they could not be altered or marketed in such a way that they would be self-sustaining.Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.The demands of the various recreational and athletic programs continue to increase to the extent that the few existing open land areas within and adjacent to the Park District must be evaluated for the possibility of providing the needed additional athletic and recreational areas. Whether or not the open lands offer such opportunities and are affordable are key considerations in the evaluation process. The Park District is currently pursuing a first right of refusal to acquire a portion of the former site of the Hubble Middle School; that portion of the property that has been used by the Park District for a long period of time for gymnasium-related athletic programs and those sports activities that require use of the outside ball fields. That portion of the former Hubble Middle School is critical to our ability to maintain the long-existing programs on that property.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?One unmet need is that of a fieldhouse that would house various recreational, physical fitness, and athletic programs, including an indoor pool; an indoor pool that does not exist within the Park District at this time and one that would provide for the team-related water sports that many other Park Districts have. The concept of such a fieldhouse, however, is likely one that will be better considered in a stronger economy.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?Any such sharing and/or pooling of resources that result in a more efficient procurement process and savings of labor, capital, and materials and supplies costs is appealing. It should be noted, however, that the Park District has historically made vehicle and certain materials and supplies purchases through what is commonly known as the State purchase program. Vendors in that program have offered bids for the sale of their products, and the State of Illinois chooses the lowest bidders among the various vendors; and then makes those vendors available to public bodies for certain purchases. Generally, that program tends to offer the lowest available prices. Essentially, any program that results in lower operating costs is appealing.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.As a first term incumbent, the following are some of the Park District accomplishments shared by the the current Board of Park Commissioners and the staff of the Park District:The soon-to-be-completed Northside Park imrpovement project that had remained generally stalled for several years.The acquisition of additional athletic fields, including the leasing of a portion of what is known as the Lucent property.The intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Forest Preserve District that allowed the Park District executive administration offices to be moved into the building which houses the DuPage Historical Museum; an IGA that results in significant cost savings in office space with the agreement that the Park District will operate the Museum.Maintenance of a very financially solid Park District budget and operation. A reduction in personnel services, which has allowed the Park District to operate in a 'leaner' but still efficient and effective manner.A continuing increase in recreational and athletic programs in order to meet the demands of the District's residents.Improvements to the Arrowhead Golf Course that have contributed to its financial success and the fiscal support of the Park District.An improved operation of the Arrowhead facility restaurant, which has also resulted in that operation's being a financial success and a contributor to the fiscal resources of the Park District.An Arrowhead banquet facility that has gained an excellent reputation as a very desirable wedding reception location; as well as a meeting and miscellaneous party venue. That aspect of the Arrowhead operation has also contributed significantly to the fiscal resources of the Park District.