Ray Larson: 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: GrayslakeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Grayslake Park Board (4-year Terms)Age: 37Family: Married to my wife Karen. We have three sons: Ray (12), Jack (10), and Andrew (9)Occupation: Lieutenant/Paramedic with the Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire DepartmentEducation: Bachelor in Fire Service Management, Southern Illinois University, 2010 National Fire Academy, Emittsburg, Maryland, 2007, 2011Civic involvement: Grayslake Youth Baseball Coach IFSA "Camp I am Me" Burn Camp St. Baldricks Organization (children's cancer research)Elected offices held: Trustee/Chairman, Deerfield-Bannockburn Foreign Fire Insurance Board, 2011-present Secretary, Deerfield-Bannockburn Professional Firefighters Association, 2002-2004Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To provide for the safe and efficient operation of all parks and recreation programs administered by the Grayslake Park District.Key Issue 2 With fiscal responsibility to it's taxpayers maintain effective programs, enhance the districts' parks, and review and amend if necessary the strategic plan for the next ten years based on the population and needs for the residents of the district.Key Issue 3 Maintain and create new partnerships with local government entities, service clubs, and other potential affiliates.Questions Answers What programs aren't paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?While the park district is not an agency designed to be profitable, they should be fiscally responsible. Programs that do not generate interest or become cost prohibitive should be reformed.Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.The current open space survey that was completed and on file should be reviewed to determine long range planning for the park district based on its programs, current and potential affiliates, the current and/or potential need for space, and population trends. If the park district shows a need for space, then a responsible effort to acquire open space should be made without creating an unnecessary burden on the residents of the district.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?After speaking with park district recreation staff members, gym space is adequate but the need for additional space would open new horizons for additional programs and offerings to residents. Until the housing market has stabilized, large capital purchase acquisitions may have to be placed on hold. Until then, working and developing additional agreements with other local groups such as private schools and churches with gym space may help lessen the burden for additional space.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?Inter-governmental agreements are an invaluable resource that includes but is not limited to fiscal savings. The park district, village, fire department, library, and school districts are long-standing local government bodies. Working together to develop agreements and contracts for safety programs, educational classes, printing, snow removal, refuse collection, and landscaping services are a few ways to reduce expenses.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 candidate seeking election, I do not look at myself as someone that must find ways force reform. I believe that I can offer a positive influence though. I work for a governmental taxing body and have a strong grasp of both day to day operations as well as long range strategic planning. As a community liaison in my career with the fire department, I have formed relationships with many government agencies including a strong one with the local park district. I understand as a taxpayer that services offered by the park district must meet the needs for the people that fund it. I take that responsibility very seriously in today's world and look to fill that role. The trustees of the park district represent and work for the taxpayers that fund it, and I take that to heart as I look to occupy this office with integrity and enthusiasm.