James Colbert: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: James M. Colbert

City: Elmhurst

Office sought: Park Board Commissioner

Age: 49

Family: Married to Elizabeth, Father of Cooper

Occupation: Stay-at-home dad

Education: Associate degree

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesMColbertForElmhurstParkBoardCommissioner/

Issue questions

What are the most important issues facing your park district and how do you intend to address them?

I believe The Elmhurst Park Board Of Commissioners has prioritized acquiring land while neglecting paying proper compensation to the people who make the Park District run, and not maintaining the properties we already own.

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.

This is my first time running for office, I have been vocally opposed to the rampant property acquisitions that continue with no signs of abating. I want to offer a voice on the EPD Board that will respect the taxpayers and the employees of the Park District.

Which programs aren't paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?

The property acquisitions are clearly not paying for themselves and only eliminate those properties from the tax rolls not just from the Park District but from every taxing body like the school district and city of Elmhurst as well. It needs to stop now.

Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.

As I have written I'm against acquiring land that would take property off the tax rolls, if a non taxed parcel became available it may be a good idea to buy it and consider selling some of the recently acquired properties.

Are there any unmet recreational needs?

The Park District does a great job listening to the communities' needs, making sure we have the resources to meet these needs is why I am running for Elmhurst Park Board Commissioner.