Robert Bowe: 2021 candidate for Park Ridge Park Commissioner

Five candidates for four 4-year terms

Bio

Hometown: Park Ridge

Age: 54

Occupation: Technology Manager

Employer: Franklin Park School District 84

Civic involvement: (Did not respond)

Q&A

Q. Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?

A. My main reasons for running for Park Board Commissioner are:

• To advocate for the preservation of our environment so that the Park District continues to be excellent stewards of the property it owns.

• To promote and facilitate making the best decisions especially with the ongoing changes due to the pandemic.

• To provide an informed and balanced voice during Park Board discussions that keep in mind finances, functionality, and practicality.

Q. Did your park district continue to adequately serve its constituents during the disruptions caused by the pandemic? If so, please cite an example of how it successfully adjusted to continue providing services. If not, please cite a specific example of what could have been done better.

A. Given the circumstances, the Park Ridge Park District maintained its high quality of offerings while being flexible and attentive to the safety of the community. For example, this year's Bike Sale had a great turnout, and the careful planning by staff helped to protect all who participated. The Park District did what it needed to by canceling so many programs to avoid contributing to the spread of the virus.

Q. In light of our experiences with COVID-19, what safeguards/guidelines should you put in place to address any future public health crises?

A. My interactions with the Park District staff have demonstrated that they are attentive to the changing environment and the challenges of not being able to adequately predict when a surge may happen or how to avoid contributing to the next one. The coming year will require a cautious and flexible approach to bringing programs and events to the public that are safe and enjoyable.

Q. How has the pandemic affected the park district's offerings and use of facilities. Are there other ways the park board can fulfill the mission of a park district during these times?

A. The Park District has fulfilled its mission as best as it can. It has carefully weighed each of its programs on an individual basis and has diligently assessed the current circumstances, facts, and requirements from the Department of Public Health. The coming year will require the Park District to continue its flexible approach, while being aware of the best approaches to maintaining a safe environment for staff and the community.

Q. How has the pandemic affected the park district's revenue? How has that been addressed on the expense side?

A. With the exception of Property Taxes, most other sources of revenues have been greatly diminished. From Recreation Program Fees to the fitness center and pool use fees, revenues are down by almost 50%. Unfortunately, this has impacted moving forward with the modifications at Oakton Park facilities that have been so carefully discussed by a citizen's task force. As soon as reasonably possible, I hope these conversations and so many others will resume.

Q. What other issues need to be addressed?

A. The Sustainability Task Force is a Park Ridge citizen-led group that recently presented its Sustainability Plan to the City Council. This carefully constructed plan is the blueprint that the Park Board can discuss implementing so that our local community can help alleviate the ongoing challenges that are caused by Climate Change. Intergovernmental discussions with the City Council could facilitate the adoption of some of the suggestions by continuing this citizen-led group of concerned citizens. The Sustainability Plan promotes the adoption of electric vehicles, and, with the growth of new technologies in this area, the Park Board should bring this into consideration when purchasing new vehicles. I commend the Park Board which has already embraced many new steps to avoid the use of chemicals and instead uses more natural approaches that have been proven to work while being cost-effective. And while the Plan promotes that we "plant more trees," we need to be as diligent about protecting the existing trees that take several hundred years to grow and create the important tree canopy that defines Park Ridge. The momentum of this plan could bring much-needed improvements and direction for the Park District budgeting process.