Schaumburg park board has first member from Roselle

Schaumburg Park District commissioners have appointed a new member to join them on the board, four months after 22-year veteran Nancy Wroblewski resigned and moved to Georgia.

Sharon DiMaria, 50, of Roselle will take Wroblewski's seat on the board until the next election in spring 2009. That seat will then be renewed for a two-year term before returning to a four-year cycle.

She said Friday she intends to run again at that time.

DiMaria is a native of Hoffman Estates and a graduate of Conant High School. She started her business -- Dazzles, a salon and spa in Roselle -- with her sister Diane 17 years ago.

She will be the only one of the five commissioners who does not live in Schaumburg. The park district's boundaries are different from the village's.

Widening the geographical representation on the board was one of her goals, though she doesn't feel her area has been under-served.

DiMaria and her husband, Arvey, raised their three children in the Schaumburg Park District, which is how she became familiar with its services.

She said she's proud of the award-winning park district and the fact that it's a model for so many others across the nation.

But she wants to be part of the process as the district begins renovating some of its older facilities, making sure they stay current and competitive with private fitness clubs and recreation venues.

DiMaria also feels her gender brings some needed representation to the board.

"I think it's very important, especially with the park district, because women are the ones running around bringing their children here and there," she said

Board President Robert Schmidt said the park district had 12 applicants for the position and narrowed them down to five whom they interviewed this week.

"They were all excellent candidates, but what made (DiMaria) stand out was that she is for the people," Schmidt said. "She really stressed listening to the people and giving them what they want. She was the one that really stressed that the most."

DiMaria said her interest in the position was also inspired by her sister with special needs, who caused her to focus on issues of access and facilities for the disabled.

DiMaria never has held political office before, but she volunteered for 15 years as a religious education teacher at St. Hubert Catholic Church in Hoffman Estates.