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Courtney Voelz: Candidate Profile

West Chicago Park Board

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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:BioQA Bio City: West ChicagoWebsite: http://courtneyvoelz.comOffice sought: West Chicago Park Board Age: 28Family: My family has been life long residents of the Park District. Back in 1972 my Grandfather Don Earley was one of the original founding members of the Park District. My father Don Voelz was also a past Commissioner. There are land deeds that can be traced back to the 1800's on my Great Grandmother Mabel Loveless Karp's side of the family that proves that my family has been here since there start. There is a lake called "loveless lake" located in the district that is named after her family. (Oak Grove Ave. and Woodland Ave. in Winfield Township)Occupation: Graphic/Web/video DesignerEducation: West Chicago Community High School (2005) Western Illinois University - B.A. in Broadcasting (2009) College of DuPage- certificate for web design (2013)Civic involvement: Member of 4th People of IllinoisElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers What programs aren't paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?Without having the final budget numbers for all the programs I cannot answer this question. If I had more information about the programs I would be able to compare the assets and expenditures of individual programs. I am aware of the fact that the Spooky Trail was not profitable and was eliminated. At one time the park district had an intergovernmental agreement with the West Chicago Community High School for pool usage, which was also a non-profitable program that was eliminated to save residents of the district money.Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.To my knowledge there isn't any open surrounding space that needs to be acquired. Most of the surrounding area is residential, commercial, or land owned by the DuPage County Forest Preserve. I am aware that there has been land donated to the Park District in the past and members of the community could donate in the future.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?Besides recreational sports programs, there aren't many options for people between the ages 20-55. There are currently programs for the youth and senior members of the community.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?Yes, as long as it is beneficial for all parties involved. Before the ARC was built there was an agreement with Warrenville Park District. Our residents could use their indoor fitness center, and their residents could use our aquatics center at agreed rates for each community.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.I grew up in the Park District and worked there in the summer while I was in college. The current board has made great progress over the past few years but is missing the perspective from the younger voters. I would do a good job representing voters around the same age as me who might not feel their voice is being heard.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?It is important to me that the Park District maintains the quality and standards that residents expect.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.There are to many leaders that have great qualities to choose just one.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My parents made sure that my sister and I developed a good work ethic.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would go back and visit my great grandpa the day before we left for a soccer tournament instead of staying home.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?In school history was my favorite class. It has helped me understand the reasons behind some of the events happening in the world today.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?If you believe in something don't give up no matter what others think.