Thomas Reed: Candidate Profile

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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: AddisonWebsite: www.tomreed4parks.comOffice sought: Addison Park Board Age: 72Family: Wife-Kathi Reed 3 Children-Pam, Penny Jeff 11 Grandchildren, 3 Great Grandchildren Currently reside with my wife, Great Grandchildren Makena Mason Reed, and Grandmother Irene CookOccupation: Owner of Thomas M Reed Insurance Agency in Addison since 1986Education: 2 years college majoring in EngineeringCivic involvement: Serving on the Addison Police Pension Board since 1991. Founding member of the Addison Lions Club in 1994, currently President, a position I have held 16 of the 20 years. Served on the Community Council which organized Community Days for 8 years. Member of the Addison Rotary Club for 6 years.Elected offices held: Served as Addison Park District Commissioner 2001 to 2013.Questions Answers What programs aren't paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?The pool programs: Although pools seldom pay for themselves in terms of revenue, this pool creates a severe drain on operational expenses over and beyond normal maintenance, due to age. Staff has done an outstanding job of controlling expenses while increasing revenue. Unfortunately open swim numbers have continued to decline and are not contributing enough to the bottom line to offset the expenses associated with the pool.Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.Yes-The old Army Trail Golf Course is one of the largest parcels left in the Village. That would be a fantastic location for a Modern Aquatic Center with room for walking paths winding around and over the existing streams.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?Yes-A Modern Aquatic Center is desperately needed to compete with surrounding communities and to give the seniors and families with young children a place to spend leisure time together in a safe water environment. Make use of grants, donations, or naming rights. Stop wasting tax dollars.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,I am a firm believer in taxing bodies pooling resources and working together for the betterment of the community. Addison is a role model for public taxing bodies working together and has been as long as I can remember. Common maintenance areas should be explored, such as mowing, snow removal, and tree trimming for adjacent areas.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 previous Park Commissioner,(2001-2013)I keep up with information regarding the Park District. I have been reading about wasteful spending when the district is struggling with keeping up with replacement schedules of playgrounds, vehicles, equipment, reducing work force each budget year. When the 40 year old pool (which had an advertised life span of 25 years) was heavily damaged, the Board approved spending approximately $300,000 to keep the pool operational. The Board also forced a 5 + 5 plan to be activated at a cost close to $1 million dollars. I don't believe the residents would agree with those expenditures had they been made aware of same.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Tax Dollars: Prevent wasteful spending and establish a plan to offset future debt. Work close with the Citizens Advisory Committees to insure greater accountability. Family programming: Adding and improving programming for pre-school and school age children to better align with working parents. Programs need to be analyzed and studies done to include the resident base that utilizes the services to better serve the working parents. Parks: Working close with the Addison Park Foundation to strengthen the Foundation and develop new sources of funding needed to support the programming of our parks.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Peter Roskam for his honesty and integrityWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Always be honest and upfront with peopleIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Get involved with the local community at an earlier ageWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Mathematics, helps in all aspects of everyday activitiesIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Don't try to be someone else