Rob Nesvacil: 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: Arlington Hts.Website: ReElectRob4Parks.comOffice sought: Arlington Heights Park Board Age: 41Family: My wife Carol and I have three children: Clara (12), Zach (9) and Josh (7). We have been residents since 1997 and currently live in the Pioneer Park neighborhood.Occupation: Product ManagerEducation: Bachelors - Graphic Design, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (1996) Bachelors with Honors - History of Art, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (1996)Civic involvement: Arlington Heights Park Foundation charity (2005-2014) Drive to Revive Memorial Park committee (2006-2013) Historical Society's Annual Housewalk, volunteered graphic design work for event logo and poster (2003-2010) "Green Partners" environmental volunteer group (through work) (2010-present) Den Leader for Westgate Cub Scouts Pack 130 (2011-present)Elected offices held: Arlington Heights Park District, Commissioner (2003-present)Questions Answers What programs aren't paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?The Arlington Heights Park District has a policy in place whereby programs or classes which do not meet minimum enrollments are canceled. This protects taxpayers by ensuring classes which do not garner enough fees to cover their basic costs are canceled. For as long as I've been on the park board, the district has had a policy to balance tax dollars with program fees in order to run the park district more like a business.Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.Open land is at a premium in Arlington Heights and, when it comes available, is often far too expensive for the park district to acquire. That said, I'm an advocate for open space and during my tenure the park district has added nearly 2 acres at Sunset Meadows after lengthy negotiations to reduce the cost. The district also removed the Pioneer Maintenance Facility and the old Weber Warehouse at Rec Park in order to create new open space within existing park land. The park district also has agreements with every school district in town to share use of athletic fields and gyms. This saves taxpayers money by allowing park sports programs to be played at school facilities during non-school hours rather than the park district having to buy new land to accommodate large programs like soccer.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?In a vibrant community like Arlington Heights the residents' recreational needs are constantly evolving. As a park commissioner I regularly talk with residents about their ideas and their questions. I also routinely reference data from registration metrics and from lessons other park districts have learned. Using that input, at both Pioneer Park and the more recent Camelot Park renovation we worked to create facilities that are flexible enough to accommodate current program needs as well as changing interests and demographics - while still protecting taxpayer dollars through careful judgment of facility layouts, opportunities and long-term impacts. One particular on-going recreational need is for more gym space. At Rec and Frontier the district has small-sized gyms. Pioneer and Camelot have full-size gyms. The park district also has agreements in place with every public school district, Christian Liberty Academy and others to use school gyms. Yet, this town of more than 75,000 people still does not have enough gym space to fit all the basketball, volleyball, pickle ball, winter indoor soccer and other cold-season indoor programs that are in high demand. My belief is that when it comes to large community investments the voters should have the final say - i.e., an up or down vote. Three years ago the voters spoke and determined that the park district should update infrastructure and renovate community centers on a slow but steady pace using fund reserves and any grants that the district is able to secure.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?I'm happy to note the Arlington Heights Park District has nearly 50 Intergovernmental Agreements spanning every school district in town plus the village, neighboring park districts, private groups and more. These agreements save taxpayers money by streamlining services and minimizing overlap. For instance, as noted above because the park district has agreements with the school districts residents are able to participate in CAP before and after school care (run by the park district on school grounds) and participate in park sports programs on school fields, in school gyms and even at Hersey High School's stadium. This helps taxpayers get more value because the school facilities are used more efficiently instead of having them sit idle during non-school hours while the park district is able to use school fields and facilities that taxpayers have already invested in.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.The Drive to Revive Memorial Park â#128;#148; Worked with local veterans, residents, the Park Foundation charity and others raising money to update our town's oldest park, dedicated to veterans. New 2-Person Pool Pass â#128;#148; Urged park staff to create a 2-person pool pass to help those on limited or fixed incomes save money. $3,800,000 in Grants â#128;#148; I'm a strong advocate for seeking grants and the district has earned more than $3,800,000 in public and private funding for building renovations, improved open space, energy-efficiency and more during my tenure. "Aaa" Bond Rating â#128;#148; Our park district has a "Aaa" Moody's financial rating, the best available, thanks to years of strategic planning by park commissioners and staff. Smart Cost Reduction â#128;#148; I am dedicated to the district's energy efficiency and conservation programs - reducing utility and commodity costs while protecting our environment. Tree Nursery at Kingsbridge Arboretum â#128;#148; At the start of the Emerald Ash Borer infestation, I initiated the idea for a park district tree nursery to plant saplings on park land. This reduces costs by about $150 per sapling compared to standard balled burlaped replacement trees. Green Initiatives â#128;#148; Strong supporter of the district's programs for sorting recyclables from park trash cans and participating in the voluntary village-wide "Idle-Free Zone" project to reduce pollution. Arbor Day Seedlings â#128;#148; Connected the park district with "CNN Hero" Living Lands and Waters (an Illinois conservation group) to provide free, native tree seedlings for schoolchildren during Arbor Day celebrations.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I believe our park district is a big part of what makes Arlington Heights a great place to live. Since 2003, I've been honored and humbled to serve on our Park Board, a volunteer-elected position. My promise to voters continues to be the same as the first time I ran for Park Board: - Listen to residents - Be fiscally responsible - Protect our parks and our environment As a member of the board, I routinely bring new ideas to the table and regularly seek citizen input on park issues. I ask for your vote for re-election on April 7th so I can continue my commitment to residents of every neighborhood, all ages and abilities.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.My wife, Carol. From college sweethearts to the hardest, most amazing job in the world: stay at home mom to our three children.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?To give back because you're not alone and there's always more you can do to help others.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I'm very happy with how my life is so no need for any do-overs.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History. If you know what's worked before, or not worked, there's a good shot you can keep improving.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I say this to our kids all the time: keep trying your best and even if something doesn't go your way keep at it.