Mary Lou Wehrli: 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: NapervilleWebsite: www.WhoMaryLou.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: DuPage County Forest Preserve District 5 Age: 62Family: Husband, Herb NadelhofferOccupation: property management and salesEducation: Bachelor of Arts in Television, Columbia College, 1995Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, University of Illinois, 1976Naperville Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy, 2003Citizens Fire Academy, Citizens Police Academy, CERTCivic involvement: Current Service:Naperville Parks Foundation BoardPast Service:DuPage Neighbors for Open Space, Clean Water Clean Air Co-Chair of successful $68M referendumRiverwalk Foundation PresidentNaperville Heritage Society BoardKidsMatter BoardRotary Club of Naperville Sunrise BoardWestside Home Owners Association PresidentMillennium Carillon Foundation BoardNaperville Downtown Plan Steering Committee AppointeeFriends of the Nichols Library DirectorNaperville Post Office Consumer Advisory Council MemberNaperville Sesquicentennial Commission Executive BoardSpecial Event Leadership:NaperDink Triathlon ChairBottom Feeder Ball ChairRotary Beaux Arts Ball: Chair Live Silent Auctions and RaffleNaperville Sesquicentennial Grand Parage ChairElected offices held: Commissioner, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County â#8364;#8220; District 5, 2012-2016 termNaperville Park District Commissioner, 1999-2005President Naperville Park District, 2000-2001Questions Answers What role should the forest preserve play in preserving historic buildings on its land?The role of the forest preserve is to listen to citizens and be a steward of assets. Historic buildings have a place delivering education, pleasure and recreation â#8364;#8220; aspects integral to the mission of the District. The Commission approved a Management of Historical and Cultural Resources policy and a consultant will help align the District's Asset Management Plan with the District's Strategic Plan. Existing partnerships, for example, Graue Mill Corporation and Friends of Danada, demonstrate the vital role the District can play in preserving historic buildings. DuPage County has always valued its history. The forest preserve district is a partner.In the past, the forest preserve has been approached by several agencies looking to use its land for other purposes. Describe your position on such requests and if it is ever appropriate to develop forest preserve land for non-forest preserve activities.Requests to repurpose forest preserve land may be appropriate in a very few circumstances. The people of DuPage County own the land. Some land is adjacent to or within a park district property and as such is already being used for open space or recreation. These tend to be small parcels and have been conveyed, when appropriate, to a park district. It is not appropriate to convey the people's land to benefit a private agency or institution or developer.If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?Main contributions: actively supporting online registration, an asset management plan, a merit based salary program and the first Strategic Plan in 100 years, land acquisitions, trail connections, enhanced dog parks, improved transparency: video streamed meetings, cost and operational efficiencies: early retirement incentive and staff reorganization, and land management: ongoing restoration and maintenance of wetland mitigation projects.I have led initiatives that created an Asset Management Plan and Historical and Cultural Resources Policy, and that question the status quo: reduced salaries and benefits for elected officials, removal of elected official names from forest preserve signage, and respectful discussion of District business.How do you rate the county government on transparency and the public's access to records? If you consider it adequate, please explain why. If you think improvements are needed, please describe them and why they are important.The forest preserve district rates good in the public's access to records. Improvements could be made by digitizing and making word-searchable all meeting Minutes accessible directly on the District's website, and by providing easy to find links to documents, for example ordinances, resolutions, contracts and policies. This is important because people are more sophisticated in accessing information and technology supports their effort. The District should make every effort to make it as easy and intuitive as possible for citizens to understand the District's business.Please list any elected office you have ever run for and what the result of that election was. Have you ever been appointed to fill an unexpired term?Commissioner Naperville Park District â#8364;#8220; WonCommissioner Forest Preserve District of DuPage County District 5 â#8364;#8220; WonPresident Forest Preserve District of DuPage County â#8364;#8220; Beaten, but didn't lose.NoWhat other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?That the forest preserve continue to care for its assets. The Fleet Maintenance Building be built. The McDowell Bridge be replaced. Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve prairie demonstration garden be planted. A policy approved on the use of appropriate power tools by volunteers. Greene Farmstead attracts an advocacy group to develop a Master Plan. Oak Meadows Golf Preserve opens. Willowbrook Wildlife Center and St. James Farm continue improvements.That the forest preserve continue to restore the land and water.That technology and staff continue to help connect people with nature.That the culture of the organization improves.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Naperville Mayor Emeritus A. George PradelWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Do your level best, in a cheerful spirit, right now.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?There are no do-overs. All the butterflies would have to flap their wings differently.If there were, I would come back as a second born.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Calligraphy. It taught me see dynamic relationships between positive and negative space. Calligraphy transposed to life opens a valuable perspective in relationships, choices and attitude.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?See the good in people.