Claire Kubiesa: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Claire Kubiesa

City: Elmhurst

Office sought: Elmhurst Park District Board of Commissioner

Age: 32

Family: TJ (husband), Palmer (son, age 1)

Occupation: Counseling & Sport Psychologist; Current Position: Psychologist at Great Lakes Naval Station

Education: Bachelor of Business Administration (B. B. A), University of Wisconsin - Madison (2009); M.A. (Clinical Psychology), Roosevelt University (2013); Ph.D. (Counseling Psychology, with emphasis in Sport & Exercise Psychology and Rehabilitation Counseling), Ball State University (2017)

Civic involvement: Ray Graham (Gateway Special Recreation) Volunteer; Schools of Hope Elementary School Tutor Volunteer; Best Buddies Volunteer; Special Olympics Volunteer; Pittsburgh Humane Society Volunteer; York High School Volunteer Girls Golf Coach (mental skills coach); Conrad Fischer Elementary School Volunteer; Blind Baseball Volunteer; Power Soccer Volunteer Coach; People for Elmhurst Parks Volunteer; League of Women Voters Member; Elmhurst Neighbors and Newcomers Club Member

Previous elected offices held: None

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? No

Website: www.clairekubiesa.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Claire-Kubiesa-for-Elmhurst-Park-Board-357239348402397/

Twitter: @CK_psychmeup

Issue questions

What are the most important issues facing your park district and how do you intend to address them?

Some of the most important issues facing the district are keeping current with trends and staying fiscally and financially responsible. The way this should be addressed is by working closely with staff, listening to the community, and balancing the wants and needs of the district. As additional sources of revenue continue to be a challenge, it is very important to stay aware of all sources available, including grants, donations, sponsorships, and partnerships. Teamwork and communication are tantamount to making things run well and run the park district like a business.

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 choice for me to run for the board was an easy one for me. I grew up in Elmhurst and enjoyed the many programs, classes, and parks offered by the park district throughout my life. As a young mother I want the best for my children as well. This is a wonderful place to raise a family, as evidenced by the many young families continuing to move to Elmhurst, and I want to be able to give my time back to my community and help continue to enhance the district for the future. There are currently four generations of my family (my grandmother, my parents, myself/my husband, and my son) enjoying the many programs and amenities the parks offer and I want to be able to sustain the parks ability to offer such across the lifespan. As trends and the needs of our community change I want to be able to support the district on its mission, enriching lives and having fun, and also sustain the core values and vision while offering a fresh perspective.

Which programs aren't paying for themselves? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?

If we were to look strictly at the financials and determine if there are programs that are "not paying for themselves" we would surely have a list. However, some park programs, services, or amenities are not designed to "pay for themselves." For example, the outdoor pools are only open approximately 12 weeks out of the year. Revenue collected will not cover the operational costs of running outdoor pools and probably never will. This is part of the give back to the community. Additionally, outdoor parks, playgrounds, and ball fields are a part of the district that is non-revenue producing. Thousands use these each year and they are, again, a very valuable asset to the park district and our community, and especially that they are free for all to enjoy. At times some programs may lose money, during which time it would be up to staff to evaluate the value of these offerings. And no, I would not eliminate the pools or the parks.

Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.

Elmhurst is a landlocked community and open space is very precious and hard to come by. It is important that the administrative staff and board continue to be vigilant and investigate possible parcels or parcels when they become available. Space should be acquired if it fits into the districts needs and fiscal responsibilities. Land should not be acquired if it is not in the best interest of the park district. For example, a community needs survey revealed Elmhurstians desired a dog park. The park district evaluated/investigated this need, planned, and eventually purchased an available parcel in 2017 for future development into a dog park. This purchase fit the needs and fiscal responsibilities of the district and our community. As such, as the needs and trends of the community change regarding programming and amenities/facilities, it is imperative the park district remains open and flexible, yet fiscally responsible, to the changing environment and what that means for open space acquisitions.

Are there any unmet recreational needs? If yes, what are they and how would you propose paying for them?

With trends changing and wants and needs changing at a rapid pace, it is key for the district to keep updated and abreast of the community's wants, needs, and expectations. Recreational services ebb and flow based on how the services and programs are attended. Recreation and healthy living are on the forefront of many. Services need to continue for all ages from toddlers to our older adult population. Teens continue to be somewhat of a challenge and should not be forgotten. A community needs survey revealed six areas of potential unmet needs that are outlined in the district's Vision 2020 plan: new indoor sports facility, acquire more open space, new senior center, expand Wagner Community Center, new dog park, and improved condition and maintenance of parks and amenities. I agree with these unmet needs. However, meeting these needs outlined by the community is going to be a challenge without proper funding. Therefore, exploring partnerships between the city, volunteer organizations, private entities, grants, and sponsorships are all areas of potential funding that need to be tapped into in order to help the district meet the needs of our community.