Christine Wilson: Candidate profile
Bio
Name: Christine Wilson
City: Glen Ellyn
Office sought: Glen Ellyn Park District Commissioner
Age: 71
Family: 2 sons Jed 48 (living in San Diego with wife Diane and 3 children) and Zak 46 (living in Glen Ellyn) Occupation: Financial Analyst
Education: BS from Elmhurst College
Civic involvement: Glen Ellyn Civic Betterment, Glen Ellyn Historic Preservation Commission, Citizens for Glen Ellyn Preservation
Previous elected offices held: Glen Ellyn Park District Commissioner
Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? 2015
Website: None
Facebook: None
Twitter: None
ISSUE QUESTIONS
* What are the most important issues facing your park district and how do you intend to address them?
Going forward, the board needs to continue sound financial management, transparency and listening to the public. Facilities, parks and trails need to be maintained and improved. Implementation of the Ackerman Park Master Plan will begin in 2019. The funds made available for these expenditures are the result of careful budgeting and planning aided by the guidance of the Citizens Finance Committee.
*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.
• Implementation of the Lake Ellyn Master Plan, which included a historic restoration of the 1930s WPA Boat House, restoring natural areas, improving water quality of the lake and replacing the playground. The plan, created by preservation and conservation professionals, was guided by community input.
• Preserved one acre of land offered to us by the Y, which was adjacent to our park land. Through proactively budgeting for open land, we were able to purchase it without taking on debt.
• Decreased property taxes for residents by not taking on more debt after retiring bonds.
* Which programs aren't paying for them? Would you keep, eliminate or change them? How and why?
Currently, the special events planned to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Park District, the Lake Ellyn Cardboard Boat Regatta, Free Movie Nights, Band Concerts and senior trips are not paying for themselves. I support keeping them because they serve all the residents. The Park District events bring people together, create memories, provide opportunities for kids, parents and grand parents to share experiences and build a strong community. Within their proposed budget for 2019, the Park District sets as one of their goals to have the staff seek sponsors and donations for these events. I would support supplementing the costs wherever possible.
* Is there any additional open space the park district needs to acquire? Please describe.
Yes, in 2014 the Park District approved an ordinance to establish a goal of 8 acres per 1,000 residents. Based on this, we support obtaining an additional 25 acres of open space. Currently we are setting aside funds to have on hand if the opportunity arises. Recently we purchased an acre of land adjacent to one of our parks. I believe the Park District should consider purchasing open land whenever the possibility arises. Of course the acquisition should be evaluated carefully; making sure it is sustainable and meets the objectives of the Park District. Open space is valuable to our quality of life. Open space improves our physical and psychological health and our environment. Parks and nature draw us in and provide areas to be active in. Just being surrounded by nature has been shown to reduce our stress. The trees and plants reduce air and water pollution and help keep our cities cooler, plus helps to manage stormwater without taxing our sewer systems.
* Are there any unmet recreational needs? If yes, what are they and how would you propose paying for them?
We need to expand our biking and hiking trails to connect our parks to other trail systems such as the Great Western Trail and Prairie Path and nearby Churchill Forest Preserve. Through sound financial management of funds, we are able to budget and work toward achieving these goals.