Mahboube 'Michelle' Haghighi: 2023 candidate for Naperville park board

Bio

Town: Naperville

Age on Election Day: 52

Occupation: Business manager

Employer: FAMA Technology

Previous offices held: None

Q&A

Q: Why are you running for this office, whether for reelection or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?

A: As an immigrant and a mother of two kids, I have seen firsthand the enormous positive impact of good, clean, well-kept common spaces for our families. With programs for young and old alike, and a place for every single one of our community members, our parks serve a special place in our city.

That's why I'm running for Naperville Park District Commissioner: to preserve, protect, and expand our parks, and make sure that all families get to enjoy these spaces the way my family does. I will be a champion for our children and our families on the board, I'm dedicated to ensuring that our tax dollars are spent in a responsible way, and I will work hard to ensure our parks continue to lead the way in the cause of environmental sustainability in our city.

Q: How well is your district rebounding from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic? What new measures should be taken to strengthen programming or better meet the needs of the community?

A: As our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues, I am glad to see our families are once again enjoying our parks and its services and offerings.

Over the next four years, I want to continue the wonderful work that's been done by the park district, and build on it by working closely with both our city government and partners in the nonprofit and private sectors to make our parks more accessible and more enjoyable for all of our families.

That includes doing more cultural events that celebrate the incredible diversity of our city, looking into ways we can expand our summer programs for children across Naperville, as well as exploring options on how our parks can incorporate more clean energy and technologies into its operations.

I also want to ensure that the excellent fiscal health of our parks continue, and maintain our Triple A bond rating, which has gone a long way in making our parks some of the best in the country.

Q: How would you describe the state of the district's finances? What challenges do you see on the horizon, and how do you propose to meet them?

A: I know that our parks are in excellent health and shape, thanks in large part to the good stewardship of our park board leaders. Our current bond rating has been instrumental in making sure that our parks continue to provide the wonderful services it does to our families, and our parks' financial situation was a big reason why our parks were able to fare the pandemic much better than some of the other park districts in the Chicagoland area and across Illinois.

Our reserves allow for our parks to continue their services without interruption in the face of any budget or fiscal challenge, and if elected, I will work with my fellow board members to continue the strong financial health of our parks.

Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions of your park board.

A: I am a strong believer that a city is at its best when our policymakers are taking into account a diverse set of voices and perspectives. We are not making policy for one person or one group of people; we are making policy for all members of our communities and neighborhoods, and its ripple effects will be felt by all who reside in our city.

As a mother and an immigrant, I believe I will be a unique voice on the park district board, and will bring in a fresh new perspective to our decision making process. I will also work to ensure that opinions and view points that differ from mine are heard, as well as the perspectives of experts with years of practical knowledge in the various fields our parks department deals with.

That is what makes me a particularly effective decision-maker: the ability to make informed decisions that balances the diverse needs of our neighbors, backed by scientifically and factual sound information.

Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?

A: The soccer league was the highlight of my son's summer when he was growing up, and the Centennial Beach opening is always on my daughter's calendar. When the weather is warm on Sunday evenings, my husband and I always take a stroll through one of the parks nearby my house as a way to relax before the start of the week. Naperville parks have always had a regular presence in our lives, and I'm running because I want to preserve, protect, and expand our parks.