Mokena Park Board Candidate Israel Smith

Candidate name: Israel Smith

Age (as of Election Day): 43

Town/City of Residence: Mokena

Office sought: Mokena Park Board

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Education: B.B.A.,Robert Morris University, Certified Illinois Assessing Officer Licensed Illinois Real Estate Broker Former Illinois Certified Residential Appraiser

Occupation: Senior Real Estate Advisor in Property Tax; Chicago Based Development Company, 17 years in Real Estate

Campaign Website: https://www.facebook.com/israe...

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Rich Township Committeeman (2013-2015)

What is the most pressing issue facing the village and what do you intend to do about it? One of the issues I believe is pressing, is the future development of the Yunker Farm field, behind the house. This is a huge piece of land in the center of our town, and I believe we should have a realistic and responsible plan for development by the Park District. The right plan would draw people to our downtown and encourage more development and growth of downtown and the surrounding community. Our community continues to grow. and I think getting more public input to find out what is the best possible use of that property will bring value to the whole community. It is also important to keep in mind and respect the wishes of Mr. Yunker at the time he sold the farm to the Park District. If no real plan is made now we will still be staring at the same empty field 10 years from now. Responsible growth of our Parks has been my message since I ran for Park District in 2021.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? I am the only independent candidate running for Mokena Park Board. The critical difference is that I am the only candidate to present ANY thoughts and ideas of how we can improve our park district. I continually work to earn the vote of my fellow community members by sharing a message of ideas and open communication with our neighbors. I believe that we should always have a critical eye on what we are put in charge of so that we can more easily see where improvements can be made.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community? I think that "failed the community" is harsh. These are volunteer positions that require a time commitment and I appreciate each of the commissioners and their service to our community. That being said, I decided to run because I love our park district and I believe that I can make a positive contribution to bring real improvements. I have highlighted a number of issues in my campaign that I believe these commissioners should have and could have addressed previously. I will be proactive to seek out ways to make our parks better and I will commit to work with everyone that wants to make our park district the best around.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform: My campaign is based on common sense. It’s common sense to record and make available to the public all Park District Meetings. It’s common sense to communicate with the public. Through my posts and public communication I have heard first hand issues that community members and friends have had with the Park District. Listening to the community has brought to light numerous issues that I believe I can help address if I’m elected. I think it’s common sense to put scoreboards at the Oaks that are in the “new” gym, in a place that people can see them from the bleachers. Saturdays during basketball season are the busier than any other and unless you stand up and look behind you, you can’t see the score or time left in the game. It makes sense to bring concessions back to our parks. We have the buildings and if we work with community groups to run the stands, they can receive part of the proceeds for their organizations. The Burros, Jr. Celtics, MBSA, Scouts the Lions Club, etc, could raise funds for their group while also providing a valuable service to the community. I am active in our parks and in our community so it makes it easier to spot issues that aren’t being addressed and I commit 100% to work with anyone who want to make the Mokena Community Park District the very best around.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? have been an Illinois Real Estate Broker for 17 years, I have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, I work in the tax department of an international energy development company as a property tax advisor. I am also a member of the Mokena 159 School District’s finance committee. I have been an active member of the Mokena Lions Club for 6 years and on the executive board as the Marketing and Communications Director. I have co-chaired the Lions Easter Egg Hunt at Main Park and chaired the Mokena Lions Pancake Breakfast with the Mokena Fire District. These events require communication, organization and collaboration with the respective groups. As a leader with the Lions it has allowed me to work with businesses, residents and community leaders to bring people together to help those in need as well as organizing events that are fun and beneficial for the community. Additionally, I am very knowledgeable about the Park District. I read and review every months Park Board meeting packets and have attended meetings as well. I will be able to hit the ground running as a commissioner.

Why should voters trust you? Good character and honesty are very important to me. I am someone that is willing to change or admit when I am wrong on an issue. I am the only candidate who wants to make the Park Board meetings available online to the public. I never want there to be a question if the Board is doing the right thing. This was a major issue at our Park District back during the 2016 election. At the time, the commissioners that won said that getting the meetings recorded was very important and committed to do it. I will follow through and commit to always put the interest of the Park District and our community first. I promise an excess of communication from the Park District Board.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success? The meetings being recorded and available to the public. We will have concession stands at our parks again. We will have a real plan to develop the Yunker Farm field. I wont stop here though. I won’t declare a premature success, instead I will continue to move the goalposts of success in order to help make our parks the best around.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking? I give almost as much of my tax dollars to the Park District as I give to the Village of Mokena. It is extremely important that every tax dollar spent is responsibly and where it can add the most value to the community. This is another reason that I believe the meetings should be recorded and made available to the public. I don't have any harsh criticism of the board on the finances. The Executive Director seems to present a solid budget and as a commissioner I will be involved and ask tough budget questions if and when needed.

Do you support the Illinois assault weapons ban, and would you support a local assault weapons ban in this community? Based on current Illinois law, firearms are not allowed on Park District property. Beyond that, this question is not related to the office that I am running for. I support our Constitution.

Do you support Black Lives Matter, and do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality? If not, what specifically should be done to do so? The Park District is for everyone, no matter the race, color or creed.

Do you support the SAFE-T Act? Why or why not? As a Park District Commissioner, I have no impact on this legislation. I believe that people who break the laws in our Parks should be held responsible and they or their parents, should be made to pay for the damages, in the case of vandalism or fighting.

What are your thoughts on the crime rate in your community, and what more can be done to combat crime — especially violent crime — in town? The Park District has had to deal with vandalism of tennis courts and other incidents of vandalism. While I think that our community is a very safe, I think that the security of the Park District needs to be increased. We have a preschool, administrative building, The Oaks, a new maintenance facility and a lot of parks and we have NO video security in our Park District. This is a liability to the Park District and it is something that should be addressed.

What is your view of the city's/village's approach to commercial and residential development? I would love to see the downtown development continue! I live in downtown and it would be great to have more options to draw people to downtown. This will be a key motivator for me as we consider the development of the Yunker Farm field.

When it comes to development, what are some key areas for improvement or additions you feel are most wanted by residents? What will need to be done to make this happen? Besides the Yunker Farm field, I would like to see us bring Pickle ball to Main Park and expand it more throughout our parks. Pickle ball is growing in our community, big time and I think we should embrace it ever more than we do! The Park District is also looking at revamping the "new" red barn so that it is able to be utilized all year long. This is an instance where the Park District should have built it this way and now the board has to go back and correct an issue. This is the same with Hecht Park. The park district admits that the baseball fields there should have been built with lights on the field. Now they are considering lighting the field and the expense is much more than it would have been had they just put the lights in at the time it was built. I will keep this idea at the forefront as we consider future developments to be sure that we aren't going back later, at a higher expense, to fix another issue, like the ones I mentioned.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family? No.

The best advice ever shared with me was: "Don't be afraid to ask for what you want, you just might get it." Another great word of advice I've heard was the words of Daniel Burnham, "Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably will not themselves be realized."

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? My wife and I are going on 17 years of marriage and we have an awesome 10 year old son, that goes to Mokena Intermediate School. I have had the opportunity to be a football, baseball and basketball coach through the Burro's, MBSA and the Park District. In 2022 I started a Mokena History Podcast called, "Mokena's Front Porch", with local historian, Matt Galik. This has been a lot of fun and we are really enjoying sharing the history of our town with others. You can find the show anywhere you find podcasts! Lastly, when we go to vote on April 4th, we will elect 4, individual commissioners to represent you for the next 4 years. If you like any of my ideas or if you think there are some things that need to be changed at the Park District, please give me one of your 4 votes. Please check out my Facebook page for more information about my campaign!