Park Board Caucus Candidates Issue Statement

The following letter was submitted by Penny Randel, Michael Schyman and Paul Zima, the Northbrook Caucus backed candidates for the Park Board.

Two of us were able to attend the Northbrook Park District Spring Bunny Trail on Saturday. How wonderful it was to see so many people in attendance and enjoying this community event. It was a great reminder of the benefits the Northbrook Park District provides the residents.

While the Northbrook Patch has not sought any input from the Caucus endorsed candidates for Northbrook Park District Commissioner, we would like to submit the following statement on our positions.

We are a demographically diverse group of individuals who bring different skill sets, points of view and experiences to the board. We work hard to be communicative with the residents, be transparent in our actions and fiscally informed and responsible.

The Park District has a record of seeking public input before embarking on major projects. Recently that input involved a dog park, Floral Park, Greenview Park, Indian Ridge and Crestwood playgrounds to mention a few. The Park District exists to provide for the park and recreational needs/wants of the community.

The concept of a community center was resident generated and the concept development will be resident driven. The existence of a community center will be decided by the residents via a referendum vote. Our opponent has the right to be opposed to such a concept and will have the opportunity to vote for or against such a concept if and when one is developed.

However, he does not have the right to distort the facts of the financial information of the District. He has blatantly done that. We do not believe that is the kind of leadership Northbrook residents want. We also find it curious and questionable that our opponent has failed to mention that he has been a seasonal employee of the Northbrook Park District for several years.

The incumbent candidates pledge to continue to be fiscally responsible, responsive to constituent inquiries and transparent in the workings of the Board.

Sincerely,
Penny Randel, Michael Schyman, and Paul Zima

Click here to read more about the Northbrook Park Board race on Patch.