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Commissioner, Maywood Park District {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

Park District Commissioners are responsible for overseeing the management, development, and maintenance of local parks, recreation programs, and community facilities. They set policies, approve budgets, and ensure that park district resources are used effectively to benefit residents. Commissioners work to expand recreational opportunities, maintain green spaces, and promote public engagement in community activities. This is a nonpartisan position focused on enhancing the quality of life through parks and recreation services.

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    Norma Ivette Alonzo
    (NON)

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    Tanya T. Butler
    (NON)

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    Jeffrey Christopher Fowler
    (NON)

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    Verneka Smith
    (NON)

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    Arnold Varela
    (NON)

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    Marcellus Wells
    (NON)

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    [WRITE IN]Dawn Williams
    (NON)

Biographical Information

Tell us about yourself and what motivated you to run for Park District Commissioner?

What is your understanding of the role of Park District Commissioner?

How do you plan to maintain and improve park district facilities within the current budget?

Outside of board meetings – how will you gather input from the community to shape park district decisions?

What actions and precautions should park board commissioners take to ensure more transparency and accountability to residents?

Do you believe the Park District should remain an independent entity, or should it be absorbed into the Village? What are the benefits and drawbacks of each approach?

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I am a 25-year resident of Maywood with deep roots, concerns and a deep commitment on how our parks,facilities look, are maintained and on how our youth and seniors experience our parks. I was involved with the Maywood Park District since 2001 when my kids were part of the summer camp program. I was not happy with the services provided and an injustice was done my family and I by the park district board and Executive Director. I attended their board meetings and received an understanding on how the 5 member board operates. As well as seeing how the district was not community oriented and offered limited services. I ran in 2011, lost, ran in 2013 and won, ran 2019 and won again. I take seriously the oath to be a good steward and guardian.
To fulfill the mandate of the State Statutes of the the State of illinois. The statutes of the park district governing agency, The Illinois Association of Park District's. Also to be an advocate and voice for the community and citizens regarding our services that we provide.
The Maywood Park District is NOT receiving ALL of the tax revenue for the maintenance of the parks and facilities. Due to this our district has the smallest operating budget throughout all of the local governing municipalities. The Village of Maywood needs to comply with the 2006 referndum that Maywood residents overwhelmingly voted on for 1 consolidated Park District. To transfer all of the parks and facilities to the Maywood Park District which would include the tax revenue. The park district can develop a strategic plan and provide direction to their 1 employee which is the Executive Director who, is in charge of the day-to-day operations. The director is responsible for improvements, maintenance and upkeep of the parks and facilities.
Establish a Friends of the Park, also a park district advisory committees to encourage Maywood residents to become involved in their park district. Board members also need to become involved and volunteer at the parks so that they can understand how our park and recreational systems operate. As well as touring other agencies and their facilities. Park and recreational systems and their agencies offer "shared" resources so that you don't have to reinvent the wheel. IAPD says, that if you have a fully functioning park district that is providing services to residents of all ages, it can increase your property values by 99% people move to communities for schools and parks and we need this enhancement in our Maywood community trying to provide
Board members need to take active roles in participating in the committees that are established at the park district. They also need to educate themselves on how village government operates and be involved instead of around election time. Board members also need to abide by the interest of the park district as a whole and not to focus on their own personal interests. Once these have been established you will have the tools in place for better governing by the District as well a full fledged transparency. Which includes updating our website and making sure our minutes, agendas, and reports are posted and available for our maywood residents. Board members are volunteers and we are to serve and not be self serving.
The Maywood Park district is s separate government Municipality and should remain independent of the village of Maywood. Park District's are form of municipal corporation almost unique to Illinois. 2. A park district does not have to be co-terminous with a city or village. Districts, being separate from local government, is NOT INVOLVED IN CITY POLITICS. Park district never had the opportunity to be the sole provider of recreation. If the district is dissolved we would have to go to another park and recreational agency not the village. The governing board would be under another town and we as residents will it have a voice in our district. We still pay taxes into the recreation system. But not be included.
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