This week, the Elmhurst Independent brings its readers coverage of the candidates in the race for Elmhurst Park Board and the School District 205 Board candidates, who will appear on the ballot in the Consolidated Election to be held April 4. The following are candidates for Elmhurst Park Board.
The candidates were asked the following questions:
- How many years have you been a resident.
- Education, occupation, community involvement.
- Why are you running for this office? What do you bring to the table.
- What are the three biggest challenges the Park Board is currently facing?
- What else should our readers know about you?
Elmhurst Park Board of Commissioners
Running for the Park Board are the following three candidates who are seeking one of two seats available. They are (in alphabetical order): Bob Dunn, Tim Sheehan and Susan Smentek. Sheehan is an incumbent, currently serving as vice president of the Board. Mary Kies, also an incumbent, decided not to seek another term. Voters will vote for two. Elected commissioners will serve a six-year term.
Bob Dunn
Dunn and his wife and children have lived in Elmhurst for 17 years. He is a supply chain executive as well as an adjunct professor at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). He holds a BA in aerospace engineering from Penn State and a Master’s in industrial engineering from Virginia Tech. Dunn has served as alderman for Ward #2 for the past 12 years, where he currently is chair of the Finance Committee. He represents Elmhurst on the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission and vice chair of the Fly Quiet Committee. Dunn is also president of the Board of the Council for International Programs.
Why are you running?
I believe we can enhance the services to our residents by increasing intra-governmental cooperation to move faster on critical initiatives and my city government experience provides me a unique background to accomplish this. As Chair of the Finance Committee for Elmhurst City Council I have a solid record of promoting a strong financial position and keeping taxes flat. I have also been able to orchestrate the advancement of important capital projects such as the Rte. 83 Pedestrian Bridge and safety improvements to the YMCA parking.
Biggest challenges facing the Park District:
The Park District needs to constantly expand and refresh programming to keep up with the changing needs and wants of our citizens and the technology to create a fair and easy registration experience must be adopted. Courts Plus is aging and membership has dropped by almost 50% in the last 5 years and this decline started well before COVID. The Park District, with input from the community, needs to re-imagine the purpose and functionality of this facility; this assessment should be done in concert with developing an indoor sports facility. Finally, maintaining and improving our green space is vital, along with upgrading the playability of our athletic fields.
What else should our readers know:
I am an avid user of our Elmhurst parks and bike or hike through the many forest preserves we have in the surrounding area almost every weekend (when not campaigning). My family has visited dozens of our National Parks over the last few decades and I have been to every state in the continental US and most of the Major League Ballparks. One of the most exciting things I did in my life was to land on an aircraft carrier when I worked for the US Navy as an aeronautical engineer.
Tim Sheehan
For almost 23 years, Sheehan and his wife Becky have made Elmhurst their home and raised their four children ranging in age from 18 to 29. An incumbent currently serving as vice president of the Park Board, Sheehan is the assistant women’s basketball coach at Elmhurst University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Illinois State University and an MBA from Loyola University. Other community involvement includes working as the AYSO past commissioner, youth soccer, basketball, baseball coach.
Why are you running?
During my first term the Park District completed several high profile initiatives, such as Centennial Park and Adult Center, expanding Glos Park, purchasing the land for Pick Park and upgrading Sugar Creek Golf Course. The Vision 2020 Strategic Plan, the basis of which is community input, also called for an indoor sports facility and expanding the Wagner Center. I am running for re-election to help make those goals a reality.
Biggest challenges facing the Park District:
The biggest challenges facing the park district are providing the programs desired by the community and doing so with adequate space so that all that wish to participate can do so. The Wagner Center, originally an elementary school, has served the community well for a long time. It needs to be re-imagined to include space for sport courts, pickle ball, and expanded programming, while providing a modern, more secure entry. Finally, the Board approved the transition of our registration software vendor to Active.net and this should be completed in the 4th quarter of 2023.
What else should our readers know:
I believe Elmhurst Parks strengthen our community and build strong families, bring beauty to the city, provide fun, safe environments for all to play and compete, and create lasting memories. I promise to listen and advocate for you, be fiscally responsible, to seek solutions with all governmental partners, and assist the park district in providing experiences for the lifetime enjoyment of people who live and play in Elmhurst.
Susan Smentek
Along with her husband Keith, Smentek has lived in Elmhurst for 26 years, where they raised three children and one dog. She is Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) and is currently recreation supervisor and sponsorship coordinator for the Morton Grove Park District. She holds a BS in communications from Northwestern University and a Masters in music, from Northeastern Illinois University. Her community involvement includes being director of music for the Elmhurst Presbyterian Church. She is a member of the Elmhurst Art Museum Program Committee, serves on the Sandburg PTA and the York PTSA, and is involved with Elmhurst Scout Troop 82.
Why are you running?
I am running for park board because I love Elmhurst’s parks and recreation programs. My family has participated in everything from preschool on up. My children are currently in youth sports leagues that utilize park fields, and dance programs at Wagner Center.
I bring dedication, collaboration and innovation to the table. I am an experienced professional CPRE (Certified Parks and Recreation Executive) dedicated to preserving our parks and green spaces who works in developing and managing recreational programs, special events, sponsorships and budgets for public agencies.
Biggest challenges facing the Park District:
The district has ongoing issues with their ability to provide the capacity for high-demand programs required to satisfy the recreational demands of our growing community. Many residents want an end to waitlists and a return to pre-pandemic levels of programming. Administrative staffing has expanded while revenue-generating programs, including music lessons, remain shuttered.
The district faces both the need to renew our existing facilities and to manage ongoing predictable repairs and maintenance.
Elmhurst residents expect excellent facilities, programs and services. Our challenge is to meet the needs of the community within the financial footprint provided by the taxpayers.
What else should our readers know:
From Cheer to Baseball, Dance to Lacrosse, I’ve spent a lot of time in our parks and facilities! My family visits our parks, pools, playgrounds, Wagner Center and the Skate Park often.
I am an innovative candidate, a former EPD employee, with a proven record of providing programs, services and community events to our residents. My ongoing career in the field of Parks and Recreation keeps me informed of the best practices and trends in the industry.
As an involved community member, I will work to deliver a high standard for our district, advocate for meaningful recreation opportunities and responsive customer service while focusing on collaboration with resident input to plan for the future.
