Three candidates running for two six-year openings on the board of park commissioners of the Elmhurst Park District include a longtime city alderman, a former staff member for the Park District and an incumbent finishing his first term on the board.
Bob Dunn, a 12-year Elmhurst alderman who has coached Elmhurst Youth Baseball and Elmhurst YMCA basketball and Susan Smentek, a cultural arts program supervisor for Elmhurst Park District from 2013-2020, took part in a candidates forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters in Elmhurst Feb. 26. Video of the forums can be found https://my.lwv.org/illinois/elmhurst.
Tim Sheehan, the incumbent running for his second term on the board, was out of town for the forum, but spoke recently with Pioneer Press and emailed copies of his answers to three League questions.
In an opening statement, Dunn said he supports an indoor sports facility, more pickleball courts and “expanding program offerings for all ages.” Dunn cited his long experience with the city complementing his aim of enhancing intergovernmental cooperation, an effort he called vital to the long-term success of the Park District.
Smentek opened her remarks by citing her qualifications as “a certified parks and recreation executive.” Smentek said her extensive professional experience includes developing and managing recreational programs, special events and budgets. Smentek said she is focused on collaboration with community input.
– Original Credit: Tim Sheehan
Sheehan, in a phone conversation with Pioneer Press, said he would like to see the existing Joanne B. Wagner Community Center “re-envisioned,” to included sports courts and enlarged gymnastics areas. He’d also like to see some of the district’s current fields converted to artificial turf surfaces, to increase playability.
There was general agreement by all three candidates on some aspects of district facilities and operations. Smentek noted that the district has been recognized for its efforts at conservation and urged community members to participate in any planning or survey opportunities involving sustainability. Dunn said the district should always be “at the forefront” of sustainability initiatives in Elmhurst, including electric vehicles and should be looking at such measures as on-site solar and green roofs anytime new construction projects come up.
In his written responses, Sheehan said the district is already working on active sustainability initiatives, including using battery-powered hedge trimmers and blowers, converting to LED lighting and choosing more fuel efficient vehicles.
There was also general agreement that any major capital spending would require community buy-in through a referendum process.
“Any large spend would need a referendum,” Dunn said.
Sheehan didn’t specify a time frame, but said, at some point, “I foresee a referendum.”
Smentek responded that community residents should be surveyed to determine their appetite for major capital spending and noting that “the last survey came back ‘No.'”
The three candidates were also in agreement that the Park District’s registration process has been plagued with problems in terms of program access and online registration. All three noted the district is switching to a new system with a new vendor expected to be more robust and easy to use. Smentek added that problems related to adding new programs must also be addressed.
In Sheehan’s conversation and in forum remarks from Dunn and Smentek, all three said they and their families are regular users of district parks and facilities. Smentek has a daughter in a dance program and a son playing lacrosse and baseball. Dunn said he and family members use the East End pool and Berens Park, and called Wilder Park “another gem.” Sheehan said in the past as a stay at home dad he was involved when his kids were in various activities in the Wagner Center. As a commissioner with the American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO), he knew the district from the outside and “knew how well they worked.”
The two park board seats in contention are Sheehan’s and longtime commissioner Mary Kies, who is not running for reelection.
Graydon Megan is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
