Crystal Lake Park District candidates sound off

The men and women running for a spot on the Crystal Lake Park Board are pledging to bring fiscal responsibility and accountability to the district.

Incumbents Deborah Gallagher and Cathy Cagle, along with James Rocheford, Jason Heisler, Frederick Tiesenga and Joseph Scifo are running for three open seats on the board.

The six candidates were sent a questionnaire by the Northwest Herald regarding their hopes and concerns about the park district.

Rocheford and Scifo did not respond.

Both Gallagher and Cagle said financial health and sustainability were their No. 1 priorities.

Gallagher, 64, said the district should focus “on increasing revenue and less dependence on tax dollars.”

“Provide programs, park features and facilities that impact the most with the least expense. Maintain a declining tax rate. Use buildings to the highest capacity. Increase family-oriented community events,” she said.

Cagle, 59, offered similar sentiments, adding that it’s crucial to “ensure continued fiscal integrity while working hard to serve the needs of the greater community with an eye to both the present and the future.”

Heisler, 47, said he believes the district must become more transparent.

“Transparency and accountability for the taxpayer. It’s clear that the Park District has drifted from these principles and it’s critical to all taxpayers to keep them in the loop and let them have a foothold on the decisions to be made,” he said.

Tiesenga, 53, took a similar position.

“Our park district must represent all residents who pay taxes to support it. It’s easy to slip into a narrow focus on program participants and in-grown staff employee priorities that can work against the interests of those of us who provide the recurring funding for the park district, based on the value of our homes. Rather than take us for granted as the uncomprehending source of recurring annual tax revenue, the park district needs to keep us top-of-mind and respect the place we all hold in the bigger funding picture,” he said.

When questioned about any actions taken by the district they do not agree with or changes they would recommend, the candidates’ responses differed.

“Lack of transparency and proper communications has created a lot of friction between the park district and the taxpayer. Having a better relationship with its direct neighbors who fund their salaries and programs would solve and or eliminate future conflict,” Heisler said.

Tiesenga noted areas where he thinks there could be “better balance.”

“There is room for a better balance between the Park District and its neighbors all along the shore of Crystal Lake, next to various parks that used to have more trees, and in each interaction between a park user and a Park District Police officer. I look forward to more complete agreement with the Park District in each of these areas of action,” he wrote.

Cagle called for auditing district properties and increasing accessibility. She also said the district doesn’t do a good job explaining itself at times.

“The park district has not done a great job at explaining how and why bonds work. We should be recognizing and celebrating the District’s AA bond rating and Certificate of Financial Achievement in Financial Reporting instead of responding to and deflecting false accusations,” she said.

Gallagher said she’s opposed to lowering the nonresident fee for programs, and land acquisition “when it doesn’t benefit the residents.”