Glenview Park District Board of Commissioners Candidate: Phil Collins

Glenview Patch submitted a list of questions to all of the s to allow each contender to have their say on the issues. Some answers may have been edited for clarity and length.

Phil Collins will be competing against Charles Kuhn, Daniel Peterson and David May for a seat on the board in the April 5 election. Read Collins' responses below.

1) How would you assess the state of the park district’s budget?
I think that it’s a good budget, because the spending isn’t very high and because the board didn’t request an increase in the property tax rate, in 2010. During this fiscal year (May 2010-April ’11), the budget is less than it was the previous year.

2) If expenses need to be reduced, exactly what would you cut? Be specific.
Currently, I don’t think that expenses need to be reduced. If that is needed, I would support slightly less frequent cutting of the grass. If it’s cut once every 14 days, that could be changed to once every 16 or 17 days. That would decrease the amount that is used for the gas and other lawn mower supplies. I might think of other ways to cut, if I know the exact amount that would need to be cut.

3) If more revenue needs to be raised, exactly what would you propose? Be specific.
I would propose distributing the catalogs, that describe the programs, to more public places, so that more people can read them. If more people read about the services, more people will pay for enrollments, increasing revenue, without increasing fees or tax rates.

4) What’s on your wish list for new facilities?
Nothing. That might be too expensive, and I don’t want to support higher spending.

5) In what ways can the district save money and/or offer increased value to users?
I don’t have other ideas. The park district is currently operated very efficiently, without high spending that I have noticed. I would encourage members of the community to give me suggestions. 

6) Does the district offer adequate programming to different demographic groups--seniors, children, ethnic groups? If not, how can it do a better job?
Yes, the programming is adequate for all demographic groups.

7) Does the district get adequate feedback from constituents on how well it isserving, or not serving, them? If not, how specifically would you increase the flow of communication?
I think that the district gets adequate feedback. I emailed Commissioner Beck, and she quickly sent an answer. If I win, I would encourage constituents to contact me, with suggestions. I would use Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter.

8) Does the district need to reduce its use of lawn chemicals, adopt water-saving methods (for lawns, indoor facilities, etc.), or otherwise reduce its footprint on the environment? Be specific.
No, so far, I haven’t heard of any problems, of this type. If I win, I would research that subject more.

 9) What else would you like voters to know about your positions on issues, point of view or qualifications?
I promise to never vote for any tax rate increases. Too many Illinois governments have increased tax rates, within the past five years, and many voters can barely pay the taxes, along with their rent, groceries, gas and utilities. I have a B.A. in political science, and I’m about three-fourths finished earning a masters in public administration.