Meet Your Candidates: Paul Aeschleman, Park District of Oak Park Commissioner

Editor's note: OPRF Patch hasn't heard back from candidates Diane Dunn and Julie Grossman MacCarthy. We'll post their completed questionnaires if and when they return them. 

Paul Aeschleman, 47, is aiming for a spot on the Board of Commissioners, a five-member group which establishes policies for the entire district.

For much more on the role of the Park District commissioner, please see the PDF attachments accompanying this story. 

Commissioners serve four-year terms. This year, three seats are up for election and six candidates —  Aeschleman, Victor Guarino, , Diane Dunn, and Julie Grossman MacCarthy  — will appear on the ballot.

It's important to note that MacCarthy attempted to opt out of the race but will remain on the ballot as part of the . 

Aeschleman, an IT project manager, has served on the park district's Green Advisory Committee, and has chaired the village's transportation committee. 

Patch: How would you assess the state of the park district’s budget?

Paul Aeschleman: From my review of the budget and discussions with current Park District Board members and staff, I have come to believe that the Park District is operating within the boundaries of balanced budget, and that the District has been able to restore the Fund Balance to a healthy level.    If elected, I would work to ensure that the budget remains balanced and that the Fund Balance is maintained at an appropriate level.  

If expenses need to be reduced, exactly what would you cut? Please be specific.  

I believe that we must evaluate each expense and constantly search for opportunities to reduce short term and long expenses through the use of improved technology, resource management, preventive maintenance, citizen and volunteer involvement and the regular review and realignment of programming.  

If expenses needed to be cut the first area that I would focus on would the assets (facilities) and programs that have been determined to be underperforming / underutilized.  If elected, I would strive to fully understand the cost vs value of each asset/program and to prioritize them in a manner that ensures resources are being appropriately allocated.        

If more revenue needs to be raised, exactly what would you propose? Please be specific.

In the event that revenue needs to be raised to cover programming expenses then to the maximum extent possible this should come from increases in user fees and program fees.   At the present time, I do not feel that asking the taxpayers of OP for additional funding is an appropriate means of raising funds.

What’s on your wish list for new facilities?

My wish list for new / renovated facilities, in no particular order, because each of them support programming that is vital to a healthy Parks includes:

• Ridgeland Commons (Ice Rink, Pool and supporting infrastructure (e.g locker room, snack shop, etc.)
• Natural / open areas – restore Lindberg Prairie garden, enhance quality of Austin Garden forest remnant and surrounding grounds.
• Gymnastic Center -  current facility is not in an ideal location and the current size limits the growth of a popular program
• Permitted Athletic field space – continue efforts to enhance the quality of the areas that are used to support the park district and affiliate programming.

The $1.14 million renovation of Lindberg Park was approved late last year. The district is hoping to secure some grant money to help pay for the project, but what would you do to help prevent cost overruns? 

For the past decade I have been employed as a professional project manager, and from this experience and associated training,  I am well aware that cost overruns can be caused by a wide range of factors, including unexpected/unplanned events (e.g. the discovery of an unknown hazard), scope creep, inaccurate estimates, poor definition of acceptance criteria.  I would work to mitigate the risk of cost overruns by applying the experience and knowledge from years of managing projects to the review and assessment of the Park District Project Plans and Scope documents.

Does the district get adequate feedback from Oak Parkers on how well it is serving, or not serving, them? If not, how specifically would you increase the flow of communication?   

The Park District recently completed a detailed survey of User needs and desires, and has been very proactive in engaging the public in the review of site master plans.   One possible way to improve communication, interaction between the Park District and the community would be to establish an on-line customer service portal that the public could use to report concerns and maintenance issues.   A system such as this could allow the Park District to identify and address issues in pro-active cost effective manner.

What is your favorite Park District facility? Why?

My favorite park would be Lindberg because I have many fond  memories from this park related to time spent with my family in the natural areas, participating in the athletic events, and observing the seasonal changes while running/cycling around and through the park.

How would you rate the district’s commitment to environmental issue? Please be specific.

As a member of the Park District’s Green Advisory Committee (GAC), I have observed first hand that the Park District is very committed to reducing the environmental impacts associated with Park District programs and activities.   During my tenure on the GAC I have observed the Park District commit to new environmental initiatives that have promoted responsible solid waste management/reduction (ie. Carry In / Carry Out, Blue bags), energy conservation (ie., energy audits), Integrated Pest Management strategies, and the expanded use of native plants.  

What else would you like voters to know about your positions on issues, point of view or qualifications?

During my tenure, as the Chairman of the Oak Park’s Transportation Commission and participation in numerous other volunteer activities, I have gained a deep understanding of the skills and resources that exist within the Village’s various taxing bodies, and I hope to leverage this knowledge to identify intergovernmental programs and initiatives that reduce costs and redundancies   and creates a community which is healthier, more active and better informed.