CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

Candidate:  Marv Brown         Position Sought:  Commissioner, Pekin Park District

1.  Why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking reelection because this is one way that I can give back something to the community where I have lived all my life.  As a Pekin Park District commissioner I can work with the other 6 commissioners to preserve our park system for future generations

2.  What are your qualifications for this office?

I have served 2 four year terms as a Pekin Park District commissioner working with the budgeting process, planning for future parks, and assisting in park program development.

3.  Have you ever owned or managed a business?  If yes, please explain.

No.

4.  What role, if any, do you believe the park district should play in the attraction of new residents to Pekin?

The park district offers a large verity of programs and facilities for all ages, such as Seniors programming at the Miller Center, computer classes, Park side Athletics for a work out, golf to name only a very few.

5.  What role, if any, do you believe the park district should play in the promotion of tourism in Pekin?

The park district is always ready to work with groups and organizations who desire to hold an event in one of the parks.

6.  What role, if any, do you believe the park district should play in the retention, expansion, and attraction of business in Pekin?

The park districts role would be to continue to provide its high quality of programs, facilities and parks for the use of the employees and their families.

7.  How do you envision the relationship between the park district and the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce or other business organizations?

I see the park district being a partner with them in our community and ready to work with them for the betterment of Pekin.

8.  What are you thoughts about James Field? What should the Park District's role be in that project?

I believe that the park district's role should be to work with the grade school district and citizens of Pekin to preserve the field as green space with the park district being leased the land.  Some landscape improvements supported from public donations could enhance the field..

9.  What are your thoughts on park district finances? Are there opportunities to cut expenses? Specifically, where are those opportunities? Are there areas where spending needs to be increased? Specifically, where does spending need to increase and where would the money come from?

The park district is in good financial shape.  The park district director, the superintendents and commissioners work many hours on budgets to make sure that all opportunities to cut expenses are explored.  Spending increases are not needed at this time because the current park budget covers the needs at present.

10.  What do you see as the role of a park district board commissioner?

The park district board commissioners are responsible for the park system.  Some responsibilities are the financial health of the district, protecting its assets both land and programming, and maintaining our high quality of parks and programs as a vital part of our city.

11.  If elected, what would be your top three priorities?

Complete a large portion of the new sports complex at 5th and Koch streets, update neighborhood parks playground equipment and maintain the quality of the parks system that we currently have.

12.  At the end of your term in office, how will you know if you've been successful?

I'll know if I have been successful if, at the end of my turn, the park district is better than when I took office.