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Politics & Government

Factoids from 2 Forums: Park Board Candidates Differ on Issues of Change, Dog Parks

Park Board candidates Susan VanderVeen and Sherry O'Berry offer differing styles and backgrounds. Both say the No. 1 challenge is maintaining quality service and programs while keeping tax levels affordable.

Geneva Park Board candidates went face to face and toe to toe at a (For Accountable Controlled Tax Spending) on Tuesday and at a Sunday, March 6.

Both forums had a question-and-answer format rather than a debate, so there were time limits but no direct rebuttals. Both forums were effective ways for voters to gather impressions of the candidate and in highlighting some of the differences between the two.

On one level, the choice for voters is experience versus new ideas—and on the need for "change" versus continuity in a district that has been for the quality of its programs but on a few occasions . Susan VanderVeen is the Park Board president and has served on the board since 1999. Sherry O'Berry is the challenger, a PTO vice president and community volunteer offering a "fresh perspective."

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What follows are some tidbits and talking points from Tuesday's forum at the , and video clips of opening statements at the LOWV forum at the .

Opening statements

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 O’Berry:

  • Homemaker and former teacher with a BA in education.
  • "Change is a way of life." —John F. Kennedy
  • "I look forward to change. I offer a fresh perspective to the Geneva Park Board."

VanderVeen:

  • A registered landscape architect for more than 30 years.
  • The Butterfly House at Peck Farm, which was built during her tenure, has won numerous awards.
  • "I am most proud of the AA+ bond rating from Standard and Poors last year," she said. "And we were able to keep our budget balanced without compromising the level of quality we’ve offered our residents."

 What's the No. 1 need of the Park District?

O'Berry: "Striving to maintain quality while being fiscally responsible. All Park Board members should treat public funds as if it’s your money."

VanderVeen: "Respondents of our survey are extremely happy with the quality of our programs." The big things on the community's wish lists are developing bike paths and community parks.

Do you support creation of a dog park in Geneva?

VanderVeen: "I’m going to refer to my bible here again. (The results of a resident survey of needs.) The dog park came in at 24 percent. That’s not a huge number." She noted that there are dog parks in Batavia, St. Charles, West Chicago and Aurora. "This indicates to me that it’s not a high priority or the best use of our tax dollars at this time."

O'Berry: "We could, certainly. The costs would have to be justified for such a project."

Are the Park District's Kids Zone programs paying for themselves or are they moneymakers?

O'Berry: "To the best of my knowledge, Kids Zone is paying for itself. Schools provide the facility, and the Park District provides the service."

VanderVeen: "The Kids Zone (programs) cover their costs and pay for themselves. It’s a great thing for the kids—they really like it."

 

More to come

Each of the Park Board candidates have been invited by Geneva Patch to write a brief autobiography in their own words and to submit a final essay on why voters should choose them in the April 5 election.

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