Meet Your Candidates: Thomas Finch, 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. 

Thomas Finch 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 —  Finch, 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 . 

Finch, a computer programmer and business consultant, has no previous public office experience.  

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

Thomas Finch: Due to the current economic conditions my view is that the budget must be reduced.  The current property taxes in Oak Park MUST go down.

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

The starting point would be the salaries of the executives.  The Park District building on Madison will be sold and the staff moved to the city hall building.  Any non-administrative activities will be moved to one of the existing parks.  A privately financed, central park, for teenage and adult sports would be developed at Ridgeland Commons. 

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

As stated in the second question expenses would be cut and/or paid for by private advertising.  Thus new revenue streams are not needed. 

What’s on your wish list for new facilities?

A privately financed, central park, for teenage and adult sports would be developed at Ridgeland Commons.  This will become a revenue SOURCE in addition.

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?

A renovation should NOT have been approved if the source for funding is not there.  That does NOT make sense to me!  A private citizen cannot do this.

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?

Currently people can contact the Park Board and leave comments, either positive or negative.  This should be adequate.   My experience in this village, over 20 years, is that the people are NOT afraid to speak. 

What is your favorite Park District facility? Why?

The Ridgeland Commons pool, from my children’s youth.  I will also mention the YMCA, as I view this as a “park district” equivalent.  The Park District should enter into agreements with the YMCA concerning programs.

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

The loss of trees seems to be a contentious point.  This needs to be examined and corrected as needed.

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

I am open to anyone calling me, in the evening only, to discuss any issue.  The only requirement is that evertthing is kept civil.