Meet Frankfort Park District Candidate: Thomas Ruvoli Jr.

FRANKFORT, IL — Thomas Ruvoli Jr. is one of five candidates running for four open positions on the Frankfort Park District Board of Commissioners. Ruvoli Jr. is a senior portfolio manager, and has served on the park district board since 2015.

Ruvoli Jr. recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and his answers can be found below:

If you are a candidate for the April election, and would like to answer our Patch candidate questionnaire, please email andrea.earnest@patch.com.

Name: Thomas C. Ruvoli Jr.

Age (as of Election Day):

55

Town/City of Residence:

Frankfort

Office Sought:

Park board

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Natalie Manley, Illinois State Representative

Education:

MBA from Saint Xavier University, BS from DePaul University

Occupation:

Senior Portfolio Manager, 31 years at various positions

Campaign website: None

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

Frankfort Park District Commissioner since 2015

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue for the Frankfort Park District is recovering from the recent pandemic to offer safe, affordable and quality recreational services for the community. These services consist of sports programs, senior programs, environmental beautification, parks enhancements, and other services benefiting the people of Frankfort. To accomplish this goal, I support and will continue to work as a member of the Frankfort Park District to become more innovative in offering programs and services that are unique. I will also work to keep an open mind while the Park District evaluates expansion opportunities through acquisitions, continued capital improvements, and other partnerships to improve our programs. I believe that through continued fiscally responsibility, innovative ideas, and community outreach, the programs and services offered through the Park District will continue to grow.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

N/A

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

N/A

What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?

N/A

What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?

N/A

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have been honored to serve on the Board of Commissioners for the past five years and learn the needs and desires of the community. I have worked closely with the Park District staff to maintain fiscal responsibility, improve our capital assets for safety, raise funds to meet the day-to-day financial needs, and create a vision for the future. My experience of being a member of this Board has allowed me to contribute to the growth and development of the Park District and I look forward to implementing an exciting growth plan for the future.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

As a member of the Frankfort community for more than 20 years, my family has been able to take part in many of the programs and services offered through the Park District. Serving on the Board has allowed me to give back to the community. I intend to continue to work on improving our parks, strengthening our programs, and looking toward the future with more innovative services which will better our community thus providing families in Frankfort some of the same experiences that we have had.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

During my past term, I am most proud of the response the Park District had to offering safe and meaningful services during the pandemic. The flexibility and innovative programs that were offered allowed the community to participate in a manner that was safe. I am also proud of the financial position of the Park District as the past year has been challenging to keep people employed, upgrade our facilities, and still offer quality programs. Finally, I am very proud of working closely with the Board, staff and community to create a 5-year Comprehensive Master Plan which prepares us for the future.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

If I am elected to another term to the Board of Commissioners for the Frankfort Park District, my biggest accomplishment will be executing our 5-year Comprehensive Master Plan to improve the Park District's programs, services, parks, facilities, and open spaces with the goal of improvement for the future. I also want to carry out this plan in the most fiscally responsible manner to ensure that all programs and services are affordable for families within the community.

Why should voters trust you?

N/A

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

N/A

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

N/A

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Some of the best advice that I have ever received is in regard to change and that we always need to be prepared for it. That has never been more apparent than that of the past year where a pandemic significantly changed the way we do day-to-day business. The new norms that we are now faced with caused the Park District to look at how we offer services differently and we adapted by offering safe and innovative programs, watched our expenses while maintaining adequate staffing levels, and ensuring safety in everything that we do. I believe that we will continue to experience change, but the Park District is ready!

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have been a member of the Frankfort community for more than 20 years. I am married to my wife Laura and we have three daughters, Gina, Julie (married to Jakub Rudnik) and Alyssa. We have been proud to be part of the Park District while living in Frankfort and look forward to continuing to support the quality programs and services for many years to come.