Michael Alter: Candidate For Skokie Park Board

SKOKIE, IL — Ahead of the April 6 consolidated municipal elections, Skokie Patch provided questionnaires to all candidates on the ballot for Skokie Park District Board of Commissioners.

Four candidates, including one incumbent, are seeking a six-year term on the five-member volunteer board. The Skokie Park District is a separate taxing body from the village, with its commissioners responsible for its budget, property tax levy and executive director.

Skokie Patch is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim and in the order they have been received.

Michael Alter

Age (as of Election Day)
53

Town of Residence
Skokie

Office Sought
Park board

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No

Education
Bachelors in Management and Accounting

Occupation
Manager in Accounting Department 30 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office
Skokie Park District Commissioner

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

Inclusion and Diversity. We need to make sure programming reflects the diverse community of Skokie. Every resident should feel comfortable using the Park District facilities. We need to determine where gaps are in programming and fix them. This can be done by reaching out to the religious leaders in Skokie to let them know we are here to listen to what programming they are looking for. Also to see if there is a reason they feel uncomfortable joining programs or using the facilities.

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?

Yes I support Black Lives Matters. I think demonstrating and protesting are a great way to be heard but they need to be done safely with out destroying neighborhoods or stealing from local business. No one is above the law and anyone that breaks the law should be held accountable.

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

Yes I think we have done a lot on racial equality. We have welcome signs posted in multiple languages, we have staff that speaks various languages. We should continue to have training on diversity and racial equality. We have shown our support thru digital signs indicating Racism has no home here at the Skokie Park District.

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?

I think our government is doing its best to try and keep the numbers down, however it is up to the residents to follow the mandate. There needs to be a way to allow non essential business to function since peoples livelihoods are at risk. The non essential business employee a lot of people and these people rely on the income to survive. I feel that we can do indoor dinning as long as the restaurants keep the tables spaced properly and the guest follow current guidelines, as for outdoor dining I feel it is safer but there still has to be social distancing while dinning. Guests should not be allowed to congregate in front of the restaurant while waiting for a table. I think we all need to continue to wear masks until at least 80% of the population has been vaccinated and the numbers continue to fall, wearing masks protects everyone.

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?

I think that they have done an ok job, we need to increase the number of doses that we receive which will allow more people to be vaccinated. I think local government should be involved in the roll out by providing space and staff to help vaccinate people. Skokie has done a great job on enrolling people and getting the residents vaccinated. The park district has also provide vaccine sites.

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

I am a current commissioner and familiar with the operations of the Skokie Park District and how a park district operates. I am also currently involved in the renovation of 9 community parks.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Since the pandemic has changed everyone's lives, we have to make sure that the district conforms to all current guidelines. In addition we have to make sure that there is no racism in any of the district facilities. I feel that times today we need to take a strong stance against racism. I want everyone to enjoy the parks and be safe

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

As a sitting commissioner I feel that I have the experience and knowledge of how the Skokie Park District is operated. In my tenure as a Commissioner we have renovated the Weber Center, made many of the parks ADA accessible for everyone. We have held the district to be financially responsible and have a balanced budget every year.

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

I would make sure that all staff and the board participate in diversity training. Make sure that we continue the path that we are on of renovating all the parks. Complete the renovation of the skatium main rink.

Why should voters trust you?

I am an experienced commissioner, a management and financial background. I have been part of the Skokie community since 1985.

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

Any government budget has to be transparent, and balanced. Funds are tight for everyone so we have to make sure that when spending we get the most for our dollar. The residents need to know that we are doing the best to make all the facilities safe and kept up without breaking the bank We should access any federal or state grants that are available to help offset the cost of major renovations. We can not spend to spend every dollar needs to be accounted for

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

No

The best advice ever shared with me was:

See people for who they are not the color of their skin, size, or physical/ mental ability

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

As a current commissioner I feel that the board works great together in accomplishing the goals of the community and park district. During my tenure i worked hard to help improve the budgeting process and listened to what the community is looking for in terms of change and equality.