Bryan Abbott: Candidate For Wilmette Park Board

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

Nine candidates are running for three available four-year terms on the seven-member board. They include one incumbent and eight newcomers.

The Wilmette Park District is a separate taxing body from the village, with its commissioners responsible for its budget, property tax levy and executive director.

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

Bryan C. Abbott

Age (as of Election Day)
64

Town/City of Residence
Wilmette, IL

Office Sought
Park board

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
None currently. My Uncle Dave ran the Denver Park system for 12 years. He was real visionary, expanding Denver's park system within the confines of the city as well as into the mountains. My great grandfather was U.S. surveyor and Mayor of Lake City, CO. I have an ancestor that signed the Mayflower Compact and became an Assistant Governor of the Plymouth Colony and another signed the Magna Carta, which sorta became a big deal. My family find these things mildly interesting , but none of this really helps me with this commissioner job.

Education
Bachelor of Science - Civil Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana 1979

Occupation
41 years as a project manager of large scale building and bridge projects

Campaign website
Facebook - Bryan Abbott for Wilmette Park Board

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office
Wilmette Park Board has been my only elected office

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

Our overriding challenge in the coming year is COVID19 - We must overcome the safety and financial challenges of the pandemic.

Other Challenges include:

• Gillson Park: Complete the master plan, building on the success of the 2019 Beach House project. Encourage community input. Lead the way to completion.

• Stormwater Storage Project - Completion of the Stormwater projects. Continue to solicit input and find cooperative solutions

• Financial Oversight: Continue the longstanding history of prudent financial management. Pay debts quickly, marshal resources and remain ever mindful of value

• Community Input: Listen to fellow residents and advocate on their behalf

• Rising to 21st Century challenges: We must honor the past and look to the future. Update programs to meet our patron’s needs and wishes. Our parks must celebrate our sense of social connection as well as provide a place of quiet reflection. Parks are an act of mutual charity that we give each other.

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?

This is a tough question because I still find George Floyd's death and an almost incalculable number of other tragedies to be highly upsetting. I'm old enough to have lived through the Civil Rights movement in the 60's. To a large extent we believed then that the path of civil rights and respect for our common man was ever rising. I openly wonder sometimes whether our generation has failed our children, and yet it is our children who give me hope.

I attended a Black Lives Matter candlelight vigil for George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter march, both in Wilmette. I went to listen and to learn and to lend support to those who feel marginalized and unsafe. My presence there felt so insignificant in the face of these tragedies.

Some of my Scouts were involved in organizing these events and I'm proud of them.

When I was growing up, I listened to Dr. King and I believed that we would "get to the mountaintop." Now, I fear that perhaps the road never really ends. It's so discouraging.

21 years ago I joined a Scouting organization that was far from "open and affirming." And over the years, through advocacy from within and especially within our youth ranks, the BSA can truly align its values with its policy. Change can happen.

Letting go of fear is the first step.

In my 8 years as a commissioner, I have occasionally fielded questions about our "non-resident problem." My stock answer has always been, "It's a park, not a club." That's a pity answer to a thorny question. And the question always bothers me. Non-residents pay far more than their fair share through much higher fees and much more restrictive policies. Residents enjoy a wide number of privileges. Parks not only can't restrict access, morally they shouldn't.

In our hearts we must learn to stop treating other people as problems.

I don't have a solution, except to say that we all must be the solution.

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

The staff has led the way in drafting an open and inclusive policy statement. I really appreciate their work on this initiative. Our board passed it.

I think words are important and having such a policy in place is a good idea.

From here it's about what's in our hearts.

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?

The WPD has done an excellent job of followed the State regulations, despite the fact that it's been a rollercoaster ride. In that regard we've also been assisted by the Illinois Association of Park Districts, and neighboring park districts.

Our facilities have largely faced closure, but our parks remained open through out the pandemic. This was hugely important as our parks have given our community much needed space. The physical and emotional benefits are easy to understand.

Our lakefront faced enormous challenges, but unlike Evanston and Chicago, it did not close. I credit the heroic efforts of our young staff in keeping it open.

Financially it's been a tough year, though this has not been our top concern. Still, though various measures, despite the fact that our revenues were down by millions, we managed to trim expenses enough to roughly break even in 2020. 2021 will also present financial challenges although we are hoping to re-engage our summer programs and come out of the year relatively intact.

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?

Vaccine roll out is obviously critical. Our facilities stand ready to assist, though the State decided to use New Trier's Northfield campus. Our staff recently volunteered their services at the New Trier distribution center, and my appreciation goes out to them.

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

Experience: I’ve been a Commissioner for 8 years. With this election the board will lose almost all its institutional history. I’m asking the community for one more term to provide our board with a sense of continuity, seeing long-running initiatives to fruition.

Fiscal Management: During my tenure:

• WPD taxes shrank $8.7 mil to $7.9 mil, a 9.2% tax drop

• WPD % of your property tax bill shrank 6.7% to 5.3%

• Debt shrank $23.4 mil to $6.9 mil, a 71% reduction

• Pension funds grew to over 90% funded

Credit for this sound fiscal management is shared historically with staff, the board and the public. Success stems from rapid retirement of debt and continued fiscal restraint. I’m proud to have played a part and pledge to continue this policy.

Vision: The first 100 years of the WPD witnessed considerable growth. Since then, I believe our parks have passed from growth to preservation and maintenance. New initiatives must be thoroughly vetted by our community to justify its implementation.

Skills: I am a Civil Engineer with over 41 years of project management experience. Providing these skills to my community has been rewarding and beneficial to our Village.

Community Service: I have been a Boy Scout leader for the past 21 years and seen Scouting become a truly inclusive organization. I have long worked with our community’s youth, leading high adventure treks, mentoring many dozens to Eagle Scout, including some of the first female Eagle Scouts in the BSA’s history. I organized the Wilmette Wings first girls’ soccer team and I have been deeply involved in the recent reconstruction of the Women’s Club of Wilmette.

Accountability and Independence: Elected officials are accountable to their constituents. I believe in community engagement. Residents deserve to know what their elected officials think. They deserve to be heard and have their questions answered. The WPD owes their community thoughtful and transparent considerations of Park District issues.

Advocacy: I led the fight against Senator Cullerton’s Canal Shores private development easement. Public lands belong to us all and never should be forfeited to powerful people and their private financial interests.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

I'm an incumbent but all boards are constantly trying to do better, and the Park Board is no different. Serving on one of these boards is like trying to drive with 7 hands on the wheel. But I believe in the "wisdom of consensus." What emerges is usually stronger and more durable. One of our biggest challenges has been community outreach, and I've worked hard at engagement, spearheading community wide discussions of the Gillson Park Master Plan and the Stormwater Projects. To the credit of both the board and the community, there's been improvement, but we still have a way to go. Residents should feel connected to their local government. Ultimately, we are neighbors, trying to do right by the community.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Financial restraint, community engagement, advocacy and thoughtful problem solving.

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

I've been the only commissioner to serve on the Lakefront Committee for the entirety of its 8 year history. Restoring Gillson to the park that we all love has been my constant goal. And it's hard because Gillson gets a lot of love. That love creates a lot of passion. And yet, consensus can be and has been reached, though it only happens with a lot of dialog. It is my goal to repair the roads in Gillson and make some long needed changes to pedestrian pathways within the park. A master landscaping plan will also ensure Gillson's future.

But I'm also proud of my fiscal restraint. The Gillson Beach House project was largely paid for from reserves. WPD taxes have gone down, as the Mallinckrodt and Pool bonds have been paid off. Debt has shrunk from $24 mil to $7 mil and is still going down.

And finally, I actively engage with citizens, often volunteering to meet with them in their parks to discuss issues that are important to them.

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

1. Return the Park District to a sound financial footing and an active part of our resident's lives post-COVID.

2. Complete the Gillson Master Plan

3. Complete the Stormwater Storage project

4. Continue to engage the community in our parks' future

These 4 are the primary reason's I'm willing to serve one more term. I will be - by far - the most experienced commissioner remaining on the board. That historical perspective will be highly beneficial to the community and the board.

Why should voters trust you?

Because of my record. Because I am honest with my opinions and advice. As the Park District grapples with issues, I often share my thoughts and preferences with the public, informing them of the goals I find advantageous, my priorities in achieving these goals and the arguments that I find most compelling. You deserve to know what I'm thinking. It's important that commissioners don't form positions too quickly. We must listen to residents concerns and values, offer solutions, carefully consider the options, and then weigh in on the choices.

My independence on this board has been demonstrated again and again. I consider each issue on its own merits.

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

Maximize value for services. Maintain your assets (i.e. take care of your facilities). Pay off debt rapidly, and pay for improvements largely from reserves, dipping into debt rarely. The Wilmette Park District has a long history of sound financial policy. For that we can thank prior boards, staff and the community. I've played my role in continuing this tradition and I pledge to continue to do so.

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

Not that I can think of. If you are going to do good job, then these board positions are a lot of work. I understand that and I've consistently put in the work, and made myself available to residents. My decision to run for a final term required me to ask myself if I'm willing to to make the time commitment for another 4 years. I am.

I have no political asperations other than to help my community.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

My father's advice (and his father, and his father, etc...): "Give without expectation of return." The Scouts call it, "cheerful service." My sixth grade teacher called it "unconditional love." Whatever you call it, it's made my life so much richer.

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

Parks have a way of expressing a community's values. I believe Wilmette to be an open and caring community and in my role as a commissioner, I have advocated for policies and programs that are consistent with such values.