Walter Keats: Candidate For Wilmette Park District

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.

Walter L. Keats

Age (as of Election Day)
75

Town of Residence
Wilmette

Office Sought
Park board

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

Education
Evanston High School; Harvard College, Univ. of Chicago Grad. School of Business

Occupation
Owner/President, Asia Pacific Travel, Ltd.; 43 years providing quality, individual and small group travel to East Asia.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office
None

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 facing the Wilmette Park District Board is creating long-term plans for the use and preservation of each park. I will work with the other commissioners and staff to create and implement these plans as soon as possible to guide the work of the Board and the staff going forward.

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?

I certainly support the Black Lives Matter movement and empathize with the demonstrators over the senseless shootings and deaths of our fellow African American citizens, and more recently Asian-Americans as well. On the other hand, I am not clear why this question is relevant to a campaign for Park Board Commissioner.

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

In the past year the Board has passed several statements on inclusion and equity. It is somewhat limited, however, in what it can do, as opposed to what it can say, given Wilmette’s makeup of approximately 85% White, 11% Asian, and 1% African American, vs. Evanston with approximately 60% White, 10% Asian, 8% Hispanic, and 16% African American, vs. Skokie with approximately 60% White, 26% Asian, and 7% African American, vs. Glenview with approximately 77% White, 13% Asian, and 1% African American, vs. Winnetka with 95% White, 3% Asian, and only 0.3% African American.

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 believe that wearing masks, particularly indoors or in closed spaces is very helpful in containing the spread of Covid-19. Again, I am not clear why this question is relevant to a campaign for Park Board Commissioner. The Park District’s response to the pandemic is dictated by national, state and local guidelines and regulations, not the whims of Park Commissioners.

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 believe this question has nothing to do with Park Board Commissioners, other than perhaps cooperating with other governmental officials to provide vaccinations sites, etc.

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

Historically most commissioners and candidates have focused on the recreational side of the Park District. This side is working pretty smoothly and successfully at this stage. The problem I see is that there is not enough emphasis on the “park” aspects of our over 20 parks, to make them attractive and restful places for residents to enjoy, and not just for sports activities. I am advocating for a long-term plan for each park in the system to address not only what “recreational” activities might or might not be appropriate in each park, but also how to maximize each park’s esthetic and natural beauty for future generations of residents.

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

As I indicated in the previous answer, I believe that in recent times our commissioners and staff have not adequately addressed the need for long-term plans for each park (the Gillson Master Plan is an exception), to clearly spell out the direction for each park for the foreseeable future.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I am also concerned that the Park District, under the leadership of the commissioners, has not done enough to ensure openness, transparency, and regular communications with ALL the Wilmette residents, not just those with email addresses. Without long-term plans most decisions are made in an ad hoc manner without proper consideration to other options and/or future problems.

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

I have been a member of a variety of non-profit boards, including my university’s international alumni board, dealing with a range of different issues, many different individuals and backgrounds. I have been instrumental in improving financial reporting systems for most of these boards by making them easier to understand.

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

I would regard my time in office as successful if I have contributed to improving the quality of life of my fellow residents through creative recreational programming for residents of all ages and abilities, while at the same time protecting our open spaces and natural resources for future generations.

Why should voters trust you?

I began as a Boy Scout, attaining the Eagle Scout rank, as well as the Vigil rank in the Order of the Arrow, and the God & Country Award from my church. I volunteered for the Army ROTC program at college and served at various bases in the U.S., including Ft. Gordon, Ft. Sill, and Ft. Bragg, before completing my overseas assignment as a 1st Lieutenant in the Signal Corps in the Panama Canal Zone where my fluency in Spanish was helpful. Nothing in my subsequent life has changed these basic character traits.

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

I am certainly for prudent fiscal policy, and informed spending of taxpayer dollars. This can best be accomplished through an open and transparent process between the Board and the citizenry.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?
I expect to serve the full 4-year term as a Commissioner.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

The best advice I have been given and would share with others is the Golden Rule, “Do onto others what you would have them do onto you.”

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

I think voters will find that I am very interested in having data to support an opinion or decision, not just having an opinion. With the presentation of data both sides can determine if their opinions are in line with the data, or whether there is the need for more data and to delay a decision until there is sufficient data to make an “informed” decision.