Park District seeks candidates for open board seat

Staff Report

At the June 14 meeting of the Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners, the Board declared the office of Commisioner vacant following the death of Commissioner Chuck Brown on May 18, 2011, whose six-year term would have concluded in 2015.

According to Board President Jack Armstrong, “We are sad for the loss of Chuck Brown and the unfortunate circumstances of his time of service being cut short. He brought a wealth of experience in public service to the Park Board, and he will be missed. We very much want to encourage people who have an interest in serving to apply. It is a very rewarding and challenging way to serve our community.”

The Commissioners will appoint a person to fill the vacant board seat, and invite all persons interested in being considered for the office of Commissioner, to notify Mrs. Barbara Neville, Board secretary, on or before the close of business Friday, July 1. Submissions may be mailed or dropped off in person at the Park District Webbs Norman Center, 401 S. Main St., Rockford, IL 61101.

To be considered for the uncompensated office of Park Commissioner, an applicant must be a registered voter and have been a resident within the Rockford Park District for a minimum of one year. Applicants must provide proof of these two requirements upon submitting their interest and application. The names of all applicants will be made public.

The primary selection criteria for the office of Park Commissioner will be based upon applicants’ community service, Board experience, and ability to meet the time requirements of the office.

A panel of two Board members and Executive Director Tim Dimke will screen all applications during July 5-15. The panel will select the most qualified finalists to be interviewed by the full Board at a special Board meeting on July 26, 2011, which will be open to the public. Citizens attending the meeting will be invited to submit questions to the Board president to ask during the interview.

At that time, the Board will discuss their selection in closed session, then return to open session and have the option to announce their selection if consensus is reached. The term of the vacant board seat concludes at the April 2013 general election. At that time, the seat must be placed on the ballot and a Commissioner elected to fill the vacancy for the remaining two years of the term of office.

The new Commissioner would be sworn in at the Aug. 9, 2011 Board meeting.

In the Park District’s 100-plus year history, Commissioners have had to fill a vacant Board seat three times; the last time occurred in 2003.

For more information, contact Executive Director Tim Dimke at (815) 987-8880 or timdimke@rockfordparkdistrict.org.

From the June 22-28 issue