Park Board Candidate Wants Fiscal Transparency

Bob Lozaro sought a Northbrook Caucus nomination for the Northbrook Park District Board in April's village elections, but didn't gain enough votes from community members at a November town hall meeting a spot on the ballot as a caucus candidate.

Instead, the Northbrook resident of 30 years and Community Relations Commission veteran will run as an independent in Northbrook's upcoming elections.

Voters can meet Lozaro, hear his platform and share their opinions at a public forum he is hosting at the Northbrook Public Library on from 7:00 to 8:45 p.m. on Monday night.

"I don't want to be a politician," Lozaro told Patch in January. "To me it's about going out and working with people."

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A fiscal conservative, Lozaro says he wants to reevaluate the way Northbrook's park district collects and spends its tax revenue.

"Why are we paying more to the park district than the village?" Lozaro said, pointing to Northbrook tax rates he acquired that showed the park district collected revenue at a higher rate than the village in 2010.

As a member of the park board, Lozaro says he would work to keep the park district's operations tranparent, and include community input in the district's spending choices.

"I don't think they're taking into consideration what is in the best interest of the community," Lozaro said. "Just because some people don't appear to be interested doesn't mean they're not."

Lozaro shared the following agenda for his Monday forum:

1. What need is there for a new Northbrook Community Center?
2. What would be the best use of the 6 acres of Anets property the Park District purchased in November 2011?
3. How should development costs of this Anets property be funded?
4. How should operating costs for any developed property be paid?
5. How important is it that our Park District operates on a balanced budget?
6. Should Northbrook Days be relocated from the Village Green to another location? If so, where?
7. How effective is the Park District in communicating and collaborating with the community?
8. What have you heard from the Park District regarding "Recommended Next Steps" documented in the Park District’s Community Input Report?