Palatine Park District Board Candidate: Terry Ruff

Name:  Terry Ruff

Biographical Information (optional) family, profession, background, etc. 

My wife Joanne and I have been married 32 years and have one child and our first grandchild. I have been  employed as Senior Vice President at Kensington Financial Services in Arlington Hts for the past 26 years. For 13 years I volunteered as a member of the Wheeling Lions Club serving as President and sponsor for the Wheeling Leo Club, a youth service program with students from Wheeling High School. In addition to serving with the Lions Clubs locally, I also served as District Leo Club chairman, promoting service clubs at the high school level. Most recently I have volunteered with the Palatine Celtic Soccer Club for 12 years, the last 3 years as President. 

How long have you been a Palatine resident?  21 years

Why are you running for the Palatine Park District board? I think it is important to give back to our community. In volunteering with the park district the past 12 years, I have come to understand the many issues the park district is going to face in the years to come and think I bring a unique viewpoint as we look for long term solutions to these issues. 

What are the issues you believe are important to residents relating to the park district?

The future viability of the Community Center will be the most visible issue in the future. Space for indoor and outdoor programs continues to be a challenge. Every program has a wish list of items they would like, to improve their program. Creative solutions will be needed to provide these programs the tools they need. It is a delicate balance between providing the services the public wants and holding the line on taxes. 

What if any improvements would you like to see in the way that the park district is run?

I would like to explore new revenue streams which will hold down program costs and provide funds to improve our facilities.