Politics & Government

Election 2013: John Kelly

John Kelly is one of four candidates running for the Wheaton Park District Board of Commissioners in the 2013 election.

John Kelly is one of four candidates running for the Wheaton Park District Board of Commissioners in the 2013 election. Kelly, 57, has been on the board of commissioners since 2009 and is currently the board president. He has a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Illinois and is president of b. Stromberg Construction Co., Inc., a midsize general contractor and construction management firm working in the Chicago area. He lives in Wheaton with his wife, Cheryll, and has three daughters and a son, ages 19-27.

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Name: John F. Kelly

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Position sought: Wheaton Park District Commissioner

Campaign contact information:

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  • Website: None
  • E-mail address: jkelly@bstromberg.com
  • Phone: (H) 630-462-6753  (C) 708-494-4275
  • Address: 21 Christina Circle, Wheaton 60189

Age: 57

Family (name, relationship and age): Cheryll and I will be married 32 years in March. We have three daughters and a son ages 19 -27.

Education (degree and school):

  • BS Civil Engineering from The University of Illinois in 1978

Occupation: Registered Professional Engineer in Illinois and President of b. Stromberg Construction Co., Inc., a midsize general contractor and construction management firm working in the Chicago area.

Political party affiliation, If any:

Previous elected offices: Park District Commissioner 2009 - 2013

Applicable experience qualifying you for the position:

I have held this position for 4 years and understand its duties and requirements. I am the current Board President and have served on both the Finance and Buildings and Grounds Subcommittees for most of my time on the Board. I have a good working knowledge of the Park District’s current operations and finances.

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

I have been involved with the Park District for 20 years and believe it is one of the best in the country. The Park District has improved the quality of life for my family and the residents of Wheaton. I would like to see it continue its excellent work in the community.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

I believe the Wheaton Park District is currently in a strong financial position. Our biggest challenge moving forward will be balancing the costs of maintaining our aging facilities with our desires to move forward on new projects. I would like to continue to work with staff to make sure our facilities are maintained the best we can and that we continue to budget and prepare for major capital projects we know are coming.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I personally know all three of the other candidates and each one of us would serve the community well if elected. That said, I do not believe my work on the Board is done. The past 4 years, I have worked with our staff and consultants to successfully complete many major projects. I believe the Board needs someone with my construction background to insure we continue to get the most value for capital dollars spent.

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How long have you lived in Wheaton?  

We moved to Wheaton in August of 1990.

If applicable, how long have you been involved with Wheaton?

I was involved in the Park District’s youth athletic programs for over 18 years coaching more than 50 baseball, softball, basketball, and soccer teams. I also served on the Baseball Softball Board of Control from 1993 to 2009, the last 10 years as its Commissioner.

What's your favorite thing about Wheaton?

In my 19 years of volunteer service to the Park District, I have gotten to know over 500 Wheaton families and Wheaton is a great place to live.  The city is full of families who care about their community, their friends and neighbors, and who are willing to work hard to improve the quality of life here. In 2012 alone, Wheaton residents volunteered 90,000 hours of service to the Park District.   

What is the biggest problem in Wheaton?

As far as the park district goes, our biggest challenge will be to find new sources of revenues to help fund new recreation programs and capital projects.   

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