People, Places & Things           

Claes celebrates 25 years Jack A. Claes was hired as the first employee of the newly formed Elk Grove Park District in 1966. The Park District has flourished under his leadership. In 25 years, 37 parks totaling 300 acres have been developed. Under Claes' direction, many unique facilities have been built including Pirates Cove Theme Park, Fox Run Golf Links and Driving Range, Rainbow Falls Water Theme Park, the Leisure Fitness Centre and the Park District's own television station, Channel 6 Community Network. This year the Fountain Square Park, a one-of-a-kind water playground, opened. Jack A. Claes His Park District won the Gold Medal Award in 1987 and he has been awarded the Robert Artz Distinguished Service Award, IPRA's Special Facilities Professional of the Year Award, IPRA's Professional Citation Award, Service to Youth Award, and many others.

Glenview Park District makes three executive staff appointments Three executive staff appointments have been announced by Glenview Park District General Superintendent Thomas J. Richardson. Cheryl Loudon Deom, former Director of Recreation, is now Director of Special Facilities. Robert D. Quill, former Manager of the Glenview Ice Center and Aquatics, is Director of Recreation. Stephen L. Rauwolf, former Business Manager of Glencoe Park District, has been named Business Manager for Glenview. He is also responsible for Glenview's Business, Finance and Personnel Division. Deom has been employed at Glenview since she received her bachelor's degree in recreation and park administration from Western Illinois University in 1976. She became Director of the Rugen Community Center in 1978, and Director of Recreation in 1981. Quill, a 1979 graduate of Western Illinois University, has been with Glenview as a recreation specialist, Manager of Aquatics, Director of the Rugen Community Center and Manager of the Ice Center and Aquatics. Rauwolf, a certified public accountant, is a graduate of Illinois State University. He is a former auditor of municipal and state agencies with a private auditing firm. He served as Business Manager of the Glencoe Park District for six years.

Gibble named Superintendent of Recreation at Urbana Dan Gibble has been hired as the new Superintendent of Recreation for the Urbana Park District. Gibble was formerly Assistant Superintendent of Recreation at the Wheaton Park District. He received a bachelor's degree in leisure studies from the University of Illinois and a M.B.A. from Illinois Benedictine College. Kreczmer named Sports Coordinator at Urbana Barry Kreczmer has been named the Sports Coordinator for the Urbana Park District. Kreczmer was formerly the Youth Soccer and Basketball Supervisor and Special Recreation Coach with Urbana Park District. He is a University of Illinois graduate and former Fighting Illini football player.

In honor of his work to try to stop tax cap legislation and amendments to exclude park districts, Country Club Hills Park District Director Alan R. Fink, right, and Country Club Hills Park District Commissioner Robert Fitzpatrick present Sen. Richard Kelly (D-39), second from left, with a resolution. IAPD Executive Director Ted Flickinger, left, witnessed the presentation in Sen. Kelly's office.

People, Places & Things           

New Assistant Director Appointed at Skokie Mark Schneiderman has been appointed to Assistant Director at Skokie Park District. He has been employed at the Park District since 1986. He is the former Manager of Revenue Facilities. Prior to that, he was a facility manager for the Glenview Park District. A graduate of Western Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in Recreation and Parks Administration, he is currently pursuing a master's degree at Northeastern Illinois University. Schneiderman's other professional accomplishments include being a past IPRA board member, a recent board member of the Ice Skating Institute of America and a recipient of the IPRA Facilities Professional of the Year Award. Zaidivar named Golf Course Manager at Palatine Raul Zaidivar has been named Golf Course Manager for the Palatine Park District. As manager of Palatine Hills Golf Course, Zaidivar's responsibilities will include supervision of all phases of operation at the golf course. He has worked for the Palatine Hills Golf Course since 1986 as Assistant Manager supervising pro shop and clubhouse operations.

Illinois Department of Conservation honors IAPD IAPD Executive Director Ted Flickinger, CAE, accepts a special recognition award given to the Association from the Illinois Department of Conservation for assisting with lobbying efforts over the last several years, and in appreciation to the Association for dedicated support of Illinois outdoor recreation grant programs. The presentation of the award was made by IDOC Director Brent Manning at the IAPD 13th Annual Legislative Conference held in Springfield. Ron Gbur named Superintendent of Recreation at Palatine Ron Gbur has recently been named Superintendent of Recreation for the Palatine Park District. He earned his bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation from Eastem Illinois University and a master's degree in Education from Chicago State University. He was formerly the Superintendent of Revenue Facilities at Palatine where he has been employed for the past six years. Ron Gbur