About Vanessa Bell-LaSota

Name: Vanessa Bell-LaSota

Position sought: St. Charles Park District commissioner

Campaign contact information: www.vanessabell-lasota.com

vanessalasota@yahoo.com

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

Enhance & improve existing neighborhood parks, clean natural features like creeks, revitalize the “Eagle Eye Neighborhood Park Watch” program and require new development to incorporate park space, gathering places, healthy activities, support new links to knit our community together.

Home address: St. Charles, IL 60174

Family members: Leon — husband (Union Pacific Railroad)

Leigh — daughter (senior at Augustana College, Rock Island IL)

Education: Northern Illinois university

1979 Bachelors of Science, Art Education K-12

Minors: Marketing, Design

Amercian Academy of Art, Design

Current occupation and employer:

Current: Self-employed Consultant/Team Leader, Mary Kay Inc. — 27 years

Freelance Artist,

Art teacher w/Senior communities, St Charles

Wedding Coordinator, New Covenant Bible Church

I am currently working as a consultant & co-presenter on a landmarking application with the Kane County Office of Community Reinvestment and the owners of one of the two existing farms that were part of 32 parcels formerly owned by Colonel Edward J. Baker,the Seven Oaks Farm on Red Gate Road. It is a unique, rather secluded and historically significant community asset, featuring original structures and a milk barn renovated by the internationally- acclaimed Architect, Mr Helmut Jahn, and improvements designed by the nationally known founder of the United Horseman's Assn. A very rewarding project over the past two years, this has ignited my interest in both open spaces and historic preservation, caused me to explore the collaborationsbetween city and county interests and has led me to run for this position.

• Co-founder of 2 community organizations: 2008 Near West Neighborhood Assn; 2010 Concerned
• Coalition for Sensible Spending of St Charles, Inc.
• Co-founder 2009 & current Coordinator Near West Neighborhood Watch
• Citizen Police Academy 2012 graduate
• 2010 3rd Ward Aldermanic candidate
• St Charles Arts Council volunteer for all 5 “Pop-Up” Galleries, incl. developing the Student Film Fest at Charlies Center for the Arts, Charlestowne Mall, 2012
• Pride of the Fox RiverFest Steering Committee — 2 years, volunteer, 6 years
• Downtown St Charles Partnership volunteer in these areas:
• Holiday Lights Parade — 2 years
• River Corridor Foundation Bob Leonard Walkathon photography for website;created art for River Corridor fundraising event,
• St Charles Fine Art Show volunteer,6 years, coordinating Sponsors Preview Party & graphics
• St. Charles East High School People for the Arts Variety Show Chair 6 years
• PostProm Decorations Chair 2 years
• Richmond Elementary School PTA Vice President, teachers aide
• Former: Owner, Bell Graphics Design: 20 years
• Event Planning and Production for Non-Profit groups:
• National Art Education Assn, Illinois Art Education Assn.:4 years
• Illinois Youth Art Month Chairperson, Wrightwood Home Improvement Assn, Chicago,IL
• Display Design for trade show industry:2 years
• Art Director, Morlock Advertising,Chicago
• Commerce Clearinghouse, Chicago
• Art Teacher: Kaneland Middle School, 4 years
• Hoffman Estates High School,
• Palatine High School,
• Young Rembrandts After School Programs: 6 years

Political party affiliation: Republican

Why Are You Seeking Office?

It would be a new challenge. In part, an outgrowth of my recent work, helping landmark a historic property that straddles the St Charles boundary line.

I love our land & our history! The 2012 completion of River Bend Community Park is a working model for all of the City to learn from.

In that same spirit, I can bring new energy and willingness to work together, to draw out people's strengths and involve them.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

The length and breadth of my community volunteerism & service. My attitude, I endeavor to serve my community, not sit back and wait for it to serve me,keeps me interested in the whole city picture. A track record of working within a variety of groups to build positive consensus on projects & issues. I research anything I'm involved with, respecting past efforts to understand new challenges. I can work "behind the scenes" as well as represent the Board speaking to groups of any size.

Issue 1: What steps will you take to ensure the Park District keeps its spending within budget?

Our taxing bodies' portion of the property tax bill is 8%. We have 62 parks & amenities to promote, preserve, improve.This economic climate of belt-tightening requires new strategies to realize long-range visions,continue programs, land acquisition & preservation. Scaling back some expenditures may be a tough decision, a temporary solution.Our #1 priority is community quality of life. Open spaces and riverfront set St Charles apart with a "home town" character that we must protect.

Please add any other information pertinent to your campaign.

I endorse Jake Wyatt for mayor of St Charles.