Letter: John Gunyou Sets Priorities for Park District

To the editor:

As your newly elected Three Rivers Park Commissioner, I want to thank you all for entrusting me with the responsibility to represent you. I am both humbled and honored to be given that opportunity.

I will take office on January 17, and thought it important that I share my priorities for the next two years as your representative:

First and foremost, I will work collaboratively to get things done for you. As one of five new faces on our seven member board, I will respect the opinions of my fellow commissioners. I will also work to strengthen relationships with our state, local and private partners for the benefit of you, our shared constituents.

Among all the campaign signs that recently littered our landscape, I will always remember one near my home. It showed a combination donkey/elephant with the tagline: “Stop fighting, Start fixing.” That is my pledge to you.

Second, I firmly believe in open, transparent government. We exist to serve, and I promise to listen respectfully to all opinions, and to thoughtfully consider all options before taking a position on issues.

To that end, I have already begun meeting with individuals and groups in my district, and plan to continue those listening sessions on a regular basis. I have also asked the district to assign me a dedicated phone number and email address so that you can contact me directly with any issues and concerns.

Third, I am committed to maintaining the quality services we have all come to expect - in a fiscally responsible way. I will draw on my 40 years of proven experience to restrain tax growth, and to deliver good value for your tax dollar.

Three Rivers faces growing and changing service demands, with a limited capacity to meet those expectations. We need a sustainable financing strategy, and I will continue to provide the same innovative leadership I have for many years to successfully meet that challenge.

Thank you again for your trust. I look forward to serving you and your families.

John Gunyou

District 4 Commissioner-Elect

Three Rivers Park District