COMMISSIONER'S CORNER: Why Become A Commissioner?

Five elected Boca Raton residents – three from within city limits, two from within the larger district -  comprise the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District commission. Each had their own reasons for deciding to serve their community. What prompted the commissioners to run for office and, ultimately, serve? We asked them that question. Their answers are below.

CRAIG EHRNST (Treasurer)
The Boca Raton community is loaded with great people who generously donate their time and expertise as volunteers. I met many of them while I was volunteering. I also met people who wanted to volunteer but didn't know the process. I know that Boca Raton's parks and beaches offer phenomenal opportunities for people who want to volunteer. I became a District Commissioner to help get more people more involved by opening resources and doors for the volunteers, to facilitate what volunteers want to do, and to make our community bigger and better.

ERIN WRIGHT (Chair)
Growing up Boca Raton and using all the beaches and parks as a child and athlete, I felt the need to contribute to something bigger. Being part of this commission, I can play a small role in making our little part of the world a little better for our kids. 

BOB ROLLINS (Vice-Chair)
Three decades ago I was involved with the Soccer Association of Boca Raton (SABR) and at the time and we had a field shortage. I also served on the City of Boca Raton Parks and Recreation board at the time. Because I was monitoring the Beach and Park District meetings for news about the potential for new soccer fields, I got a flavor for how things operated. I was wanting to take part in something where I could actually make things happen. The [city] Parks and Rec board was advisory. Over here we have our own budget. We have our own revenue. We can do things that the community wants. I wasn't going to be in a position just recommending, I was going to be able to do something tangible with our budget. That's the genesis of what got me going. It was good to be able to make decisions that could actually influence parks and recreation facilities, benefiting the community.

STEVE ENGEL
My first trip to Sugar Sand Park, I was blown away by the wide range of facilities available and how well they were maintained. The concept of a special park district was also intriguing to me, so I started going to Commission meetings, which in turn led to a desire to be involved in the activities of something as unique as the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District.

SUSAN VOGELGESANG
In 2010 when my children were heading off to college, I received a call from then-Commissioner Earl Starkoff asking if I would be interested in running for a seat on the board of the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District. My first question was, “How much of a time commitment it would be? His answer was, "It's only two meetings a month."

Since I had lived in Boca Raton most of the past 40 years enjoying its parks and beaches, I decided that it was time to give back to the community in another fashion. The experiences and relationships have enhanced my life and hopefully the community. The transparency of this board is refreshing and necessary since the special district concept is not always easy for the public to comprehend. Working with other commissioners and our outstanding staff has been one of the highlights of my life, and I am so happy to have made that decision to run for office in 2010.