Top 3 Reasons to Re-elect David Byrd    Values Accountability – an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility for one's actions. Excellence – outstanding or valuable; of the highest quality. Honesty – fairness and straightforwardness of conduct. Integrity – firm adherance to a code of…moral…values. Intelligence – the ability to apply knowledge or to think abstractly. Respect – high or special regard; esteem. Priorities Preserve and enhance Sunnyvale's unique rural character Improve communication between the community and Town officials Ensure fiscal responsibility    Qualifications Sunnyvale Town Council and Mayor Pro Tem, 2006-2008 Chairman of Sunnyvale Planning & Zoning Commission, 2002-2006 Experienced in both public and private sector operations Schedule flexibility to dedicate time to Town issues Homeowner in Sunnyvale since 1997 Successful business executive Received Masters and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from the University of Arkansas Graduated with honors from Hendrix College in 1971, with a Bachelor degree in Mathematics and Economics

Perspective

Communication

Citizens of any community are due the courtesy of being kept informed of issues that affect their way of life.  Their elected officials, individually and collectively, have an obligation to keep the residents of Sunnyvale informed about proposed rules and regulations, future developments (whether residential, commercial, infrastructure, or thoroughfare), and any other issues and activities that may affect their lifestyle and well being. 

However, keeping their constituents informed is only half of the equation.  In representing their constituency, council members must be available and open to listen to citizens' ideas, concerns, and complaints.  They then must assimilate this information into their decision making processes.

As a member of the Town Council, I have strived to make myself available to the citizens of Sunnyvale.  Further, I have worked toward the implementation of more informative and more timely methods of communicating information and soliciting citizen input on all aspects of Town business. 

Preservation of Rural Character

Sunnyvale is one of the few towns in the metroplex that can still boast a rural lifestyle.  Most of us who choose to live in Sunnyvale, whether in developed neighborhoods or homes on larger acreage tracts, do so because of the large expanses of open space, the pastoral landscape, and the eclectic nature of homes and lifestyles. 

Sunnyvale is a fascinating mixture of homes, ranging from large and modern to small and vintage.  Our citizens range from long-term residents with histories deeply rooted in the land to brand new residents attracted by the special lifestyle which Sunnyvale has to offer.

However, this special place that we all call home is no longer our well-kept secret.  Sunnyvale is being "discovered".  As Sunnyvale grows and develops, I believe the town has an obligation to ensure that this lifestyle which we all cherish will not be a casualty under the wheels of progress. 

Development must be paced and balanced.  While there will be inevitable expansion as a result of major developers, the Town needs to work to encourage individual land and homeowners, who will embrace the rural lifestyle and who will help maintain the pastoral countryside that we all enjoy.

As a member of the Town Council, I have worked diligently to ensure that Sunnyvale's growth occurs in a measured and responsible fashion and that Sunnyvale retains the qualities and characteristics that initially attracted each of us to make it our home.

Commercial Development

For the foreseeable future, Sunnyvale's relationship with prospective residential developments might well be classified as "too much of a good thing."  However, commercial development is another important area of growth in Sunnyvale's future.

Residential developments, in general, don't carry their own weight with respect to their cost of support.  What this means is that the costs of the infrastructure and ongoing Town services for a residence is more than the revenue generated from a reasonable tax on that residence.

Most towns/cities heavily rely upon their commercial and industrial base to help share that operational burden.  Currently, more than 2/3 of Sunnyvale's tax revenues are collected from its residential taxpayers.  This burden could be eased with a larger business tax base.  While Sunnyvale has been "discovered" as a great residential community, it does not enjoy the same reputation among potential businesses who are seeking a new home. 

The Town is lucky to have a number of good commercial and industrial citizens, but Sunnyvale needs to make sure that we provide an attractive business environment for new organizations who might be considering Sunnyvale as a potential location.  In doing so, we can be selective in both the quantity and quality of corporate citizens we invite to our Town. 

Like residential growth, commercial growth needs to be limited in scope, well planned, methodically excecuted.  We need to ensure that these businesses provide the kind of services and employment (not to mention tax revenues) that enhances the lifestyle of Sunnyvale.

As a member of the Town Council, I have worked to ensure that Sunnyvale can provide an environment attractive to the right quality and quantity of businesses to help support the growing operational infrastructure of our Town.  In so doing, this should ensure that the major share of the tax burden does not have to be borne by the residential taxpayers.