Statement of DAVID WHITTUM, Candidate for Member, Sunnyvale City Council, Seat 4

Occupation: Physicist, Engineering Manager                   

Age: 46

Education and Qualifications: AB physics, math Harvard; PhD physics UC Berkeley; licensed engineer; former Stanford faculty; graduate US Army Airborne School, Infantry Officer Basic Course, Leadership Sunnyvale.

Sunnyvale ranked 5th safest in the US when the incumbents took office; now it is below 25th. This Council voted itself health benefits for life and spent ½ hour at the dais discussing the order of their names on the letterhead. 

Sunnyvale needs a Council that does the right thing even when none are watching, that stands up to special interest money, that is a formidable ally of neighborhoods and small businesses, that is comfortable taking charge and redirecting efforts to better serve the public, that cheerfully enjoys vigorous discussion, that functions as an assertive and diligent Board. 

We must preserve our residential quality of life, reassess neighborhood-threatening projects like the Mary Avenue Overcrossing, provide parks within walking distance of every neighborhood, including tot and school-age play areas, and support the needs of our youth and seniors. 

As leader of the Heritage District Neighborhood Association for the last three years I have learned how to get results relying on persuasion and attention to detail.  On council, I will never forget to put the public first in public works.