Article Contributed on: 10/16/2007 10:06:33 AM
David Ryan is running for Broomfield City Council, Ward 5
My name: David Ryan
Age: 53
My family: Wife, Anita; daughter, Samantha, age 9 (older daughter Sarah, 23, grown and gone)
What I do: CPA with a small solo practice which has allowed me to stay home with my daughter for her entire life. We have been very lucky that way.
My favorite place in town to hang out: I love the bike trails, especially the Big Dry Creek Trail which I ride at leastthree times a week. Its one of the best things about Broomfield - I just wish it didn't deadend next to Thorncreek Golfcourse. If I'm on council, maybe I can change that ...
What I like most about living here: We moved here from Louisville to find a younger community so my daughter could have kid's her age to play and go to school with. She has that and we have found friends here too.
My interests and hobbies: I love to read and to keep up with current events. I favor hobbies that allow me to take advantage of our wonderful weather -- tennis, golf and biking are my top 3.
What is my favorite thing to cook: Garlic shrimp.
People who inspired me (and how): Michael Kelley. He was a writer I avidly read and very much admired until he was killed in Iraq in the spring of 2003. Almost 5 years later I miss his way with words and the intellect behind those words.
How I have contributed to the community: My most tangible, visible, contribution to the community has been my 4 year home landscaping project which, since I am the first owner of my home, has transformed a lot full of weeds into something which most people don't mind looking at. I also volunteer at my daughter's school, Meridian Elementary.
What are the biggest issues facing your city (or district) now: The biggest issue is growth which is the driver for all other issues facing Broomfield and Ward 5. Growth has already transformed a small town into a small city of 50,000 and is threatening to add another 40,000 residents in the next 20 years. It affects everything from taxes - which in my ward are very high thanks to Special Taxing Districts which I pledge I will investigate and see if there is any way to reduce should I be elected - to city services which must, of necessity, be spread among a larger populace. It also affects the dynamic of the City itself which is inexorably becoming two cities because of growth - the older core city south of 136th and west of Sheridan and the newer areas to the north and east of that intersection. We already have a new zip code here as of this past July. If we continue to grow as we have, we will of necessity have to have a new post office, new city services annexes and so on. (Not to mention more and more traffic!) Even though I live in the newer part of Broomfield I favor a much more compact, environmentally friendly footprint which encourages use of alternative energy through city tax credits, or no energy at all through a free city-wide WiFi system, and trails -- more trails to allow us to get from here to there under our own power or just to enjoy more fully the beauty which surrounds us. We are already a financially viable small city of 50,000 with numerous in-fill areas that can and should be developed before more of our 36 square miles are devoured by the big cats. What is our hurry to build out, seemingly as quickly as we can? This is the question I will bring to council and will be my focus - along with taxes, tax credits and free WiFi - should I be elected.