Plano City Councilman David Downs is running for re-election for his Place 8 seat. He has held this position since 2013. Council elections for Places 2, 4, 6 and 8 will be held May 6. Candidates cannot file for office until Jan. 18. Before the election, find out why Downs is re-running for City Council, Place 8. [caption id="attachment_206075" align="alignright" width="376"]David Downs is running for re-election for Plano City Council Place 8 in May. David Downs is running for re-election for Plano City Council Place 8 in May.[/caption] Why are you running for re-election? I’ve been called to serve others throughout most of my life and that calling has not eased. Several years ago, I was encouraged to expand my personal service from the nonprofit agencies in our community to serve the city and our citizens. I’ve found City Council service to be very rewarding, as I’m able to help with decisions that maintain the great quality of life here in our City of Excellence. I want to continue my efforts representing those that elected me and have provided tremendous support and encouragement to me during the past three-and-a-half years. Why are you qualified for this position? The last three-and-a-half years serving on City Council has provided me with a great deal of experience in what's required of a council member. I combine that with three years of Planning & Zoning experience [and] a year serving on the Parks & Recreation Board, [totaling] nearly eight years of service to the city and the clear understanding of how our city works and ways to ensure we remain a premiere place to live, work and play. I moved to Plano back in 1972 and attended schools here through eleventh grade before finishing up high school overseas due to my father’s work. I’ve lived in Plano for 27 years altogether and it is home. My experience living in other countries, such as Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Spain and other cities in the U.S. give me a great lens with which to view the quality of our life here in Plano. Both [of] my sons graduated from Plano East and the youngest still calls Plano home as well. I’ve served on and led numerous nonprofit boards and received the Distinguished Leadership Award (a National award) from Leadership Plano. For nearly 20 years I’ve worked as a financial advisor building strategic plans for clients. This work included analysis on budgets, prioritization of expenditures based on forecasted incomes and ultimately the management of assets and risk to meet objectives. On a daily basis, I make decisions that are meant to address situations that may occur 20 years or more into the future. That’s actually also the job of a council member: prepare for the future while addressing the needs of today.

What are your platforms?
If I were to call it a “platform,” I would say my intentions are to continue to make decisions on a case-by-case basis and approve those opportunities that bring value to our job base, improve our commercial tax base and protect our suburban core through revitalization. We are already recognized for our low tax rate, transparency, prudent budgeting and our ability to manage our financial affairs through economic uncertainty. I will support any action that continues that form of management. The citizens of Plano expect a very high level of service from all our departments and we should continue efforts to achieve that goal. Our fire and police are nationally recognized and that is something that remains at the top of my list of items to preserve and protect. Our Parks Department is one of the most highly rated in the country and should continue to build on that reputation. Library Services provides tremendous benefits to thousands of visitors each year and many more who choose to utilize their online offerings. I will continue to support these programs as I have done in the past. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/DavidDownsPlanoCityCouncilPlace8. Editor's note: This article has been edited to provide an updated link for Down's campaign.