On Friday, Fred Shanks announced that he will run for Danville City Council in the upcoming May elections. SouthsideCentral is glad to publish his campaign’s statement unedited so that our readers can see it in its entirety.
Again, this is from Fred Shanks.
On Friday, February 26, I filed the necessary paperwork to run for reelection for a seat on Danville’s City Council. The decision was a difficult one due to the many hours it requires away from family and business, in order to serve to the fullest of my ability, which is the only way I can fairly and responsibly address the concerns of the citizens of Danville. This is a responsibility that I do not take lightly.
After serving twelve years on the City Planning Commission, I was first elected by the citizens of Danville, to serve on City Council in 2008, and reelected in 2012. In 2008, recognizing my education and experience as a civil engineer and a small business owner, City Council appointed me to serve on the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority (RIFA), which is a joint authority that owns the Cyber Park, Cane Creek Industrial Park and the 3500 acre Berry Hill Mega-Park, all of which are to serve as catalysts for job creation in our region.
Also in 2008, I was appointed to serve on the Danville Metropolitan Planning Board, which is made up of three members from the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors, two members from the Danville City Council, the Danville City Manager, and a member from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). The Danville MPO develops plans and programs that are subject to approval by federal transportation agencies in order for federal-aid to transportation funding to flow to the region governed by our MPO.
The following year, I was appointed to serve as the City Council representative to the Danville Utility Commission, which is an advisory board to the City Manager, and to the City Council, in establishing policies, fees and charges of the various utilities serving Danville.
I still serve on these three very important Boards, at an extremely important time, especially for RIFA and the Utility Commission.
My desire to seek reelection to Danville City Council is equally tied to my burning desire to serve on these three boards. Danville is on the cusp of a successful transition from a textile and tobacco economy to a diverse service, medical, educational, commercial, retail, and precision manufacturing economy. The existing businesses, coupled with the River District and Tourist District Renaissance, the historical assets, the regional retail hub, the available manufacturing sites, the Fiber network, new and strong leadership in Danville Public Schools, and the local work ethic of those citizens willing and able to work, are poised to propel our city successfully into the future.
As I reflect where our community was, and now is, I have more fire in my belly than I have since my first few years on City Council. I am committed to do all that I possibly can to help move our community forward.
These are the reasons that I humbly and respectfully ask for your vote on May 3rd.
In closing, I am deeply saddened by the news that Councilman Buddy Rawley will not be seeking reelection. His knowledge, commitment, dedication and experience will be sorely missed. I wish to thank him for his exemplary service and wish he and Debbie happiness, health and family love for the years to come.
We on Council, as well as our entire community, will miss him dearly.
Fred O. Shanks, III
I wish Fred all the best.