Everyone's Opinion Newsletter

I'm Dave Butterbaugh, Jr. and I'm running for Altoona City Council because I see an opportunity for a better Altoona. I believe my experience and work ethic will benefit the people of our city and I ask for your vote.

I was born here in Altoona on March 5, 1970. My wife Alisha and I reside in the 12th Ward Section of Altoona with our 10 year old daughter Heidi and 5 year old son Caleb.

I have been a lifelong Altoona Area resident and am an Altoona High School Graduate, Class of 88. Then it was off to Penn State where I earned an Associate's Degree in Land Surveying Technology in the spring of 1990. I also attended Manahath School of Theology and serve as a Board Member and Youth Director at the Evangelical Methodist Church here in Altoona along with serving on the Board and as a Youth Counselor of Promised Land Camp in Lancaster County (formerly Camp Manahath in Williamsburg). I have been involved in the Youth ministry for over 15 years along with volunteering in a ministry to the elderly for the last 14 years. I have enjoyed working on the local talk radio shows on WRTA. I am an NRA member and enjoy the outdoors. I believe in limited, fiscally responsible government and am pro life.

I am employed as a Project Surveyor for Stiffler-McGraw & Associates, Inc. in Hollidaysburg. I have been with the firm since July 2001 and have been professionally licensed since 1996. Along with conducting Boundary Surveys I have spent the last 19 years working on various infrastructural and community improvement projects for over 100 municipalities throughout Pennsylvania. I've had the opportunity to work to improve communities with neighborhood revitalization projects and streetscapes along with Roads, Bridges and various surface and subsurface improvements. I've had the opportunity to see what projects are profitable to a community and stand the test of time without fleecing the taxpayer.

My goal is to help create a better Altoona especially concerning public safety and image. I pledge my full support to our Police and Fire Departments. Crime, Housing and Blight are the big issues in our city. I believe in crime prevention through environmental design. Blight can be eliminated through gentrification. Proper planning of public property can make our streets safer along with working with private property owners to improve our neighborhoods while not infringing on their private property rights. These concepts are also a support to our Police and Fire departments and have had a positive effect on communities throughout the Commonwealth.

I would like to have the opportunity to work to improve the relationship between our business owners, organizations and City Government. I would also like to have the opportunity to work to improve the relationship between City Government and our landlords. We must be responsible to protect our citizens from irresponsible renters while not infringing on the private property rights of our law abiding landowners who wish to rent to law abiding citizens.

I have more municipal service experience than all 5 opponents combined. As a licensed Land Surveyor I have worked with Council Members, Supervisors and Public Works departments throughout the Commonwealth and understand planning, zoning and engineering issues and how those affect the residents and taxpayers of the community.

Dave Butterbaugh

Altoona, PA

Candidate for Altoona City Council

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