Dave Eggers on the Patch Podium: Experience

As part of our continuing coverage of Dunedin's upcoming elections, we are launching a question-of-the-week feature leading up to the election. This is the candidates' opportunity to answer some questions that might be on residents' minds, right here on the Patch Podium. 

This week, we asked:

• How will your past work and life experience contribute to your role on as mayor, should you be elected?

Dave Eggers responds:

As I thought about the question, I realized there are so many attributes that when pulled together help contribute to us serving as an elected official. For me there are the learned skill sets that we are either taught or experienced and then perhaps the less obvious personality traits that are developed throughout our lives.

For me, I was lucky enough to have an engineering and business education that has allowed me to review problems and issues analytically while being very comfortable in reviewing, amending and approving budgets. Owning a small business certainly adds to the understanding of working with others toward a common goal.

Before serving as Commissioner, I was on the BOA and the Board of Finance positions that added to my City knowledge and knowing what it felt like to “have your back to the wall.” In other words, it is all well and good to review tough issues but there is another dimension in making a vote on a tough issue. I appreciated the opportunity to work alongside fellow residents scrutinizing budgetary issues and serving on quasi-judicial proceedings.

I was raised in Peru and Guatemala and learned Spanish and about cultures and about how to embrace and enjoy people. I found myself in many new environments trying to fit in, trying to make a difference and being inquisitive about people, cultures and environments. I find myself wanting to be a good listener and someone who likes to build consensus among my peers. The residents of Dunedin are passionate about the City and listening is a critical first step towards making good decisions.

I would say my experience as a Commissioner and Mayor will lay the groundwork for me becoming a better public servant, if re-elected in November. Working through trying budgetary times has made me appreciate every single aspect of our City and the strength, character and resolve of many of our employees. I have seen that through the bad times respectful and incremental progress is needed and expected by our residents. The challenge is trying to balance the use of tax payer dollars to all residents while still keeping this City special, quaint and progressive.

Working as Dunedin’s representative on the Metropolitan Planning Organization has given me a perspective of county government and its impact on Dunedin. My experience as Chairman has provided leadership opportunities and as Chairman of the LCB I have met with residents working for the transportation disadvantaged.

My involvement in civic activities like Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, route: {:controller=>"listings", :action=>"show", :id=>"dunedin-chamber-of-commerce"} -->,