Posted on Sun, Jan. 25, 2009

e-mail	print	RSS	reprint
AIM	Digg it	del.icio.us	Facebook

Isaacs touts his skills in leadership, management

BY HURST LAVIANA

The Wichita Eagle

Damon Isaacs dabbled in politics in the 1980s, and he said he's always had an interest in city government.

It was those two interests, he said, that prompted him to make his first bid for public office last week by filing as a candidate for the District 6 seat on the Wichita City Council .

"I just finally decided that this might be the time to do it," he said Saturday. "I feel like I have a lot of good leadership and management skills."

Isaacs, 46, a customer relationship manager at Spirit AeroSystems, is one of four candidates in the race. Ken Thomas, Bob Aldrich and Janet Miller also are seeking the seat that is being vacated by Sharon Fearey.

Isaacs studied math and computer science at Wichita State University, but said he left nine hours short of a degree while working full-time in the aircraft industry. He said he will earn a degree in business management from Friends University in May.

Isaacs said his only political experience came as a Republican Party precinct committee chairman in the 1980s. He is divorced with four children ranging in age from 12 to 21.

Isaacs said he thinks the city's diversity is one of its best assets. If the economy allows it, he said, he'd like to see 21st Street developed into a thriving Hispanic marketplace.

Although he said he supports new development, Isaacs said it should not come at the expense of existing streets, sewers and water lines.

"It's one thing to have a vision, but you've got to take care of your infrastructure," he said.

As the new county-owned downtown arena nears completion and the city continues to work on downtown redevelopment, Isaacs said he thinks the City Council is approaching a crossroads that will require some tough decisions.

"I feel like I have the leadership skills to bring to the table and help make those decisions," he said. "I feel like I can help the city to get to the next step."

Reach Hurst Laviana at 316-268-6499 or hlaviana@wichitaeagle.com.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.CommentBody@

@Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@