While the temperature is finally dropping outside, things are heating up inside the political arena as the race for Herndon Town Council has expanded.
"I have been living in Herndon since 1986. I love its smallness and want to maintain it. The town is being run great by the current board. I have no ax to grind, but I want to get more involved," said 29-year federal government employee David "Dave" Kirby as he declared himself a candidate for Town Council.
"I'm glad Dave's getting involved — he pays close attention to the agendas of the Town Council," said neighbor and friend Greg Cranley. "He's a good source of what's going on. He's always been involved. He's a not a Johnny-come-lately. He's a good guy and a practical person," said Cranley.
"I'm not anybody with great experience," said Kirby. "But, I'm a quick study — ready to step up," he said.
Opposed to cameras at traffic lights in Herndon, Kirby said, "it's too "big brother" -oriented for a town the size of Herndon." He said he supports the synchronization of the traffic lights, recognizing the "major traffic problems that Herndon has. This is something I want to keep in check." As a solution, Kirby said he would look for state funds — V-DOT to fight this problem.
"I think Dave will do a very good job — he's very cognizant of the issues," said friend of four years David Williams. "I think he'll make a capable council member. We've talked about a few issues — mostly private property and traffic control issues," said Williams.
Kirby, 54, was born and raised in Danvers, Mass. where his World War II veteran father ran and managed a grocery/butcher shop. Kirby went to work for his father at age 12 and graduated Danvers high School in 1965.
Kirby spent a four-year stint in the U.S. Air Force from 1967-71 during the Vietnam War serving in the Philippines and Thailand as a cryptographic systems technician. He has been with the federal government since 1973.
Kirby and his wife Mary have two sons — Daniel, 15, a sophomore at Herndon High School and Matthew, 11, a fifth grader at St. Joseph's Catholic School, where Mary works for the church as bulletin editor.
"I've known the Kirbys for 15 years," said neighbor and friend Patsy Fabian. "We moved in about a month apart. We moved here in November and they moved in December. They are very family-oriented. I remember while they were still moving in on Christmas Eve, Dave was hanging lights to give his son a tree for the holiday," she said.
"They were the first ones to bring food here when our daughter was killed. They're more than just friends and neighbors," said Fabian.
"I'm qualified because I sit with my family and discuss the issues and how lucky we are that we live here. The president asked us to give 2,000 hours of community service. I want to get involved," said Kirby.
The deadline for filing candidacy paperwork is Tuesday, March 5. Election Day in the Town of Herndon is Tuesday, May 7.