October 10, 2008

TimesElection 2008

David Barclay hopes to energize youth vote

By Jeanne C. Carbone
Editor

At 21, David James Barclay III represents the youngest candidate for Campbell City Council but he is undeterred.

“The census in 2000 reported that 28 percent of the residents in Campbell were under the age of 18,” said Barclay. “I will use my age to energize and involve the youth of Campbell as we continue to grow.”

David James Barclay III has lived in Campbell all his life. Photo by Jeanne C. Carbone

Born and raised in Campbell, Barclay admits that one of his inspirations for running for City Council is former mayor and councilmember Rusty Hammer who at 18 was the youngest elected official in U.S. history. And Barclay would like to bring the Youth Commission back that the city had in the 1970s and 1980s with outreach and leadership programs.

At 12-years-old, Barclay started volunteering for the city; helping at the Summer Concert Series, Sundown Cinema, Farmer’s Market and the Prune Festival that changed its name to Boogie on the Bayou. He has made his presence known within the Downtown Campbell Business Association [DCBA], from helping at First Fridays to cleaning up graffiti on city streets as well as attending council and committee meetings for the past three years. He would like to be the voice of the DCBA calling them “the life blood of Campbell” and that “they need a stronger voice within the city.” His website lists endorsements from some of the merchants and residents of the city. He would also encourage a cultural festival celebrating the ethnic diversities of Campbell.

Barclay’s promise if elected includes creating growth and development while maintaining the city’s historic presence and small-town character, safety, and generating a more robust local economy. If Measure O [the one quarter cent sales tax increase] passes, Barclay wants the money to stay local; providing continued services to seniors, children and economically stressed individuals. He also supports a “sunset clause” in the Measure.

Barclay attends Santa Clara University where he is in his second year studying law and also works part time at Lockheed in logistics. He is fluent in French, Italian, Spanish and English.

“The people I’ve met while campaigning have been so friendly and gracious,” said Barclay. “I understand local government and I’m not going anywhere.”

For more information visit sites. google.com/site/barclay4council/.