ELECTION 2010: GreyHawk Landing CDD Seat 1

In the weeks leading up to the general election, which will be held Tuesday, Nov. 2, The East County Observer will profile contested races pertinent to East County residents.

Twelve GreyHawk Landing residents are lobbying for the opportunity to represent the community as it transitions from developer-controlled to resident-controlled. Bryan Balak, George Fischer and “Ollie” Kyte are vying for Seat 1.

CDD Seat 1
Bryan Balak
Age: 37
Family: Married to Dawn with two daughters
Hometown: Moved frequently growing up as a child in a military family. I feel Bradenton is now my hometown because it is the only place I’ve lived longer than five years.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in biology from Kansas State University; certified clinical research associate with the Association of Clinical Research Professionals.
Career: Monitoring pharmaceutical research clinical trials with several companies over the last 14 years

Why are you running for a CDD seat? 
I’m running for the CDD board to represent the younger families with children.

What is your prior experience as a community leader?
We have lived in GreyHawk Landing for almost seven years. During that time, I ran an Internet message board to bring community awareness, activities and clubs to the residents.

What do you feel currently are the biggest challenges facing residents in your district and the CDD board?
We are in a unique situation because the property developer will no longer play a role on the CDD. We also have security issues that need to be resolved. Our current board had been slow to resolve some of these ongoing issues.

What life or business experiences do you have that would have an influence on your service as a board member?
I’ve been working in the pre-FDA approved pharmaceutical research world for quite some time. I’ve been responsible for helping bring multi-million-dollar products to market in a highly regulated and competitive industry. I’ve had to make hard decisions and work under pressure to meet critical deadlines.

As a supervisor, what would be your goals for the coming year?
I’d like to see the board provide more money in the budget for social activities. Our community isn’t as close as it was seven years ago. I’d also like to provide the residents with a dog park at the north end of the development.

George Fischer
Age: 59
Family: Married to RoseAnn with two children, Cathy and Michael
Hometown: Bergenfield, N.J.
Education: college background in business administration and information systems management
Career: Senior network engineer for Verizon for 29 years (retired in 2003); senior network engineer for Qinetiq-NA since 2004.

Why are you running for a CDD seat? 
It is very important to ensure all CDD monies are spent wisely for the benefit of all GreyHawk Landing residents. I will also strive to improve services for less through bids.
 
What is your prior experience as a community leader?
I have been actively attending both Homeowner’s Association and CDD meetings since July 2009 when the current board tried to pass boating in the retention ponds.

What do you feel currently are the biggest challenges facing residents in your district and the CDD board?
Security in the community is also a big issue. I have spoken out at numerous CDD meetings about the broken gates in the community such as Harriers, which was broken for three years. When the Harriers gate was broken again in August 2010, I reported it to the board that night. I believe any willful destruction of property or vandalism needs to be dealt with by the sheriff and not the CDD board.
 
What life or business experiences do you have that would have an influence on your service as a board member?
In the information technology area where I worked for a large company, no work or purchase could be done without first getting between three to five bids for the work. The same was for equipment purchases.
Where I work today it is the same. No work can be done without multiple bids and approvals for work. … Work should never be done, unless it is an emergency, without board approval first. 

C.O. “Ollie” Kyte
Age: 68
Family: Married with three children |
Hometown: Silver Spring, Md.
Education: University College University of Maryland; management courses at UCLA Anderson School of Business
Career: Project, program and department manager for 40 years with the federal government, Hughes Aircraft Co. and The Boeing Company Satellite Development Center

Why are you running for a CDD seat? 
This will be the first time the residents of GreyHawk Landing will have total control of the board of supervisors with the departure of the developer’s representatives. I am running as a candidate for Seat 1 because I will represent the entire community on issues that come before the CDD board for adjudication.
 
What is your prior experience as a community leader?
I was actively involved with homeowner’s associations in California and Virginia for 26 plus years prior to moving to GreyHawk in 2006.
 
What do you feel currently are the biggest challenges facing residents in your district and the CDD board?
To establish credibility with GreyHawk residents. The residents I have spoken to believe the previous CDD board of supervisors were out of touch and not responsive to the concerns of the residents.
 
What life or business experiences do you have that would have an influence on your service as a board member?
The U.S. Marine Corps. provided the foundation for my success as a leader and manager. I worked for 40 years in management and leadership positions with the federal government, Hughes Aircraft Co. and The Boeing Company’s Satellite Development Center. This included supervision of personnel and management of budgets, projects, programs and departments.

As a supervisor, what would be your goals for the coming year?
First, (my goal) will be the security and safety of GreyHawk residents. I will insist all board members understand proposed initiatives or expenditures before action is taken or funds allocated.