My name is Bruce Adib-Yazdi.

I am running for Springfield City Council Zone 4. I have lived in Springfield for over 35 years, and in Zone 4 since 1993.  In 1996 I married my soul mate and Springfield native, Joyce Eiken.  I have practiced architecture in dozens of states, and the last 12 years have been spent working on the real estate development side.  Since my narrow loss in the last election I have become engaged as president of Seminole Holland Neighborhood Association and worked with a group to launch the SW Missouri chapter of the Urban Land Institute.

I love Springfield and believe that our city can continue becoming a better place to live, work, and play.  The following are three initiatives that will be my focus:

• I will be available to listen to concerns and ideas from citizens from Zone 4 as well as other zones - in person, by phone or email. I want to know what’s on people’s minds. My goal will be to help identify and solve problems and implement new ideas that help us develop a more vibrant community.

• I will work to help neighborhoods generate long range plans.  We need to be proactive in this process, and much can be initiated and completed by neighborhood associations and their residents without significant effort on the part of the city. But will eventually need to be formalized and adopted into city code.

• Implementation of Forward SGF; the adopted comprehensive plan. Using that plan as a north star we will be working with a new City Manager and Mayor to cast a vision for the next growth pattern of our city. We need to be thinking more like a small city and less like a big town. This will require a shift in thinking on the part of city government as well as citizens and developers. 

Why me?

As an architect with real estate development experience, I possess the breadth of experience and knowledge in business, design, planning, and development to positively affect these initiatives. Through my work, I have also experienced how many other communities across the country are balancing the need for growth and development while preserving character and enhancing their sense of place. I am well positioned to help the City Council interpret and execute principles in the Forward SGF Comprehensive Plan.

When it comes to neighborhoods, I am committed to working with all Neighborhood Associations in Zone 4 (as well as other) to generate long range plans. I will also be available to work as a facilitator for projects Zone 4 to help neighbors and developers find common ground and mutually beneficial solutions.  I will listen to views of constituents, neighborhoods and developers as well as the planning commission and staff recommendations and be an advocate for neighborhoods, looking for common ground among the parties.  Bruce, your neighborhood advocate.

Beyond Neighborhoods

We also need to be thinking less like a big town and more like a small city.  Forward SGF is a great starting point. A healthy growth pattern requires our community to be clean, safe and business friendly. Infrastructure such as refuse disposal, clean water, power, sewage treatment, transportation, and internet service are important investments that we need to continue to make. At the same time, we will need to ensure the revenue and resources are in place for services such as fire protection, law enforcement, and public health, so that they too can grow with the community. All the while looking toward renewable energy sources and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. It’s a balancing act!

Achieving these objectives will require a combination of a vision for the future and effective municipal governance.

The first step in my campaign is meeting and listening to citizens, organizations and community leaders; and to continue listening once I am elected. I look forward to hearing from you to discuss any of these issues or other things that are on your mind!

The future of Springfield is in our hands!