In local elections, Kai Deigner was elected to the City Council yesterday, along with Richard Baugh and Dave Wiens.  Kai won with the most (6,060) votes, followed by Richard (5,133) and Dave (4,663).

How did Kai do it?  What was his platform?

Of note, Kai is passionate about several real estate related issues, such as Smarth Growth, and Downtown Revitalization.

Kai on Smart Growth...
Harrisonburg is changing quickly, and Ibelieve we need to be proactive in making sure we preserve our openspace, control traffic, and build smartly. We should use the principlesof smart growth, “an urban planning and transportation theory that concentrates growth in the center of a city to avoid urban sprawl; and advocates compact, transit-oriented, walkable, bicycle-friendly land use, including neighborhood schools, streets that work for everyone, mixed-use development with a range of housing choices.” (source)

Read more about smart growth...

• What is Smart Growth
• Coalition for Smarter Growth
• Urban Exchange in downtown Harrisonburg
  

Kai on Downtown Revitalization...
Downtown is the heart of Harrisonburg and I’m committed to continuingthe renaissance. Using the available retail, living, and office spacedowntown is a wonderful way to continue building on the momentum thatso many people, businesses, and organizations have contributed to inthe last decade. Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, with whom I workwith closely each week, is to be commended for their dedication.

Read more about Downtown Revitalization...

• 23 Guiding Values for the Revitalization of Downtown Harrisonburg
• Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance
• Eugene Stolzfus Architects' "urban values & vision for downtown harrisonburg"
• Urban Exchange in downtown Harrisonburg
  

Kai's other issues (citizen education, open government, energy efficiency, city dog park) are also worth reading about.  Congrats to Kai --- I'm excited to see the things he will accomplish on City Council!