Byron Shutz Announces Campaign for Redmond City Council Seat

Redmond resident Byron Shutz announced Tuesday that he is running for Redmond City Council Position 2. Council President Pat Vache announced Monday that he is not seeking re-election to Position 2 at the end of 2013.

“Redmond celebrated its Centennial anniversary last year, and now Mayor Marchione and the City Council are laying the foundation for Redmond’s next 100 years. This is really a dynamic time for the City,” said Shutz in a news release, who served on a Redmond Budget by Priority Results Team in 2012. “While cities across Washington continue to cope with the nation’s economic recovery, Redmond is looking well ahead. The City is in good financial shape.”

Shutz said he is looking for Redmond residents to actively participate in their city’s growth.

“Our city services continue to be more refined and responsive, and energized with a pride in weathering the recent challenges, he said. "The City’s open data initiatives to engage and activate its residents and businesses will continue to expand citizens’ roles in Redmond’s governance. Redmond’s high-tech economy fosters the city’s integration of two-way technology for the public’s participation on growth management and infrastructure development, safeguarding the environment, ensuring public safety, and thoughtfully managing finances - all essential to Redmond’s continued success.”

Shutz said in the news release he is also proud of Redmond’s diverse and future-ready schools focused on students’ individual learning.

“Our public schools are among the best in Washington," he said. "Strong schools attract businesses and young families.”

Shutz is currently VP and fundraising chair of the Lake Washington Citizens Levy Committee. He has been a citizen advocate for Washington State K-12 education and for the Lake Washington School District (LWSD). He has served on the Board of the Lake Washington Schools Foundation as Trustee, Treasurer, and Co-President. He has held a wide range of leadership roles on the PTSA boards of the Lake Washington PTSA Council, Audubon Elementary, Redmond Middle School, and the new LWSD STEM High School.

Shutz moved to the northwest in 1978 from Kansas City, Missouri, to attend University of Puget Sound. In 1990, he founded an outdoor equipment design and manufacturing business in south Seattle that he later sold to K2 Industries. He and his wife Susan moved to Redmond’s Idylwood neighborhood in 1994. Their children have attended LWSD public schools in Redmond since kindergarten, and currently attend Redmond Middle School and STEM High School.