Santa Clarita City Council Candidates-District 1 Patsy Ayala and Tim Burkhart

Patsy Ayala
Patsy Ayala is a respected community leader in Santa Clarita, recognized as one of The Signal’s 51 Most Influential People in 2023 and honored as 2023 Senate Woman of the year & 2023 Community Leader of the year by Senator Wilk.

A resident of Santa Clarita for over 23 years, where her sons were born and raised, Ayala has played key roles in public service, including positions with the California Senate and Assembly, where she worked with local agencies to resolve complex issues. Currently, she serves as Vice Chair of the Planning Commission, Chair of the SCV Chamber of Commerce Latino Business Alliance, and a board member of the SCV Education Foundation. True champion serving and delivering solutions during crisis situations like COVID. Her longstanding dedication to the community reflects her deep commitment to public service and advocacy for local families and businesses.

Patsy believes in an inclusive, forward-thinking Santa Clarita that offers opportunities to all residents, regardless of their background or circumstances.

  1. Safe streets, schools, & neighborhoods are Patsy’s #1 Priority.
  2. Economic prosperity that includes employment opportunities, and growth for local businesses.
  3. Investing in infrastructure that will relieve traffic congestion, & improve the quality of life.

Tim Burkhart

Tim Burkhart retired after 46 years with Six Flags where he held supervisory and management positions in all aspects of theme and water park operations. He most recently held the position of Corporate Vice President- Maintenance and Construction and oversaw the Maintenance and Construction functions for all 26 Six Flags parks in North America.

In addition to his North American park responsibilities, Tim was a senior executive on the International Development team, charged with the development and design of new internationally licensed Six Flags Parks. He has worked on multiple international theme and water park projects in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, China, India, Vietnam, Korea and Mexico.

Tim is a graduate of Wm. S. Hart High School in Newhall Ca., attended College of the Canyons, and graduated from California State University, Northridge. He holds Bachelors’ and Masters’ Degrees, as well as numerous technical certifications.

Tim lives in the City of Santa Clarita with his wife Debbie. He is an avid cyclist and a board member of the Santa Clarita Valley Trail Users, volunteering regularly to build and maintain trail networks in the City Open Spaces. Additionally, he currently sits on the Executive Board of the Valley Industry Association and the Board of Friends of Hart Park and Museum. He has served as President of the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Valley Industry Association and was a founding member and Executive Committee member of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation. Additionally, he was member of the Santa Clarita

Anti-Gang Task Force, the Santa Clarita Sheriff Department Citizens Advisory Committee and has served on boards and has Chaired numerous community nonprofits.

He is currently serving his fourth term as Chair of the Santa Clarita Planning Commission, where he has served 23 years as the appointee of four different Councilmembers, working with City Staff and the community to shape prosperous economic growth and community development in the City.

Tims’ City Council Campaign is proud to count the endorsement of the Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Mayor Cameron Smyth, Councilmember Marsha Mclean, Suzette Valladares, Former Councilmembers Frank Ferry and Bob Kellar, Former County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, Bill Cooper and many other local civic and business leaders.