Terry Thompson, Candidate For Great Falls City Commission
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Editors note – last month we asked each of the six candidates running for the Great Falls city commission to submit a profile for publication (exactly as submitted and without editorial comment) including the reasons they are running and what they want to accomplish if elected.
Kim Rodriguez, Terry Thompson, and Rick Tryon responded with submissions. Bruce Pollington responded after the August 21st deadline. However since Pollington only missed the deadline by one day we will publish his profile as well.
Tracy Houck, Jasmine Taylor, did not respond.
Terry Thompson
My story begins growing up on a cattle ranch in Central Montana where my work ethic was instilled in me. A week after I graduated high school, I moved to Great Falls to attend Dahl’s Beauty College. While attending school, I met my first husband who had recently enlisted in the Navy. After earning my cosmetology license, we called San Diego home for 10 years and welcomed two children while we were there, Bryce and Kirsten. In 1994, I returned as a single mother to Great Falls where my children were educated in the Great Falls Public School system and I worked in the wireless cell phone industry as a Business Operations Analyst for 11 years.
In 2010, I remarried. Ken and I have a blended family of six children and have been blessed with fifteen grandchildren. The majority of our family live, work, and play in Great Falls. Tragically, my son Bryce passed away at the age of 27 in 2015 but his memory carries on in each of his two children he raised before his passing.
Since 2007, I have been the CEO of the Great Falls Association of REALTORS® serving in many leadership roles on a state and national level. I co-founded the Development Process Task Force, originally a coalition with the Home Builders Association of Great Falls and the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. Its purpose is to assist the development industry to resolve issues with the planning and public works departments of both the City of Great Falls and Cascade County. I have been proactive in addressing development issues by facilitating meetings, addressing both city and county staff at public hearings and/or speaking directly with the mayor and commissioners. I have testified before legislative committees and the Board of Realty Regulation. I’ve served the community of Great Falls by being elected to two terms on Neighborhood Council 3, acting as the chairwoman of the Council in my second term. I am running for City Commission to lend my leadership skills and knowledge to be a champion for new and fresh ideas. I want to help our city develop economically in order to provide its citizens with a great quality of life.
One of the top challenges our city faces currently is the notion that Great Falls is not development friendly. The wish list for retail and restaurants is as long as the list of
developers having difficulties building in the city. Permit numbers identify the primary building taking place in the county, directly decreasing the tax base needed to bring such services to the city. The culture of the planning and public works departments must change to one that declares that our city is open for business and we are willing to work with key stakeholders in growing our community – developers, investors, and homebuilders. I believe I have what it takes to turn around the negative connotations that Great Falls has. I am a new voice for a new future!
My priority list includes: effective advocacy between the city, county and state legislators; creating a positive attitude and direction; increasing transparency and accountability by city commissioners and staff; and earning the trust and respect of our citizens;
I would love to hear your ideas, concerns and answer any questions. Visit my website at www.voteterrythompson.com for my complete bio, priority list and more.
I would be honored to have your vote on November 5!
Terry Thompson
Thompson for City Commission
PO Box 165
Great Falls, MT 59403
www.voteterrythompson.com
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