BENICIA — Terry Scott, business consultant, futurist and chair of the Benicia Arts and Culture Commission has announced he’s running for Benicia City Council. Terry’s been a Benicia resident since 2013 and married to wife Randi, a forensic archeologist, for 43 years; they have three grown sons and two grandchildren.

“Our unique small-town heritage and values are what binds us all together,” he said. “In order to maintain what we love, we need new, bold thinking that addresses today’s needs, tomorrow’s opportunities and establishes a path that prepares us for the future.”

“The next four years are full of important opportunities for our city—as well as many complex challenges. More than ever, we need to focus on the future—with hard work, compromise, facts and simple common sense. There is nothing more important than quality of life, safety and security in our community. The key to it all is our financial stability,” he said. “My belief is that as your representative, I must show to both residents and businesses alike, how together we can meet the challenge of change that lies ahead of us.”

Terry acknowledges the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Benicia.

“We are a resilient community,” he said “We will get through all the implications of COVID-19, but this will take real work from a Councilmember who will bring a wealth of leadership, knowledge and extensive life experiences to each issue.”

He believes the citizens of Benicia want to elect someone who wants to listen. Who believes in compromise. Who wants to be practical. Who will make common sense, transparent decisions. And, someone who brings a desire to be innovative when solving our issues.

“It will take City Council commitment to look at changing the way they look at things. It will take community involvement. It will take making priorities of can-do projects rather than to-do projects,” he said.

Terry said he will focus on the city’s main priorities, “financial stability, public safety, roads, water and sewer rate management, environmental stewardship, supporting seniors’ needs, the arts and providing the necessary services that Benicians expect.

In addition, he said, that he fears that one of the many effects of COVID-19 could potentially shift a number of retail and restaurant locations to commercial businesses changing the feel of downtown. We need to help our downtown retail businesses stay alive.

“We’re now seeing a number of restaurants and retail businesses close. As council member I will work to help maintain and ensure Downtown’s retail economic vitality. Looking to the future, will require Benicia to adapt, not to a ‘new normal,’ but how together we can create a ‘better normal’ with bold, transparent thinking.”

Terry said his proven community involvement and understanding of how Benicia city government works will serve him well on Council.

“I will always tell you what I think. I am committed to getting things done,” he said. “I am committed to maintaining our historical small-town way of life. We must accept the fact, however, that change happens and the City Council and staff’s role is to anticipate change, monitor that change, adapt to that change and face the issues with good common sense so we can enjoy our community. My work and life experiences show I can lead. That I can innovate, and I have the proven management skills to get things done.”

Terry has been active in our community serving five years and three terms as chair of the Benicia Arts and Culture Commission, Public Art Committee, member of Benicia Film Festival as well as being a member of Benicia Arts Now, Benicia Strong and supporting a number of local groups and issues.

“In my role as chair of the Benicia Arts and Culture Commission,” he said. “I have exhibited the ability to continue to make things happen. I demonstrated how art add value to our community and demonstrated the economic prosperity.”

ACC also provided public funding support, monitoring and fiscal oversight of grant awards to support non-profit organizations that enhance community vitality and the broad economy of our city. These include Arts Benicia, VOENA, BOTTG, Benicia Literary Arts, Benicia Ballet and Benicia Performing Arts Foundation

During his time as chair of the Commission, there has been an expansion of public art alliances including the celebrated Neptune’s Daughter Sculpture, Tula Sister City Mural, signal box art and decorated benches throughout the City. In addition, ACC formed an alliance with the Benicia Unified School District for student art murals and helped sponsor the Golden Gate Symphony and Chorus, and more.

Terry retired in 2013 from Hasbro, Inc. in Rhode Island, as Senior Vice President, Global Head of Creative Services where he managed a global group of more than 700 with a total annual operating budget of almost $1.7 billion. Prior to Hasbro, he operated Scott Advertising, Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio. Scott Advertising was named by Advertising Age as one of the top 100 boutique agencies in the United States.

Terry has been a business consultant to a number of national and international clients. He has written papers for the National Endowment for the Arts and the US Economic Development Administration on such topics as The Future of Museums and the impact of the Silver Tsunami and the Millennial Migration. He sits on a number of national boards including the International Toy Museum in development in Oakland.

Terry earned a B.S. Degree in Journalism and Advertising from Kent State University. He also attended the executive studies program at Dartmouth—Tuck School of Business.

He concluded , “I believe I would bring to the Council the education, the benefit of life experiences, local knowledge to City workings and the compassion to earn your trust by listening to your needs and accomplishing what’s best for our community.”

For more information, visit his website at www.TerryScottForBeniciaCityCouncil.com . If you would like to ask a specific question or to volunteer, please email him at Terryscottforbenicia@gmail.com.