Courtesy of Tom Holcombe
Tom Holcombe is running for Chelsea City Council Place 5.
Chelsea resident Tom Holcombe is running for Place 5 on city council.
Holcombe, who was born and raised in Chelsea, said his family roots and love for the community encouraged him to run.
“It is time for me to ‘give back’ to the community that has given my family so much through the years,” Holcombe said.
While he has not served in a political office before, Holcombe said he has always had a passion for service. He served in the military for several years before retiring in 1992, after which he served as a police officer and worked overseas on a U.S. Government contract. He was overseas at the time of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and then volunteered to return to active duty until retiring again in December 2009.
“I have had a very intense interest in national, state and local politics my entire life,” he said. “I have not served in a ‘political’ office, however, I have a wide range of work and vast travel experiences that superbly qualify me for this local government council.”
If elected, Holcombe said he hopes to work to maintain Chelsea’s “excellent school system through proper funding, and outstanding facilities through the appropriate level of city council interest.” He also hopes to improve traffic flow throughout the city, including issues on U.S. 280.
Another campaign issue is bringing in new businesses to Chelsea. Holcombe said he would use a business recruitment program to find these businesses as well as “innovative ideas so our citizens do not have to travel great distances for shopping, dining and recreational facilities.”
In addition to his experience in the military and as a police officer, Holcombe is an active member of Chelsea Kiwanis Club, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Chelsea Citizens Observer Patrol (COPs), church choir and participates on national and international mission trips.
Public safety is an important campaign issue for Holcombe, and he said he hopes to “diligently support our law enforcement and fire fighter personnel by ensuring they have all training and equipment needed for our community’s protection.”
If elected, Holcombe said he would like to lay the groundwork for the eventual development of a city police department.
In addition to maintaining and improving the qualities that make Chelsea successful, Holcombe said he also hopes to work with groups in and out of Chelsea to continue forward progress.
“I was born in Chelsea and grew up here, so my heart and family have always been here in the Chelsea Community which has grown into one of the finest cities in our great state,” he said. “We have some issues to solve. However, if we work with all our residents and the surrounding cities and towns, we will have the knowledge, skills and the power to resolve those issues together.”
Holcombe does not have a campaign website at this time, but he can be reached via email at tcholcombe2001@yahoo.com.
Lime Creek resident Casey Morris and Elizabeth Cooley are also running for Chelsea City Council Place 5.
The election for Chelsea mayor and five city council seats is scheduled for Aug. 23.
If you are running for city council or mayor in Chelsea, you can reach our community reporter Erica Techo at erica@starnespublishing.com.
