Candidate Thompson Hopes to Reclaim a Council Seat

Former council member John E. Thompson, 60, is hoping to reclaim a seat on Kensington's town council. He's a life-long resident of the town and owner of Kensington Fire Protection, Inc., a fire protection contracting firm.

Patch asked Thompson questions to learn more about his campaign and plans for Kensington if elected.

Kensington Patch: How long have you been a resident of Kensington?

John Thompson: I have lived in Kensington since 1955 when my parents moved here from NE Washington, D.C.

KP: What inspired you to run for town council?

JT: My belief in representative government and lifetime of civic involvement in the volunteer fire service, as an adult in my church and town government.

KP: What goals would you like to achieve while on the council? 

JT: Conclude the review and adoption of the Kensington Sector Plan. Investigate the community use of the gym attached to the HOC building, its currently used for storage. Develop an authoritative set of Design Guidelines for use in conjunction with the sector plan approval. Renew my interest in plotting significant town features and street furniture using GPS technology.

KP: What issues concern you about Kensington? How will you address them?

JT: Our revenue stream has taken a new turn with the loss of significant state funds and a reduction in others, our finances are not immune from these influences. I am opposed to any growth in property taxes to compensate for lost funding.

Adoption of the Kensington Sector Plan is our immediate priority, with out the guidance it offers and the venues it creates through zoning changes, we can be overlooked as too difficult to navigate and not interested in revitalization.

KP: Why should a resident vote for you?

JT: This election is likely the most critical event in recent memory, a vote for John Thompson and is the only vote which supports the four-year effort to to define and adopt the current sector plan. The citizens of this town have voted their support for this initiative time and again in the past six years. This election is a referendum on the future of the town plain and simple. Both of us are needed on the council to assure continued progress. The election of any other candidate could split the council and delay adoption of the sector plan.

KP: What's your favorite part of being a Kensingtonian? 

JT: I enjoy the intimate feel of our small town, the regularity of the trains, walking to so much of what Jean and I do, neighbors who you really get to know. My long time favorite place is of course the fire station, my service there was the start of my personal civic pride. Lastly, its the churches, the clubs, and citizens that make this such a great place to live. 20895 is the place to be.

Read the Q&A's from other candidates by clicking on their name: Mackie Barch | Julie O'Malley | Barry Peoples | John Thompson | Stowe Teti