TJ Thomson for Boise City Council

Background:

TJ Thomson is well known throughout Idaho as an engaged citizen and respected policy analyst, program evaluator, and community organizer.

TJ was born and raised in Southeastern Idaho. After graduating from Idaho Falls High School, he volunteered for active duty in the U.S. Air Force, serving honorably as a B-1 Bomber Avionics Technician Specialist in Abilene, Texas. Following military service, TJ attended Boise State University (BSU), becoming heavily involved in both the Boise community, through volunteer service activities, and the university policy making process, as BSU Student Body President. TJ graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and Minor in Communications, and then continued his studies at Indiana University in Bloomington, attaining a Masters of Public Affairs (MPA) in Policy Analysis and Public Management.

TJ has acquired nearly a decade of experience at the federal, state, and private levels in policy analysis, program evaluation, and internal auditing. At the federal level, with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) in Washington D.C., he worked as a Space Policy Analyst on NASA programs and initiatives. While working in Washington DC, TJ also served as a Human Rights Commissioner, was trained as a community mediator, and helped organize the annual Martin Luther King Celebration.

Upon returning to Idaho, TJ worked for the Idaho Office of Performance Evaluations as a Program Evaluator. In a testimony before the Idaho Joint Legislative Oversight Committee, he described efforts by Idaho education agencies to develop a student information system and detailed future IT education needs for the committee. Presently, TJ works for Idaho Power Company as an Internal Auditor.

TJ has become a visible advocate in Idaho’s community. In memory of his mother, he fights tirelessly to prevent suicide deaths, presently serving as the Field Liaison in Idaho’s 1st Congressional District for the U.S. Suicide Prevention Action Network (SPAN) and SPAN Idaho Executive Board Member. Each month, TJ volunteers with the Boise City Police Department and recently established a Neighborhood Watch Program in his West Boise neighborhood to deter crime. Recently, TJ graduated from the Boise Police Department Citizen’s Police Academy, the 4th Judicial District Bar Association Citizen’s Law Academy, and will soon also graduate from the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce Leadership Boise program. In 2008, he was recognized with the “Accomplished 40 under 40” award presented by the Idaho Business Review. TJ is also an active member of Boise Young Professionals, City Club of Boise, and regularly participates in city-wide volunteer efforts.

TJ has been happily married for over 5 years to his wife, Alisha. Together, they enjoy the many wonderful aspects of living in Idaho, including: fishing, skiing, boating, and biking & hiking in Boise’s beautiful foothills. The couple also enjoys scuba diving together and camping all across Idaho in the great outdoors. Alisha is a Hair Stylist at Panache Hair Studio & Day Spa in Boise.

Goals:

For the last two years, while serving as the lead grassroots organizer for the Barack Obama campaign in the State of Idaho, TJ Thomson traveled all across the Treasure Valley listening to people. He learned about their concerns and discussed ideas for improving the problems we face in Boise. TJ has the experience, passion, and know-how, to tackle these issues and brings a fresh voice with new ideas and innovative solutions to the table.

In prior years, the City Council has been more of a ratifying and reacting body than a policy initiator. TJ believes that should change. He offers forward thinking and proactive governance to the City of Boise. In this difficult road ahead, under tough economic times, we need a strong advocate for the City of Boise, and a strong voice for its citizens. TJ brings that voice.

TJ believes Boise should be the safest, most livable city in America, with the best schools available for our children. As the place where he intends to spend the rest of his life, he wants to be a part of crafting a strong structure for both today, and tomorrow.

Issues:

TJ is running for the Boise City Council (Seat #4). TJ will bring a fresh voice and new ideas to the City of Boise. As your City Council Member he promises to focus tirelessly on the following areas to help maintain and improve upon our incomparable quality of life in Boise:

A STRONG, DIVERSE LOCAL ECONOMY
* Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! Protect and attract good jobs and spark new business growth and investment.
* Bring a hyper-focus to small business start-ups and long-term economic opportunities. Bring down the barriers preventing small businesses from succeeding.
* Provide businesses with the appropriate infrastructure they need to thrive in Boise. Implement fair and reasonable public sector fiscal measures to ensure that the cost of new infrastructure is shared proportionally among those served.
* Support efforts that increase purchasing and use of local produce and Boise products to assist the local economy. Support local efforts, such as Think Boise First.
* Strong, reliable support services for both our youth and senior citizens to assist families.
* Strengthened social services for the homeless and those in need, including crisis counseling, to provide people with pathways to self-sufficiency. Close collaboration and partnerships between local volunteer services programs, city departments, community businesses, and faith organizations striving to make a difference.
* Increase visibility and public participation in the City’s budgeting process.
* A strong economy includes a commitment to education:
* A K-12 school system second-to-none, including a commitment to excellence in our regional colleges and universities, as well as our public libraries.
* Pre-schools and kindergartens that are safe and take our children to a new level of understanding. Boise should remain an excellent place to raise children.

PROTECTING OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND PRESERVING OPEN SPACES
* Protect Boise's beautiful foothills and parks.
* Increase park space and expand recreational opportunities in and around Boise.
* Additional dog parks in un-met areas of Boise.
* A strengthened recycling program that increases participation and reduces waste, at both the residential and business levels.
* Increase drop-off locations for glass recycling.
* An increased focus on Green Energy Development.
* Promote energy conservation and efficiency efforts at residential and business levels. Protect the environment by controlling pollution and encouraging preservation of natural resources and properties of historic significance.
* Keep our water clean and improve our air quality.
* Keep our city the most livable city in America by fostering a high quality of life through the wise use of community resources.

A PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW
* Integrate a Light Rail System for the future.
* More biking and walking trails, including improvements to existing paths, that interconnect all across the City of Boise to increase use and improve safety for all of our roadway users – including pedestrians and bicyclists. Support and implement the Boise Cycling Safety Tast Force Recommendations.
* Work closely with ACHD to reduce traffic congestion and improve road conditions.
* Continue to pursue viable and convenient alternatives to the personal automobile. Public transportation alternatives lower the cost of living and reduce air pollution.

A PLAN FOR QUALITY GROWTH
* Quality growth with regional planning for the future. Quality growth that not only supports jobs but includes open space and works in concert with Boise’s comprehensive plan.
* Plan for the future, by thinking regionally in terms of growth. Work hand-in-hand with other Councils and Mayors across the region through collaborative governance.
* Make a commitment to housing opportunity and choice, a wide range of suburban, rural, and urban housing (including affordable options for downtown living) at all price levels for a diverse population. Continue building a community that is attractive, livable, and functioning well with strong neighborhoods and affordable, high-quality housing.
* Protect private property rights. Respect our Constitutional rights to freely own and transfer real property.
* Work closely with Boise Police and Fire Departments to get them the resources they need to fight crime, assist during emergency situations, and keep our streets safe as we continue to grow.
* Integrate modern technology to improve the distribution of City Council information to bring all ages into the decision-making process.

TJ is, and will remain, highly accessible to the Citizens of Boise. He will listen to your concerns and innovative ideas, and will always acquire the opinions and expertise from all parties involved on the issues we are facing together.

CITY BUDGET EXPERTISE: The Boise City Council holds the important responsibility of overseeing the city budget. TJ has served as a Certified Internal Auditor and fiscal steward at the federal, state, and private levels for nearly a decade. He believes these difficult times call for someone with the budgeting and analytical skills to watch over our citizens’ resources and ensure they are spent correctly. We must seek out waste and abuse in our budgets and stretch every tax payer dollar as far as possible. Also, as an experienced policy analyst, TJ will make sure our city programs are working efficiently and assist our department leaders to improve existing operations.

Please don’t hesitate to Contact TJ about his vision for the future of Boise, or to provide any ideas you have for improving this great city we call home. Only together can we build better communities with good schools, low crime, quality public services, efficient transportation systems, ample recreation areas, open space, a strong employment base, and a viable commercial sector!

Grassroots Support:

For 20 years, TJ Thomson has served as a Community Organizer – for candidates, issues, and progressive causes. This campaign will be based almost entirely on grassroots organizing. It is being built from the ground up.

In 2009, TJ received the “Grassroots Organizer of the Year” Award at Idaho's Annual Progressive Celebration & Awards Dinner for his efforts in establishing and leading the Idaho for Obama grassroots campaign for President Barack Obama in the State of Idaho. In 2008, he was officially appointed by Barack Obama as his authorized representative for the Idaho Democratic Party delegate selection process. TJ has also served as the State Chair of Idaho Veterans for Obama and Idaho Deputy Delegation Chair & National Delegate for Obama at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. Presently, he serves as the Precinct 48 Committeeman in West Boise. These experiences have prepared him to lead a very strong grassroots campaign in the City of Boise.

DFA Values:

TJ Thomson is socially progressive and fiscally responsible. He believes that everyone should be treated equally. He will assure that every citizen has an equal voice in the governance process.

TJ is also fiscally responsible. As an auditor and policy analyst, he has spent nearly a decade seeking out fraud, waste, and abuse in our government budgets to find savings and cut waste. At the federal level, with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) in Washington D.C., he worked as a Space Policy Analyst on NASA programs and initiatives – focusing heavily on finding tax payer savings on costly government initiatives, as well as improvements to Space Shuttle safety. In 2004, he performed an in-depth analysis resulting in a one-billion dollar government savings, receiving special commendation and team service awards, as well as a personal recognition award from the U.S. Comptroller General for “outstanding achievement.” Presently, TJ works for Idaho Power Company as an Internal Auditor – a role that focuses on the efficient use of resources and the integration of controls to promote ethical and open company practices. TJ brings nearly a decade of experience finding ways to get more out of every tax payer dollar spent. Under these difficult economic times, TJ can bring the experience we need to the City of Boise.