PEOPLE OVER POLITICS – Facing the Challenge of Change

BENICIA — Terry Scott, a long time Benicia resident, seasoned businessman, futurist and philanthropist has announced he is running for Benicia City Council.   

“I am running because I believe the role of City Council is to make the hard decisions now in order to maintain our quality of life tomorrow,” he said  

“The next four years will be full of important opportunities for our city—as well as present many complex challenges.  I will bring to the Council proven business leadership and the ability to build bridges through transparency, strategy, collaboration, and a commonsense view leading to practical solutions”, he added.  

Mr. Scott has served as Chair of the Arts and Culture Commission, Public Art Committee, a founding member and former Executive Director of the Benicia Community Foundation as well as helped form several philanthropic and local civic groups.

“Benicia is a strong community. It requires strong leadership, one with vision,” he said.  

Mr. Scott added, “My vision for Benicia is to be an economically vibrant community while at the same time preserving its friendly, small-town atmosphere. Benicia is a special place, rich with history. I’m passionate about maintaining a community that embraces all people with all perspectives, supports local art and provides a safe home for its residents with clean air and water.”  

“We must be prepared to face the challenge of change and find ways to thrive. Benicia is a multi generational community. Whether you chose to live here in retirement, to raise your family or start one, we are all hungry to experience the quality of life unique to our amazing town. That change requires us to look at the needs and wants of current and future residents.  

“I am running because I believe the role of City Council is to make hard decisions now to maintain our quality of life for tomorrow.” 

“Through my extensive work and service to our community, I’ve built a reputation for finding solutions, putting in the work and getting things done. The key to all things in our community,” he continued, “is understanding what is our financial and economic condition.”

“Without a thorough understanding of our financial health, how is strategic planning possible? How do we improve our roads? How can we maintain our facilities, control water rates, and maintain the quality of life we expect in Benicia? Without fiscal management, making the hard choices that are ahead of us is impossible,” he noted. 

“We now have a qualified Finance Director to create a path forward based on hard data.  Having access to accurate revenue reports, expenditure forecasts and financial statements will provide Council with the tools needed for successful future planning; an area of my expertise.

Efficiency equals results. We must ask ourselves, is there a better way to do things today without kicking it down the road and facing them tomorrow?”

Terry goes on to add, “During my time as Chair of the Arts & Culture 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 and murals throughout the City. In addition, the ACC formed an alliance with the Benicia Unified School District for student art murals and helped sponsor a number of cultural events. These are things I’m very proud to have been involved with.”

Mr. Scott 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 employees with a total annual operating budget of $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 several national and international clients. He’s 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’. Terry Scott also serves on several national boards including Oakland’s ‘International Toy Museum in Development’. 

“In 2020, I ran for City Council and lost by 126 votes. I believed then, and still believe now, that my message to the community was strong then and even stronger for this run in 2022. As your city council member, I will listen to concerns and examine issues from a fair and pragmatic point of view. Voters can expect practicality and transparency in my decision making process. I’m asking for the most precious item you have in our democracy—your vote.” 

Married for 47 years to wife Randi, a forensic archeologist and member of the Incident Management Team for Solano County Search and Rescue.  They have three sons, one granddaughter.

He earned a B.S. Degree from Kent State University and completed the Executives Studies program at Dartmouth College–Tuck School of Business.

For more information, visit terryscottforbenicia2022.org