In Their Own Words: Meet Lake Forest Park Mayoral Candidate Dwight Thompson

Editor's note:  Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Patch will be posting Q&As with candidates running for18 offices locally. Twelve of those races are contested and two of them, the mayoral race in Lake Forest Park and Fire Commissioner Position No. 1 in the Northshore Fire District, are contested in the primary Aug. 16. 

What is your full, legal name?

Dwight Alan Thompson

 Where do you work and what is your job title?

I work at Fort Lawton in Seattle as a dual-status civilian employee of the Army Reserve for the 364th Expeditionary Sustainment Command. My title is Command Executive Officer.

I am also the owner of Rehabilitation & Evaluation Services, Inc., a vocational rehabilitation firm with its main office in Seattle.

When and Where Were You Born?

March 2, 1955 in Monterey Park, Calif.

Where do you live now and how long have you lived there?

I live in Sheridan Beach. I moved here in 1988. (23+ years)

Spouse or domestic partner if any:

My wife is Irene Arden.

Children:

Dwight, Meredith, and Hilda.

Education (include graduation date(s), if any):

I received a BA in Social Work (‘78), a Master of Social Work (‘80), and a graduate minor in Business Administration at the University of Washington.

Military Service (include year(s) of discharge, if any):

I am a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve with over 29 years of military service. Throughout this service, I have served overseas twice. I am a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan where I was deployed as the Deputy Commander of Task Force Medical (MED). In 1991, I served during Desert Storm with the 50th General Hospital in Saudi Arabia. I have also been called to active duty twice as a Senior Mobilization Personnel Officer and the Chief of Mobilization for the 70th Regional Readiness Command at Fort Lawton in Seattle.

I am currently a dual-status civilian employee of the Army Reserve as the Command Executive Officer for the 364th Expeditionary Sustainment Command. As the personal representative of the Commanding General, I manage and direct the day-to-day operations of over 3500 Army Reserve Soldiers and 350 full-time staff in seven states.

Memberships and affiliations with clubs and other organizations:

32nd District Democrats, National Association of Social Workers, Reserve Officer Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, National Eagle Scout Association, Sheridan Beach Community Club, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, USA Swimming, International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals, University of Washington Alumni Association.

Have you or a business you owned (or had principal interest in) ever filed bankruptcy?

No.

As an adult, have you been convicted or charged with a crime other than a minor traffic violation?

No.

CAMPAIGN INFORMATION:

Web site: www.DwightForMayor.com and www.facebook.com/DwightForMayor

Email address: ElectDwight@gmail.com

Phone number: 206-399-9477

Campaign manager: Hilda Thompson

Campaign manager contact information: Email: hilda.a.thompson@gmail.com; Phone: 206-403-8679

PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE(S): Lake Forest Park City Council Position 4

Elected: 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008- 4 terms

Other campaigns for public office: State Representative (D) 11th District.

THIS CAMPAIGN:

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

Lake Forest Park is in the midst of a budget crisis where the services we value most in our community are facing devastating cuts. I have the necessary administrative and governmental experience to work collaboratively with LFP residents and the City Council to maintain these invaluable services that make Lake Forest Park a safe, livable city.  I believe that there is much left to be done to fulfill our citizens’ hopes for Lake Forest Park and the best way that I can contribute is to follow through with my 16 years of council experience to provide the needed executive leadership as Mayor to reach our shared vision.  We need a Mayor that understands government and can get things done from day one.

What will be your top three priorities if you get elected and why?

My top three priorities are to maintain our valued community services, especially our top notch police department, our roads and pathways, and our unique environment, through smart fiscal management. 

Preservation and enhancement of the these essential services, in line with citizen input and evaluation, is crucial to making Lake Forest Park the safe, livable city we all enjoy. 

Finally, provide prompt and responsive city services that are easily accessible by phone or in-person.  Our citizens are our customers.

What sets you apart from the other candidates and/or previous office holders?

I have a record of voting in a manner that benefits our seniors, protects the environment, maintains our roads and parks, and preserves other valued community services. I have extensive governmental experience ranging from my time as Deputy Mayor; my tenure on the City Council; and my extensive involvement in King County, including serving as the Suburban Cities Association Representative for the King County Regional Policy Committee (RPC), the Mental Illness and Drug Dependency (MIDD) Oversight Committee, and the Executive Board of the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC). As a member of the LFP City Council and the community at-large, I have demonstrated that I am a collaborative problem solver.  And, as a small business owner and Colonel in the Army Reserve, I have a broad base of experience from which to draw.

My combination of executive, managerial and legislative experience is unique to my candidacy, and will be essential in navigating the waters of the tight budgetary situation in which we find ourselves.  I will start on day one with the proven ability to balance different priorities, build coalitions, and, because I am not beholden to one agenda or special interest, to listen to the people before I make up my mind.  Listen and then Lead is not just a cliché; it’s what I’ve been doing for the last 30 years.

How much money do you expect your campaign to spend on this election?

The campaign has not yet finalized a budget.

What groups or individuals are your major endorsers?

State Rep. Ruth Kagi, KC Councilmember Bob Ferguson; LFP Councilmembers Don Fiene, Sandy Koppenol and Bob Lee; LFP Water Commissioner David Hammond, former Shoreline School Board Member Judy Parsons,  LFP Commissioners Ros Bird, Jackie Gardner, Tyson Greer, Judy and Jeff Altman, Mark Phillips, David Bilski, George and Betsy Piano, Doug Gochanour, David Farkas, John Gwazdauskas, Jeff Weissman, Teri Howatt, Brook Gerberding and Michelle Limoine; Mayor Dave Hutchinson, Roger and Connie Olstad, Donald MacGilvra, Pat Loschen,  Patti Giboney, Dan and Jennifer Olson, Kari Glover, Jim Halliday, Yuichi Shoda, Carol Dahl, Bruce and Linda Olson, Gloria and Herb Bryce, Jim Hansen, Robin Martin, Lloyd Skinner, Anne Stadler, George Jonson, Nancy Rust, Julian Andersen, Karen Sluiter, Doug Mitchell, and many more.