Front Royal woman kicks off campaign for Town Council seat

Front Royal –A native Front Royal resident, Letasha Thompson, is throwing her hat into the ring by officially declaring her Town Council candidacy this morning. (Wednesday, July 18.)

Ms. Thompson is the Sales Administrator at the Trex Company in Winchester.  She said her duties include handling a  multi-million dollar budget for cooperative marketing and strategic business funds, as well as working with the contractor team.  Additionally, she volunteers with the United Way, specifically the Society of Emerging Leaders, which is a group of mid-career individuals who are passionate about volunteering and advocating in ways in which they can make a difference.  She also volunteers with the Concern Hotline.

“I am excited to announce that I will run for a seat on Town Council! I’m not seeking a seat at the table just for myself, no way! I am bringing everybody with me. A public servant’s job is to serve the public. We need to pull together as a community to effectively work on the issues that affect our town. I am here for the people; not a party, not a group, not a specific demographic, but everyone. I am passionate about my hometown. I want to see us continue to do well and get even better.

“My highest priority is to be an advocate for the public. Open, honest, transparent back and forth communication is how we make government accessible. I am a boots-on-the-ground kind of person. I want to hear, see, and experience issues first hand.

“Improved economics is also top of the list. I will advocate for businesses coming into the community that provide good wages to our people. According to the ALICE report published by the United Way, 37% of the households in Front Royal are part of the ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) population. These are hardworking people, do not qualify for welfare benefits, but still struggle to make ends meet. I want to see that number decrease. I will also work hard to keep our taxes low, so we can draw in these businesses and not increase the tax burden of our citizens.

“I further want to get our teens and elderly more involved in the community and active in general. I feel these two populations are underserved in our community with few activities, programs, etc.

“I look forward to serving our community.”

Thompson is a wife and mother. She has four children, three of whom are grown. She served on the LFK PTO during the 2017-2018 school year.
For additional information visit www.letashathompson.com.

While this is Thompson’s first election campaign for a council seat, it is not her first effort to become a council member.  When the Town announced it would accept applications to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Bébhinn Egger last June,Thompson, along with other candidates, applied.  Gary Gillespie was ultimately chosen after a battery of interviews by Council.

Six candidates are vying for three Town Council seats in the Nov. 6 election while Mayor Hollis Tharpe is running unopposed for a second term.
The seats are occupied by councilmen John Connolly, Christopher Morrison and Gary Gillespie.

Gillispie and Morrison will run as incumbents; Connolly previously told Royal Examiner that the demands of a new job and wanting to spend more time with family would preclude him from seeking another term. Other candidates include Alford “A.D.” Carter III, Chris Holloway, and Robert Tennett Jr.