Warren Town Council member Steve Thompson, who has served two terms since his election in 2014, will not run for re-election this November.
Mr. Thompson, who now heads the Warren Democratic Town …
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Warren Town Council member Steve Thompson, who has served two terms since his election in 2014, will not run for re-election this November.
Mr. Thompson, who now heads the Warren Democratic Town Committee that failed to endorse him four years ago, said Monday that work responsibilities will make it difficult for him to find the time needed to do the job properly.
“I don’t feel like I could commit the time that I need,” said Mr. Thompson, who started a job as project manager for the state’s Department of Management and Budget last fall.
“I’ve been at the job since September. I figured I would give it a try and see if I could do it (but) I just don’t feel that I can give it the time it needs.”
Mr. Thompson said he is proud of the council’s accomplishments since he was elected to the five-member council in 2014. Many of his initiatives dealt with council transparency and open government, and he believes Warren is in much better shape than it was several years ago. During his tenure the council worked to make documents more available and accessible to the public, instituted a public comment period at council meetings, and has helped with efforts to revamp the town’s website. The new site should be up and running soon, he said, giving residents a much more efficient portal into their town’s governance.
“That is something that is going to be a huge help for people,” he said.
One of his proudest recent moments, he said, was the passage earlier this month of the town’s medical marijuana ordinance. The ordinance opens the town to the limited commercial growing of medical marijuana in some areas, with a special use permit.
“I’m really proud of the decision we made,” he said. “I think it’s a step forward in getting out in front of an issue that is going to be huge.”
Mr. Thompson, who was elected to the council during a very contentious race four years ago, now serves as president of the Warren Democratic Town Committee. He said he will stay involved in public service here as much as possible.
“I really enjoyed my time on the council and I feel like we accomplished a lot,” he said. “I’m excited about the direction Warren’s heading in.”